6 Next-Level Personal Grooming Habits for the Discerning Dude

Are your face and fingernails clean? Do you have fresh breath and spotless hair? Congratulations on nailing the basics. It should go without saying, but hygiene is the least you can do as far as personal grooming is concerned. We’ll be brazen enough to say that it shouldn’t be optional. However, if you’re ready to be a better man and go beyond the bare minimum, follow these tips.

If you can’t commit to one barber, then at least commit to one barbershop. The hair on your head may just be a bunch of dead cells, but it has the power to make or break your look, which is why most discerning men understand just how crucial a decent haircut is.

A regular barber gets to know you and your hair. He learns your likes and dislikes and how your hair naturally parts on the left and curls on the right. He has a front-row seat to your hair, a body part that plays a significant role in your life but you can’t even really see properly.

He can notice changes in your hair density and texture and can make recommendations accordingly. If you’re feeling playful, he can experiment with you while remembering what looks good and what you prefer.

Having a go-to barber can take the guesswork out of what you’ll look like and help you feel pampered and confident.

Whether you prefer a clean shave or you’re rocking a beard, you must be able to manage your facial hair (or lack of it) properly. If your peg is Oscar Isaac or even James Harden, you must trim it regularly to prevent it from growing to full Hagrid. Also, start a habit of using beard shampoo and oil to make it more tamable.

Clean cut? You don’t have to go to the barber to get a shave (but hey, that’s why you have that go-to, right?). Keep your shaving razors clean, sharp, and well-maintained. Always prep your skin with oil and cream, then shave with the grain to reduce friction and avoid in-grown hair. Rinse then moisturize to keep your clean-shaven skin healthy. Personal grooming sometimes requires a bit more effort, but it’s worth it.

Whether it’s a haircut, a fragrance, or an outfit, nursing a signature not only makes choices easier for you, it also establishes your brand. Think Tom Selleck and his mustache. Jason Momoa and his long hair. Steve Jobs and his turtleneck.

Many studies on branding suggest that creative and intellectual people adopt uniforms because their minds are too busy to be bothered with the mundane problems of daily life. People who have a signature have understood their personal style and have reached a particular level of esteem. Besides, having one provides comfort, confidence, and convenience. It’s also a great fallback for guys in a rush.

The best toothpaste will take care of your oral hygiene needs, but you can take the step further by adding mouthwash to your personal grooming regimen. Note that mouthwash cannot replace the benefits of brushing your teeth, but it can improve personal hygiene, especially if your mouth needs specialized attention.

Mouthwash use doesn’t have to be done with every brush since it can over-clean your mouth, eliminating good bacteria and masking bad breath that could reveal tell-tale signs of a deeper physical issue. According to a 2012 study in Dentistry Today, mouthwash can ward off major mouth diseases such as gingivitis and gum disease ­– and who would want those?

Have you finally graduated from using regular soap and are now using proper facial wash? Facial wash such as POND'S Men Facial Wash Acne Solution is specially formulated to address the common skin concerns of men, such as oil and acne. It has Thymol T essence that fights acne-causing bacteria, so you get clearer skin in three days.

Using the right cleanser for your face is a step up, but since you can still improve your personal grooming, do your face a favor and follow up your wash with some moisturizer. Since male skin tends to produce more sebum, most men think they don’t need to moisturize their skin. There are moisturizers for every kind of skin type. The skin of your face also goes through a lot, what with shaving and other external aggressors. It helps to nourish and protect it. Find a water-based one if you’re concerned about that greasy feeling.

Baz Luhrmann came up with a song called “Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen,” which compares using sunscreen to wasting your youth. To quote the award-winning director: “If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it…the long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists.”

Sunscreen prevents your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, delays the signs of aging, and maintains an even skin tone. It’s a small step, but one that can change your personal grooming regimen.

Your personal grooming habits don’t have to be OA. But c'mon, dude. It’s time for you to step up.