By Josephine Agbonkhese

Tom Ford once described fine grooming as the mark of a modern gentleman.
All too often, the idea of self-care, for guys especially, is seen as ‘pampering’ instead of an essential. In actual sense, it is something one does to improve both physical and mental wellbeing. This could range from skincare to oral hygiene, beard care, and even defining your smell.

It’s not selfish. Or soft. It’s essential.
Find here personal care practices every modern gentleman knows— which you should imbibe too.

Signature Scent
The perfect compliment to a dapper man is his signature smell.
A signature scent does so much— it can linger on clothes, in rooms and over the air, serving as a reminder of your personality and presence. Rather than owning eight to ten average scents, find one or two classic blends that you really like and wear them regularly.

Mouth Care
Aside cutting down your risk of developing tooth decay, your oral health speaks volumes about your personality. Aim to brush with a good toothpaste at least twice daily and finish up with a mouthwash.

Bathing Experience
This is one thing the average modern man understands and you should too— that showering shouldn’t be just showering but an experience. From the great scent of the carefully picked body wash, to the sensation of the water hitting the skin, bathing twice daily should be an experience you look forward to daily.

Eyebrows
Poorly groomed eyebrows isn’t the hallmark of masculinity. Properly shaped eyebrows highlight the eyes’ natural shape and colour, enhancing facial expressions and improving communication. That’s to say, well-defined brows can dramatically enhance your look. Ask your barber to tidy your brows up on your next visit.

Sunscreen
Wearing a good sunscreen reduces ageing and wrinkles. It reduces the risk of skin cancer, which, unfortunately, is on the rise.
Add a light SPF 40 moisturiser into your daily grooming routine.

Facial Hair
Once you’ve mastered the art of growing a beard like a boss, you should be ready to groom it to perfection. Maintenance is essential to growing a beard, and a decent beard trimmer will keep unsightly hairs at bay and give some semblance of care. Add one to your closet.

Scrub
Don’t think this is weird; scrubbing is something every other modern man practises twice weekly and you should too. Make scrubbing twice weekly a ritual because throughout the day, your face collects dirt, oil, grime, and other debris that can get trapped in your pores. The result is breakouts and acne and that really doesn’t look nice on any man.
If you have a beard too, exfoliating can keep beard dandruff at bay, improve your skin’s texture, and keep your hair follicles clear and healthy.

Visit Barber’s Shop
Get into the habit of regular stay in the barber’s chair. But every time you notice the hair on your head needs a trim, then remember, others have too.