Men’s Grooming Guide... By a Woman

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 Tips for Men

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.

1. Wash and Moisturize Your Face

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:

• Normal skin – no noticeable dryness or oil
• Oily skin – buildup of oil mostly around the T-zone (between your eyebrows or around your nose)
• Dry skin – dry, flaky skin
• Combination skin – oily in some areas and dry in others

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.

2. Apply SPF DAILY

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:

• Your entire face, especially your nose and forehead
• The tops of your ears and back of your neck, if exposed
• If you’ll be outside in the sun, also make sure to get your arms and the tops of your feet if they are exposed

3. Take Care of Your Hands

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:

• Moisturizer: Honestly, please just moisturize your whole body! But especially if you’re doing physical labor often or work with your hands, they can be affected by cracked skin or calluses because of the wear and tear. Men's moisturizer with antiseptic can help reinvigorate your hands at the end of the day.
• Nail scissors: Nail scissors are essential to keep your nails well-trimmed. They allow you to have an even cut across your nails, unlike nail clippers. They also don't break or damage your nail fibers or leave a rough finish. Trim them up weekly.

• Nail file: After trimming, you may have some areas on your nails you want to smooth out with a nail file. Seems easy enough, but you might be using the nail file wrong! It's important to only stroke it in one direction across your nails, do not saw it back and forth. That can cause more harm than good to your nails. The more you know!
• Nail brush: If you trim your nails and moisturize your hands but leave a trail of grime underneath your nails, it might as well be all for nothing. A nail brush can get underneath the nails and remove the dirt, leaving a polished look. It just takes a few seconds at the end of each day.

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.

4. Trim & Style Your Facial Hair

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.

Final Thoughts

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.