The Essential Valentine’s Day Grooming Guide

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Look hot this Valentine’s Day with men’s grooming tips that show you pay attention to detail.
If there’s ever a time to rise to the occasion and look sharp, Valentine’s Day is surely it. Follow our grooming guidelines to look on point for your date and boost the romance quotient.

Don’t neglect your personal grooming in the midst of all your romantic V-Day planning, because no matter how well dressed you might be on the day, puffy eyes or tired-looking skin won't go unnoticed. Here’s how to look your handsome best on the big day.

KEEP IT CLEAN

Kick off the process by cleansing your face with a product that removes dirt and sebum from the skin’s surface without stripping it of essential oils. Next, exfoliate with a gentle scrub to remove dead skin cells and other debris. Exfoliating is also a vital pre-shave step as it opens your pores and lifts facial hairs away from your skin, preparing the way for a comfortable and smooth shave.

Clinique For Men Face Wash 385
ClarinsMen Exfoliating Cleanser 360
Tom Ford For Men Exfoliating Energizing Scrub 925

BE A SMOOTH OPERATOR

Keeping your facial fuzz in check is an important step in the grooming process. First, apply a thick, lotion-like shave cream to your skin to hydrate and protect it while you shave. Post shave, use a natural aftershave to calm and soothe sensitive areas. If you have a moustache or beard, treat it with a beard oil or balm to keep it soft and styled.

Kiehl’s Grooming Solutions Nourishing Beard Grooming Oil 480 
ClarinsMen Smooth Shave Foaming Gel 305
Nuxe Men Gentle Toning Lotion 245


HYDRATE AND REFRESH

Keep your face soft and supple with a nourishing moisturiser. Products enriched with hydration-boosting ingredients and antioxidants will brighten a lacklustre complexion, for a fresh, youthful face.

Clinique For Men Maximum Hydrator 610
Elemis For Men S.O.S Survival Cream 1110
Sisley Sisleÿum For Men Anti-Age Global Revitalizer 3135


TACKLE DARK CIRCLES

Use a hard-working eye cream to diminish dark circles and smooth fine lines. Look out for a product containing power ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which plumps and firms dehydrated skin, and caffeine, a natural antioxidant with a knack for minimising puffy bags and energising tired-looking complexions.

Filorga Optim-Eyes Eye Contour 885
Kiehl’s Eye Alert 270
La Mer The Lifting Eye Serum 3660


SERVICE YOUR LIPS

Dry, cracked and chapped lips are not going to encourage any romantic displays of affection. Make sure your lips are smooth and healthy by applying a lip balm regularly leading up to your date. If you’re put off by notions of glossy, fruit-scented sticks, think again – there are plenty of no-shine formulas geared towards men whose lips need a moisture boost.

Kiehl’s Facial Fuel No-Shine Moisturizing Lip Balm 220
Lab Series Pro LS Lip Tech Lip Balm 205
Tom Ford For Men Hydrating Lip Balm 550


BE HANDS ON

Rough, dry hands are an instant turn-off. You may think your body lotion is good enough for your hands, but this is not necessarily the case. Hand creams are formulated with a thicker consistency than body creams, and contain nourishing ingredients such as nut butters and vitamins A and E, for soft, smooth hands that invite intimacy.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Hand Treatment 270
Nivea NourishingCare Hand Cream 34.99
Clarins Super Restorative Hand Cream 705

WEAR A SENSUAL SCENT

Your date won’t be able to resist an incredible scent, so put some thought into your V-Day fragrance choice. You could play it safe with your signature scent, but for those wanting to make more of an impact we recommend a deeper, richer fragrance with notes of cedar, patchouli, oud and even rose. These fragrances are stronger, with more projection, than your day-to-day choice, so simply spray a little on each wrist, followed by a dab on the neck, to prevent fragrance overload.

Bvlgari Man Wood Essence 100ml EDP 1640
Giorgio Armani Code 125ml EDT 1727
YSL M7 Oud Absolu 80ml EDT 1550


Photography: Getty Images
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