Words: Gentleman's Journal
When it comes to maintaining a grooming routine, it’s easy to let old habits die hard. If you’re still putting enough product in your hair to rival an 11-year-old at a school disco, chances are your best intentions are being laid to waste.
If your sights are set on attracting the fairer sex, there’s really no excuse for cutting corners (take a quick second to honestly assess how much preening, plucking and perfecting you’d expect from a potential partner, and you’ll see what we mean). Fortunately, we’re ready and waiting to give you a (not-overly-moisturised) hand with a few gentle suggestions on where you might be going wrong, according to the real experts: women.
The mistake: attempting to disguise your baldness
“When men attempt an ill-advised combover, a misfitting wig, or hatfishing (we checked, it’s a scientific term). It’s not a good look.” Daisy, hairdresser (23).
The fix: invest in thickening shampoos
We’re all about embracing your natural hair-loss over here at Gentleman’s Journal; but if you simply want to keep your hair looking as thick and full as possible, then we’ve curated a selection of the best shampoos and hair treatments on the market right now.
Patricks‘ foamy offering can enhance strand mass and reduce inflammation; Christophe Robin‘s Thickening Paste is formulated with Tahitian algae and pure rassoul clay for thick, strong hair (the touchstone every gentleman should be aiming for); and Aesop‘s shampoo is a fragrant wonder, with Tangerine Peel, Rosemary and Peppermint among its delectable scents.
The mistake: putting too much product in your hair
“No woman wants to live in the fear that striking a match within a 10-metre radius of her partner might spark flammable chaos.” Amber, fashion stylist (34)
The fix: less is more
The wet-look glory days came and went with Beckham in the early noughties. Trust us when we say: it’s a look that’s best left in the past, alongside your wide-leg jeans and bandana. And, where less is required, it makes sense to invest in the best. So choose a hair styling product that promises a thicker, fuller and natural quality.
Happily, that’s just what Blind Barber can provide, with its ’40 Proof’ spray, infused with sea salt and hops to convince everyone that you’ve just strolled in from the beach. Meanwhile, Oribe‘s moulding paste will keep your hair looking shipshape all day long.
The mistake: getting experimental with your beard
“If Craig David couldn’t pull off a chin strap beard, what makes you think you can? There’s no real excuse for this bizarre aesthetic decision, and it will not substitute a lack of cheekbone structure.” Georgie, photographer (28)
The fix: keep in natural, not architectural
Some sound advice (the best kind of advice, as we’re sure you’ll agree) is to spend time working on a beard fade in order to avoid looking like a floating, hairy head sitting on a disconnected bald neck. As for getting the job done: in this instance, a workman actually can pass some of the blame onto his tools for an unsatisfactory result.
For this reason, it truly is worth investing in the right equipment: so look no further than D R Harris, to cater for all of your shaving needs. The heritage brand’s three-piece razor will give you a closer, cleaner shave than you could imagine (and it has a distinctly vintage aesthetic, too); while the (refillable) shaving bowl will bring light scents of citrus and fern to your morning shaving routine.
The mistake: over-plucking your eyebrows
“Other than ensuring that you are always sporting two eyebrows, rather than one long one, just leave them alone — you don’t know what you’re doing. If the hair really is getting so long that it’s beginning to obscure your vision, then seek out a qualified groomer to give them a quick tidy.” Vicki, make-up artist (39).
The fix: have the tools on hand for a quick tidy
This is one grooming issue that you really don’t need to split hairs over. Invest in some good quality tools — and taking care of that monobrow will take no time at all.
Czech & Speake can kit you out with everything you could possibly require for all your tweezing, clipping and tidying needs, thanks to its manicure set; plus, the set is air travel friendly — which should suit you fine for all that green lit air travel we very much hope you’ll be doing. And if you’re still looking for more aid in the tweezing arena, the ever-trusty Tweezerman has you sorted.
The mistake: over-doing the cologne
“I still harbour a nauseating memory of school classrooms and buses stifled by the overpowering scent of male body spray. Less is more, guys.” Sophie, beautician (27)
The fix: find a signature scent
While your grooming budget might have significantly improved since those school bus days, the temptation to be rather too liberal with your cologne may still be letting you down in the dating game.
Rather than overpowering the woman sat across from you at the dinner table (or, indeed, your fellow commuters), opt for a signature cologne which will keep you smelling fresh all day with just one spray. Acqua di Parma‘s Colonia offering epitomises Italian sophistication, while Tom Ford‘s Noir number will bring scents of bergamot, black pepper and nutmeg to your morning routine. Finally, Laboratory Perfumes has embraced everything samphire has to offer with this blissfully aromatic scent; and you should, too.
Looking for more grooming pearls of wisdom? These are the best men’s facial treatments in London…
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