n many ways proper grooming (read: lifelong skincare maintenance) can be said to be as critical to a gentleman’s endearing sense of style, his underlying self-confidence, and his enduring social desirability as is his signature form of dress, deportment and propriety.
That having been said, the virtues of having a (nourishing) daily grooming regime are indeed aplenty (and truly deserving of a feature unto themselves) while the paramount role that skincare continually plays in influentially going hand-in-hand with being deemed both well put-together and sartorially astute is beyond reproach.
That having been said, the virtues of having a (nourishing) daily grooming regime are indeed aplenty (and truly deserving of a feature unto themselves) while the paramount role that skincare continually plays in influentially going hand-in-hand with being deemed both well put-together and sartorially astute is beyond reproach.
And yet, if truth be told the reality is that it (grooming) is a personal task that many of us simply dreadfully abhor doing or otherwise chose to actively perceive as nothing more than a daily contrivance that we would rather not take the time out to properly assess and address so as to achieve optimal results. Inasmuch, grooming is often held in the same regard as work, deemed more of an obligation than a choice, and is routinely beheld as but one of the many necessary chores in life that most would prefer either placing on cruise-control, avoiding altogether, or tending to last should any actual free time present itself to do so on a day-to-day basis.
Be that as it may, I’m here today to champion the notion that grooming — which is far too often either carelessly neglected, overcompensated for (read: showers of cologne), or simply relegated to the annals of personal responsibility — need not be perceived as such a chore whilst likewise hastening you to the active pursuit of investing in both a well-curated dopp kit and the development of a fully-fledged daily regimen of your own that will not only pay immediate dividends but also bring an indulgent touch of elegance (and a true sense of occasion) to what is otherwise a (profoundly) mundane affair.
Be that as it may, I’m here today to champion the notion that grooming — which is far too often either carelessly neglected, overcompensated for (read: showers of cologne), or simply relegated to the annals of personal responsibility — need not be perceived as such a chore whilst likewise hastening you to the active pursuit of investing in both a well-curated dopp kit and the development of a fully-fledged daily regimen of your own that will not only pay immediate dividends but also bring an indulgent touch of elegance (and a true sense of occasion) to what is otherwise a (profoundly) mundane affair.
To that end, it should be (or will become) rather quite evident as to why you should give all due consideration to both upgrading your routine and expanding your grooming horizons beyond that of the core foundational products in which you may or may not already actively employ.
For you see, should you fail in properly addressing the ever-evolving needs and uniqueness of your skin— in its character, upkeep, nurturing and deteriorative prevention — you may very well be quickly spelling doom for not only any future prospects and your overall health and well-being but also that of your otherwise highly cultivated sartorial persona and its fastidiously curated accentuating wardrobe.
What I am ultimately alluding to is that your current stable (or lack thereof) of grooming staples may well not be serving you as well as they should be as well as that going beyond the basics — to steadying yourself to the task of fine-tuning your grooming regimen — should be considered a nonnegotiable prerogative for any self-respecting (and style-conscious) modern gentleman.
As such, I believe daily grooming should be held in the same quintessential daily regard as is getting dressed, keeping fit (read: working out) and eating healthy.
Framed in such a manner, the importance of a healthy grooming regimen that goes beyond a simple moisturizer, one that replenishes, smoothes, nourishes and that can even perhaps undue the ravages of time, in addition too that of curating a fine vessel (i.e. dopp kit/wash bag) in which to house all the tools of the trade that ensure its tangible feasibility, cannot be truly overstated.
For you see, should you fail in properly addressing the ever-evolving needs and uniqueness of your skin— in its character, upkeep, nurturing and deteriorative prevention — you may very well be quickly spelling doom for not only any future prospects and your overall health and well-being but also that of your otherwise highly cultivated sartorial persona and its fastidiously curated accentuating wardrobe.
What I am ultimately alluding to is that your current stable (or lack thereof) of grooming staples may well not be serving you as well as they should be as well as that going beyond the basics — to steadying yourself to the task of fine-tuning your grooming regimen — should be considered a nonnegotiable prerogative for any self-respecting (and style-conscious) modern gentleman.
As such, I believe daily grooming should be held in the same quintessential daily regard as is getting dressed, keeping fit (read: working out) and eating healthy.
Framed in such a manner, the importance of a healthy grooming regimen that goes beyond a simple moisturizer, one that replenishes, smoothes, nourishes and that can even perhaps undue the ravages of time, in addition too that of curating a fine vessel (i.e. dopp kit/wash bag) in which to house all the tools of the trade that ensure its tangible feasibility, cannot be truly overstated.
