GROOMING FOR MEN

Over the years ,grooming has become a requirement for African men , In the old days it was very easy for a man to not pay attention to his looks , most men used washing detergents on their skin and follwed it up with heavy application of petroleum jelly . it was all one needed in those times to look decent .In the new age however most men have remain sceptical to groom as there were not enough products specially made for men , There is nothing more embarrasing for an African man than to be smelling of sweets, vanilla or to smell of his mother or sister's moisturing lotions or sprays in the midst of his friends .
 These days however, more companies are making provisions for men grooming products, walk into any supermarket and you will be faced with many choices of men moisturing lotions , Nivea for men, Dove for men, Palmers men's lotion , you name it. Same goes for hair cream, shampoo , body sprays and perfumes . Here are a few tips on how to groom yourself from head to toe 

HAIR
While most African men keep a low fade which is very easy to maintain, you will still find a number of men who tend to grow out their hairs ,this can be a little tricky to maintain due to the changing climates in Africa but here are a few steps i have found very useful in grooming my hair . Firstly , to have a Healthy hair  you will need a shampoo to wash your hair regularly, what i have also found useful is to use warm water as this will enable it wash out excess oils on your scalp which if un attended to gives white powdery substance on your scalps which leaves you embarrassed at the barbers and no it is not dandruff and sometimes it is. what is usually means is you need to pay more attention to your scalp whilst washing and making sure there are no soap residue or oil residue on your scalp , It is also useful to use a conditioner so as to enable the hair breathe . Due to excess heat one is bound to lose hair nutrients thereby causing hair to thin out or break in which case it is required to use hair creams , while most people go with obvious choices as coconut oil and shea butter , most men require products that require less maintainance , you can find a variety of products with sulpur or menthol which helps clear dandruff. It is also very useful to have a hat , fedora , face caps for  the outdoors as  dust particles can easily be caught up in your especially if it is very oily.

BODY
While most african men wash themselves atleast once a day , it is important to note that after a days of sweats and dusts your pores are bound to get clogged by dirts ,it is adviseable to take a shower before going to bed , As regards types of body wash or soaps to use ,it is important to note skin type , same also goes for moisturising lotion as using body wash /lotion that is not for your skin type might leave your skin very dry or oily as the case implies .But it is best to not use lotion at night as to enable the skin to beathe .

NAILS
In as much as most people are tempted to chew out their nails when they are anxious , as much as it is unhygenice it is also bad for your nails as it leaves them chaffed and still looking unkept . Most men regard going for a manicure appointment as unnecessary and expensive , there are various ways one can maintain healthy nails without breaking a bank. It is always easy to find a cheap nail cutter that can be used as a key holder so that anytime you have the impulse to chew them you can always use the cutter to trim them . 




Credit: Ismail Ibrahim

A Man's Life In 8 Fragrances

According to a recent global fragrance report commissioned by Heathrow Airport, the average man will own eight different fragrances over his lifetime. It’s a novel idea, isn’t it? That the scents you select are in many ways milestones, olfactory markers of moments past.

So here’s a man’s life in eight scents – from the one you should invest in with your first paycheck to the one to spray once you’re old and grey – taking in some brilliant special occasion scents along the way. After all, a man’s not so much as old as he feels but as old as he smells.

A Boy’s First Fragrance

“Lynx Africa remains the pre-eminent fragrance appetiser for millions of teenage boys,” says Lizze Ostrom, author of Perfume: A Century of Scents. And though the brand has had a bad rap over the years, it’s clearly been doing something right. “Lynx fragrances are big business, and developed by some of the most experienced perfumers in the industry,” she says.

They’re not exactly scents known for their subtlety though (which probably explains their success with callow youths) and with teenagers today altogether more sophisticated customers, James Craven, perfume archivist at Les Senteurs, suggests a young man pops his olfactory cherry on a tried-and-tested classic like Chanel’s Pour Monsieur instead. Fresh, woody, spicy, it’s masculine without being polarising or too challenging.

Since fragrance can interact and intensify on contact with skin oils, fresher, citrusy scents like L’Occitane’s Verbena and Clinique Happy For Men are likely to come across as less overpowering on oilier teenage skin too.

