By: Ashley Espinoza
Full disclosure, I'm not a skin or haircare expert by any means, but I've seen enough TikToks to know the basics. And in talking to my male coworkers, I know there are some areas of self-care that often go ignored by men. So I've compiled a list of my top grooming tips for men, from a woman's perspective.
Don’t worry, I won't ask you to use a root–boosting hair tonic, night serum, and a white algae anti-aging eye cream every night. But please, put down the 3-in-1 shampoo/conditioner/body wash bottle and let's add a few steps to your routine.
Grooming is about more than just how you look – it’s about how you feel, and it can affect your overall health too. These are some easy tips to up your grooming and help you feel your best, so you can take on whatever the day brings you.
Your skin is your largest organ, so let’s make sure we take care of it! I know it sounds tedious, but it’s important, especially for those with sensitive skin. Do you ever wake up and notice white spots on your nose and cheeks, or itchy and red skin? This irritation is due to dehydrated skin that then becomes tight, dry, and can age you. This is where face wash and moisturizer can help.
Start with the right products for your skin type. There are four skin types:
Buy a cleanser and a moisturizer that suits your skin type. Most products will say what skin type they are best for. Alternatively, you can ask a dermatologist to be sure of what to use and what to avoid.
Start by wetting your face with lukewarm water. Apply your cleanser and rinse with warm water to remove it. Dry your face gently by patting it down with your towel. Then, apply a generous amount of your face moisturizer and let the skin absorb it. Do this every day.
If you only do one thing on this list, I beg of you, make it this one. SPF should be something you apply every time you leave the house. Even if it’s raining, even if you won’t be outside long – you need SPF. The sun is powerful, and harmful UV rays can still get to you through clouds or your car window tint. Not only can unprotected exposure to the sun age you like a leather shoe, but it can also increase your chance of skin cancer.
They make SPF specifically for your face. If you want to find a two-in-one sunscreen and moisturizer to combine steps 1 and 2, I’ll allow it. But make sure you get at least SPF 30!
You don’t have to lather it on, but use a small amount spread evenly over these key areas:
When it comes to grooming, most men forget their hands. Your hands are often the first point of contact when meeting someone new, whether is a business deal, your kid’s teacher, or a date. You don’t want to have a sandpaper-like texture, dirt under your nails, or have chipped and jagged nails. Tips for masculine well-groomed hands are:
Pro-tip: Just go get a monthly manicure! Every time I’m in the nail salon, there is at least one guy in there getting pampered too. The experts know how to do it best, and you’ll leave feeling like a new man.
Even if you're growing out your mustache for Movember, it's still important to keep your facial hair looking clean and sharp. Trim when needed, no one wants hair in their mouth. If your mustache is growing over your lip, it’s time to trim. You don’t have to be clean shaven, but if you’re rocking a beard, getting the right men's hair grooming products, such as beard oil and wax, can go a long way in upping your facial hair game. You'll soon notice a difference between a groomed vs. ungroomed beard. I know I do.
Trust me, even if you took each of these tips to heart (which, you should), it will only add another 5-10 minutes to your routine a week. It’s more than just superficial looks, it’s about feeling confident and motivated to tackle each day.
If you’re ready to take an extra step in keeping your hair, skin and nails healthy and looking nice, try a daily omega supplement. Not only are omega-3s instrumental for a healthy heart and brain, they are highly beneficial for our hair, skin, and nails.
The older I get the less inclined I am to lean into what's trending on the internet. But needless to say, there may be an opportunity cost to not embracing the future, or even remaining on the sidelines so long that you have to catch up.
The mission of The Driven is to help equip you with the tools to live smarter, better lives. Today, I want to challenge you to lean into learning the basics of artificial intelligence-powered chatbots, specifically, Chat GPT. Launched in November of 2022, Chat GPT was the leader of AI chatbot tools and is truly a groundbreaking tool that is changing the way we communicate and create.
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