For Him: The Definitive Grooming Guide - Hands On
If you’re new to it, the world of male grooming can be a bit like stepping into the gym for the first time. Technique is crucial, and without somebody there to spot you and offer guidance on how to get the most out of your routine, it’s easy to waste your time. So, consider us your personal trainer. But instead of building your biceps, we’ll be focusing on building your personal care regime so you can look and feel fresh every day.
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First impressions count, and although handshakes are out of vogue at the moment, you should still be taking care of your hands. In business, you don’t want to be the one with the grubby paws, because the way you look after yourself is a reflection on who you are as a person. Your fingers are always on display, so follow these simple tips to make sure the people around you know they’re in good hands.
Nailed It
Keeping your nails tidy doesn’t have to mean a visit to the salon. It’s about routine. Once a week, reach for a good pair of nail clippers. Trim your nails in a straight line across the top part of your nail, to prevent ingrown nails - it’s okay to trim your nails to the point where there’s no white remaining, but don’t trim too much. Avoid clipping the nail bed - that’s considered too short.
Single File
After clipping your nails, soak your hands in soapy hot water for about a minute. A nail brush should see to anything nasty that’s hiding beneath your fingernails - hygiene is a huge reason to keep your nails clean and trimmed.
But simply clipping isn’t always enough - and if you want to get rid of hangnails and sharp bits entirely, use a good grit nail file to round off rough corners and even up your clipping. The nail should be shaped straight across, without a rounded or triangular shape - you want to avoid breaks.
Don’t Be So Callus
The hard bits on your hands are an indication of hard work, but you don’t always want a sandpaper touch. To soften your palms, soak your hands in warm water for about a minute (or just take a hot shower) and then use a pumice stone to smooth out the dry bits. To really perfect your palms, use a scrub, rubbing your hands together to scrape off any excess dead skin.
You shouldn’t need to do this more than once a week, and ease off if you feel any discomfort or pain.
Soft Touch
A good moisturiser can do wonders for tired hands, so look for something that’s sturdy but doesn’t leave oily residue. If you can find one that contains urea or salicylic acid, it will help keep calluses at bay for longer.
To keep your nails looking top notch, you can try applying coconut oil to them - especially around the cuticles. This is particularly good for those little fraying bits of skin that can occur around your nail - don’t bite them or pick them, as they can take a while to heal.
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Giving your hands a little TLC every now and then is a great way to subtly announce that you know how to take care of yourself and you’re doing the adult thing right. It doesn’t take much - just a weekly clipping and a little moisturiser. Try being hands-on with your routine - and take advantage of our Hand Therapy bundle.