5 must-know grooming tips for men

The trick is not to spend a fortune on products, but instead to create a few good routines and invest in quality products. Quick and effective routines that are simple while still giving you the facial care you need and the look you want.

1. First things first – Wash it off

Even if you are a man, your face needs to be cleansed. It can be compared to a car, you wouldn't polish the car before washing it, would you? So use a scrub on Monday morning to scrub the weekend off your face, and every morning for the rest of the week use a regular face wash that is less harsh on the skin. You will see a change in no time.

Choose a shampoo that suits your scalp and hair. If you use a lot of wax, you should wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove old residue and make your hair shiny. If you exercise often, a 3-in-1 shampoo will do the trick. It can be used as a shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Perfect for training and not least when traveling.

2. Beard care

There's nothing wrong with having a long beard. But messy, untamed beards, no thanks! Remember to trim it so you look neat and tidy. Feel free to use a beard scrub to keep it clean and your skin cleansed.

If you're one of those who stick to a clean shave, you should learn the basics of a good shave. Prepping your skin with a shaving oil or cream beforehand will help your razor glide over your hairs effortlessly. If you're using a razor, soak the blades in warm water. This will help open up your pores, making it easier to remove hairs and leaving less redness and irritation.

If you have a long beard, feel free to use a beard cream after shaving. If you are clean-shaven, use an aftershave, but remember that aftershave is not meant to be very fragrant. You don't want people to notice it (if they do, you've used too much).

3. Facial care = Moisture

Men's skin is thicker compared to women's skin. It is often also oilier than women's as men have a higher sebum production. Even though you may have oily skin, it doesn't mean you should skip moisturizer. Because your skin needs moisture anyway, it's just about finding the right cream for your skin type. Therefore, find out if you have dry, oily, normal or sensitive skin. Then think about how you like the consistency of the cream. Do you like jelly, cream or lotion? With these parameters in mind, it is easier to find a cream that you will like and that will suit your skin well and that will give you what your skin needs.

If you want to go further, you can apply a serum under the moisturizer and an eye cream around the eyes. There are different versions of serum too, but the most important thing is to find out what you want to work on, is it wrinkles, pigment spots or moisture. Eye cream is good to use as the skin around the eyes is much thinner than on the rest of the face and therefore needs a different type of cream. 

To avoid sunburn, make sure you use a moisturizer with an SPF to protect your skin.

4. Love is in the hair

Hair products for men have become a bit more confusing since the Brylcreem your grandfather swore by, so make sure you are up to date on the uses of each product. Generally speaking, thicker hair and messy styles can handle waxes and pomades, but if your hair is thinner, lighter products and sprays will give your hair the hold it needs. If you have longer hair, paste can be great for setting your hair in place and giving a medium shine result with medium hold. If you are looking for a little more volume, fiber wax can be a solution, as it adds texture while also giving volume and strong hold. 

5. Find your perfect perfume

Instead of owning 8-10 half-decent bottles of perfume that you randomly choose from every morning, find one or two classic scents that you really like and invest in them. Typically, woody, spicy or herbal scents are suitable for the winter months, while lighter and fresher citrus scents work best in the spring and summer. Whether you like a classic scent, sporty or more young and fresh. Choose a perfume that you like and that suits your everyday life.