Howbeit, and in a bid to help you maintain your youthful visage and continually make the right impression — come rain or shine, summer or winter, oily or dry skin —for years to come, I’ve steadied myself to cutting through the marketing gimmickry, the (often broken) promises, and the purported life-altering ‘modern innovations’ in due course of presenting before you today the finest, tried-and-true grooming essentials available on the market which have dutifully earned their pride of place consideration within your upgraded dopp kit (wash/toiletry/travel bag) to be.
Respectively hailing from contemporary mavericks such as Malin + Goetz , Aesop and Clinique as well as revered heritage labels in the vein of D. R. Harris, Buly 1803 and Kiehl’s alike whilst also being ably positioned to work wonders whether day or night, in the warmth or cold, and against a variety of harmful plights such as air pollution, environmental toxins and natural aging, herewith are the grooming staples (most being presented in practical travelling sizes) that every gent should have in heavy rotation — to clean, lather, buff, scrub, shave, stimulate, smooth and prevent — that are about as close a guarantee as you are likely to get in regards to keeping your skin looking as well kempt and reassuringly soft to the touch as is your signature form of dress is in all its glory, sustained deportment and (ideally) timeless fashionability.
Each is, after all, a specialized wunderkind that has been purposefully crafted to — in the grander scheme of personal style —work in tandem with a healthy diet and lifestyle in helping you age with considerable grace and dignity in tact while you tend to those little details today that will enable you to reap benefits in spades for decades to come.
And as luck (or fate) would have it, the following products are all well-positioned to help you in every such measurable regard should you choose to pursue their services today…
Respectively hailing from contemporary mavericks such as Malin + Goetz , Aesop and Clinique as well as revered heritage labels in the vein of D. R. Harris, Buly 1803 and Kiehl’s alike whilst also being ably positioned to work wonders whether day or night, in the warmth or cold, and against a variety of harmful plights such as air pollution, environmental toxins and natural aging, herewith are the grooming staples (most being presented in practical travelling sizes) that every gent should have in heavy rotation — to clean, lather, buff, scrub, shave, stimulate, smooth and prevent — that are about as close a guarantee as you are likely to get in regards to keeping your skin looking as well kempt and reassuringly soft to the touch as is your signature form of dress is in all its glory, sustained deportment and (ideally) timeless fashionability.
Each is, after all, a specialized wunderkind that has been purposefully crafted to — in the grander scheme of personal style —work in tandem with a healthy diet and lifestyle in helping you age with considerable grace and dignity in tact while you tend to those little details today that will enable you to reap benefits in spades for decades to come.
And as luck (or fate) would have it, the following products are all well-positioned to help you in every such measurable regard should you choose to pursue their services today…
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 |  DOPP KIT: Maore & Giles .$325. — I -- Clinique Dark Spot Corrector . $48 . — II — La Mer Facial Cream . $120 . — III -- Penhaligon Deodorant . $20 . — IV -- Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Night Cream . $85 . |
 DOPP KIT: Ted Baker .$99 — I — Kiehl's Facial Fuel . $18 . — II — Malin & Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant . $14 . — III -- Ursa Major Recovery Cream . $48 . — IV -- Kiehl's Aging Eye Repair . $30 .. |  |
 | Whether its an innovative double-edged safety razor from Rockwell Razors (review below) or a luxurious specimen from London’s grooming stalwarts D.R. Harris (a revered heritage label with a royal warrant beloved by both British royalty and gentlemen alike), an invigorating shaving serum from Australia’s Aesop (which will render your skin a smooth canvas primed for a close shave), a pure badger brush and handsome mahogany shaving bowl (both of which will bring a touch of elegant to your shaving routine), an all natural styling foam (that holds and packs a punch), a precision manual nose/ear trimmer (to keep the small outliers tidy and presentable), a divine tortoiseshell folding comb (that will ensure you continually cut a dash even when on the move), or but simple dry hair texture powder that can instantly reinvigorate your locks with an instant injection of energy at but a moments notice, every gentleman would do well in availing himself of a fine contingent of exquisite shaving and haircare products alike those above (many of which I currently employ myself) that not only arrive with my seal of approval but also both positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations aplenty. |
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Aesop Resurrection Hand Balm ~$24 | Marvis Toothpaste + Brush ~$19.50 | Equinox Barber Shears ~$19.99 | Jack Black Intense Therapy SPF Lip Balm ~$7.50 | Malin & Goetz Face Mask ~$44 | Ted Baker Manicure Set ~ $45 | Marvis Mouthwash ~$22 | Dr. Sharp Floss ~ $5
