There’s a plethora of information
out there on how to best develop a solid grooming regime, but
information overload is a man’s worst enemy and often we here at
The Rake see the average fellow shying away from his natural duty
of adequately maintaining his appearance. As such, we have put together a list of rakishly-good grooming
tips and tricks, enlisting the help of some of the industry’s most
informed and respected in the area of men’s grooming.
THE SCENT
It's said that first impressions
count, but the last thing anyone will remember of you is your
fragrance, which will be loitering long after you have left the
encounter. The key tenets can be quickly and easily surmised:
Individual, personal and distinctive. These are the three essential
pillars for creating a lasting impression. Men - and women - are
somewhat defined by their scents, so it’s important to find one
that is completely unique and special to
you. The appeal of finding your scent
also lies in the fact that no scent is the same; scents react
differently with each wearer, and of course change over
time.
“The perfect scent evokes strong
sensations and emotions. Aroma is vital, but only one part of the
mix,” says Antonio Weiss, co-founder of London perfumist Thomas
Clipper. “A scent needs to take you on
a journey to somewhere special and meaningful, and it needs to do
this for both the scent wearer, and their lovers, partners and
friends who are ultimately the ones who experience the
scent.”
Developed in the home of perfume -
Grasse, France - Thomas Clipper is the pioneer of blending cologne
for men. The signature ‘Unite Trio’ features a blend of three
unique scents, formed to make a special combination for each and
every man that wears it. “Our scents
are designed to be blended together on skin, so a guy can make his
own special scent combination every day,” says
Weiss. “People shouldn't be
pigeon-holed and it's important to us give men the ability to
choose who they want to be, and to use a cologne to help express
that individuality.”
THE SHAVE
The act of shaving means many
different things to many different men: some loathe the experience,
while some relish in the ritual. Society has become much more
accepting of a groomed beard in the modern day, but the art form of
shaving - and being clean-shaven - will never lose its charm… or
purpose. If you find yourself shaving
on the regular, it’s imperative that you not only use the right
tools for the job, but that you cater for your skin’s needs pre and
post shave.
Purveyors of damn-fine grooming
goods, D.R. Harris is not only one of the world’s most trusted
shaving brands but it has built upon a solid reputation since
1790. “It’s important to make sure
that the skin is in the best position before and after shaving in
order to minimise any adverse reactions. It’s a good idea to shave
after a hot shower when the pores are open and the bristles have
been softened, for example” explains Julian Moore, marketing
manager, D.R. Harris. “Lather up
a good shaving cream or soap using a shaving brush. Badger bristle
is traditionally best for this. Using a brush to lather soap or
cream on the face raises the bristles allowing a closer shave and
also has an exfoliating effect, removing dead skin cells and
grease, which also allows for a closer shave and healthier
skin.”
THE FACE
We all know that we’ve been given
one face and it’s up to us to maintain the outcome of its
appearance. Sun exposure and constant abrasion welcomes wrinkles.
Dirt and grime entices acne, and sleepless nights bring on puffy,
dark eyes. Cleansing, toning and moisturising - once foreign words
to the average man - have become apart of the modern-day vocabulary
for those looking to give their skin the best chance of a healthy
life.
“A good quality moisturiser is very
important to utilise in your day-to-day grooming regime,” says
Moore. “We spend so much time in
artificially climate-controlled environments that a moisturising
barrier makes a big difference.” Moore
also goes on to explain the benefits of a good face wash which
essentially rids the skin of dirt, grime and pollutants that build
up throughout the day. “A face wash is
a good idea as it removes oils that build up on the face. But it’s
important not to over-wash, as you don’t want to dry the face out
by removing all of its natural oils.”
THE KIT
Lugging around your aforementioned
grooming essentials shouldn’t be an arduous - or embarrassing -
task. Invest in a well-crafted dopp kit (wash bag) that will see
you not only travel in style, but throughout many an adventure
where your grooming essentials are most needed, i.e that planned
safari to Africa you have coming up. “Having a wash bag to keep all your toiletries organised makes
it much easier to find what you need quickly when you're
travelling,” says Samuel Bail, co-founder of Troubadour; a luxury
men’s accessory brand that aims to create products that combine a
refined look with performance features. “A dopp kit that looks and feels good also adds sensory
pleasure to life, which is important to all men.”
“It's also about looking after
yourself; you can't do good in the world unless you look after
yourself,” adds Weiss. “Giving
yourself a few minutes each day to get confident, feel prepared for
the day ahead and ready to face the world is of huge importance in
our 'always on', 24/7 culture.”
