Grad Season.Wedding Season. Springtime. Wintertime. It doesn’t really matter what time of the year it is—it seems like there’s always a holiday or event just around the corner that you’ve got to look good for. Don’t worry though; there’s no need to panic. MenScience has broken down the stages of men’s grooming from the hour before you walk out the door to what you should be doing all the time. Whether it’s a big date, college graduation, or a holiday party, you’ll look like a polished man no matter what the occasion.

Code Red (An hour before the event):

1. Shower immediately and shampoo. Gently exfoliate face with a face scrub. This will smooth and revitalize skin in under two minutes.

2. Shave: Try skipping shaving the day before a big event to make sure you get a close shave the day of. You can do several shaving passes then for a super-close result.)

3. Target an unexpected acne pimple: Apply an ice cube to a blemish for a few minutes to help reduce inflammation and size temporarily. Then, cover acne breakout with a small amount of acne treatment medicine and let absorb to reduce bacteria on the surface and get immediate results.

4. Go easy on the moisturizer to avoid a shiny, oily look.

Code Orange (The day of the event):

1. Press clean clothes, or get them pressed at the dry cleaners or laundromat a few days before.

2. Trim and clean beneath fingernails.

3. Cut unwanted hairs, such as nose and ear hair. Yeah, it’s gross, but it makes a huge difference.

4. Relieve puffy or tired eyes by laying a frozen eye mask wrapped in a washcloth over eyes for 5-10 minutes. Diminish dark under-eye circles by placing an eye mask in hot water, wrapping in a washcloth, then placing over closed eyes for 5 – 10 minutes. Follow by applying a moisturizer for the eye area.

Code Yellow (A few days to a week before the event):

1. Get a haircut. A trim is always a good idea, but if you’re going for a new hairstyle, do it a couple of days before the event. A horrible cut can often be managed if you have a few days to work with it. If your eyebrows are especially bushy, ask the barber about trimming to thin them a bit.

2. Book a manicure. Many barbershops and grooming lounges now offer them for men, and it’s a great preparation for the hand-shaking you’ll be doing.

3. Exfoliate your skin. Gently removing dead cells from the skin’s surface can immediately brighten your tone, smooth roughness and improve your overall appearance, but for the most optimal results, begin exfoliating your skin regularly 2 -3 times a week beforehand.

4. Clear your face. Achieving clear skin takes time, but there are some acne ingredients, like Benzoyl Peroxide, which start working immediately to eliminate blemishes.

Code Blue (All the time):

1. Don’t use bar soap: It can dry skin out over time, emphasizing fine lines and causing irritation and redness. Use a liquid cleanser instead.

2. Moisturize. Incorporate a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer into your regular skincare routine, and your skin will be ready to party, anytime!

3. Prevent signs of aging by taking care of your skin now with an anti-aging treatment. Regular, early use can provide rewarding results within a few weeks and years down the road.

4. Stay in shape by exercising and following a healthy diet. Take high-quality supplements formulated specifically for men to receive valuable nutrients and promote better health overall.

About The Author

Deidra Garcia is a freelance writer and communications manager for MenScience Androceuticals, a men’s skincare and grooming company. You can find more articles by Deidra, as well as further tips and advice, at http://www.MenScience.com.

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