You’ve Got Male

Gone are the days when primping and preening were reserved only for women. Celebrities such as David Beckham proudly admit that their morning routine includes cleansing, toning and moisturising. So make the best of yourself this summer not only by wearing well-cut clothes and maintaining a stylish haircut but by also following this quick and easy guide to male grooming!

Deep clean

Cleansing is or ought to be one of the most important parts of your morning routine. Using soap and water simply isn’t enough and will actually do more damage than good. This is due to the drying properties of most soaps and water too is surprisingly dehydrating when it isn’t teamed with the correct product.

Instead, begin with a face wash such as Clinique For Men Liquid Face Wash (£14.00), which is suitable for all skin types and leaves skin feeling refreshed and prepared for shaving.  For best results, lather a pea sized amount over damp skin to cleanse thoroughly and soften your stubble then pat dry with a clean towel.

Instead, begin with a face wash such as Clinique For Men Liquid Face Wash (£14.00), which is suitable for all skin types and leaves skin feeling refreshed and prepared for shaving.  For best results, lather a pea sized amount over damp skin to cleanse thoroughly and soften your stubble then pat dry with a clean towel.

Stubble control

Ditch your usual lightening speed ‘shave and go’ routine and take a little more time when shaving to achieve the perfect finish and avoid irritating your skin.

A luxurious shaving cream like Skeen Rich Shaving Cream (£23.00) ensures that your skin remains nourished with Vitamin E and Alantoin throughout and that you achieve the closest shave possible with absolutely no redness. Apply a generous amount to your face before you take the razor to dry skin, wash off with lukewarm water afterwards then dry.

Replenish and restore

No matter what product you use on your skin during shaving, moisture will be lost and it will be a little more sensitive, hence why it is so important to rehydrate afterwards with a good moisturiser.

Kiehl’s Facial Fuel SPF 15 (£33.00) is a great example of a ‘worth-investing-in’ men’s moisturiser. It’s certainly not one of the cheapest products on the market but the fact that it’s packed full of Chestnut Extract and Soy to restore natural oils, along with Vitamins C and E to boost radiance means that it’s well worth the somewhat hefty price tag. The built in SPF 15 will help to protect your face from the harmful, aging rays of the sun. Apply the moisturising cream liberally after shaving or otherwise.

Tan man

Wanting to take your skincare routine a step further? It’s no secret that having a bit of colour gives you a healthier and more awake look, so instead of shying away from the many false tans and gradual ‘summer skin’ moisturisers that are lining the skincare shelves, embrace them!

For a subtle hint of colour, invest in No7 For Men Gradual Face Tan (£10.00). When smoothed on like a normal moisturiser, it provides long lasting hydration and builds up a subtle, natural looking colour throughout the day with no telltale fake tan smell.

If however you’re looking for a more intense tan, opt for Fake Bake Unisex Bronzing Gel (£25.00), which is also scent-free and contains concentrated antioxidants. It’s a good idea to use a tanning mitt to apply the Fake Bake Unisex Bronzing Gel however to avoid a build up of colour on the palms of your hands.

Finishing touches

Got some free time? Why not trim your fingernails and toenails to achieve a well-manicured look? Firstly, use a nail scrubbing brush e.g. PK Originals Wooden Nail Scrub Brush (£3.10) with warm, soapy water, to remove any dirt from under your nails. Next, once your hands/feet and nails are dry, take Sally Hansen Nail Scissors (£1.50) and carefully trim your nails to a shorter length but be careful not to cut too far down the nail bed, as this can be painful.

Last of all, get rid of any stray hair in-between your eyebrows with Tweezerman Mini Slant Tweezer (£12.50). It’s also a good idea to pluck out any hairs that are more than a couple of millimetres beneath each eyebrow as this will give an overall groomed effect.

Spritz on your favourite anti-perspirant and you’re ready to go… Grooming isn’t just for girls after all!

The in-house writer of this article and many other articles on Mobile Beauty UK fashion and beauty blog is Harriet Charnock-Bates