Men's Personal Care Information
Make A Great First Impression With Your Appearance
Beyond taking a shower every morning, here is some basic tips:
Check your face
You don't necessarily have to shave, but at least ensure that your face is clean and free of "debris." A quick look in the mirror to check for nose hair, stuff in your beard or crust in your eyes doesn't take more than a few seconds, and is well worth the effort.
Groom your hair (ear, nose, chest, head, etc.)
Hair growth happens with regularity, so make trimming and upkeep part of your routine. Wash and condition your hair every day (or every other day, depending on your hair type and length). Set aside one day a week (preferably a Saturday or Sunday, when you have more time) to tend to ear, nose and chest hair.
Clean your hands
In the business world, handshakes can make or break you; in the dating world, a woman expects to see nice hands. So all you have to do is cut your nails regularly, scrape away the dirt with a "nail cleaner" or a nailbrush (which you can keep in the shower to save time), wash your hands frequently (to avoid sweaty, sticky hands), and use lotion on occasion (to keep them smooth).
Apply lip balm
There is nothing worse than looking at chapped lips, and trust me, no girl will want to kiss them. Find a good lip balm and use it regularly. Just don't put too much on, or it will end up looking like lip gloss. And if you don't like applying it in public because of the unmanly look it portrays, then do it in private when you go to the bathroom.
Dress well
You don't need a suit (unless the occasion calls for it), but you should always wear clean clothes that are wrinkle-free and smell good. In other words, wear clothes that were just in your drawer or closet, not your hamper.
On a related note, select clothes that fit. After you put on your clothes, take a look in the mirror for a few seconds to make sure they fit properly. Yes, their preferred fit will vary over time as styles change (along with your body and taste), but the key here is to pay attention to what you're putting on.
Use some sort of scent
Many guys go to town wearing some sort of fragrance, using everything from scented soap and deodorant to aftershave and cologne. Other guys prefer not to use anything. Like most things in life, the answer is moderation. Pick one scent (otherwise you'll combine fragrances, which will result in a weird smell) and go with it. Just make sure it isn't too strong and make sure not to bathe in it. One final note: Don't skimp on cost here; cheap cologne will act like repellant.
Shine your shoes
People tend to look at your shoes right away. If dress shoes are appropriate, make sure they're shined. If you're wearing casual shoes, make sure they look clean and new. Tattered shoes tell the world that you either don't have money or don't care -- neither option is attractive.
Treatments
40 and Over Fashion Tips
With age comes wisdom. The lessons learned over the course of a lifetime make us smarter and stronger. And by the time most of us hit our 40s, we feel like we’ve seen and done it all; we feel secure in ourselves, our careers and our style. Unfortunately, though, that last one sometimes stems from a false sense of security. Unlike other aspects of life, the style strategies we acquire over time end up working against us, especially after watching a few decades of ever-changing fashions fly by. At some point we must reevaluate, and the fifth decade of living is the perfect time to do just that. So, to impart some style wisdom for guys in their 40s, here is a list of fashion tips to consider.
Avoid fashion fads
Don’t fall for today’s fashion-marketing ploys. By now you should maintain a style that’s timeless, not timely; you should avoid the latest trends at all costs. And the key here is not only avoiding fads, but also recognizing them. Since fashion fads generally target a certain age demographic, you can easily identify them according to who’s wearing what. For instance, the boutique sneakers and ironic T-shirts worn mainly by guys in their late teens and twenties are suited perfectly for that age group. But a 40-year-old sporting a shirt that says, “I wish your girlfriend would stop staring at me” will only seem creepy, not cool. Simply put, fashion fads exist for guys still experimenting with their style. You're past this stage of the game and are ready for a well-defined, classic wardrobe that mirrors the man you are inside.
Leave the past behind
Just because certain looks “make a comeback” doesn’t give you license to pull these items back out of your closet. As you well know, more often than not, the past is typically best left in the past. In terms of fashion, here’s why: When certain looks cycle back around, they almost always return with a modernized twist, such as an updated cut or re-envisioned style. Turn your attention to aviator sunglasses, for example: Though they cycle around quite frequently, they always reappear with a slightly modified frame or lens that’s different from their last go-round. So, be smart and never raid your closet for those items that resurface from the days of yore. Invest in the new version to ensure you’re updated, not outdated… but only if the look or item is a fashion staple, rather than a fashion fad.
Don’t mistake business attire for stylish attire
What works from 9 to 5 won’t always work from 5 to 9 or on the weekends. Believe it or not, even your nicest business clothes don’t translate into great evening attire. In fact, wearing your work-wear to functions outside of normal work occasions appears stuffy and one-dimensional; a look no guy in his 40s should contend with. Show the world you’re at the top of your game by presenting variations of yourself. Instead of wearing your best office suit to a dinner party, couple your sport coat with a pair of modern, straight leg jeans, a simple dress shirt, and your casual loafers. Adding depth to your arsenal of outfits proves you’re a contemporary, style-savvy guy with a defined sense of fashion and know-how.
Keep it simple
One of the easiest and best solutions for dressing well in your 40s is keeping things as simple as possible. Loud patterns and flashy ties should be left to the younger generations. Fill your closet with a diverse collection of solids and/or pared-down prints that are unpretentious and unassuming. Make yours a sophisticated, subdued style that speaks for itself. It’s simple, really.
Keep it clean
You know what they say cleanliness is next to. And guys in their 40s should pay special heed to the concept of keeping it clean in a few areas: One, make sure your clothes strike crisp, clean lines; baggy, ill-fitting clothes look dumpy and lame. Go for clothes that create smooth lines and breaks around your frame, giving you a polished, dapper appearance. Also, think about the cleanliness of the garments themselves. Obvious, maybe, but it still must be stated: Torn and/or stained clothes are juvenile and should never leave the confines of one’s home. And last, but not least, always be well-groomed and clean-shaven. Clean skin and hair is industry standard by now, and facial hair generally makes you look older. Make a big statement by maintaining an all-around clean appearance; it invokes an impeccable, all-powerful image for guys in their 40s.
Embrace your age
The underlying principle to looking great in your 40s (and any age, for that matter) is to embrace your age. Take pride in number of years you’ve lived -- don’t try to hide them by adopting a style that belongs to another generation; dressing in clothes that are too big or too small will only give you away and make things worse. Using the tips above, you should find age-appropriate garments that flatter your strengths. Plus, keep your receding or thinning hair short; comb-overs fool no one! However, you should battle the march of time with certain grooming products: Teeth whitener, hair dye,and face washes/lotions all work in fighting off the years. There’s no shame in defying your age, as long as you’re doing it in suitable ways. Embracing your age will produce a masculine, mature sophistication that suits 40-year-olds to a tee.
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