‘The man cave of the face’: The modern man’s grooming guide

There is an abyss between low-key upkeep and self-obsessed grooming. Our guide allows you to find the level that works for you and craft a perfect balance between minimal and polished.

For example, seeing a dental hygienist is minimal; getting teeth whitened is polished. Teeth should be professionally whitened by your dentist initially, then maintained with an at-home whitening kit. You might want to take a couple of pre-emptive painkillers if you are susceptible to “shooters” (sharp pains). “This can happen when teeth dehydrate during the whitening process,” says Sydney dentist Dr Michael Cai.

Keep beards clipped, then clean with a dash of beard oil for good measure.Credit: Getty Images

On the personal grooming front, let’s start with brows. Many men get away with totally ignoring these face framers, but if you have a monobrow or wild hairs that grow every which way, a gentle tidy up can be a good thing. According to brow maven Amy Jean, “When shaping men’s brows, I always steer towards a straighter, fuller brow line. This helps to widen the face and accentuate the jawline. Anything over-tailored can appear too perfect.”

Beard vanity is definitely a thing. (Just on the quiet, will the clean shave ever return?) I have even heard it referred to as “the man cave of the face”. Keep beards clipped, then clean with a dash of beard oil for good measure. For a precision tidy-up, try “The Beard Hedger” from Manscaped ($150).

Neat feet are another male grooming must and we recommend having regular naked (polish-free) pedicures, which are not only incredibly pleasurable but will leave your feet looking pristine. At home, use a tool such as the Manicare PediPro Callus File($16) once a week to scrape dead skin from your soles and heels.

For super-soft feet (and a truly satisfying experience), try the Baby Foot Exfoliating Foot Peel ($25). Simply leave the treatment-soaked booties on for an hour, then watch the skin peel away when you remove them. They also actively combat odour by eliminating the dead skin cells that harbour bacteria.

A word for the lazy groomer: masks. They are designed to get concentrated ingredients onto your skin once a week, and to achieve peak hydration while you sleep we recommend the Laneige Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask ($44).

Our final tip comes from the master of grooming, Tom Ford: “Every man should have a magnifying mirror. If you look good magnified, you are set to go.”

ASK STEPH

How can I make my fragrance last longer?
Apply it straight after your shower, while your body is still warm. Our current favourite find on the unisex fragrance front is Maison Margiela “By the Fireplace” ($120 for 30ml), all smoky wood and chestnut. Just yum.

Ask questions via Instagram, @mrssdarling.

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