**From the Gentlemen's Special Edition of The Feeder**
When I think of the term Men's Grooming products, I think back to when I was a child in the 70s. There would be a dedicated section in the supermarket for cologne, aftershave and shaving cream. A very narrow world of products fitting the era of the macho guy.
When you consider grooming, you may automatically think about your favourite body wash or shampoo that you can't possibly "live without." It's no surprise then, to discover some of the first grooming products were indeed exactly all about that—survival. In prehistoric times if facial hair was wet it would freeze causing all sorts of issues such as frostbite and head lice. Fast forward and the ancient Egyptians were very well known for their rejuvenating rituals to promote health and wellbeing and of course the Romans introduced us to bathing and communal baths.
We are certainly a long way from Ancient Rome and 1970s ideas that any sort of grooming was not for real men, today the advancement in male grooming is huge, with the men's personal care market expected to hit $166 billion in 2022, according to Allied Market Research.
Social media, possibly the rise in boy bands, the metrosexual, and the modern male clean-cut aesthetic all play a part in industry growth. Increasingly, as men lean into personal care and draw greater self-confidence from looking good, many become habitual users of products like face masks, scrubs, eye serums, facial cleansers, moisturizers and of course hair pomades and waxes specially designed for them.
If you're not already using products beyond soap and deodorant, the shelves can be pretty overwhelming. Since I'm on a mission for everyone to look and feel their best, here's a quick primer on five important products to get you started.
Good face cleanser and exfoliant in one product. This is great if you shave and can be prone to ingrown hairs. The exfoliant and cleanser in one can help release those hairs and smooth away any red bumps.
Moisturiser with a sunblock. Let's face it, we are all concerned about aging, and men have to watch out for the sun's harmful rays too.
Beard Oil. A specially formulated oil, designed to be applied to your beard, purposeful stubble or other forms of facial hair to keep it soft, hydrated and healthy. Think of it as a conditioner for your facial hair.
Hair Waxes & Pomades. They come in all sorts of textures; soft, medium or strong hold; and hold with texture, hold with movement, curl enhancers and general hair tamers. It can be a lot to figure out. If you're unsure, ask your barber or stylist what works best for your hair.
Cologne. This is a personal choice, and personally I'm a big fan. A great smelling guy is always a bonus!