Grooming 101

Every man is different. We groom differently, dress differently.

Grooming 101 suggests three steps on keeping the face oil-free and looking fresh: wash, tone, moisturize. We need to live with this mantra.

Here are some of the most essential needs of men that one cannot live without:

1. Facial wash. Yes, you read it perfectly... facial wash. Recently, I have been purchasing facial products that turned out to be not so good, with my face drying up every now and then and making me compensate by applying moisturizer, which in turn made my face shinier. Not cute. I used to have Celeteque, Pond's Glacial Clay, Pond's Activated Carbon, and a Garnier Facial Wash simultaneously in my stash with each one of them being applied daily.

Stick with the basics. A non-comedogenic/hypo-allergenic facial wash. I am currently using Dove soap for Men which works perfectly. I still use the Glacial Clay, though.

2. Toner. Facial washes are insufficient in eliminating dirt and grime off our face. Most of the time, even with the initial application, oil still thrives in our pores especially those with large pores. The most useful technique is to use a toner after bath. It not only makes your face cleaner but it also cools and minimizes pores.

Avid Eskinol for Men user for years. Never failed me, although I prefer using the anti-pimples than the deep cleanser as the latter has small beads in it that is really rough on my skin. For best results use once daily. Using too much can cause dry skin. Try also either the Body Shop's, Neutrogena's, or L'oreal.

3. Moisturizers. These products can be quite tricky as the female counterparts have a lot to offer - day creams, night creams, pore minimizers, lifting action, age-defying - all offering to make us look our best. But honestly, day creams and night creams doesn't make a difference at all. At all.

When looking for a moisturizer always keep in mind to look for a water-based one as oil-based products clog the pores. Olay is great. It really is one of the best there is but just not for me. A good option too is VMV Hypoallergenics' moisturizer. Neutrogena's Hydroboost is good too. I am currently using Myra-E though. It works well, it's cheap, and it has SPF 15 to protect me from the sun's rays.

4. Facial Scrubs. Sometimes facial cleansers are not enough to take out oil, that's why facial scrubs were invented. Be wary though that facial scrubs can dry and damage your skin if used daily. And take note too that the best time to use this is post-strenuous activity i.e. workout, jogging, muay thai, boxing - mostly activities that produces sweat a lot. Two to three times a week should be fine.

Try Nivea's Facial Scrub or Neutrogena's Deep Clean or perhaps Celeteque's variant. I have been using the first one for quite some time now.

5. Body Lotion. Honestly, I don't have the luxury of time to rub lotion all over my extremities. Lotions, at least for me, are only relegated for my hands. And because lotions can be heavy on the skin and block the pores. Some people though cannot live without spreading them on their arms and legs.

Jergen's and Vaseline have always been the top brands when you think of lotions. They provide the right amount of moisture to your skin throughout the day. Some variants have scents in them but the less scent the better.

Of note is that you have to determine what skin type you have whether dry, oily, mixed, or sensitive. Those with the first three are lucky because supermarkets are loaded with them, however, for those sensitive types, you first must consult a dermatologist and sometimes specially-formulated ones are better for them. Which really are expensive.

5. Nose hair clippers. Yes, nose hair clippers. This is one of the most important equipment you need to have in your grooming kit. Nose hair peeking out of your nose is synonymous with booger. They are a complete turn off and totally unnecessary. Yes they are needed for thermal regulation and block out foreign materials but they need to be trimmed, out of sight from people or worse, dates.

6. Shaves. Facial hair is cool. I have some too but don't be a barbarian and let it grow long, unruly, and unkempt, especially those who are hairy by nature. Of course Gillette by far is the most known brand.

Rules on armpit hair: If you wear baby-sleeve shirts shave them. If not, go ahead and create a virgin forest. You don't want your armpit hair sticking out of your sleeve when riding a public vehicle or simply sitcking out of your sleeve whenever you lift your arms. It just looks very unhygienic and unsightly like illegal settlers.

Pubic hair on the other hand needs to be trimmed/shaved too depending on your preference. Why? Because bacteria grows in moist environment and the more hair you have, the more they thrive. That is why some guys have that awful stench in between their legs. And that is abso-effin'-lutely disgusting. So if you make love to a guy with a rainforest down there...oh well, charge it to experience.

Lastly, nails on the hands and feet grow on a ratio of 1:4, respectively. And you trim your nails squarely not on a convex shape.

We are men and we have to admit that sometimes grooming is not our forte but times are changing, one must be aware that being presentable is a must always whether at work, gym, mall, or just even out of the house really.

You don't want to look haggard and unfresh. Just like a boy scout, be prepared.

Look your best in any situation - club scene or work scene.

And yes, straight men are not excluded.