We all know that dates, especially first ones, can be a nerve-wracking experience. Of course, women are won over by a man’s personality and charm but first visual impressions do count. Forbes reported that you have 7 seconds to create a first impression and, as shallow as it is, those first 7 seconds of a date will probably be spent by checking each other out. Making sure you are as polished and as groomed as possible can be a great way to create a positive lasting first impression and make sure your date is thinking ‘wow’ before you’ve even opened your mouth.
Psychology Today published an article last year where they highlighted a study on women’s preferences about facial hair. Apparently, women find men with light stubble to be the most attractive compared to other types of facial hair but they also find that men with beards come across as the most masculine and socially mature. Lots of mixed messages! Whatever style you choose to have your facial hair, the most important thing is that it is clean, tidy and in the best condition possible.
Shaving, especially if it is part of your daily routine, can be a bit boring. It can also be a painful experience and leave you with razor bumps and shaving rash which is not ideal, especially before a big date. Luckily, there are ways to make shaving an enjoyable and cut-free experience, such as by using a professional style razor and other shaving accessories like a special brush and cream.
A straight or a double-edged safety razor are both great choices if you are in the market for something a little different or you’ve grown tired of constantly replacing your disposable razors. They may be a little more expensive than your standard razor, but you will get so much more use out of them and the quality means that they will last a lifetime if taken care of properly.
Before wet shaving, make sure you wash your face with some warm water to soften the hairs you are about to tackle. After this, you should apply some kind of cream or foam to the area otherwise your skin will become prone to nicks and cuts. A great way to make sure your skin is fully prepped is by applying your chosen cream with a shaving brush. Shaving brushes are great because they create a proper lather and evenly distribute the product.
At this point, you might want to let your chosen cream sit on your face for a couple of minutes before going any further – this will help the cream soften your hairs even more which will lead to great results.
If you are using a razor you haven’t used before then make sure you are fully aware of how to use it properly, especially if it is something as sharp as a straight razor. As a general rule for all razors, shave in the direction that your hair grows to avoid ingrown hairs and make sure you’re holding the razor at a 30-degree angle.
After you’ve shaved, it is a great idea to give your face another wash with some warm water and apply a post-shave lotion or aftershave to help moisturise your skin and help avoid redness and irritation.
Have you been growing a beard recently but been a little disappointed with the results? You were expecting to look manly and rugged by instead it’s looking a little patchy and thin? If this sounds familiar, then there is a good chance that the problem is that you are not using a specialised beard shampoo and conditioner. If this sounds a little ridiculous then consider the fact that you wouldn’t neglect washing the hair on your head – your beard should be no different.
If you’re reading this and thinking that you could get away with using a regular old shampoo on your whiskers, then I’m sorry to say that this just won’t make the cut when caring for your beard. Normal shampoo is not heavy duty enough to cope with all the stuff that comes into contact with your beard on a daily basis and it is also not made to deal with how thick and coarse facial hair is. By shampooing and conditioning your beard hair you are guaranteeing that it smells nice and feels soft – both big bonuses if you are considering going in for a kiss on your date!
A beard brush will also help keep your beard in tip-top condition. Make sure you only ever brush your beard when it’s dry to avoid hair loss and if you are using some kind of special beard oil, make sure you do this before you brush so it can be distributed properly all across the hair. If you’ve truly levelled up your beard game and you have achieved a luscious and long beard, then you also might require a beard comb to untangle the hairs and to encourage your hair to grow downwards over time.
Consider grabbing a pair of tweezers before your date to get rid of any stray hairs that might be developing into a mono-brow. If you’re going to be brave and pluck your brows, then make sure to do it a few hours before your date to make sure any resulting redness has died down. Don’t be scared of plucking if it’s your first time, the pain is worth it as neat eyebrows can really frame your face. Don’t underestimate the importance of eyebrows! If you have a couple of hairs poking out from your nose or ears, then make sure you’ve got these sorted before the date as well.
In this day and age, taking care of your skin is no longer just a women’s issue. There is a huge range of men’s products available at a variety of prices so there is no excuse for men to be neglecting their faces anymore! It would be great to get some kind of skincare regime going a few weeks before any planned dates; all you need to achieve the softest skin is a cleanser, an exfoliator and a moisturiser. Don’t be embarrassed about buying these kinds of products, you won’t be the first and you most certainly won’t be the last.
The first step in the skin care process is to cleanse your face. Avoid using soaps as they are just too harsh to use on sensitive face skin and instead get yourself a for-purpose facial cleanser. Next, you might want to use an exfoliator but again, be sure to buy one that is specially made for the face. Wet your face with some warm water to open those pores and then apply your exfoliator by massaging it in circular motions. Make sure to avoid the eye area as it is just too sensitive and don’t exfoliate more than a couple of times a week to avoid irritation. To complete the job, you might want to apply a moisturiser which will make sure your skin stays soft and smooth.
This has all sounded a little girly so far, so don’t worry we are not about to suggest you make an appointment at your nearest nail salon for a full-blown manicure. However, a little nail care can be a great idea before a date. All you need to do is make sure your fingernails are trimmed and there is no dirt or grime underneath them. If you’re really dedicated to the cause, then maybe consider using a little hand cream before the date to make sure that first handshake or hand hold leaves her with the best possible impression.
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