At a time such as this when wearing designer brands seem to have overtaken personal hygiene, it is worth reminding oneself that a man’s grooming habit is actually what makes him; and not his designer outfits. 

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As Tom Ford once said, “Fine grooming is the mark of a modern gentleman. It is the way a man presents the best version of himself to the world, which must be followed as a daily ritual, to present nothing but your best self at all times.”A dapper man must, therefore, follow a grooming routine just as religiously as women follow a beauty routine. 

Truth is, men’s grooming is now as much an essential as a well-curated wardrobe and there is no shame involved. On the contrary, shame only presents itself when you do not have a daily routine

Follow our guide to personal grooming and remember to always keep in mind that the key to smart grooming is to find products within your budget that work perfectly for you.

UP BATHING EXPERIENCE 

When it comes to dapper men, showering isn’t just showering, it’s an experience. From the great scent of the carefully picked body wash to the sensation of the water hitting the skin, bathing is something a dapper man does twice. A bubble bath is also a motive of joy for all of those fortunate enough to have a jacuzzi, especially on cold days such as this, before cozying up in bed.

MOUTH CARE MATTERS 

If eyes are the window to your soul, your mouth is the gateway to your character. That means you present the best version of yourself, and let a great toothbrush and toothpaste do the hard work for you. And while you’re at it, use a mouthwash after you brush first thing in the morning.

WEAR SUNSCREEN 

Wearing a good sunscreen reduces ageing. It reduces wrinkles. It reduces the risk of skin cancer, which, worryingly, is on the rise. Add a light SPF 30 moisturiser into your daily grooming routine.

HAVE A SIGNATURE SCENT

The perfect compliment to a dapper man is his signature smell. A complete dapper man must own a perculiar smell whether being indoors or outdoors. The key to smelling good always encompasses cleaning up oneself and also polishing up with body mists and fragrances. 

Be careful, however, to not knock passers-by with too much smell; so, use sparingly, and rather than owning eight to ten average scents, find one or two classic blends that you really like.

FACIAL HAIR

In recent years, beards have surpassed trend status to become a regular fixture. The newfound green light isn’t without regulation, though. Maintenance is essential, and a decent beard trimmer will keep unsightly hairs at bay, and give some semblance of care. They’re not even that expensive, either.