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One of the most critical mistakes that men make when they are trying to grow a beard is that they are constantly trying to shape it as it is coming in. In order for a beard to be able to come in properly, it is going to have to grow wild for a bit and then you can shape it the way that you like. Now we are not saying that you have to go around looking like a member of ZZ Top, but give it a little room before the buzzer starts trimming.

While the beard is coming in, the skin underneath can be irritated, dry and start getting flaky. Because of this, it is important to use a mens moisturiser that will work well with your skin type. It is not even unheard of to apply conditioner to the beard so that it does not become hard and wiry while it is coming in. The only maintenance that should be performed at this point is some light trimming around the mouth to make sure you are not chewing on your beard when eating a meal.

Once the beard is at an acceptable length, it is time to invest in a nice beard trimmer to shape it. Do not make the mistake of using scissors to trim it because it is unlikely that you will be able to do even cuts and by the end of the shaping session, you may be reaching for the razor to start all over again. After waiting a couple of weeks to get it to look the way that you want, that can be disheartening.

Of course, the one true way to make sure that the beard looks great is to visit the local shop and have a professional take care of it. Sure, it will cost a few pounds, but it will be done properly and in most cases, maintenance thereafter is simple. You may have to make a quick trip back every other month or so for some touching up, but it will hardly be the task that was first presented to your stylist.

For centuries, people have been trying to combat hair loss. The ancient Egyptians created ointments and salves to cure or prevent thinning hair, some of which included such interesting ingredients as “hoof-of-an-ass” and “toes-of-a-dog.” Products that aim to treat or prevent hair loss continue to flood the market today.

Regaine® and Men’s Health magazine recently conducted a major online survey regarding hair loss that yielded surprising results. Despite the fact that 64% of respondents claimed they were already experiencing some form of hair loss and more than half of the respondents claimed that hair loss reduces the chances of attracting a potential partner, 82% said that they had never bought a hair loss treatment or product. This is especially surprising considering that 51% of the survey respondents recognized that preventing thinning hair is the most important benefit of a hair loss product.

The survey shows that men recognize that there are products manufactured to treat their hair loss, yet they have not taken any steps to purchase any of these products. It is time for these men to take some action and stop ignoring their hair loss, because this is one condition that, if ignored, will truly go away. The hair, that is.

An outstanding product for men who wish to not only prevent hair loss but also re-grow hair is Regaine®. This product contains Minoxidil, which is believed to aid blow flow to hair follicles, stimulating and prolonging hair’s growing stage. Regaine® has been clinically tested and proven to prevent further hair loss in four out of five men experiencing this hereditary condition.

Regaine® is available for over the counter purchase at most local pharmacies and supermarkets. The product is available in both Regular Strength and Extra Strength and retails for £29.99 for a one-month supply and £69.99 for a three-month supply. The product should be applied twice per day, and may yield results in as shortly as eight weeks.

Men should consider five items prior to purchasing a new fragrance. Taking these into account will yield the appropriate scent for every season and reason. It will prevent the purchase of a fragrance that will be opened and then discarded into the back of the closet or immediately thrown away.

First, men should consider the season during which the fragrance will be worn. There are four men’s fragrance families: fresh, floral, woody, and oriental. Fresh and floral scents should be worn during spring and summer months. The woody and oriental scents should be worn during fall and winter because the fragrance needs to be heavier to be noticeable underneath layers of clothing.

After taking the seasons into account, conduct online research to find the ingredients contained in the desired fragrances. High-quality fragrances use ingredients like musk, vanilla, herbs, spices, amber, leather, and wood. These adhere well to the skin, making the scent last throughout the day.

Test the selected fragrance on the skin rather than a strip of paper. Testing on the skin will reveal how the scent smells on your body when it is warmed and mixed with your own natural scent. Testing on paper will not produce this effect. Spray the scent on the bicep area, not the wrist. The bicep is a highly exercised muscle during daily activities so it will quickly warm and mix the fragrance with your body’s scent.

Finally yet importantly, know the concentration of the fragrance. When researching concentration, the answer will be found in the name of the category of fragrance. An eau de parfum lasts about five hours, an eau de toilette will be effective for about four hours, while cologne will last only about two hours. The eau de parfum may cost more but could actually be a better value because it lasts longer so not as much will be needed.

Do I have sensitive skin or are my shaving habits creating the problem for me? This is a question that most men should be asking themselves if their face gets irritated by their daily shaving routine. In most cases, it is one or more mistakes on their own part that are causing their face to feel like it is hit with a blow torch every morning. Here are some of the more common challenges that men face when it comes to shaving.

Preparation – this may be the number one cause of problems. You are running late and do not have time to take a shower, so you splash some water on your face and take the blade to it. If the beard is not properly prepared for the shave, be prepared for pain. The best time to shave is right after a hot shower when the pores are open and the beard is softened. If a shower is not in the cards, let a towel sit in hot water for a bit and then lay it across your face. The warmed towel will do wonders versus diving right in and shaving.

The Blade – if you use a disposable razor, it needs to be changed about once a week to be effective and not aggravate the skin. Some of the blades have a warning strip on them that will let you know when they are ready to be replaced, but that is already probably too late. The other possibility is to use something like the RazorPit Blade Sharpener. For £20, it will be a huge upgrade over just about anything that you are using now.

Shaving Motion – there are different theories here, but doing anything but going with the grain of the hair is going to cause some problems. If you are not already sure how the hair grows in, take the weekend to let it grow a bit and then merely run your fingers across all areas of your face. Make a mental note of the direction the beard is growing and make sure you shave that way from now on to avoid issues. It is also important to note that you should be rinsing the blade after every stroke. Allowing the beard and shaving cream to build up will result in a bad shave or even a few cuts along the way.

After the Shave – do not just wipe your face off with a towel and run out of the bathroom. Take the time to rinse your face to remove any remaining shaving cream and then splash it with cold water to close the pores back up. Give it a bit before putting on any lotion or cologne because doing so while the pores are open will be an eye opening experience. If you skin is truly sensitive, use an after-shave treatment that will soothe and moisturise the skin.