Four Steps to a Fresher You
It’s time to clean up your act!
Meet Maxim art guy David Zamdmer. He looked like hell till we unleashed Bret Reichley of FSC Barber—and the year’s best grooming products— on him. Here’s how he went from Taliban to Mad Man.
STEP ONE: THE SHAVE
1. Problem: Skin so dry it’s illegal to use fireworks within 50 feet of it.
Solution: Use alcohol-free shaving gel. The same way booze dehydrates your brain, it dries out your skin.
What to Use:Nivea for Men Alcohol-Free Sensitive Shaving Gel
2. Problem: Skin so sensitive it cries during Katherine Heigl movies.
Solution: Shave during or right after a shower: The hot water opens up the pores and softens the whiskers. Shave with the grain using a sharp razor, then use cold water to close the pores, and apply aftershave—followed by clapping your hands to your cheeks and screaming.
What to Use: Schick Hydro Razor; Art of Shaving After Shave Lotion
3. Problem: You’re trying to tame your beard, burns, stubble, or Mr. Clean do.
Solution: Get yourself a quality trimmer and use it. The variety of settings and attachments are good for whatever you’ve got on your face. (This is not an endorsement of chin straps.)
What to Use:Conair iStubble hair trimmer; Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D; Gillette Fusion ProGlide Styler; HeadBlade S4 Eclipse Head Razor
STEP TWO: THE SHOWER
1. Problem: Your hair is oilier than Razor Ramon’s upper lip.
Solution: Use baby shampoo and avoid conditioner…and Razor Ramon’s upper lip.
What to Use: California Baby Super Sensitive Shampoo & Body Wash
2. Problem: Your skin’s dryness rivals Joan Rivers’ lady bits.
Solution: Take warm instead of hot showers—a scalding session will strip away your skin’s natural oils. And don’t fear moisturizer (we know you’ve got some on your nightstand).
What to use: Anthony Logistics for Men All Purpose Facial Moisturizer; Gillette Hydrator Body Wash; Dove Men+Care Active Clean Shower Tool
3. Problem: Itchy, flaky scalp (just try reading that again without scratching).
Solution: Wash your hair twice: once with dandruff shampoo, once with moisturizing shampoo (twice a day, not twice in your life).
What to Use:Garnier Fructis Anti-Dandruff Dry Scalp Shampoo; Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Shampoo; Paul Mitchell Double Hitter Shampoo & Conditioner
STEP THREE: THE SCENT
1. Problem: You smell like a male escort who had sex with a Dumpster.
Solution: Even if you shower regularly, you need a good deodorant to keep you smelling fresh. After all, we’re not Germans. (Except those of us who are.)
What to Use: Axe deodorant; Speed Stick
2. Problem: You’re still rocking that bottle of Drakkar Noir from junior high.
Solution: What cologne you use is a matter of preference (usually your girlfriend’s), but sport one that keeps you smelling fresh without forcing people near you to wear gas masks to stop coughing.
What to Use: Chanel Allure Homme Sport; Dolce & Gabbana The One Sport; Givenchy Play; Issey Miyake Sport; Curve Appeal for Men
STEP FOUR: ORAL CARE
Problem: Your teeth are stained from drinking too much coffee (and red wine…and smoking cigarettes…
and eating paint chips).
Solution: Don’t just brush first thing and before bed. If you down coffee all day, you should brush all day, too. Or you could run through a car wash with your mouth open.
What to Use: Colgate 360 toothbrush; Colgate Optic
White Toothpaste; Crest 3D White Multi-Care Whitening Rinse
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