Wedding & Anniversary Grooming Tips for Men

Whether you’re the main attraction (groom) or a trusty sidekick (groomsmen), wedding days call for men to look their best. And even if your wedding is a thing of the past, you’ve always got anniversaries to deal with. Here are some men’s grooming tips to handle both the wedding and everything that comes after (or any formal event you are invited to).

Grooming Tips for Men

• Looking good takes some work and time, so begin a basic skin care routine of cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing early to get the greatest results. Once a day (or twice if you have oily skin), wash with a liquid cleanser to remove debris and clear pores. Follow with a high-performance moisturizing product to keep skin smooth, hydrated and looking great. Two to three times a week, exfoliate with a face scrub to remove dead skin cells and improve skin’s surface.

• If you’ve never spent time on a skin care routine before, consider purchasing a kit that contains all of the products you will need to get started. It takes the guesswork out of figuring out what products to use for what (and can make excellent groomsmen gifts, too!).

• Treat individual problems, such as under-eye circles, fine lines and acne, with products specifically formulated for them.

• For superior shaving without irritations like ingrown hairs, use products that are gentle and don’t contain irritants such as fragrance, menthol or alcohol. Avoid foamy products, as these do not lubricate skin adequately. Change your blade after 4-5 uses to keep from going over the same place more than once due to a dull blade. If possible, shave in the shower as the steamy air will open pores and allow hairs to be shaved closely.

• For super-smooth shaving the day of the big event, skip shaving the day before and then shave in two steps: First, shave with the grain with very light pressure. Second, reapply a thin coat of shaving cream and shave against the grain for smooth results.

• Regularly wash your hair with a gentle shampoo that will remove dirt without stripping away natural moisturizers. Make sure to get a haircut or trim a few days before the wedding or anniversary, but don’t opt for a new style the day before since this could turn out to be a disaster.

• Nails & Hands: With all the hand-shaking and hand-holding going on, it’s a good idea to make sure nails are clean and trim, and hands are moisturized and free of grime. Why not splurge for a manicure? More and more men, from businessmen to movies stars, are getting them these days, and trust us: Sparkly polish will not be involved.

• Wedding and event planning begins months, and sometimes years, ahead of time, so take advantage of the wait by getting fit with a nutritious diet and a regular exercise routine.

• Don’t stink up the place: Make sure to wear deodorant. Keep breath mints handy for those slow dances.

• Some wedding experts recommend men skip cologne at weddings, citing the fact that there will already be a lot of perfume in the air, as well as scent from the flowers. If you choose to wear cologne, keep the scent light and the application to a minimum.

• For anniversaries, gifts don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Plan a getaway weekend somewhere, even if it’s only two towns away. Book a spa appointment for the two of you and spend a day relaxing. Or instead of an expensive dinner, try revisiting a place you ate at when you first started going out, or a place you two have always wanted to try. The point is to celebrate your marriage any way you see fit.