| ——-- 1. Both moisturizer and/or hand cream can be used to smooth out erratic hairs and untidiness when matters atop your head take a turn for the worse and you are left in dire straights ——-- 2. If you are amongst those who, and for the lack of a better word, manscapes, it may be of interest to learn that you can use a (hair) conditioner in lieu of shaving cream when addressing the general state of affairs below the belt (Bonus: it saves your nether regions from the cooling splash of menthol that is present in most shaving creams) ——-- 3. Indulged in onions or garlic at lunch/dinner? Chewing on parsley after the fact can help conceal bad breath if you don’t have access to either a mouthwash or toothbrush ——-- 4. Carelessly nicked, cut or scraped yourself? (Black) Pepper or a styptic pencil can be used to seal small gashes should bleeding persist and there is no (ideally liquid) bandaid in sight (just sprinkle it on the wound and watch in amazement as it makes quick work in becoming a makeshift seal) ——-- 5. Suffer from chafing, acne outbreaks, or visibly dry skin? Vaseline can help prevent the former (apply some on your thighs/chest/armpits in the heat), Visine negate the second (stop outbreaks in their tracks by applying directly upon the zit), while a dab of organic virgin coconut oil will supplement the latter by energizing and hydrating your skin like a moisturizer. |
| 6. Shaving your neck (and taming its erratic hair growth) is an often overlooked grooming charge that will not only ensure you continually look sharp and dashing but also extend the life of your haircuts by days (if not weeks) ——-- 7. Its best to avoid threading (or worse yet, excessively grooming/cutting) your eyebrows. The alternative? Simply comb them straight and finely pluck any strays that land outside the natural shape (or contour) of your brow (i.e. arch) ——-- 8. Suffering from a recurring issue with dark spots, sagging or puffiness in your eyes? Dark spot correctors (as well as specialized eye de-puffers) are notable remedies in such a regard as is taking measure of staying properly hydrating during the day and/or turning to the simple hack of applying a frozen spoon (taken from your freezer) or a jade roller to the area in question — the latter two of which will instantly firm up the skin and give relief to sagging or puffy eyes in an instant ——-- 9. Applying a detoxifying clay mask (once a week) is a habit you should strongly consider adopting as it will coax out the oil from the deepest recesses of your face whilst tightening pores, reducing redness and dryness, restoring evenness to your complexion, and ultimately providing better balance (especially for those with excessively oily skin) across the broad facial spectrum — it is about as close a "reset" button to continually looking good that one is sure to find ——-- 10. And last, albeit certainly not least, many gentlemen swear by the renowned mental (and energy) sharpening powers of Berocca vitamin supplements…and so should you. (Bonus: They are also well known to be amongst the finest hangover cures in existence) ——-- |
eveloping an effective daily grooming regimen — one tailored to your evolving needs, peculiar desires and unique skin type — is an essential task in life in which I believe every gentleman should take great measure in steadying himself to as healthy skin and good hygiene go hand-in-hand with not only being a well-rounded gentleman of cultivated style and substance but also one who is primed to enduringly cut a rakish dash for decades beyond that divine yet fleeting youthful visage otherwise known as your 20s’.
Why? Perhaps because (1) cleanliness is indeed next to godliness and (2) our personal attire (i.e. clothing/accoutrements) in and of itself cannot undue, nor disguise, the likes of crow’s feet, chapped hands, puffy eyes, or either that of excessively oily or blotchy skin (to name but four immediate plights of grooming neglect that instantly come to mind).
That having been said, proper grooming remains one of the few fundamentally undervalued essential daily habits — one truly deserving of written daily ordinance in my opinion — that applies to one-and-all yet is too often neglected by scores of men en masse given there is no miracle panacea nor one-size fits all solution to permanently ascribe to — no simple or easy route of guaranteed success if you will.
That having been said, proper grooming remains one of the few fundamentally undervalued essential daily habits — one truly deserving of written daily ordinance in my opinion — that applies to one-and-all yet is too often neglected by scores of men en masse given there is no miracle panacea nor one-size fits all solution to permanently ascribe to — no simple or easy route of guaranteed success if you will.
| And yet it somehow nevertheless stands to reason that most (if not all) of us are acutely aware that proper grooming is as essential to having style as is a perfectly cut and elegantly draped bespoke three-piece suit. So much so, in fact, that I would wager most would share my opinion that healthy skin, good oral/body hygiene and tidy grooming make a first impression that leaves just as much of an enduring mark upon the world (in bespeaking unto our character) as do our signature wardrobes — people will tend to remember you for an untamed mane or gangly finger nails as much as (if not more then) they will for your exquisite whole-cut Oxfords or perfectly fitted contingent of sports coats. Quantified in such a vein the importance of (at the bare minimum) moisturizing, hydrating, renewing and purifying your skin via all manner of grooming peculiarities (i.e. wet shaving, cutting nails, etc.) on a weekly (if not daily) basis should be readily apparent. |   | : The Drugstore/Budget Dopp Kit : J. Mclaughlin Dopp Kit ($68) | Buckler's Chapped Skin Remedy ($19) | Harry's Winston Shaving Set ($30) | Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer ($13) | Jack Black Lip Balm ($7.50) | American Crew Forming Cream ($13 ) | Ombra Sport Deodorant ($6) |
Be that as it may, it should go without saying as to why I staunchly advocate for going beyond the simple task of moisturizing at both sunrise and sunset; to developing an all-encompassing daily grooming ritual that takes into account not only your skin type but also age, climate (i.e. where you live), lifestyle, and the unique challenges that are presented by each of the four seasons in due course of effectively addressing all your evolving skincare needs on a consistent basis.
