Metrosexual is cool and male grooming products are on the rise. Whether you want to look better or just impress the woman in your life, facing face facts and brushing up on your grooming skills will score brownie points with both your skin and your lady. We’ve put together four easily digestible facts on skincare for the bathroom-shy male to peruse at his leisure…
Know your skin type
Before you go out and buy a ton of products, it’s essential to know what type of skin you have. It’s likely to be different to your other halves, so stop nicking her stuff, get to know your face and buy your own face wash and moisturiser (that’s really all you need on a daily basis). If you’ve dry skin your skin will feel tight after shaving or washing. If your skin is sensitive you might see tiny raised bumps on the surface or feel itchy after washing or shaving. Combination skin means you have an oily (spotty or shiny) T-zone (the chin, nose and forehead) but also dryness in patches, and oily skin will usually be shiny and oily all over. When you buy a product it will usually tell you what type of skin it’s designed for.
Shave well
Shaving with a razor can play havoc with your skin. You may suffer from raised red bumps, painful in-growing hairs or itchy, flaky dry skin. There are various steps you can take and products you can buy to help eliminate shaving problems. Try alternating a wet shave with an electrical shave to keep skin damage to a minimum. Always make sure you shave in the direction of hair growth. Do not pull the skin too taught when shaving. And invest in a good quality mild exfoliator to remove rough or dry skin before you shave, meaning you’ll get as close and clean a shave as possible.
Spot the difference
Lucky ladies have all manner of concealing products to disguise their blemishes, but men’s spots tend to sit there for all the world to see. Prevention is better than cure, so here’s a quick guide to washing away those zits. Do not over wash your face. Spots are caused by oils not dirt, and the more you wash, the more these oils can be stimulated. There are three occasions on which you should wash with the right face wash for your skin type: first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and immediately after exercising. If you suffer from blackheads look for a mild exfoliator and massage gently into the area in slow, circular motions. Products with an alcohol base should be avoided as these can dehydrate the skin and enflame spots. Drink plenty of water and avoiding touching or squeezing spots.
A liquid concealer will hide any spots or blemishes that persist. Simply dab gently, blending with your finger. You can buy them through various male grooming websites.
By products you can trust
There are a handful of major benefits to spending the extra cash on reputable brands. Most are available to purchase online, which means you avoid a lot of head scratching in the chemist. Online shops usually have some kind of skincare guide too, and help in finding the right products for you. You’ll also have the added bonus of knowing that you’ve got fairly decent products which will start to work wonders on your skin.
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Health and beauty hangouts just for him:
Sea Me Day Spa For Men: a male-only beauty retreat located in Brussels, Belgium.
One Spa, Sheraton Grand Hotel: male-specific beauty treatments in Edinburgh hotel.
Truefitt & Hill: The oldest barber shop in London, their wet shaves are a real macho treat.
Pankhurst at Alfred Dunhill: A male grooming emporium in London offering haircuts, shaves and manicures alongside beer, TV and plush surroundings.
