It’s not enough to just be the best dressed man in the room if your grooming routine isn’t on point. Taking care of the little things can often separate you from the crowd.
Knowing the secrets to good grooming helps others around you be comfortable while forming their opinions of you. The average man doesn’t take enough care of his body, but all stylish men keep their bodies properly maintained and well-groomed.
This guide will cover some absolute grooming essentials along with some more unique grooming hacks that you won’t find in all the other grooming tips articles out there.
TOP GROOMING TIPS FOR MEN
Without further ado — the top 14 grooming hacks and tips for men to help simplify and boost your grooming game:
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1. Take Care Below-the-Belt
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Ah, manscaping…a topic we all love to discuss. A quick question — how often do you actually take the time to pamper and please your most prized possessions? Awkward yet?
It’s no secret that grooming below the belt is catching on steam with more and more brands catering for this very specific need, and we’re all for it. Our faces get all the love, but the groin area, although seen far less often, deserves some TLC too.
We recommend picking up a body hair trimmer for this exact purpose, one that doesn’t nick or snag.Even better if it’s waterproof so that you can conveniently do the deed during your shower.
And for your post-shower, we recommend some sort of talc powder with a light, yet masculine scent. These ball powders help to reduce itching and chafing and are super absorbent, keeping everything fresh and well-maintained down below.
Groin Care Recommendations:
- Meridian Grooming The Trimmer – $69.99
- Meridian Grooming The Spray – $15
- Chassis Premium Powder – $19.95
- Grooming Lounge Super Powder – $18
2. Wash Your Hair Less Often
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Everyday use of shampoo and conditioner can be harmful to your hair no matter the product. Sure, shampooing is necessary to remove the dirt, sweat and dandruff that your hair collects, but the soap in shampoo dries your scalp and hair making it frizzy and straw-like.
And so the key message here is that it’s not necessary to shampoo your hair every single day. We recommend washing your hair three times or fewer in a week to help keep your hair healthier over the long run.
If you want a quick and easy way to make your hair more manageable, opt for a dry shampoo that actually cleans your hair, while eliminating oil, sweat and odor. You’ll want to ensure that it is silicone-free, phthalate-free, paraben-free and cruelty-free as well.
» Related: Grooming Lounge Review: Self Care Meets Functionality.
Shampoo Recommendations:
- Botanic Hearth Biotin Shampoo & Conditioner Set – $21
- Pure Biology Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo & Conditioner Set – $23
- Living Proof Perfect hair Day Dry Shampoo – $39
- Pete and Pedro Clean Condition Combo Pack – $27
- Old Spice Timber for Men Shampoo & Conditioner Twin Pack – $15
- Grooming Lounge Power Shower Set – $60 (25% off w/code GENT25)
3. Trim those Nose Hairs & Tame those Eyebrows
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Some men have more unruly nose hairs, ear hair and eyebrows than others, but all men at some point (especially as you get older) can benefit from a little facial upkeep.
Unsightly nose hairs growing like wildfire from your nostrils is never a good look and can be distracting during conversations. Nip this situation in the bud by trimming your nose hairs (and your ears, eye brows and neckline while you’re at it) on a regular basis or anytime they’re getting out of control.
Additionally, unruly eyebrows can be just as distracting as a bushfull of nose or ear hair and so it’s beneficial to keep them in check too. We recommend taming those ‘brows with a small and discreet styling aid like Menaji’s The Fix. You can carry it on-the-go and apply as needed, but once in the mornings usually does the trick.
Nose Hair & Eye Brow Taming Tool Recommendations:
- Manscaped The Weed Whacker – $34.95
- Wahl Micro Groomsman Personal Pen Trimmer & Detailer – $12
- Menaji Skincare The Fix – $22 (15% off w/code KHOI15)
4. Whiten Your Teeth with this Well-Kept Secret
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Keeping your teeth white helps amplify your smile and score points in public. It’s not an expensive hassle these days to get your teeth whitened as you don’t need a dentist for it.
Anyone can buy simple teeth whitening kits online or at a pharmacy for an affordable price. If you want to simplify it even further, there are whitening mouthwashes and toothpastes available which do the trick to an extent.
By far, the best solution I’ve found is to rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide each night. This well-kept secret works better than any other solution out there to whiten teeth, and it’s super affordable.
Just remember to dilute it with water so that it’s not so concentrated. In addition to whitening teeth, hydrogen peroxide can heal cuts in your mouth and help you avoid a sore throat.
Take Caution: If your teeth are sensitive, then take caution with hydrogen peroxide or whitening kits as you may face some pain while using these whitening tools. If you feel any pain, we recommend having a dentist take a look or just ease off it for a bit.
Teeth Whitening Recommendations:
- Solimo Hydrogen Peroxide (6-pack) – $15.16
- Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips (44 count) – $42.16
- Hello Oral Care Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste (Twin pack) – $15.97
5. Establish a Proper Skincare Routine
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Skin care is avoided by many men which is a critical blow to their personal style. But these days, guys are more cognizant to the benefits of proper skincare.
