A man’s bathroom says a great deal about his approach to life — organized or messy, minimal or obsessive, frat house or gentleman’s dwelling. Yet, many men ignore the bathroom, paying it the same mind they would the doctor’s office or gas station; a necessary evil, rather than a sanctuary of manhood. In doing so, we deprive ourselves of some of life’s small pleasures and the opportunity to start the day off on our best foot.
Many of the fondest memories of my father involve studying him as he went through his morning routine before work – shaving, cologne, gargling, tying his tie. I remember the sights, smells, and sounds seemed like a mysterious apothecary, filled with the potions and ingredients of manliness. The smell of Old Spice and Listerine still say “man” to me more than just about anything.
My father understood that a well-stocked bathroom and good routine were something no man should do without. Some may say that spending time on hygiene and appearance is something for the opposite sex to concern themselves with, but to ignore this essential aspect of living is not only immature, it’s unhealthy.
Am I suggesting that you turn into that guy who spends hours in the bathroom meticulously styling each lock of hair, plucking each stray eyebrow hair, and popping more collars than you knew existed? Absolutely not! Constantly stressing about one’s looks is not something anyone should practice. But, there’s a definite middle ground to be had between obsession and neglect — and this is where men should aim. A few minutes in the bathroom is really all one needs; the key is finding the right products and methods to make those minutes count.
With that spirit in mind, I present to you a small list of items no man’s bathroom should ever be without:
Image by kreg.steppe
1) Wet Shaving Set – Every morning millions of men take a razor blade and scrape it across their face. What used to be a manly ritual passed down through generations has become a mindless routine filled with cheap razorblades, poor-quality shaving cream, razor burn, and a little bit of annoyance that the task must be performed in the first place.
A traditional wet shaving set may seem antiquated to some, but as with many things in life, newer does not always translate into better. To someone used to zinging an electric razor over their face a couple times each morning, a traditional shave can be quite daunting, but it really only involves three items: a quality razor, a good brush, and some glycerin-based shaving cream.
Regarding the right razor, there is some healthy debate as to which is the best for a good wet shave. Some like the old-school classics like the straight-edge; others don’t mind newer blades like the Mach 3, but most agree that for the wet shave nothing is better than a double-edged safety razor. As for the brush, a good badger-hair brush will provide the best shaving experience. And when it comes to shaving cream – if it comes out of a spray canister, throw it away and never touch it again. A high-quality shaving cream has more of a paste-like consistency and is more expensive, but will require about half the amount to do the same job.
When purchasing a shaving set, it can often feel like a lot of money initially, but remember that a good shaving set should last for many years (Brett purchased a razor from the 1960′s) and shaving is something most of us do every day. Why not make this daily routine enjoyable?
For some great shaving products check out West Coast Shaving.
2) Cologne – Remember the kid in middle school that tried to disguise the fact that he never showered by dousing himself each morning with half a bottle of cheap cologne? Well, just picture that each morning and do the opposite. First, don’t rely on cologne to cover up poor grooming habits, that’s not the purpose for which it was made. Cologne is supposed to be an accent, not the basis of your hygiene routine.
Second, use a very small amount, two or three dabs or sprays at the most. A man’s cologne isn’t meant to mark his territory as he roams from place to place, it should only be noticed by those in intimate proximity. It is recommended to put cologne on pulse points such as the wrists, the base of the throat, and behind the ears as the heat produced in these areas will help activate the scent. Do not spray cologne on your clothes, as it won’t last nearly as long. Finally, don’t settle for a cheap bottle of cologne. You don’t have to go over the century mark, but investing in a quality cologne should serve you for at least couple years (storing your bottle in a dark, cool place will help prolong its lifespan).
3) Gold Bond – For years, athletes from Rugby players to race car drivers have understood the amazing benefits of Gold Bond Body Powder. Go into almost any locker room and you will see it as a staple product right next to some deodorant and cologne. Athletes tend to use it because of its ability to keep a man cool and dry, as well as reducing the possibility of skin irritation during physical activity. And most men have at least heard of it’s mysterious abilities to keep things nice and cool when applied to….well……you know.
While Gold Bond Powder is awesome for athletes, it can also be of great use to the everyday man as well. Not only can it be applied to hot spots to keep them comfortable, it can also be a wonderful defense against stinky feet. Many men, including yours truly, sprinkle a little Gold Bond in their socks and shoes each morning to keep their feet from becoming toxic wastelands during a long work day or trans-continental flight.
