Nota bene: If you buy through the links in this article, we may earn a small share of the profits.
There are a lot of things you can put on your face. Add that to the number of things you can put in your hair and on the rest of your body, and it’s no wonder men have developed a reputation for just reaching for the first bottle of 3-in-1 combination shampoo + conditioner + body wash and calling it a day.
But while I can’t blame anyone not born into the same gendered societal strictures that demand women spend countless amounts of time, money and energy on maintaining their physical wellbeing for taking advantage of those lower cultural beauty standards, the fact of the matter remains that a razor and a bar of soap does not a proper grooming routine make. While men may be able to get away with a minimalist approach to matters of cosmetic wellbeing for longer than their female counterparts, neglecting hair and skincare will catch up with you eventually, if it hasn’t already.
To help you navigate the vast and intimidating world of men’s grooming, we tapped those who know it best: women. Below, four high-profile female experts pull a few of the products they swear by that you’ll love, too. Consider it an expert-guided tour of your girlfriend’s medicine cabinet, only you can take as much as you want.
Tatcha The Water Cream
Celebrity hairstylist Netty Jordan recommends this “super light and hydrating moisturizer” for “poreless looking skin, great clean and light scent.” While this oil-free anti-aging cream is a bestseller among women, Jordan says its light, barely-there effect makes it perfect for men too. “When working with men I always like to keep it clean and light, you always want them to feel like they are wearing nothing on their skin,” she tells InsideHook.
Oribe Curl Control Silkening Creme
Jordan recommends this product for in-control curls. “Weighs the hair down for a livened and natural ‘woke up like this’ hair.”
Brickell Restoring Eye Cream
“Men and women alike wake up some days feeling tired and puffy. A little bit of nourishing eye cream goes a long way to depuff and even out the delicate skin under the eyes,” says celebrity makeup artist and male groomer Amy Zdunowski-Roeder. “Brickell Men’s Restoring Eye Cream is superb. It’s all natural, reduces puffiness quickly and makes you look alive and awake!”
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
For the over-40 set, Zdunowski-Roeder recommends checking out this eye cream instead. “It’s great for men who are in their 40s and older,” she tells InsideHook. “Works fast and nourishes. Great stuff!”
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser
Gentlemen, please wash your face… with an actual facial cleanser. “So many men I know use a bar of soap to wash their face,” says Zdunowski-Roeder. Bad idea! Bar soap is “way too drying and harsh,” she says, explaining that this rudimentary approach to cleansing literally strips away natural oils from the skin while also leaving micro-residue on the skin’s surface. Gentle facial washes, however, like this Khiel’s one, “are designed to clean the face while leaving the balance of the skin intact,” she says.
Tangle Teezer
The Tangle Teezer has gained a following over the years as the original detangling brush, but you don’t have to have a ton of hair to reap the benefits of this styling tool. L.A.-based celebrity hairstylist Holly Mills recommends men use one “to loosen dead skin before a shower and to stimulate blood flow for a healthy scalp,” which can help prevent hair loss.
Bevel Skin Essentials Bundle
If you’re a beginner feeling totally adrift in the wide world of grooming, New York City-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, M.D. recommends this all-in-one Bevel Bundle to start you off on the right foot. Complete with a cleanser, moisturizer and toner that Green says will “prevent any ingrown hairs, exfoliate the skin and accelerate cell turnover,” the Bevel Bundle is an easy way to build some semblance of a skincare routine. You’re welcome.
Bonus: Hims Goodnight Wrinkle Cream
I am not a grooming expert of any kind, but this is one men’s grooming product that I, a humble, non-expert woman, swear by. You can read me wax poetic about it here, or you can just buy it.
We've put in the work researching, reviewing and rounding up all the shirts, jackets, shoes and accessories you'll need this season, whether it's for yourself or for gifting purposes. Sign up here for weekly style inspo direct to your inbox.
