Which is why we’ve compiled this list of handy, life-enhancing grooming tips for looking your best. Consider it your cheat sheet for fixing up.
It’s tempting, during the course of your hectic morning routine, to take care of business – the flossing, the teeth-brushing, the whatever else – before relaxing in a nice warm shower.
But shaving after you shower – when your face’s bristles have been softened by steam, and your skin’s follicles are open – gives you a much closer, smoother shave with reduced risk of nicks.
Especially useful if the searing sensation of ‘Cool Mint’ isn’t what your nether regions called for, swapping your standard shaving cream for hair conditioner also results in a less drying shave: conditioner, unlike shaving cream, moisturises your skin rather than stripping it of its naturally occurring oils.
Unwelcome guest at the face party? Burst its bubble by squeezing your spot gently with tissues covering your fingertips.
Not only will it help prevent the spread of bacteria by stopping your fingers touching your skin directly, it’ll also stop you from cutting your face up with your fingernails.
Cotton buds aren’t made for ear exploration (and can wreak havoc on your sensitive ear drums). Olive oil, however, when dispensed a couple of drops at a time, lubricates your ears and loosens wax so it falls out of its own accord.
Heat a small amount of oil in a heavy-based saucepan to body temperature and then use a sterilised eyedropper to dispense it (just a couple of drops) into your ear, keeping your head tilted to one side. Follow up by dropping in some warm water to help dislodge the wax ball.
Gross? Undoubtedly. But it works great.
Got a Sideshow Bob kind of thing going on? Reign it in by rubbing a small amount of hair conditioner thoroughly through your hair to assuage the static.
Hand cream and facial moisturiser also work as in-the-pinch defrizzing hair products.
Face screaming school night bender? Then reach for a bag of frozen peas or an ice pack and place on your face for a few minutes for an easy anti-inflammatory treatment that’ll save you side-eye from your boss.
If you’re anything like us, the likes of styptic pencils and alum blocks probably aren’t topping your shopping list. Which is why home remedies for salving shaving wounds are indispensable.
Next time you draw blood with your razor, smear some lip balm over the wound; its waxy texture helps to create a seal and allows a clot to form.
Common logic would dictate that exfoliating your lips is probably not up there with rent payments, getting that raise and saving your relationship on your list of life priorities.
But by simply rubbing your toothbrush over your lips (once you’ve finished with your teeth), you can easily slough off dead skin to reveal a smoother set of smackers. Which should help the relationship bit at least.
Gym bags are foul. Fact. But by popping a bar of soap inside (coal tar comes recommended), you’ll prevent casualties every time you unzip your bag to get at its contents.
Slot the soap in a porous bag and then leave it in the main compartment to work its magic.
Save water, and your sanity, by blasting the blades of your razor with a hair dryer to both remove hair and prevent oxidation and rusting from dulling or damaging your blades.
Fresh out of gum? Chow down on some parsley or a couple of slices of lemon to counter the nose-wrinkling effects of garlic breath.
Parsley contains chlorophyll, which is a natural deodoriser, while lemon’s acidity helps neutralise the smell of garlic.
Whether or not you think we’ve hit peak beard, you’ll likely agree that a three-inch long nose hair isn’t a look that’s set to trend anytime soon.
Deal with unsightly nose, ear and other rogue facial hairs by trimming them down to size using nail clippers or, better yet, nipping them in the bud with some tweezers.
Summer temperatures have a habit of turning your groin swampy. So stay fresh by applying a small amount of talcum powder down below before hitting that day-long BBQ.
Vaseline is occlusive, which means it holds substances like fragrances closer to the skin, thus making it last longer than if you were to spray straight onto dry skin.
Rub a little onto your pulse points before spritzing to make sure your scent lingers.
Obviously the best way to treat sunburn is by preventing it from happening in the first place. But, if you’re already crispy and there’s no after-sun in sight, then pile on cold teabags – they are packed full of tannic acid to help cool the burn.