Honestly, I had a very limited run of dating men, and the things I saw in that time are atrocious.
Not to shame anyone, but a three-in-one body wash still sends shivers down my spine, let alone all the beard hair that remained in the sink after a shave.
Admittedly, those are not crimes against humanity, but it’s safe to say there is simply not the same amount of advice out there for men as there is for women when it comes to grooming and beauty.
Naturally, men still care about these things. If your skincare routine isn’t quite having the impact you’re hoping for, you might be making these overlooked mistakes in the bathroom, according to Oliver Walker, the resident expert at grooming brand Harry’s.
Not hanging your razor up
It might sound simple, and goes back to what your parents will have told you as a kid: you need to take good care of your belongings. That includes your razor.
“One of the biggest razor mistakes is simply where you leave it,” said Walker.
“A razor that’s always sat in a steamy shower or thrown loose into a gym bag won’t stay in good condition for as long.”
He advises keeping it somewhere upright and dry, and using a blade cover when you’re travelling to help protect the blade.
“It’s a five-second habit that helps keep the blade sharper for longer – and it costs nothing,” he added.
When your blade starts to get blunt, you’ll want to replace it as soon as possible to avoid nicks and cuts. These razors last for a whole seven weeks before you have to replace them, but beware: they’re only suitable for Harry’s razor handles.
This precise razor comes with its very own travel blade cover to keep the blades sharp no matter where you take it.
Not changing your routine in summer
“The face you’re shaving in August isn’t the one you were shaving in February,” said Walker.
“Skin that’s had sun on it is more reactive, and men tend to notice because their usual routine suddenly stings.”
Rather than grin through the pain, you’ll need to change your shaving routine in summer, the expert explained.
“Shave after a shower rather than before, when everything’s softened, go with the grain on the first pass. Most summer irritation isn’t the blade – it’s three passes too many over skin that’s already had a week on holiday.”
Keep it simple
If the social media bug has gotten to you and you think you need a thousand steps in your skincare routine, think again, said Walker.
“You do not need a separate product for every square inch of your body,” he said. “Half the bathroom cabinets I see are full of things bought once, used twice and kept out of guilt.
“Put the money into the two or three things you touch every single day: the razor, the wash, whatever goes on your face afterwards, and be ruthless about the rest.”
Walker recommends these essentials to keep your routine as simple as possible:
