Beauty

An essential guide to pre-date grooming for every man

For a smashing first impression

06.11.2015

By Wei Yeen Loh

An essential guide to pre-date grooming for every man

A healthy grooming habit can take you to great lengths, especially on the evening of a date night when you’re trying your best to make an excellent first impression to your partner. From clean and trimmed nails to a good shave (or well-groomed beard), here are a few essential tips that can take you from zero to hero real quick:

Face:

If you have got oily skin and worry about developing a greasy sheen over your face mid-way through dinner, use a deep cleanser such as Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque to refresh your skin and get rid of deep-seated impurities, thanks to potent anti-oxidants from a blend of clays and botanicals. After cleansing, an energizing moisturiser like Kiehl’s Facial Fuel will work to your advantage with its vitamin-infused, non-oily texture.

We always advocate for a fresh shave or carefully-groomed beard no matter the occasion. For a nick-free, comfortable shave, go with the oil-free Clinique For Men Aloe Shave Gel so that your shaver glides on easily and doesn’t drag. Follow up with Truefitt & Hill 1805 Aftershave Balm which contains lanolin and aloe vera extract for smooth and soft skin post-shave.

 

Body:

The basic rule of thumb when it comes to scent-based products is that less is always more. Going easy on the variety of scented shower gels/creams/soaps and deodorant/cologne is crucial, because you don’t want to overwhelm your partner with an intense, heady scent that might borderline nauseating.

A simple, effective soap goes a long way, such as Aesop Body Cleansing Slab—a low-foaming, vegetable-based soap with Tahitian Lime and Ylang Ylang notes. Remember to swipe on deodorant after your shower for a refreshing, all-night long scent; try L’Occitane’s alcohol- and paraben-free Eau des Baux Stick Deodorant that has a subtle woody scent and go with your favourite cologne that also has the same woody notes if you’d like to.

 

Nails:

Now that you’re almost well-prepped to experiencing a successful date night, the last (and probably most important) step in this guide is to keep your nails trimmed and cleaned along with proper scrubbing of your hands. No one likes long, dirt-filled nails that make you look more Neanderthal than a modern lumberjack, and on the plus side, sticklers for hygiene always score extra brownie points in anybody’s books.

Soak your fingers in a bowl of soapy water for five to seven minutes, then use a filer and remove the grime from underneath your nails. After washing your hands, trim your nails according to the curve of your finger, then file it in one direction so that no jagged edges will ensue. Finally, apply some hand salve/cream (Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve) to lock in the moisture in your hands.

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