The Rise of Male Grooming: Steps to Take Before a Night Out

by Kerri Cooke

Business is booming for men’s grooming tools and products. 

With increased awareness of skincare, beard maintenance and even makeup, profits are soaring across the board. Men are influenced by social media as much as women are and are also are acting on suggestions given by the women in their lives. This trend is even more obvious in large cities where the work and dating environments are more competitive.  

As the art of dressing up has declined over the years, so has the prevalence of fine-tuned grooming in the United States. (Asia is a completely different market.) In fact, grooming has consisted of using disposable razors and a bit of aftershave for many men. With a little more effort and time, you can have glowing skin that makes your date take notice. 

If a man doesn’t know where to start with skincare, there are some drugstore brands tailored to men. If wanting a step up, department stores carry higher quality products and aesthetic businesses in SWLA can offer top of the line products for specific skin concerns. There are an increasing number of professional barbers offering grooming products, such as beard oil or hair gels, and showing customers how to use them.  

There are products you probably don’t even know exist, such hair powder to increase the look of the hair where there is thinness. It volumizes hair strands so they can expand and give the illusion of a full head of hair. Follow up with a small amount of a styling product, such as hair styling cream. 

Simple tricks to depuff the face before an event include avoiding alcohol and high salt foods and using tools to increase blood flow to the skin. Tools don’t have to be expensive either. Purchase a simple gua sha tool in which to massage the face or use ice rollers. A gua sha is best used with a facial oil or serum so the tool doesn’t pull the skin. There are videos on social media on how to use the different edges on various parts of the face for lymphatic drainage. Ice rollers reduce puffiness fast. The temperature difference causes blood vessels to constrict, which reduces swelling and the rolling motion will drain fluid from the face. 

Regular exfoliation will prevent ingrown hairs and keep the surface of the skin smoother, which is good for both you and your date, and beard oil will soften facial hair so it isn’t as coarse. Use a lip scrub and apply some lip balm for smooth skin and hydration. 

Make sure your nails are in order. If you worked a long day outside or in industry, make sure there’s no dirt left on your fingers, nailbeds or under the nail. Ensure nails are groomed and not too long. You don’t want to be rivaling your girlfriend or wife in nail length. 

It’s the small changes which make a big difference. It doesn’t necessarily take a huge amount of time or investment to start lookin your best. People will take notice and you’ll feel more confident and comfortable in your skin.