The Men’s Guide to Cleanliness: 7+ Tips & Steps To A Flawless Shower Routine
Everybody showers, but are you maximizing your time with the suds? Here is our seven-step routine for the perfect shower experience. Now, not every step needs to be completed every time you shower. You know your body, so pick and choose what needs to be done. However, if you’re starting from scratch, this is the routine you need to be looking and smelling your best.
STEP 1: Shampoo
Depending on the condition and length of your hair, choosing the correct shampoo for you is important. If you have dandruff make sure you’re using a dandruff shampoo. If your hair is dry, use a hydrating shampoo. Begin by rinsing your hair and then apply your shampoo.
KEY TIP: You don’t need to use that much. Guys tend to waste a ton of product. Watch here to see how much to properly use each time.
Using a shampoo massage brush is a great way to make sure you’re making the most of your product, and keeping your hair and scalp squeaky clean. Not to mention, a nice scalp massage is a great way to start the day. Once your hair and scalp are completely covered, do not rinse out the shampoo right away. Big mistake! Instead, move on to step two, and give that shampoo some time to marinate.
STEP 2: Wash Your Face
While your hair is soaking in the shampoo, you can wash your face to maximize your shower time. The key here is to be gentle. The skin on your face is sensitive so be aggressive enough to get the job done, but not so rough you cause irritation. If your face scrub doesn’t do the trick, a great blackhead removal kit will get any stubborn spots left behind. Once a minute or two has passed, go ahead and rinse out the shampoo and wash your face with the water.
STEP 3: Conditioner
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Condition! Conditioner not only protects your hair from future damage, but also helps smooth, detangle, and reduce frizz. Using your massage brush will get the condition to the root of the follicle where it is the most effective. Again, don’t rinse immediately. Condition needs time to marinate as well.
KEY TIP: Flip the products upside down if they are hard to get the bottom stuff out of it because they are so rich and creamy. Just make sure the lids are closed before leaving the shower.
STEP 4: Apply Your Body Wash and Use a Shower Loofah
While your conditioner is soaking in, it’s time to clean the body. By the time you’ve lathered your body, you’ll be able to wash off the conditioner and body wash at the same time saving you precious minutes.
Make sure your body is fully rinsed, and grab your favorite body wash. The key here is to use a loofah. A shower loofah will not only maximize the potential of the body wash, creating that amazing suds effect, but will also exfoliate and clean your skin much better than your bare hands. Not to mention, it will help cut down on the amount of product needed, saving you cash! Don't forget to change it out periodically. A good shower loofah will last a few months before it needs to be replaced. Chest, arms, legs, armpits, all pretty standard. Don’t ignore the rest of your body though. Some guys tend to forget a few areas, the back, belly button, behind the ears, and the feet. Don’t be that guy that forgets about his feet...they are smelly!
KEY TIP: Remember, keep the water temperature down. Lowering the heat will reduce frizz and damage to your hair, while not drying out your skin as hot water will tend to do. Keep your showers short and sweet, but enjoyable.
STEP 5: Manscaping
Now we realize not all guys manscape, but if you do, now is a great time. You can use a body wash if you have very thin hair or some shaving cream too obviously to help protect that dermis prior to shaving.And if you need a little advice on how to trim the boys, we’ve got you covered. After you’ve finished rinse out the shampoo and the remaining body wash to get a fresh start for step four.
STEP 6: Shave
Ok so shaving in the shower might not be your thing, but it can be a great way to get a nice clean and pain-free shave. The steam from the shower will help keep your pores open and the follicles soft, allowing for the closest shave possible. Not to mention, no stubble in the sink to wash away. A single blade razor is the way to go. There’s no need to have 4-5 blades, especially if your skin is prone to irritation. Just let the steam and cream do the heavy lifting for you.
STEP 7: Drying Off
Too many guys make the mistake of aggressively towel drying after a shower. This is no Bueno. Pat your hair dry. Vigorously rubbing your head with your towel can damage your hair, and even make it fall out. Also, be gentle with your skin. You don’t want to remove all the moisture here. Instead stay a little damp and let your skin hydrate.
HOW TO SHOWER PROPERLY PRO TIPS
- Turn The Water Down: We know how amazing a hot shower can feel after a long workout (or just any time, really), but you need to go easy on the hot water, fellas. Hot water can dry out your hair and skin like crazy, leading to problems like dandruff, flaky skin and itchiness. To keep hair and skin happy, turn the water temperature down. You don’t need to suffer an ice-cold shower or anything. Lukewarm water will do the trick just fine.
- Keep It Short: If your fingers and toes turn wrinkly in the shower, we have bad news: you’re taking way too long in there. Most experts agree that showers should be no more than 5 to 10 minutes long. Why is that? Because longer showers—especially long and hot showers—can wreak havoc on hair and skin. Besides, shorter showers are better for the environment anyway. Shortening your shower time by a mere two minutes can reduce your daily water use by 10 gallons while making your skin and hair happier. It’s a win-win.
- Replace Your Loofah: There’s no other way to say it: your loofah is gross. It’s true, guys. Is that really a shocking revelation, though? We mean, you probably use the thing to clean dirt and dead skin cells from the most unclean parts of your body. It’s hardly surprising that your old loofah is a breeding ground for bacteria. Fortunately, there are ways to clean your loofah. And no, running it under the shower head doesn’t count.
That’s it, seven steps to have you crushing your shower game. The entire process should take right around five to ten minutes once you’ve got it down. And Gents, don’t forget some good tunes, singing in the shower is Bueno in our book!
Also Check Out:
The Men's Look Book: 2020 Edition
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