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| Adventures in the Land of the Good Groom |
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1.
Getting clean skin |
"To look good, you have to have clean skin, so there are
two essentials every man needs in his bathroom: a skin cleanser (use it
morning and night, in place of soap) and a scrub cream (use it two or three
times a week while you're in the shower.)"
So advises male grooming researcher Susanne Wangman. Writing in a recent edition
of Sunday Magazine, Ms Wangman offers some sound advice for today's Australian
men, as these extracts from her report go to show:
"Why do you need a special face cleanser? Because soap can make your skin dry,
and dry-looking skin is old-looking skin. A cleanser will make your skin just
as clean as soap but leave it softer.
"Scrub creams, or exfoliators, have a thick, gritty texture. They do more than
just clean the skin; they help to get rid of dead surface-skin cells that make
your skin look grey and dry. They also help reduce blackheads.
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2.
All about shaving |
"There's nothing sexier than the smell and feel of a man's freshly
shaved face. Having may be a chore, but it makes you look so good, it's
worth it. That's if you do it right. Poor techniques can lead to rashes,
bumps, cuts and very sensitive skin. And let's face it; most teenage boys
don't have shaving lessons. They're more likely to watch Dad, and then
have a go themselves, but those poor shaving habits can last a lifetime…
"It's true that the better your shaving cream, the longer your razor blades
will last. There are many types of creams, foams and oils, but at the end of
the day, it's best to go with a product that gives great lubrication, so the
razor slides easily over your skin. The rule of thumb? The tougher your beard,
the thick the lather needs to be. If you have long sideburns or a goatee, shaving
oil [or clear gel] can provide an advantage because you can see where you're
shaving. Ditto if you're having trouble shaving with the direction of the hair.
"Your skin, and the water you shave in, needs to be warm to do a good job, so
never shave cold. Pat your skin with a hot towel or flannel to heat the skin,
and then apply your chosen shaving product.
"So, what's the best shaving technique? Start at the sides of your face and
always follow the grain of your beard growth, using your free hand to stretch
your skin as you go. (Shaving against the grain can cause ingrown hairs and follicle
irritations). Next do your neck, then moustache, and finally your chin. The idea
is to do the tricky areas last, so the shaving foam has longer to work, but make
sure you're not shaving dry - re-lather areas before you shave. Always rinse
with running warm water to ensure the water is clean.
"At a professional barber's shop, they'll often shave you twice. And the good
news is if you've used a shaving brush, there's usually enough lather left
on the brush to re-do any patches that don't feel 100 per cent smooth. Don't
forget to replace your razor every 10 shaves.
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3.
Post shave |
"Feeling the burn isn't the best way to start the day, which is why
post-shave balm were invented. Many men report skin irritation after shaving,
and balms
contain soothing ingredients, such as chamomile and aloe vera." |
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