Grooming mistakes men should avoid

STYLE is what you put on your body. Grooming is how you present your body. However, just as people notice your bow tie, blazer or oxfords, they also notice your hair, skin, and appearance. In this guide, we’re going to discuss the top men’s grooming mistakes to avoid.

Using inferior products

Whether you use a few products or a range of products, what you put on your body has a direct effect on your appearance. A product that doesn’t live up to its claims or simply underperforms should be the first to go. If your skin is reacting in an area in which you frequently use products, back off using your products entirely, and add them back into your routine to see which one is causing the reaction. Check ingredients on the bottle and stick with products that contain as few harmful additives as possible. Some key ingredients to avoid are alcohol, fragrance, parabens, and phthalates.

Unsightly nails

Dirty, scraggly nails, though they are a small detail, can be a powerful negative distraction. To maintain your nails, first pick up a well-made manicure kit for men. Clip your nails so a slim border of white is showing and file the rough edges. Use the point of the small metal file to clean under the edge of your nails and use the small clippers to trim off any hangnails. If you have issues getting your nails clean, pick up a small brush or a toothbrush and use soap as needed to scrub your nails. We recommend spending just a few minutes every 4-7 days each week maintaining your nails.

Untrimmed nose and ears

We can all agree that hair hanging from nostrils or protruding from ears is unsightly. It’s a mistake to overlook maintenance of nose and ear hair. An inexpensive nose and ear trimmer can quickly trim the hair down so no one sees it. Just remember to focus on the entire ear and not just the canal as hair can often grow in other areas as well.

Rough feet and hands

Like a good manicure, the skin around your nails should be cared for. The easiest way to remove dry skin or callouses on the feet and hands is to take a hot shower to soften the skin and then use a pumice stone to remove the excess skin. Once the skin is dry, use a large nail file to smoothen the surface further. Don’t want to do this yourself? Get a salon pedicure and they will remove your calluses and dry skin.

Forgetting what goes in comes out

The skin is the largest organ on the body. Just like the heart, kidneys and liver, the foods we eat and beverages we drink can have a huge impact on the health of our skin, nails and hair. In other words, it’s not just weight that can be affected by what we put in our body. Eating healthier is a quick fix to many skin ailments and will give you noticeably healthy skin and hair.

Body odour

Here are some tips to help combat off-putting smells: Don’t use colognes, body sprays or scented products to mask bodily odours, instead, wash with mild soaps and unscented products; deodorant isn’t optional; choose a moisture-wicking undershirt that will keep you feeling fresh all day; dress for the weather; foot powders can combat foot odour and baby powder can keep your armpits smelling fresh; bad breath isn’t grooming, but it does turn people off – consider carrying strong breath mints with you and keeping a toothbrush, floss and mouthwash at the office.

Wearing too much cologne

The key to wearing the right amount of scent is to eliminate it where it’s not wanted and then add it only in the quantity and scent that you particularly like. For the most part, fragrance can be an irritating and unnecessary additive to most of the products that come in contact with your body, so it’s better to choose the fragrance-free options for your moisturiser, body lotion, and detergent. Instead, add a scent with your aftershave or a cologne. If you like both, then use a thin layer of aftershave and walk through a fine mist of cologne. If you prefer just a cologne, add a touch to your throat and wrists, but limit yourself to no more than two spritzes.

Cracked or flaking lips

Many people argue that the perfect smile is important. It really is, but even the most engaging smile will be less convincing with dry, cracked or flaking lips. A good quality, natural lip cream, ointment or stick can keep your lips nourished, hydrated and healthy. If over the counter products don’t work, consider asking your dermatologist or physician for a prescription. However, like any skin product, there are some that are better than others. Most of the products made for men will not alter your appearance or look like you’re wearing makeup. They will simply keep your lips looking healthy.

Eyebrows

Bushy eyebrows are never an attractive look. In fact, they can be so distracting that people will have a hard time looking you in the eye. Not maintaining eyebrows is also one of the biggest mistakes men make when it comes to grooming because they are such a prominent feature on your face.

Trim your eyebrows

This is one part of the body worth shaping, but it can take some practice to get it right. The biggest thing is creating an attractive border to limit random loose hairs. It also means shaping them and preventing the eyebrows from touching in any way, shape or form.

Source: www.gentlemansgazette.com