The Ultimate Guide to Men's Grooming

Looksmaxxing. Self-improvement. Men's grooming. Call it what you want—these days, there's a growing pressure on men to look their best. Online, it's easy to fall into extreme trends in a desperate bid to upgrade your appearance. One minute, you're trimming your beard; the next, you're analyzing your jawline with a protractor or dropping hundreds on hyped-up supplements.

Here's the truth: some of it works, but most of it barely moves the needle. Ever heard of the 80/20 rule? It suggests you can get 80% of the results from just 20% of the effort. And when it comes to grooming, that means nailing the basics—solid skincare, smart hair care, and proper beard care. Master those, and you'll see a real difference in how you look and feel.

You'll find everything you need to know about the basics in this men's grooming guide. Get ready to look your best. 

The Perfect Skincare Routine

Skincare is something most men neglect. Most men use some kind of face wash – however, it's not uncommon to find a guy who just lathers his face in drying soap. The result? Your skin looks blotchy, dry, and puffy. Worse, you can get clogged pores or acne breakouts that tank your confidence.

It's almost taboo to mention skincare – think facial cleansers, daily routines, and even a moisturizer. However, these products really do make a difference.

Skincare comes in two parts:

1. Your lifestyle
2. Your skincare routine

Ignore either of these at your peril. If you're not optimizing both, you won't see the best results. Let's delve a little deeper.

Your Lifestyle

You are what you eat is a famous saying. It's true. What you eat determines how your skin functions. Eating a diet rich in processed, fatty foods without adequate nutrition will leave your skin worse for wear. You want to eat a diet full of whole foods: fruits and vegetables, lean meat, whole grains, and healthy fats.

Try these diet tips:

• Eat Enough Protein and Fat. People don't eat enough protein and healthy fats. Foods like eggs, lean meats, and legumes can support collagen and skin repair, whereas avocados, nuts, seeds, and oily fish keep your skin soft and supple.
• Include Colorful Fruits and Vegetables. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins (like A, C, and E), these foods support healthy skin and reduce the signs of aging. 
• Prioritize Omega-3s. Found in flaxseeds, walnuts, and oily fish, these naturally fatty acids reduce dryness and inflammation.
• Lower Your Alcohol Intake. Alcohol dehydrates your skin and leads to dullness.
• Cut Back on Diary, Sugar, and Processed Foods. These foods are often linked to acne, inflammation, and breakouts in most people.
• Drink Plenty of Water. Staying hydrated helps flush out toxins and keep your skin soft. 

In addition to these dietary tips, you want to get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. In fact, sleep will boost almost every part of men's grooming, giving you a refreshed appearance. Oh, and stop smoking! Smoking is a major cause of aging, harming your skin and giving you a puffy, inflamed look.

Your Skincare Routine

Now, onto the skincare routine itself. You don't have to overcomplicate things. Remember, we're following the 80/20 rule, trying to get the maximum benefits from the minute effort.

What you'll need:

• Gentle cleanser
• Exfoliator
• Moisturizer
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+)

What to do:

In the morning, you'll need to:

1. Cleanse. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser to start fresh
2. Moisturise. Keeps skin balanced and smooth
3. Apply sunscreen. Crucial for daily protection, even on cloudy days

In the evening, you'll need to:

1. Cleanse again. Get rid of the day's grime
2. Exfoliate. 2–3 times per week after cleansing
3. Moisturise. Helps skin repair overnight

That's it. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes to complete. Just don't wait too long between washing your face with the cleanser and moisturizing. It can dry your skin out further. 

Simple Tricks for Hair Care

Most men are familiar with haircare. After all, we all wash our hair. However, it wouldn't be the ultimate men's grooming guide if we stopped using shampoo. 

The core part of excellent men's hair care is picking the right style. It should complement your face shape, aesthetic, and even your beard. If you're not into difficult styles, you can opt for something clean and simple. Think of a crew cut. Just make sure it's well-groomed, clean, and complements your appearance.

In terms of washing your hair, it's not that complicated. We recommend investing in quality shampoo and conditioner. You'll want to shampoo your hair 2-3 times per week (or more often if you have oily hair). Always condition your hair after using shampoo to prevent your scalp from drying out. 

