GROOMING TIPS

The grooming essentials you need now

6 February 2019

Grooming extraordinaire Dan Jones – author of The Gentleman’s Guide to Grooming and Man Made: The Art of Male Grooming – is here to bring you a simple but comprehensive guide on getting your grooming right this season.

Men’s grooming advice tends to push an unobtainable body image that leaves most of us out in the cold. Sure, some men look like they belong on a Men’s Health cover, but the majority of us aren’t spray-tanned fitness models with abs like a tray of freshly baked Greggs’ sausage rolls. We’re mostly always hairy, probably have a slightly wonky face and  – unless you’ve won the genetic lottery – won’t look like we belong on a magazine cover.

Great grooming, though, isn’t about being something you’re not, it’s about working with what you’ve got. It’s about putting in a little effort, having enough confidence and keeping it simple. So, invest in a few good products, eat well, drink lots of water, change your socks every day, and smile – and follow these essential tips...

SHOP ALL GROOMING

Never forgo a moisturiser

Once you’ve washed your face, removed all traces of barbecue sauce and patted it dry with a clean towel, your skin is in a moist, receptive state and it’s the perfect time to apply moisturiser to protect and hydrate. Apply small dabs to your cheekbones, forehead, chin, and neck, smoothing over gently in a circular motion. Ideally, apply twice a day, morning and before bed, but don’t beat yourself up if you forget to do it in the evening. Also, daily sun protection, especially for those with fair skin, should be a no-brainer.

SHOP MOISTURISERS 

Take care of your beard

Think of it as a small pet – feed it, brush it, and take it to a groomer (read barber) once in a while to keep it in tiptop condition. But also make sure that you’re using a good quality trimmer, that you’re regularly washing it with a mild shampoo and a little conditioner (but watch out for soap build-up) and top it all off with a little moisturiser. Beard oil is an essential not worth missing out on, so add this cherry on top before combing through and heading out the door.

SHOP BEARD PRODUCTS

Mix up your a fragrance every season

With smells evoking memories, thoughts and feelings, choosing a fragrance to wear will always be an intensely personal experience. Build up a small collection of your favourites – citrus for summer, woody, smoky notes for winter, and something rich and complex for a big night out. Apply to your chest and back before putting on your clothes to let the aroma slowly seep out or spritz a little inside your jacket.

SHOP FRAGRANCES

Reset your shaving routine

Here’s a fail-safe method: first up, use a mild face wash to cleanse and soften the face and hair (shaving after you shower is optimal), lather up with good quality foam, crème or gel (shaving oil is great for more visibility and works wonders if you have a little acne) letting the product sink in for a moment. Use a super-clean, multi-blade razor, and with a light pressure – gently pulling the skin taut – and shave in the direction the hair grows. Rinse with warm water after each stroke and finish up with a splash of cold water to close pores, patting dry. Replace your razor as soon as it starts to dull.

SHOP RAZORS

Words written exclusively for Next by Dan Jones. 

Illustration created exclusively for Next by Timothy Durand.