The Grooming Habits That Get Noticed

The great hair wash debate: is daily washing really necessary? “If your scalp is genuinely oily, wash your hair with a shampoo formulated to balance oil production rather than simply strip it,” says barber Brent Pankhurst. “Two to three times a week is right for most men. Daily washing strips natural oils and can push an already oily scalp to overproduce in response.”

Focus your shampoo on the scalp, where you’re prone to oil and product build-up, and work it in with your fingertips. “Conditioner should be applied to the mid-length and ends, where hair is driest. Shampoo opens the hair cuticle to clean it whereas conditioner closes it again. Skip that step and hair is left more porous, more prone to breakage and harder to style.”

As for haircuts, “A cut every three to four weeks keeps a sharp, tailored shape – six weeks is the limit before it’s lost. Shorter styles need more frequent attention than longer ones, since the shorter the cut, the faster it grows out of shape,” Brent explains. If you’re wanting thinning hair to appear fuller, go shorter rather than longer. “Length on a thinning crown only draws attention to the scalp beneath it, and a textured crop with some length through the top reads fuller than an overgrown, flat style,” he says. “Style it dry rather than wet, since wet styling flattens hair against the scalp and volume comes from working product through dry hair at the root.”

There’s more to it than brushing your teeth twice a day, says gum specialist Dr Reena Wadia, founder of RW Perio. “You wouldn’t wash only one side of a dirty dish and then put it back in the cupboard. When you brush your teeth, you’re only washing half of the surfaces of your teeth, neglecting the two sides your toothbrush doesn’t touch. Flossing or using interdental brushes is absolutely vital to keep your mouth clean,” she says.

Knowing how to deal with bad breath is also essential. “The tongue is made up of lots of little crypts, which can harbour bacteria and debris. If these aren’t regularly removed, a tongue coating forms and this is one of the biggest causes of bad breath,” says Reena, who recommends regular tongue scraping. “This involves gently removing the bacterial coating from the surface of the tongue using a dedicated tool. When done consistently, it supports fresher breath, improves taste perception, and reduces the bacterial load in the mouth. Tongue scraping should be done once a day, ideally in the morning as part of your routine. Using gentle pressure, place the scraper towards the back of the tongue and draw it forwards to the tip. Rinse the scraper after each pass and repeat two to three times. There’s no need to apply force – a light, steady motion is all that’s needed.”

Maintaining a beard needn’t be a faff. Brent recommends just giving it some care and attention each week. “Wash, condition, comb through, tidy any stray hairs on a weekly basis then, in between, a daily comb to train the growth and distribute natural oils is all it needs. Washing your beard every day strips the natural oils that keep facial hair soft, so resist the urge to do more than that.”

Prefer to go clean shaven? A sharp blade will prevent irritation and ingrown hairs. “For a wet shave, choose a quality multi-blade or a traditional safety razor and change the blade well before it feels dull. And always take the first pass with the grain,” Brent says. “If you prefer an electric shaver, buy once and buy well. Clean the head after every use and oil it as the manufacturer specifies – most premature replacements come from neglect not wear. Whichever you use, the shave is only as good as the preparation: warm water to open the pores, a proper shaving cream to soften the hair and a cooling balm afterwards.”

They may not be on show that often, but a good footcare routine is important. “The biggest mistake is neglecting your feet until something hurts, and the second is trying to fix everything at once and overdoing it. A little regular maintenance is far kinder,” explains Krisztina van der Boom, founder of DryBy. “Washing with warm water and a mild cleanser – including the soles, heels and between the toes – is key. Avoid prolonged soaking or furious scrubbing; it should be a small, regular job, not a restoration project.”

“For otherwise healthy feet, use a fine foot file or pumice stone gently on dry, intact skin once or twice a week, followed by foot cream. A urea-based formula can help with dry, thickened skin. When clipping your toenails, cut straight across, leave a little free edge and smooth anything sharp with a file. Note that if hard skin keeps returning in the same place, it’s worth checking the fit of your shoes.” You want to avoid putting on your socks while your feet are still wet, as moisture residue between the toes can leave your skin white, soggy and prone to splitting.

Warm, damp conditions also encourage fungi. “Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection – not just ‘sweaty feet’ – and can cause itching, peeling and cracks. Make sure you pat between each toe with a clean towel after showering,” Krisztina advises. “Moisturise dry heels and soles twice a week, but leave the spaces between the toes cream-free. Finally, if you’re experiencing painful ingrown nails, deep or bleeding heel cracks, recurrent painful corns, nail lifting and unexplained changes in nail colour or thickness, these should be assessed by a podiatrist or GP.”