That being said, where should you begin?
Well, and beyond a fine facial moisturizer to build your foundation and curated dopp kit upon, by simply perusing this (admittedly beginners) guide, and investing in any manner of popular/tried-and-true products recommended therein, you will have taken that crucial first step in the right direction to either (1) fully realizing the importance of a fully-fledged (and unique) grooming routine and (2) further supplementing/upgrading that in which you already have in place.
These are, after all, proven grooming stalwarts that gentlemen worldwide continually swear by; revered building blocks that are widely considered to be amongst the most effective (i.e. well-documented with lengthy track records of success), streamlined and essential staples that every gentleman would do well in not only giving priority to but co-opting into his grooming routine so as to safeguard his future prospects.
That being said, where should you begin?
Well, and beyond a fine facial moisturizer to build your foundation and curated dopp kit upon, by simply perusing this (admittedly beginners) guide, and investing in any manner of popular/tried-and-true products recommended therein, you will have taken that crucial first step in the right direction to either (1) fully realizing the importance of a fully-fledged (and unique) grooming routine and (2) further supplementing/upgrading that in which you already have in place.
These are, after all, proven grooming stalwarts that gentlemen worldwide continually swear by; revered building blocks that are widely considered to be amongst the most effective (i.e. well-documented with lengthy track records of success), streamlined and essential staples that every gentleman would do well in not only giving priority to but co-opting into his grooming routine so as to safeguard his future prospects.
Beyond that, I'd certainly be remiss should I not briefly touch upon the reality that while cleaning, lathering, buffing, scrubbing, shaving, stimulating, smoothing, and proceeding with an all-encompassing ounce of skincare deterioration prevention should be considered nonnegotiable priorities so too should being mindful of what you ultimately choose to put into your body (i.e. your diet/what you eat/drink) and how you treat yourself/manage your mental state given each of those additional factors tend to have greatly profound effects — both in a negative and positive sense — of their own upon the overall health and vitality of your skin, hair, nails and general well-being.
All that having been said, grooming in itself needn’t be too difficult nor a tall task burdened by the notion of perpetual experimentation (read:. a lesson futility) granted you both endeavour to apply the effort needed and readily equip yourself with the finest tools of the trade (like those presented above) in which will help you sustain your healthy visage and minimize (perhaps even undo in some instances) the ravages of time.
All that having been said, grooming in itself needn’t be too difficult nor a tall task burdened by the notion of perpetual experimentation (read:. a lesson futility) granted you both endeavour to apply the effort needed and readily equip yourself with the finest tools of the trade (like those presented above) in which will help you sustain your healthy visage and minimize (perhaps even undo in some instances) the ravages of time.
Howbeit, you may now be fancifully posing to yourself the question as to whether a proper grooming routine (and properly curated dopp kit) will prove effective in transforming you into a modern day Dorian Grey (i.e. capable of rendering you forever young)?
To that I would say not likely as (at the moment) given the perpetual molecular development of youthful regenerative cells akin to Mr. Gray’s (without the aid of an aging portrait that is) remains a (natural) genetic impossibility.
What a well-stocked dopp kit will do, however, is dutifully aid you in aging with grace and dignity by means of helping ward off not only premature aging and the development of cancerous growths but all manner of invasive pollutants and free radicals that would otherwise see fit in plaguing your skin, shaking your confidence, and undoing your otherwise fastidiously curated sartorial persona.
An ounce of prevention, as they say, is worth a pound of cure after all.
To that I would say not likely as (at the moment) given the perpetual molecular development of youthful regenerative cells akin to Mr. Gray’s (without the aid of an aging portrait that is) remains a (natural) genetic impossibility.
What a well-stocked dopp kit will do, however, is dutifully aid you in aging with grace and dignity by means of helping ward off not only premature aging and the development of cancerous growths but all manner of invasive pollutants and free radicals that would otherwise see fit in plaguing your skin, shaking your confidence, and undoing your otherwise fastidiously curated sartorial persona.
An ounce of prevention, as they say, is worth a pound of cure after all.
Share your thoughts, opinions and grooming ad libs…
What are your go-to grooming staples and/or hidden secrets/advice?
Share below or perhaps ask a question if you are so inclined and I will be sure to answer promptly…
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