MALE GROOMING 101

It took long enough, but the modern man’s grooming regime now extends beyond shampoo and a bar of soap. Smart men know that good grooming habits will fast-track you to looking your best and feeling more confident. Add in some of the finest skincare, haircare and men’s fragrance from the world’s most exclusive brands and you’ll look your best every day of the week.

SPF. Every day

There’s no getting away from it, SPF is as important as washing your teeth. If you want to save yourself money in the long term on those products that reverse sun damage, fine lines, dark spots, and more, a proactive approach to SPF is key. Every morning, apply moisturiser with SPF to bounce UV rays and pollution. Coat yourself with sunscreen before sunny days you know you’ll be exposed. Together, these prevent your skin from looking like an old boot, and more importantly, help prevent skin cancer. Keep it up all year long, even in winter—or if you work by a window.

Swap the Soap

Soap and water no longer washes as a skincare routine. Standard soap removes good lipids as well as dirt and sebum causing the breakdown of the skin's natural moisture barrier which results in water passing out of the skin more rapidly and making it severely dry. Opt instead for a dedicated face wash or cleanser, such as Clarins’ Men Active Face Wash, a foaming facial wash that tackles dirt, grime and pollutants with the gentle purifying power of Grindelia and Gaultheria extracts. Treat skin to a deeper and more thorough cleanse once a week with Acqua Di Parma’s Face Clay - a perfect complement to the grooming routine.

Bright Eyes

Given that the skin surrounding your eyes is by far the thinnest on your face (0.3 to 0.5mm as opposed to 1 to 1.6mm), the ravages of time and a modern, busy lifestyle tends to appear here first. Use a comprehensive product to address multiple concerns like Clinique’s Age Defense For Eyes. This fast absorbing cream hydrates and diminishes the look of dark circles and puffiness and corrects fine lines. Pat the product in gently – with a single finger – across the bony ridge above and below the eye socket. For an instant pick-me-up after a long journey or late night, try Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Eye Fuel. This cooling formula is infused with caffeine and vitamin B3, to reduce dark circles.

Prioritise Your Scalp

Most of us don’t think about our scalps until there’s a problem and it starts itching or flaking. But your scalp is skin too and in order to grow healthy and strong, it needs some care and attention to prevent sebum build up as well as bacterial and fungal growth. So, try incorporating one or two scalp-centric products into your regimen. Be it a scrub like Omorovicza’s Revitalising Scalp Mask (to lift dead skin and stimulate circulation, which strengthens hairs) or a balancing serum like Aveda’s invati men™ Scalp which is formulated with amla (Indian gooseberry), to instantly thicken hair at the root.

The Night Shift

Your body’s cells regenerate fastest while you sleep, so it makes sense that an overnight skincare regimen is the quickest way to clearer, firmer, and even-toned skin. That’s why it’s so important to cleanse before bed, and layer on a nutrient-dense night cream and/or anti-aging products. When paired with a full night’s rest, these products work their magic on your complexion.

Clarins’ Double Serum is a multi-award winning Serum that makes skin look firmer, wrinkles appear smoother and pores appear less visible. Meanwhile, La Mer The Concentrate is a kelp-inspired restorative treatment to help calm the appearance of redness and irritation.

PUTTING ON THE SPRITZ

Often forgotten or sprayed in a rush, fragrance is a quintessential part of grooming. Colognes and aftershaves are built to complement, not knock passers-by out cold. So, use sparingly, and rather than owning eight to ten average scents, find one or two classic blends that you really like. Take a leaf out of Ryan Reynold’s grooming routine, whose signature scent is Armani Code. Or opt for Ombre Leather by Tom Ford which recently won gold as Men’s Favourite in the Brown Thomas Beauty Awards.

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