This may come as a surprise, but women are not the only ones who come to me for beauty advice. It’s a little different for guys – even though it’s become more widely accepted, there’s definitely a stigma on guys who use skincare and haircare products. Male readers, I am here to tell you that not only is it not weird, it’s respected and appreciated when men care about their appearance a little beyond just showering and putting on a clean pair of jeans. It’s similar to what I said in my post about why women wear makeup – to some extent, using products are to impress others, but it should really be about how they make you feel and the little self-esteem boost they give.
Today I’m going to give a few suggestions on products that guys should have – but often don’t – in their dopp kits. (Razors and shaving accessories are not going to be in here; you probably already know what you like by now.) Some men might feel strange about this entire concept, but the results gained after using them really speak for themselves. Let’s get started.
Moisturizer
If you decide to only use one product on this list, make it moisturizer, especially one with SPF. A lot of men don’t realize what a big difference a little bottle of this stuff can make. Does your skin feel a little tight and start flaking in the winter? Moisturizer can help! Do you want your skin to be more even and touchable? Do you want to prevent wrinkles? (Yes, you do, that hottie you’re checking out will love it as much as you will. And you might not realize this yet, but you do want younger looking skin.) Moisturizer can help! I once dated a guy who, whenever we went into a Sephora, would ask “where that stuff was” and have me put it on his face because he liked how it felt, in addition to curing the flakies.
Jack Black Double Duty Face Moisturizer with SPF 20, picture courtesy of sephora.com
I personally recommend Jack Black‘s Double Duty Face Moisturizer with SPF 20. It absorbs quickly, which I believe is a bigger deal for men than it is for women. The packaging is masculine with an apothecary feel – and a lot of guys are fans of the comedian Jack Black (who has nothing to do with this company), and I’ve found that those men find this brand intriguing as a result. It’s also a natural product, if that’s something that appeals to you.
Neutrogena Men Sensitive Skin Oil-Free Moisture with SPF 30, picture courtesy of Neutrogena's website
Another great, more inexpensive option is Neutrogena Men Sensitive Skin Oil-Free Moisture with SPF 30. It comes in a manly-looking tube (there’s something so masculine and aggressive about the color graphite!), so please don’t be deterred by the word “sensitive” on the packaging. It also has more SPF than the other product, and more protection from sun damage is always a good thing. Look, I know many men who are stubborn about using sunscreen – just remember, no matter what your ethnic background, everyone is at risk for skin cancer. Period. (And I seriously doubt that anyone, including men, actually wants to look like a used leather purse.) And, because it’s oil-free, it’s especially good for men who break out easily.
Face Wash
I’ve tried a lot of different cleansers, so I know it’s hard to find something that has every quality in one perfect package. I even like this product, even though it’s targeted to men (who says we can’t use each other’s products?!).
Zirh Clean Face Wash, picture from sephora.com
It’s Zirh‘s Clean, which incorporates alpha-hydroxy acids and menthol into its ingredients. As you may remember from my post on exfoliation, AHA help to naturally cleanse and renew your skin. The menthol? It wakes up your face – for real. The bottle is very masculine – it’s aluminum and minimalist. My only problem with Zirh Clean is a component of its packaging – it uses a screw-on cap instead of a pump. You can accidentally pour out WAY too much product, especially if you’re washing your face in the shower. If that’s not a deal breaker for you, I say go for it!
Stylin’ Hair
This is, admittedly, more about personal preference than the other items are. It depends on what kind of texture your hair has, its length, or how much control you’d like to have over it. That all being said, I really appreciate when guys put a little effort into their hair – it’s pretty easy (in comparison to the torture most women put theirs through) and can make a huge visual difference. I’m from a part of the United States that promotes a certain look in men’s hair – tape-ups, fade-ups, and my least favorite, the blowout.
Sorry, bro, I'm not into your blowout. Photo of Pauly D from dailymakeover.com
This style is extremely high-maintenance and I wouldn’t recommend it, but if you’re looking for a blow-out how to, Pauly D is more than happy to show you how he gets his look just right here. You have other options for your hair, guys! If your hair is medium length and you’re looking for a certain something to amp up your style, I recommend using a hair “paste” or wax, instead of a gel, to rough up its texture a little and provide it with a bit of hold. Your hair will still be soft and touchable, and while it’ll mostly stay in place, it’ll move more naturally – unlike the blowout. Bumble and bumble.‘s Sumotech is a great option – just rub a little bit between your hands to warm it up, run them through your hair quickly and easily, and you should be done. You can spray it if you want or even use a blowdryer, but honestly, it shouldn’t be that difficult. One product step is totally fine.
Extras:
You may or may not use a lip balm already – if you don’t, you should, and if you do but are unimpressed by Chapstick, try this one by Jack Black. It comes in an original scent and tons of others, including Grapefruit and Ginger, and it contains SPF 25, which is higher than your average lip balm.
A lot of men seem to use body wash now instead of soap, of which I am fully supportive. Bar soap is very drying on the skin – and you can use an exfoliating shower puff more easily with body wash. Try the one that I’ve recommended in the past, Dove Men+Care‘s Active Clean Shower Tool. If you use a shower puff or loofah, be sure to hang it up after using it (perhaps on the faucet or a little hook) as opposed to laying it down in the shower – it’ll get mildewy and disgusting.
I didn’t recommend a body wash because I think scent is highly personal – which is why I’m not suggesting particular colognes, either. I do suggest you make a day of it when you go to pick one out, or at the very least, take a few hours. Go to Sephora, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, or something similar and sniff around. Keep your nose from getting overwhelmed between testing by sniffing the coffee beans they’ve provided – that’s what they’re there for. Once you’ve found one that you’ve liked, give it a test: spray it on and wear it for the rest of the day to see how long it lasts and if the scent changes on you. I’ll be providing more tips on picking fragrance in the future, so please check back.
Whew! This may seem like a lot to take in, but pick what you like from it. Go to your nearest Sephora on a weekend – maybe alone, maybe with your significant other, or perhaps with a friend – and see what’s out there! The smallest change can make the greatest difference in the world – so if you just roll out of bed, into a shower, and put on your clothes, try adding these few extra steps – I guarantee you’ll see some positive results.
Hey, guys! What do you think of my tips? Is there anything you think I left out? Do you do any of these things/use any of these products and like what they’ve done for you? Are you mad that I’m not into the blowout? Let me know all that and more in the comments!
makeup maestra 