Here are the basics which are important for healthy skin.
- Sunscreen in the morning helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays of the sun which can cause skin cancer
- Use face wash to clean and revitalize your skin, preferably in the AM
- Use an exfoliating scrub once a week to remove dead skin cells
- Moisturizer in the evening helps prevent dry skin and keeps it soft
» You Might Like This Long-Term Tiege Hanley Review.
Bonus Tip: If you need to pop pimples (not recommended), gently squeeze the spot with tissues covering your fingertips. This prevents your nails from cutting your skin and bacteria from your fingers doesn’t touch the wound.
Men’s Skincare Recommendations:
- Lumin Recovery Set (Cleanse, Hydrate and Revive) – $60
- Brickell Men’s Face Care Routine (Wash, Scrub, Moisturize) – $77
- Geologie Skincare Travel Set (Wash, Morning/Night & Eye Cream) – $50
6. Heal Dry, Cracked Skin with a Hand Salve
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Your hands are arguably your most utilized body part and oftentimes doesn’t get the care that it deserves. While some men balk at the idea of hand skincare, a real man knows that health and wellness trumps the appearance of masculinity. And your personal presentation goes a long way.
If you’ve always suffered from dry, cracked hands (particularly in winter), then do yourself a favor and heal them with a moisturizing hand salve. You can also opt for a hand lotion, but hand salves are more discreet and easier to carry around for when you need it in a pinch.
Men’s Hand Salve Recommendations:
- Caswell-Massey All-Purpose Healer Hand Salve – $14
- Burt’s Bees Moisturizing Hand Salve – $8.72
- Allez Outdoor Non-Greasy Hand Salve – $20
7. Protect Shaving Cuts with Lip Balm
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In addition to being convenient to carry around, lip balm has other uses beyond lip treatment. Men often cut themselves while shaving. You may not immediately find ways to stop the bleeding and may resort to using band-aids which isn’t the classiest look.
An easier solution to band aids is to use lip balm to treat your cuts. The waxy nature of lip-balm will help ease the bleeding and seal the wound. This grooming hack can come to your aid in a pinch, so always keep a lip balm or chapstick on hand.
Historical Fact: Aftershaves have been used from over a couple of thousand years by men to treat shaving cuts. Even from ancient times, aftershaves have contained alcohol which acts as an antiseptic to kill germs before they enter the cut.
This has saved lives as the alcohol in aftershaves prevents infections from affecting the body through shaving cuts. And so, don’t forget to apply aftershave when finished cleaning up your beard and moustache.
Quick note: If you’re enjoying this guide on the top 14 grooming tips for men, then you’ll probably find my other writing on all things style, self-development & grooming useful. Each week, I share updates, style tips and other things not shared on the blog through my free email newsletter.
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8. Wear Deodorant/Body Spray
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This grooming tip goes without saying, but there are still countless men who refuse to wear any type of deodorant or antiperspirant and they are the ones who probably need it most!
If you’re the active type, love to exercise and work up a good sweat, then you’re definitely going to need some underarm protection. What you want to look for is a deodorant or body spray that’s aluminum free, with prebiotics and is formulated to combat sweat and odor.
We’re loving body sprays as an alternative to your traditional stick deodorant these days. We’re not talking about Axe or Tag body sprays from your high school days, instead a more grown-up elevated body spray like the recommendation below.
Men’s Deodorizing Recommendations:
- OffCourt Natural Deodorizing Body Spray (3-Pack) – $35.99
- Native Natural, Aluminum Free Deodorant w/ Baking Soda – $10.77
- Dr. Squatch Natural Pine Tar Deodorant – $14.45
9. Freshen Your Breath with Mints
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When you’re out to grab a bite with someone or finish a meal at an event and find your breath is kickin’, it’s a surefire way to feel insecure. Bad breath can be repulsive when you’re with people but there’s an easy trick you can carry up your sleeve. (Actually it’s better off carried in your pocket.)
Having a pack of chewing gum or breath mints will prove beneficial to you and those around you. Along with your breath, this also freshens up your conversations by giving you confidence and a more positive mindset.
Bonus Tip: Gum and mints only help to mask bad breath, whereas using a tool like a tongue scraper addresses the issue directly. It’s not only effective, but a complete game changer for fresher breath and a cleaner mouth.
Breath Freshening Recommendations:
- Altoids Classic Wintergreen Breath Mints (76 count, 12-pack) – $27
- Epic Dental 100% Xylitol Sweetened Mints (60 count, 5-pack) – $16
- Nature’s Way Parsley Leaf (100 count, 2-pack) – $21
- Mastermedi Tongue Scraper w/ Travel Case – $9.99
10. Have a Shower Routine
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We all shower everyday (at least I hope so), but having a set routine for what to do saves time and will have added benefits to your grooming routine. Try to avoid hot showers as this can actually dry out your skin, warm showers are more ideal.
