Looking for ways to personalize and perfect your grooming routine? The tips below are some of the most common mistakes men make regarding their hair, beard, and skin care. With a few small tweaks to your routine, you can refine your look.
#1 Unkempt Hair Growth
We are all for embracing nature, but manscaping can boost your confidence and elevate your look. There’s no reason to go completely bare (unless you want to) but trimming can make a world of difference!
This includes your:
Eyebrows—bushy brows can be a sexy and defining feature, but the bushier they are the more important it is to trim and shape. If your brows aren’t bushy but you have a unibrow, have it waxed or plucked away.
Ear hair—you may not be able to see it, but others may find ear hair to be distracting. Have ear hair removed in a spa or barbershop or with a clean and disinfected at-home ear hair trimmer.
Nose hair—if your nose hair grows beyond your nose, it needs to be trimmed. Look for a dual-purpose ear and nose hair trimmer and be sure to clean and disinfect it after every use.
Back hair—your back is a tough place to manscape solo. If your partner is up for it, and you aren’t shy about it, have them help. Otherwise, go to a spa. From a trim to completely smooth, do what feels right for you.
Beard—we know how primal it can feel to let your beard grow, but even if you are going for a somewhat unkempt look, facial hair should be trimmed and shaped. This keeps your beard healthy and flatters your face.
Shaggy hair—we know your schedule gets busy, but you need to have your hair (and beard) trimmed and shaped every 4 to 6 weeks. Even if you are growing it out, it needs a trim to stay healthy.
Below the belt—this area is sensitive, so use trimmers and clippers designed specifically for manscaping your nether regions.
#2 Using The Wrong Grooming Tools
At the very least, the right grooming tools will simplify your grooming routine. They may even speed up the grooming process and deliver better results.
Some common mistakes include:
Using a dull razor—razors must be sharp for a clean and smooth shave. This means they need to be replaced every 5 to 7 shaves, or after shaving a large area such as your back.
Using a cheap razor—we’re all for being frugal but spending a few more dollars on your razor can make shaving more comfortable by minimizing nicks and razor burn.
Using dirty shaving tools—be sure to clean the hair out of your razor after you shave and to clean and disinfect your electric tools and other grooming tools as directed.
Dirty hair styling tools—whether you use a hairbrush, comb, beard brush, or beard comb, they need to be cleaned every 2 to 3 weeks. Remove the excess hair, clean them with shampoo or a mild cleanser, and let them air dry.
#3 Shaving Against The Grain
This will be a forever topic of debate, but you should shave with the grain on the first pass. This will comfortably remove longer hair. On your second pass, you can shave against the grain.
For areas of the face or body where hair grows in multiple directions, shave in the direction of most of the hair growth.
#4 Forgetting To Wash Your Face
Even if your face doesn’t “feel” dirty, you need to wash your face to remove bacteria and acne-causing oil, sweat, and daily toxins. Also, to remove your daily skincare products. For a facial-hair-friendly face wash, use Uncle Jimmy Hair, Beard and Body Wash. It won’t clog your pores and won’t dry out your skin or hair.
Wash your face:
- Every morning
- Every evening
- After you swim
- After you workout
#5 Skipping Daily Facial Moisturizers
Make no mistake, we must all strive to age with grace. That being said, there’s no shame in investing in anti-aging skincare products. This can include AM and PM skincare serums and moisturizers for your face and eye area.
To keep things super simple, you can use a naturally derived beard oil or beard balm as your morning and evening whole-face moisturizer. Otherwise, layer your facial products on before your beard products.
#6 Skipping Daily Sunscreen
The only thing that damages the skin more than the sun is smoking. But you aren’t alone if the only time you consider sunscreen is when you are on vacation or will be in direct sunlight all day long.
At the very least, apply a broad-spectrum facial sunscreen in the morning as a proactive approach to fine lines and wrinkles. If you use an anti-aging skincare moisturizer, it may have UV protection built in. Otherwise, apply skincare products in this order:
- Serum
- Moisturizers
- Sunscreen
- Beard products.
#7 Ignoring Your Hands and Feet
Even if a spa manicure and pedicure aren’t your vibe, don’t forget your hands and feet. That is unless your feet have calluses, then you may want to consider the occasional pedicure.
At the very least:
- Clean your nails as needed.
- Clip your nails every 2 weeks.
- Apply lotion daily to your hands.
- Apply lotion as needed to your feet.
#8 Ignoring Dandruff
Dandruff is typically easy to treat, so there’s no reason to ignore it. Even an over-the-counter shampoo can work wonders. Just be mindful that over-the-counter products should be applied to the scalp as the dandruff chemicals dry and damage your hair. Always follow up with a rinse-out or leave-in conditioner.
If over-the-counter products don’t work, head to the dermatologist, as it may not be dandruff.
#9 Forgetting To Test New Products
We hear you, when you find what works you may not want to switch things up. That being said, never stop exploring new products. Particularly ones that are formulated with natural ingredients and designed to address your individual, seasonal, and evolving grooming needs.
#10 Going Overboard
Where some men’s grooming routines are too minimal, there is such a thing as too much.
This might include:
- So much product that your hair is crunchy.
- A routine that causes stress or makes you late.
- Overpowering cologne or body spray.
- Plastering on your beard oil or beard balm.
Check back to the Uncle Jimmy blog again soon for additional men’s grooming tips!
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