Men's Guide to Getting Ready
by Andrew Connor, Lifestyle Writer
When it comes to getting ready, we all know the clichéd stereotype. Girls need at least an hour- to shower, do their hair, put on makeup, and God knows what else you ladies do to get ready. However, the average guy is in and out of the bathroom in about five minutes, ready to go.
Men don’t have as much hair to work with as women, and thankfully we don’t need to worry about makeup or shaving our legs; with that said, we have an amazing ability to cut a lot of corners. We might skip shaving for a day, or let our hair do its own thing. We can look and feel our best though by spending just a few minutes to take care of our hair and bodies. Here are a few quick tips that men can utilize to get the most out of their routine in the morning or before a night out.
The most time consuming component of getting ready for men is shaving. Obviously, you should shave when you deem it to be necessary. If you’re like me and your facial hair is patchy and so sparse that it only qualifies as a beard in the most technical sense, I would recommend making a habit out of shaving. Shaving, though, can be a delicate process that should be done correctly to reduce razor burn. The best shave goes as follows:
Make sure you have a clean face. The best way to do this is to use warm (not hot) water and a mild soap or cleanser. Washing your face will leave you with a closer more comfortable shave, but hot water and strong soap will remove too many natural oils protecting your skin and you will end up with some serious discomfort.
Shave with either your electric or traditional razor, but make sure to do it with the grain. If you use a disposable, make sure to throw it out after about three or four shaves.
Finally, washing and shaving your face will have opened your pores quite a bit so it doesn’t hurt to use a product with benzoyl peroxide to close your pores. After-shave is optional.
After coming to college and having to share bathroom space with other guys, I’ve noticed that 3-in-one are quite popular. I get it: multitasking is good to save time. But I suggest that you have three bottles in shower: body wash (alternatively a bar of soap), shampoo, and conditioner. Yes guys, conditioner. It’s the little things that count.
Imagine this: trying to eat dinner, watch TV, and do your homework all at the same time. You might save some time, but you’ll end up with stains on your shirt, a grammatically incorrect paper, and you will miss all of those artistic details hidden in an episode of Breaking Bad. The same thing happens with these multipurpose cleansers. When picking out shampoo and, yes, conditioner, keep your hair type in mind. My hair is wavy and frizzy, so a shampoo and conditioner that provides maximum moisture is a priority for me. As far as body wash and soap, pick whatever scent you like. If you have a habit of using cologne or body spray though, I suggest a more neutral smelling soap.
When it comes to cologne and body spray: don’t use the entire bottle. That may be an exaggeration, but the general consensus with the women I’ve asked seems to be “less is more”. While you may believe what the AXE commercials tell you, higher-end colognes might be the better way to go. I prefer Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue. Even though it might be on the pricier side, it’s about the same cost as a few cans of AXE and should last you twice as long.
The last and most important topic is certainly your hair. While most men may be content with letting hair do its own thing, the ladies of MODA (and most ladies) want men to put in that extra effort. If you find the right products, it shouldn’t take more than a couple minutes.
The primary hair product I recommend is a highly malleable hair wax. It comes in a short little can, not dissimilar to pomade, but will provide a better hold and a natural finish. I specifically like Blind Barber 60 proof hair wax. I also highly suggest Fiber by Crew. Like cologne, less is more. Don’t use more than a dime sized amount. It looks better and your wax will last a lot longer. If you’re still looking for more hold, you’re left with one other option: hair spray. If you have particularly hard to tame hair (such as myself), consider one more product. For frizzy, curly, or easy to tangle hair, a leave in conditioner or detangler will help keep things in check.
Finally, don’t use a hairbrush; unless you’re Clay Matthews you don’t need it. A comb works better for keeping your hair neat, and it makes styling and restyling your hair a breeze. It may seem excessive, but if you’re in a situation like a date or interview, quickly visiting the bathroom to fix your hair will keep you looking smart and fresh. Like I said, it’s the little things.