Fifty years ago, men who spent too much time in the bathroom were met with an undeserved amount of disdain. Get in the bathroom, take a shower, shave, get out — that was the whole grooming routine of the 20th-century man.
Fortunately, times have changed. Men who like to invest time in their grooming are no longer brushed off for being effeminate. However, this newfound acceptance of men’s modern grooming routine in the mainstream has created another problem. While in the past, it would have taken an act of God to find a guide for men’s grooming, nowadays there is just too much (often conflicting) information about this subject. If you fall into the category of confused would-be groomers, this article is for you.
We enlisted the help of Elaine Goodman, a fashion enthusiast and senior editor at MenHairStylist to share some expert advice. Below is her men’s care guide, from top to toe. Men who like to groom themselves are no longer viewed as effeminate. So, there is no reason you should not give at least a couple of these products a shot.
Hanz De Fuko Natural Shampoo for Men
The Hanz de Fuko Natural Shampoo is a great choice if you are looking for a light, yet effective cleanser that will make your hair look like a million bucks. With a quite unique formula — containing over 16 pure natural plant extracts and over ten types of amino acids, this shampoo solves the problem that many other products of this type pose to users — dandruff. So, if you are searching for something that promotes healthy scalp regeneration and natural hair growth, look no further than the Hanz de Fuko.
Give Your Beard a Through Scrub With Miller’s Beard Shampoo Bar
Initially reserved to intellectuals and eccentrics, beards have become so commonplace in the modern era they now attract little to no attention from passersby. And with the prevalence of beards comes a high demand for specialized cleaning products, which is why we recommend Miller’s Beard Shampoo Bar.
READ: 5 Grooming Products for Men with Long Hair
This should be part of every man’s grooming kit for several reasons. Miller’s Beard Shampoo is chock full of natural ingredients, with no traces of sulfates and parabens. Unlike regular shampoos that may strip your beard of its natural oils, Miller’s will clean the hair without leaving an itchy mess behind. It also supports all manners of beard styles and designs, from goatees and five o’clock shadows to circle and full beards. No matter the style, your beard will be moisturized and oil-rich.
Soften Your Beard with Natural Conditioners
Sporting a beard and simply trimming it from time to time is not enough to maintain it in a top condition – you must go the extra mile. Similar to a shampoo, a good beard conditioner adds nutrients, vitamins, and other beneficial ingredients that condition your beard, cleaning the excess debris and skin cells from the hair without stripping it of its natural oils.
For this purpose, we recommend this cedar formula from Herbivore Botanicals. A nourishing, oil-based beard tonic that contains no traces of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, this formula will nourish your beard and moisturize the skin underneath, contributing to a strong and healthy beard.
Stay Fresh with an Antiperspirant
Say you are commuting to work by bike or you are simply the kind of guy that sweats a lot. In this case, a deodorant is probably not enough to cover all your needs, so we suggest switching to a powerful antiperspirant.
If you are looking for something that will protect you against sweat and excessive body odors, try Kiehl’s Body Fuel Deodorant & Antiperspirant. Lasting for 48 hours and containing zinc, caffeine, and Vitamin C, this particular formula will protect your underarm from excess sweat without any sort of irritation.
When Shampoo is Not Enough, Use Hair Conditioner
Hear conditioner is a product designed to improve the appearance and feel of the hair. By applying conditioner, you essentially reduce friction between the strands, making it easier to manage and comb.
We present you Baxter of California, a reputed brand that produces one of the best hair conditioners on the market. The formula we recommend in particular is the Cream Pomade, a conditioner that will do exactly what we stated above, with the added benefit of offering your hair a natural finish.
Create a Fresh Look with a Natural Aftershave Solution
If you are the type of guy who does not like sporting a beard, then you probably know how important it is to have a reliable aftershave handy. Most people who shave daily (regardless of how skilled they are) end up irritating their skin – you have probably heard the terms ‘’razor rash’’ and ‘’razor burn.’’
These two major inconveniences are caused by either applying to much pressure to the skin or simply getting unlucky at the genetic lottery and having sensitive skin. Furthermore, by removing the top layer of the skin, it gets exposed to viruses, bacteria, and other outside bad actors.
The solution here (apart from learning how to use a razor properly) is applying aftershave after each shaving session. If you are looking for something simple that will hydrate your face, you should look no further than the PRORASO Liquid Aftershave Lotion. Unlike other lotions, which usually leave a burning sensation behind, this formula offers users a clean, pleasant, and fresh look, without the disadvantages of standard aftershave formulas.
Hand Lotion
As temperatures drop and fall turns into winter, you will undoubtedly end up with dried hands. Things can get even worse if you spend a lot of time outdoors in cold temperatures – the calluses and hand cracks can exasperate even the sternest of men.
To keep your hands hydrated and in top condition (and, not to mention, pain-free), you should consider Crux’s Hand Salve. Containing no artificial dyes, synesthetic fragrance, or petroleum, but only natural ingredients – seed oil, salvia sclarea oil, and citrus oil, this formula will help heal your cold-battered hands and prevent them from reaching that state in the future. Plus, your hands will smell pretty nice, so there’s that.
Apply Body Wash After Each Shower
Taking a nice, refreshing shower after a hard day is fine and all, but few things compare to the fresh sensation that a body wash offers. And Malin Goetz’s Bergamot Body Wash does exactly that – containing naturally derived amino acids and bergamot, as well as a pleasant, natural fragrance, this formula soothes the skin, making it soft and gentle to the touch. To yield its full effects, apply it only to wet skin.
Pamper Yourself with Perfume
Already a staple of standard men’s care, a high-quality perfume is the must-have accessory of every man’s grooming kit. But not just every perfume – if you want something powerful, yet subtle that will give you an air of mystery, you should consider giving the aptly named Tom Ford Noir a shot. But what makes this particular product so useful is its versatility – whether you are spending a long day in the office or you are planning a night out, this perfume is suitable for extremely different social contexts.
Maintain the Quality of Your Footwear with a Reliable Cleaning Kit
Do you hate buying shoes and boots every year due to deterioration? You are not alone. To put an end to it, you should include a high-quality shoe cleaning kit amongst your care products. The one manufactured by Red Wing Shoes, in particular, has everything you would need to maintain your shoes in a perfect state, including a brush, boot cream, cloth, and a natural leather conditioner.
If you are a sneaker type of guy, we’ve got you covered too. Jason Markk’s Premium Shoe Cleaner will solve your problem, whether you are dealing with stains or dirt marks, regardless of color and sneaker model.
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