The ‘Fit In’ Fragrance

A man’s early twenties are the years when he’s most likely to do most of his late nights (not necessarily in the office) and a lot of that time will be spent with his mates, rather than getting dressed up for dinner dates.

When you want to smell good but not too good, it’s worth turning to a modern fougère – a family of fragrances typically built around notes of lavender, geranium, oakmoss and coumarin – which are widely regarded as safe bets when it comes to men’s scents.

“The fougère accord is considered to be one of the freshest and most aromatic within perfumery and fragrances built around it have exceptionally broad appeal to men, and women love them too, which makes them extremely versatile,” says British perfumer Roja Dove. Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Male is a classic updated fougère (hence its enduring popularity) but if you’re looking for a bang-up-to-date example try Burberry’s Mr. Burberry.

The Scent Of Dating Success

Whether you’re seventeen or seventy, chances are you wear a fragrance in the hope of increasing your chances on a date. You may even be one of the 15 per cent of men who that Heathrow survey discovered buy a new fragrance to herald the start of each new relationship.

Which is fine if you change partners as often as you change houses, but hard on the pocket if you’re a bit of player. So it’s worth investing in a killer fragrance that’s going to work every time.

And while sweet, spicy ‘oriental’ fragrances are generally considered to be sexier, if you fancy employing a bit of science you might want to look at scents like Dior’s Eau Sauvage and Paco Rabanne’s Invictus, which are big on an ingredient called hedione. A study by physiologists at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum in Germany showed that this synthetic citrus-floral note stimulates an area of women’s brains responsible for releasing sex hormones. It’s the nearest science has come to proving fragrance really is a weapon of mass seduction.

 

The Eau De Toilette To Wear At The Altar

According to the Heathrow study, nearly one in 10 men will select a new fragrance especially for their wedding. The perfect candidate is something that’s sexy but not so overpowering that’ll it leave them reeling in the aisles. Most importantly though, it needs to be meaningful.

“It’s really important to choose something that you feel comfortable with and are likely to think fondly of over the years to come,” says fragrance expert Thomas Dunckley, founder of The Candy Perfume Boy blog. “I always recommend picking a trusted favourite that has personal significance to you; perhaps the scent you wore on your first date for example or even your partner’s favourite fragrance.”

A word of warning though: given the fast turnover of brand new launches (many are ‘retired’ after just a few years to be replaced by updated versions) you might want to plump for something that’s already stood the test of time and you know will be around to remind you of the event in years to come – like Hermès’ Terre D’Hermès.

 

The ‘F**k You!’ Fragrance

We’ve all done it – worn something ridiculous to grab attention and as a two fingers up to convention (Rick Owens’ penis-flashing man-dress anyone?).

You might only do it once, or you might fall in the love with the way it makes you feel and abandon that bottle of Hugo Boss for good, but every man should get experimental with his eau de toilette at least once in his life.

The easiest way to switch things up is to bend gender boundaries and consider a fragrance traditionally classed as a ‘women’s perfume’, like Guerlain’s legendary Shalimar. “Fragrance doesn’t have a gender – that’s just an idea instilled in us,” says award-winning fragrance writer Liam Moore. “When a man wears a fragrance like this it doesn’t just show he’s savvy and modern – it shows he’s got balls.”

 

A Scent For A Man In His Forties

With an increasing appreciation of the finer things in life, no peer pressure to buckle to and a bigger disposable income, this is the perfect time for a man to experiment with richer, more complex fragrances. According to Craven, it’s also the perfect time to explore classic heritage brands that reflect your growing maturity and sophistication. “It’s only when you reach this age that you really appreciate what it means to buy into a treasured tradition,” he says.

And if heritage is what you’re after, look no further than brands like Creed (founded in 1760); Floris (1730); Penhaligon’s (1870) or Acqua Di Parma (1960). Or try true classics like Aramis – a fragrance redolent of leather-bound books and gentleman’s clubs – Creed’s Green Irish Tweed, Yves Saint Laurent’s Pour Homme or the grown-up, patchouli-based sexiness of Givenchy Gentleman.

If you’re daring, Craven recommends giving Knize Ten a whirl. A leathery number dating back to the hedonistic 1920s, he describes it as ‘disturbing’. In a good way, obviously.

