Guys, presentation, and appearance count guys in business and life just ask the experts at Forbes Entrepreneurs. If you want to look more professional at the office, in the eyes of your love interest and most importantly feel strong and confident in your own skin, it’s important to have and maintain a good grooming routine. When you look polished and suave people notice but there’s more to it than a good haircut and a well-ironed shirt. Here are 15 bad grooming habits that you may not even know are making you look less attractive and even older.
1. Poor Personal Hygiene
Neglecting basic hygiene like not showering enough, not washing your hair or hands regularly, or skipping deodorant is a turn-off. Not only will it make your appearance look unkept and unattractive, but you’ll also end up with unpleasant body odors, greasy hair, and sweat marks.
2. Bad Teeth and Breath
Not maintaining good oral hygiene causes bad breath, plaque build-up, and yellow and discolored teeth which will repel people fast. Brush your teeth morning and night for at least two minutes, rinse and floss after every meal, and see your dentist every six months for a professional clean and check-up. And beware of common teeth staining and bad breath culprits like red wine, coffee, spicy curries, onion, and garlic.
3. Untidy Beard and Facial Hair
A well-groomed beard has been back in fashion for a while now according to the style gurus at GQ. And many women find the beard attractive (hello David Beckham). Keep your beard manscaped with regular trims as an overgrown scraggy one or mustache looks messy, unprofessional, and unattractive. Applying a beard oil or balm afterward will keep it soft and in shape.
4. Disheveled Hair Style
A good haircut can take years off your age, disguise thinning and grays, and make you look more attractive and professional. Visit a barber or salon regularly to get a style that enhances your face shape and appearance and use good hair styling products to keep those strands in place.
5. Dirty Unmanicured Nails
Manicures are not just for women. Clean, well-manicured nails show you pay attention to your grooming and care about your appearance (and women tend to love nice hands). If your nails are long, dirty, or chipped and your hands are dry and callused it’s off-putting and can ruin your entire look.
6. No Skincare Routine
It’s important to take good care of your skin by adopting a daily skincare routine that includes cleansing, moisturizing, and SPF to protect against aging and sun damage. This will help ward off wrinkles, fine lines, and dull, dry, flaky skin. Use products suited to your skin type and look to skin-enhancing anti-aging ingredients like vitamin C, antioxidants, and hydrating hyaluronic acid.
7. Overpowering Cologne
A nice cologne is sexy on a man, but don’t go for anything too heady, old-fashioned, or synthetic smelling or spray with a heavy hand. Men who reek of strong, overpowering scents are a turn-off. Spritz cologne sparingly on your wrist and neck and go for natural scents that create a smoky, tobacco aroma.
8. Ignoring Unwanted Body Hair
There’s no point in having a sharp hairstyle and a well-manicured beard if you neglect visible ear, nose, and body hair. This screams poor grooming habits and makes you look unkept and unappealing. Regularly trim chest, back, and unwanted body hair, and use trimmers to remove that unsightly nose and ear hair.
9. Unruly Eyebrows
Your eyes are the focal point of your face so don’t let down your looks or grooming routine by showing off bushy unkempt eyebrows. This can make you look disheveled and will highlight droopy eyelids. Regularly trim and shape your brows to enhance your facial features, open up the eye area, and maintain a well-groomed polished appearance. If you’re not sure how, have a professional brow job.
10. Excessive Hair Styling
Tread lightly on the styling products, their purpose is to keep your style in shape and add a little shine. If you go overboard with too much gel or styling balm, your hair will look greasy, unnatural, overstyled, and like you’re trying way too hard.
11. Dishevelled Dressing
Appearances count and you want to dress sharp to look professional and suave. Invest in high-quality fashion classics ideally in natural fabrics as synthetic fibers sweat and wear out. Most importantly make sure your clothes fit properly, are in good condition, and take the time to iron. Stained, wrinkled, or tattered clothes give off a vibe that you are disheveled, don’t care, or are bordering on poor.
12. Bad Shaving Habits
There’s nothing fun or attractive about razor burn, cuts, uneven stubble, or thick course 3-day growth. Every man should learn the art of the perfect shave and that starts with a good quality razor, hydrating shaving cream, and shaving in the direction of the hair’s natural growth. Check your handiwork in the mirror in good lighting and use healing soothing aftershave lotion afterward (not cologne as it will sting and cause skin irritation).
13. Ugly Smelly Feet
Your poor feet carry you everywhere so they deserve some attention and grooming. Especially as dry, smelly feet, cracked heels, and dirty, overgrown, or broken toenails are majorly unattractive. Wash, scrub, and moisturize your feet regularly, trim your toenails (or get a pedicure), remove unsightly toe hair, and use foot powder or antiperspirant to control sweat and foot odor. And always dry your feet thoroughly after a shower or you can risk a fungal infection.
14. Dry Cracked Lips
Lips get thinner and drier with age which is unattractive enough, but chapped, dry, blistered lips are painful and unsightly. Health experts recommend men drink 3.7 liters of water per day to keep their skin and body hydrated and you should also use a moisturizing balm to keep your lips in top shape.
15. Ignoring Signs of Aging
There’s nothing we can do about genetic aging, but there are ways to prevent premature aging which makes you look older, and less attractive than you are. Eat a well-balanced diet, quit smoking, limit your alcohol and red meat intake, keep up the H20, and always apply sunscreen (sunny outside or not). And don’t neglect your skincare routine or signs of aging. Use anti-aging products and eye cream to tackle fine lines and wrinkles, keep gray hair neat and styled, and apply brightening products on age spots. Having a regular facial is also a good idea to rejuvenate your face, remove dead skin cells, and unclog pores and congestion.