Manscaping is a patronising word. On a scale of 1 to completely unnecessary, it’s worthlessness is right up there with words like man date, man bun and man-purse. There’s absolutely no need to prefix a word with “man” to make it seem more masculine. Not in 2019.
Unfortunately, the word manscaping is a necessary evil. It’s the only way most men interested in hair removal will make their way to a webpage like this. If you wound up on this blog post, it’s safe to assume you’ve taken the bait. Like everything else on God’s green earth, there is a right and wrong to manscape. Here are a few tips to help you sharpen your technique.
Decide what works for you. First decide what you’re going for: total smoothness or just a trim? Then get the right tool and method. There are quite a few options at your disposal. You can shave with a blade or electric razor, go for a waxing or use hair removal cream. Each tool and method has pros and cons worth considering. For instance, waxing leaves you smooth for longer, but requires another set of hands. On the other hand, hair removal cream is simple to use, but might cause your skin to break out.
Plan for before and after body hair removal. Prepare for a wax or shave by relaxing your skin and opening your pores with warm water. When you’re done manscaping, splash cold water over the shaved areas to close the pores. Apply some post shave balm to protect your skin from germs and dirt.
Don’t ignore hygiene. Your skin is the first line of defence against infection. If it has cuts, it’s easier for bacteria to make their way into your body. The quickest way to get an infection or ingrown hairs is to use a dull blade. To keep your razor sharp, store it in a clean, dry place after use. Clean your razor after each shave, and don’t use it more than four times or for more than two weeks. If you’re going for a waxing, make sure the beautician doesn’t double dip the spatula in the wax, as that will spread bacteria from one part of your body to another.
No direction? No problem! Most men shave in one direction when they’re getting rid of facial or leg hair. But that technique won’t do for underarm hair because it grows in different directions. If you want to get rid of the bush in your armpit, you’ll have to move your blade or electric shaver in different directions.
While we’re on the subject of armpits, what male grooming ritual would be complete without a good fragrance? You can’t go wrong with Axe Gold. A fusion of oud wood and dark vanilla, it’s equal parts sophisticated and manly. If you’re going for gold, it’s your best bet.