 

The ‘I’ve Arrived’ Fragrance

Once a man is in his fifties he rarely has anything to prove: he’s confident in himself, has a bit more cash to flash and appreciates the finer things in life. “You have lived and your mind has expanded,” says Craven. “Your imagination is broader, you’re less judgemental and more open-minded – you’re your own man.”

Now’s the time, then, to opt for a finely crafted boutique fragrance like Kilian’s Light My Fire, which is big on notes (like tobacco) that have a whiff of the grown-up about them. “This fragrance smells of a Monte Cristo cigar; the smell of power, affluence and influence,” says Craven. “And in the same way a big cigar can be too much for a young man to handle, it’s a fragrance not all younger men can handle.”

Don’t worry about smelling like a 1950s gentlemen’s club (just in case that was a concern). “It’s far subtler and sexier than that,” says Craven reassuringly.

 

The Finely Matured Fragrance

As we get older, production of sebum – the skin’s natural oil – slows down, making skin much drier, which doesn’t just have implications for the way our mush feels but for the way fragrance reacts on our bodies too.

“Dry skin doesn’t retain fragrance as long as oily skin, so you may find you need to opt for a stronger fragrance or re-apply the fragrance more often,” says perfume consultant Mary Ellen Lapsansky. So now might be the time to ditch anything light and citrusy and go for a big, bold chypré fragrance – one characterised by notes of rose, vetiver and cedarwood – designed to have staying power on the skin. Roja Dove’s Vetiver Pour Homme being a perfect example.

An eau de parfum based around the musty, woody root that’s key to many classic men’s scents, it displays a longevity on the skin mass-market fragrances can only dream of. “I created it to be the ultimate in how a man should smell,” says Dove of his luxury creation, which is pretty much what any man wants from a fragrance – whatever his age.

Credit: Lee Kynaston

5 Boots Every Man Should Own

Winter: the only season that can dampen your style from a stride to a squelch. But no man should suffer a perpetual snail trail. Ditch the trainers, stash away the brogues and lay off the loafers – here are the five essential boots you need in your wardrobe.

Black Chelsea Boots

Although popularised in the Swinging Sixties, Chelsea boots had more regal beginnings – way back with Queen Victoria. Or more specifically, her shoemaker: J. Sparkes-Hall patented the design in 1851, and ma’am was said to wear them on the regular – be it horse-riding or strolling through the palace grounds.

Though you might be more likely to traipse around beer gardens than Buckingham Palace, the core message still stands: these really are as tough as old boots. Not to mention stylish.

“Try a real leather [style] in dark brown or black,” says Giles Farnham, head of personal shopping at River Island. “And, as with any skinned footwear, maintenance is essential. Regular conditioning will ensure your boots age well.”

Example Styles

Suede Desert Boots

Like so many menswear classics, desert boots began in the military. While stationed in Burma during WWII, British officer Nathan Clark (note the surname) noticed officers wearing basic suede boots with crepe soles. Turned out they’d had them specially made in an Egyptian bazaar to withstand the tough desert climate, and clever Nathan, sensing a good idea, brought the idea home to the family business – British shoe giant Clarks.

The suede variation of the chukka boot is now a menswear staple, and while this material requires treatment with a weatherproof coating, they can power through most of what autumn and winter throws at them. Aside from rain. Farnham advises avoiding wet weather at all costs as this can damage even the best quality suede.

“Try your desert boots with a smart denim,” says Farnham. “Perhaps an indigo or raw selvedge, and complete with a crisp inch and a half turn up.”

Example Styles

Hiking Boots

No longer just standard issue for naturists, hiking boots have found a place in the fashion mainstream. But it was a rocky route. Outdoors wear was considered niche apparel until Carhartt WIP popularised the hunter-gatherer trend. From there, the likes of Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Bally followed, showcasing luxury takes on hiking boots for AW14 that skyrocketed what was once a functional piece to the heights of high fashion.

That said, they’re far more than a mere fad. Hiking boots were designed specifically to face the elements and as such, make mush of commuter slush.

When your kicks take a workwear edge, it’s advisable to steer your entire look into tougher territory, says Farnham. “Hardy footwear is best worn with equally hardy clothing, so try styling your boots with a rugged, heavy denim jacket and a chunky knitted cardigan.”