Furthermore, trimming the hair on your face and body in the shower can save time. And clipping your nails before the shower once a week helps set it into a system where you won’t have to worry about overgrown nails.
» You Might Like This Article on How to Treat Oily Skin.
Bonus Tip: Cold showers (shudders) while nearly unbearable, can have tremendous mental and physical benefits. Showering in hot water feels comfortable but it’s also not the best for your hair and skin. Try taking cold showers if you dare and watch your transformation.
11. Substitute Shaving Cream for Soap
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Believe it or not there are better alternatives to shaving cream which will reduce dry skin and prevent razor burns. These substitute products are olive oil, soap, cooking oil, and conditioner.
They’re also more eco-friendly than a container of shaving cream. All you need to do is take a teaspoon of any one of these products and rub it in circles around on your face. The excess material can be washed off after you shave as usual.
Bonus Tip: If you’re letting your beard grow and it gets itchy, don’t shave it right away. Simply use a conditioner on your beard while you shower.
This will make your beard softer and immediately less itchy. Don’t forget a beard oil either as this will maintain your beard’s softness and keep your skin moisturized.
Bar Soap Recommendations:
- Fresh Pine Bay Rum Bar Soap (Organic, US Made) – $10
- Bay Rum Soap by Dr. Squatch (Organic, US Made) – $10
- Viking Revolution Beard Oil Conditioner – $9.88
12. Learn These Basic Haircut Rules
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Start a friendly conversation to develop trust and connection with your barber/stylist. This will help him or her understand what you are looking for so that he or she can give a haircut well suited for you.
Also, it may be a good idea to change the place where you get your haircut to experiment with different hair artists and find the perfect one for you. And whenever you visit a new barber, tell him how long it has been since your previous haircut. This will help him understand your hair and do his best work.
Additionally, remember to do your own research and learn which hairstyles are suited for your face shape as this will improve your style.
And finally, if you’re dealing with male pattern baldness, keep your sides cropped short. This will hide your imperfections and give you an edgier look. Try to get a haircut around once a month, even if you are letting your hair grow out. This will help in keeping it clean with touch-ups and fixes which will keep your hairstyle clean and presentable.
Men’s Hair Product Recommendations:
- KMS HairStay (My current go-to hairspray – 8.4 oz) – $19
- By Vilain Gold Digger Hair Wax (Extreme hold, matte finish) – $26
- By Vilain Sidekick Zero Hairstyling Spray (Hold, Anti-Frizz) – $30
- Kevin Murphy Rough Rider Moldable Styling Clay – $32.99
- Da’Dude’s Da’Wax Styling Wax in bamboo tub – $29.99
13. Heal Your Dry Lips Overnight
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We men sometimes hesitate to use lip-balms because of the shiny, feminine appearance it can give. But it’s a better alternative to dry and cracked lips.
If you’re not a ‘lip balm wearing in public kinda guy,’ there’s a way to use it without being seen. Apply a bit of lip-balm before you sleep. And this doesn’t have to be daily. Alternating days is enough to keep your lips healthy.
Moreover, eye creams are amazing for keeping your eyes appearing youthful while preventing wrinkles. And so, an alternative to applying lip balm at night is using an eye cream that doubles as a lip balm. Many eye creams are actually marketed as dual purpose for use under your eyes and for your lips. Give it a try.
Bonus Tip: Another magical use of lip-balm is by applying it across your nails on your hands at least once a week. This will keep your nails fresh and prevent damage to the skin around your cuticles.
Lip Balm Recommendations:
- NIVEA Moisture Lip Care (6-pack) – $17
- Carmex Classic Lip Balm Tube (3 count) – $6
- Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Balm (6-pack) – $13
- Brickell Men’s No Shine Lip Balm for Men (single) – $7.5
14. Fix Hair Frizz With Conditioner
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If your hair is frizzy and you need an immediate fix for an emergency, try this grooming hack. Rub a small amount of hair conditioner through your hair and soften it without having to wash your hair.
You can also go the more traditional route here and use a hair serum or conditioning hair oil to treat hair frizz. And if you’re in a pinch, using a hand cream or facial moisturizer can help to alleviate flyaways and frizzy hair too.
Hair Frizz Fix Recommendations:
- BluMaan Cloud Control Hair Oil – $26.50
- Pete and Pedro Argan Oil Hair Treatment – $18
- Hawthorne Natural Lightweight Conditioner – $16
- ORIBE Conditioner for Brilliance & Shine – $52
- Ginger Lily Farms Club & Fitness Conditioner- $16
Conclusion
These aren’t rules but more of a guideline to simplify your grooming game. A man’s clothing can only take him as far as his grooming and this list of top grooming tips are sure to level up your style.
We hope this list helps you out. Let us know in the comments which of these are a part of your grooming routine and if you have any other tips you’d like to share.
About Kronos
Kronos Ananthsimha is an adventure author, freelance editor, and blogger. He recently graduated college and can be found in Bangalore, India. You can check out his articles on books, self improvement and men’s style.
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