Men’s Fashion Advice: Getting your hygiene in order

Every guy wants to walk down the street and get the same kind of reaction as the hapless men in the Axe Body Spray commercials. Unfortunately, unless you’re a celebrity or male model, that’s probably not going to happen. Body spray alone is not going to transform a goblin into a boy band mogul. If attracting the ladies is what you’re after, your best bet is to settle on a daily regimen of hygiene. Looking fresh and clean translates into a general tone of responsibility, confidence, and power. Subconsciously, we respond more energetically to well-groomed people. So here is a quick checklist you can use to establish a regimen and get your groom on:

Exfoliation

Clear skin matters. No matter how much you hate the idea of pampering your face with lotions that feel like sandpaper, exfoliating the dead skin cells on your face is an important part of maintaining your glow. You may also want to consider oils and other health measures to help clear up acne, or a blackhead extractor for clogged pores.

Teeth-whitening

This used to be reserved for celebrities, but more and more ‘average’ people are now looking to whiten their teeth in order to evince glamour and prestige. This can be fairly expensive at a doctor’s office, which is why you may want to consider Crest White Strips or an equivalent off-the-shelf product. Either way, no woman on Earth will truthfully say that she prefers a glint of yellow in your smile.

Waxing and hair removal

Most women don’t actually prefer men who are completely devoid of hair. Too much like that movie Powder. In other words, it’s weird. But that doesn’t mean they want you to have a bear rug on your back either. Excessive back, arm, and chest hair is a huge turn off to most women—and men! Buck up, and get that man-fur reduced.

Moisturizing and applying lotion

“That’s for women,” most men say. But the reality is minerals from tap water dries you out, so unless you want dry, itchy skin, you need to think about it. Get an unscented lotion to apply after you shower.

This list is by no means comprehension. A man truly looking to master the art of hygiene may spend up to two hours a day pampering himself. But most men do not want to spend the time, money, or dignity adhering to such rigorous standards of physical appearance. For these men, a simple checklist like the one above, may come in handy.