Example Styles

Brown Leather Brogue Boots

The brogue has been a menswear fixture since the dawn of time (well, the 1900s at least). And while brogue boots may be the less traditional footwear option, they’re by no means less versatile. The addition of brogue detailing to a sturdy boot base guarantees a durable anchor that will still chime well with tailoring.

That’s where their strength lies. Brogue boots are a smart and versatile option for those that prefer a sartorial streak to what they put on their feet – no technical features, no metal accents, no Dales-ready design.

“The traditional punch hole detailing means brogue boots look great with heritage pieces, like heavier wool blazers,” says Farnham. “And for extra points, take your trousers to a local tailor and have them slightly cropped and tapered to highlight the boots.”

Example Styles

Work Boots

If brogue boots champion Savile Row, then work boots skew more building site. Which, in 2016, isn’t all brick dust, arse cracks and well-thumbed issues of Nuts magazine.

Thanks to the likes of Timberland, your dad’s work boots are hot property, with the brand having blown up thanks to hip-hop’s finest (Diddy, Kanye and Biggie have all sported their own pair in the past).

True, they may not sit pretty with suiting, but worker boots are the perfect foundation to a jeans-tee combo. (Same can’t be said for that hi-vis jacket, though.)

“As with hiking boots, keep your look rugged,” says Farnham. “A pair of work boots are your statement, so a white tee, bomber jacket and grey marl sweatshirt will balance your look.”

Example Styles

 

 

 

Credit: Murray Clark

How To Pronounce Everything In Fashion

You’ve saved three long months for a Loewe shirt. The big debut (your partner’s office party) is just around the corner. Your threads are bound to impress. That is until somebody asks you where said shirt is from. It can’t be lerv-eh? Loo-vee? Maybe even low?

Save yourself the embarrassment with our definitive guide on how to pronounce everything that matters in fashion. At least you can sound like an expert.

Alessandro Michele
Gucci’s groundbreaking new creative director.
Al-e-sand-ro Mik-ah-lay

Armani
Italian fashion house that is very good at leathers and fragrances.
Ah-ma-nee 

Audemars Piguet
An ostentatious Swiss watch brand worn by rappers worldwide.
Or-da-mar Pee-gay

Balenciaga
Spanish brand that has long pushed unusual silhouettes.
Bal-en-see-ah-ga

Bally
Swiss fashion brand that first offered elastic-closure shoes.
Bah-lee

Balmain
Heavily embellished fashion brand, often worn by Kardashians.
Bahl-mahn

Blancpain
Swiss watch brand famous for meticulous hand-painted dials.
Blon-pan

Boglioli
Italian brand known for classic tailoring.
Bow-lee-oh-lee

Bouchra Jarrar
Balenciaga alumnus, now in charge at Lavin.
Boosh-ra Zha-rar

Brunello Cucinelli
Italian brand famed for its separates.
Bru-nell-o Coo-chi-nell-ee

Bvlgari
Luxury Italian jewellery brand – don’t be fooled, the V is Latin for U.
Bul-gar-ee

Chanel
French fashion house with an often plagarised interlocking C logo.
Shan-ell

Christian Lacroix
French fashion designer that started out in theatre sets.
Kris-te-en La-kwah

Comme des Garçons
The fashion label behind Dover Street Market; actually Japanese, despite the name.
Kom-di Gar-sonn

Demna Gvasalia
A Georgian designer responsible for Vetements, now in charge at Balenciaga.
Dem-na Gva-za-lee-a

Dolce & Gabbana
Italian design duo; fond of Sicilian tailoring and lots and lots of flowers.
Doll-chay and Gab-an-a

Donatella Versace
In charge at Versace, fond of blonde hair and oil-slicked topless men.
Don-a-tel-a Vu-sar-chi

Dries Van Noten
Belgian fashion designer known for striking prints.
Drees Van No-ten

Ermenegildo Zegna
Italian luxury house and the largest menswear brand in the world by revenue.
Eh-men-e-jil-do Zen-ya

Gianni Versace
The late founder of Versace, brother of Donatella.
Jyan-ni Vu-sar-chi