Looking to go to the next level? Well, that's where hair products come in. There's a dizzying array of men's hair products available – it's difficult to know a clay from a wax. Here's a quick overview:

• Styling gel. Strong hold and wet finish
• Pomade. Flexible hold with a shiny finish
• Clay. Matte finish with medium to strong hold
• Wax. Medium hold and natural shine
• Hair cream. Light hold for a natural, textured look

If in doubt, speak to your hairdresser or barber. They can advise on the best options and even recommend a particular style. 

The Basics of Beardcraft 

Beard care, or beardcraft as we call it, is our specialty. Too often, we see dry, brittle, unkempt beards and despair. If only you knew how easy beardcraft could be!

Beardcraft splits into two parts: trimming/style and products. 

Beard Styling

Selecting the right beard styles is difficult. Like your hairstyle, it needs to match your face shape and aesthetic. The right beard style can strengthen your jawline, balance your face, and turn a 5 into a 7 or 8. We've got a ton of resources to help you find the right style and master it. From the Balbo to the classic Viking beard, you're sure to find a spark of inspiration somewhere in the Book of Beardcraft.

Popular beard styles include:

• Stubble. Short and rugged; easy to maintain
• Goatee. Hair on chin only (with or without a moustache)
• Van Dyke. Pointed goatee with a disconnected moustache
• Ducktail. Full beard with a tapered, pointed chin for a sleek, sculpted look
• Full beard. Grown-out and natural; covers jaw, cheeks, and chin
• Circle beard. Rounded goatee and connected moustache
• Chinstrap. Hair along the jawline, often no moustache
• Balbo. Trimmed beard without sideburns and a floating moustache

Mastering these styles takes time and practice. You'll need the right tools to achieve the perfect look. We recommend using these tools:

• Beard Brush. Distributes natural oils, detangles, and helps train beard growth direction.
• Beard Comb. Ideal for styling and separating longer beards without static.
• Trimmer. Electric tool for shaping and maintaining beard length evenly.
• Trimming Scissors. Great for precise cuts, snipping stray hairs, and detailing edges.

Beard Products

Simply trimming your beard into the right style is only half the battle. Beard maintenance means keeping it hydrated and soft to avoid split ends and that unkempt, bushy appearance. 

That starts with applying beard oil to your beard either daily or every few days. Just a few drops massaged into your beard (using the beard brush, if necessary) leave your facial hair soft and shiny. Our formulation is made with the finest ingredients, including pure jojoba oil, virgin argan oil, apricot kernel oil, pumpkin seed oil, and much more. It's designed to maximize hydration and achieve a lasting, shiny luster. 

However, suppose you've got a full beard. In that case, you might consider investing in some other beard care products that can either provide greater hydration and moisturization or a lasting hold for a particular beard style.

We recommend:

• Beard Balm. Combines natural butters and essential oils to moisturize, condition, and provide light hold for shaping.​
• Beard Cream. A lightweight formula enriched with hydrating agents to soften the beard and reduce frizz without leaving a greasy residue.​
• Beard Enhancer. Contains ingredients like biotin and plant extracts aimed at promoting thicker and fuller beard growth.​
• Beard Tamer. Formulated with natural oils and waxes to control flyaways and provide a smoother, more polished beard appearance.​
• Mustache Wax. Features a blend of beeswax and essential oils to offer a strong hold for precise styling and shaping of the mustache.

Lastly, never use a hair shampoo for your beard. It strips away all the natural oils, leaving your beard even drier and more brittle than before. Instead, opt for our Beard Wash and Restore. This specially formulated shampoo and conditioner nourishes your facial hair and offers deep cleaning. 

Other Aspects of Men's Grooming

We've covered the basics. However, there are a few final touches that can separate you from the average guy. Consider these aspects:

• Body Grooming. So-called manscaping is increasingly popular. Not all men like removing their body hair. However, it's sensible to give your downstairs a little bit of a trim. 
• Smell Good. That starts with a solid deodorant or antiperspirant (the latter reduces sweating). But you can also invest in a strong, masculine cologne to take it a step further. Trust us – there's no substitute for smelling fine. 
• Trim Your Nails. Don't let dirty or long nails ruin your appearance. Keep your nails trimmed and clean with regular maintenance.
• Use Lip Balm. Dry lips are another turn-off. Applying a good lip balm will lock in the moisture and complement your beard. 

That's it! If you've made it this far in our ultimate men's grooming guide, you're armed with everything you need to know to transform your appearance. Remember, you've got to get the basics right, including diet, sleep, and exercise. Everything else builds on this foundation. 

Ready to learn more? Check out our other guides to learn more about men's grooming and beard care.