Gieves & Hawkes
Bespoke men’s tailor on Savile Row since 1771.
Geevs and Horks

Givenchy
Aristocratic French luxury brand, founded in 1952.
Zhi-von-shee

Gucci
Italian brand first famous for luxury leathers.
Goo-chi

Haider Ackermann
Colombian designer in creative control of Berluti.
Hyd-er Akk-a-mun

Hardy Amies
English fashion designer who was once official dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth.
Har-de Ay-mees

Hedi Slimane
Former creative director at Saint Laurent; famously dropped the ‘Yves’.
Ed-e Slim-ahn

Hermès
French fashion house famous for very expensive scarves.
Er-mez

Issey Miyake
Japanese designer, likes a pleat.
Iss-ee Me-ya-ke

Jaeger-LeCoultre
Swiss watch brand that first pioneered a reversible dial.
Jzhay-Jzher Le-koo

John Galliano
British fashion designer; led Dior, said some indefensible things while drunk, and is now at Maison Margiela.
Jon Gal-e-ar-no

Junya Watanabe
Japanese designer and former protégé of Rei Kawakubo from Commes des Garçons.
Jun-ya Wat-a-nah-bae

Karl Lagerfeld
Iconic designer behind Chanel and Fendi – has a cat named Choupette (shoo-pet).
Karl Lar-ga-felt

Lanvin
French fashion house often labelled the oldest of its kind.
Lor(n)-va

Loewe
Spanish fashion brand that has undergone major rebranding under Jonathan Anderson.
Lo-ay-vay

Longines
Swiss watch brand with the industry’s oldest registered trademark (a winged hourglass, if you’re asking).
Lon-zheen

Louis Vuitton
The world’s most profitable luxury brand with a world famous monogram print.
Loo-ee Vwee-to(n)

Maison Kitsuné
A fashion brand offshoot from the French electronic record label.
May-zon Kit-soo-nay

Maison Margiela
Formerly known as Maison Martin Margiela; French minimalist designer brand.
May-zon Mar-jel-a

Miuccia Prada
The founding designer behind Prada and Miu Miu.
Me-oo-cha Pra-da

Moncler
French outdoors brand that made the move into fashion.
Mon-clair

Moschino
A tongue-in-cheek Italian fashion brand, now headed by Jeremy Scott.
Moss-ke-no

Nicholas Ghesquière
French fashion designer and creative director of Louis Vuitton, formerly of Balenciaga.
Nee-ko-la Gess-kyair

Olivier Rousteing
Creative director at Balmain, enjoys taking selfies.
Oliv-ee-yay Roo-stain

Ozwald Boateng
An English fashion designer of Ghanaian descent, known for classic tailoring.
Oz-wold Bo-a-teng

Prada
Italian fashion brand, sometimes worn by devils.
Prah-dah

Raf Simons
Belgian fashion designer that enjoyed a stint at Dior before heading up Calvin Klein.
Rauph Sim-muns

Rei Kawakubo
The designer/mastermind behind Commes des Garçons and Dover Street Market.
Ray Ka-wa-koo-bo

Riccardo Tisci
Italian fashion designer in charge at Givenchy.
Rick-ar-do Tiss-key

Richard Mille
Swiss watchmaker known for advanced, futuristic watches.
Ree-shard Meal

Saint Laurent
French fashion brand now known for leathers and rock-inspired threads.
San Lor-on

Salvatore Ferragamo
Italian fashion brand that produces leathers, shoes and apparel.
Sal-va-tor-ay Ferr-a-garm-o

Thom Browne
American designer, enjoys a stripe.
Tom Brown

Vacheron Constantin
One of the oldest (and most expensive) Swiss watch brands.
Vash-a-ron Con-stan-tan

Versace
Italian fashion brand known for Greek meandros-style prints (the tiled borders you see in Roman swimming pools).
Vu-sar-chi

Vetements
Surreal designer brand, part streetwear, part cult label.
Vet-e-mon

Wooyungmi
A leading South Korean menswear brand known for skilled tailoring.
Woo-yung-me

Yves Saint Laurent
The French founder of the eponymous brand.
Eves San Lor-on



Credit: Murray Clark