No matter how you decide to use it, Gold Bond is an incredibly versatile and useful grooming product that should be in men’s bathrooms everywhere.
Enjoy these great videos showing the importance of Gold Bond. For your. . . “equipment.”
4) Mouthwash/Tongue Scraper – You can be the best-looking, most talented man around, but if a closer encounter reveals some foul-smelling breath, all bets are off. Bad breath, or halitosis, is nothing more than bacteria in your mouth feeding on various proteins. It often accompanies certain foods, alcohol, or long periods of dryness such as what occurs after a night’s sleep. Many men believe that simply brushing their teeth will take care of the problem, but if you ask their wives and girlfriends, much of the time it does not.
Having a good mouthwash such like Listerine or Scope in your bathroom is an essential part of starting each day off on the right foot. Not only will it save those around you from having to smell what you had for breakfast, many mouthwashes now contain fluoride which strengthens teeth.
Also, according to these old Listerine ads, Listerine can also battle dandruff.
Hmmm… not so sure about that use.
Tongue scrapers are a lesser known tool in the fight against bad breath, but can be the most effective part of your arsenal. Most odor-causing bacteria are found on the tongue, so a tongue scraper goes right to the primary source of bad breath, removing bacteria, food particles, and the discharge that drips down from your nasal cavities. Many might ask why a toothbrush is not sufficient for this task. The problem lies in the design — toothbrushes are made for cleaning teeth, while tongue scrapers are specifically shaped to get into the folds of your English muffin-like tongue and sweep the bacteria from its nooks and crannies.
5) Quality Hair Product – It’s time to throw away the $2 bottle of gel that you’ve used since the 8th grade. You know, the neon-colored goop that creates a mini-snowstorm when your hair is brushed up against at the end of the day. Hair styling isn’t something a man should spend hours on each morning, but it doesn’t mean he should ignore it altogether. A quality pomade, mousse, or styling compound can be an easy and effective way to sculpt that mop of yours and ensure you look more like a professional than a mad scientist.
The question then is what product to buy? Keep it simple, there’s a million different products out there and some salesmen will try to convince you that you need 999,000 of them, but you don’t. If you have a barber that you trust, ask him or her for their opinion. Otherwise, test a few yourself. Buy something middle of the road, not the cheapest, not the most expensive. If you have short to medium length hair, a pomade or wax-like compound can work great, helping sculpt your hair without looking like you covered your head in product. For longer hair a mousse can sometimes work better. If you want to go old school, use the hair products your grandpa used like Brylcreem or Wild Root. If you find yourself unsure, ask your barber or a friend that seems to have his hair on straight.
There’s no reason for a bathroom to be littered with a million different products. A few quality products can make the difference between starting the day off well or poorly. Do yourself a favor and make your bathroom a place you can enjoy, a sanctuary of manhood.
Now it’s your turn. What products do you think should be in every man’s bathroom arsenal? Drop a line in the comment box.
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Listerine, Brushing your teeth daily, tongue scrapers, flossing are all necessary and good. But I have also heard, but i can’t remember where from, that holding back flatulence will cause your breath to smell bad. As ridiculous as that sounds, if i recall correctly the explanation was that if you prevent yourself from releasing flatulence is that the gases get reabsorbed into your bloodstream, then when your blood travels back to your heart and then to your lungs, the gases can now escape via your lungs and out when you breath out. Hence why some people have a terrible breath even if they brush their teeth and what not.
Also about armpits, the hair helps to wick away the sweat and it actually prevents any nasty dripping and what not. So its useful even if its bad to look at. Obviously you should shower everyday to prevent bacteria from accumulating and causing any smells.
i was in the Infantry for 8 years and must have gone through hundreds of bottles of Gold Bond, green bottle.
Also for fantastic hair/face care products with a classic feel google, “Hawleywoods” barbor shop. AOM should do a feature on these guys.
Late to the party and nobody will read this, but I’ll say it anyway.
Not only am I unwilling to use DE razors, I get a good shave with my 5-blade monster. Yes, it costs more, but one cartridge is good for about two months. One important tip for all men who wet shave: Shave Secret oil. I happened across a men’s head shaving Weblog, and they proclaimed it loudly, said it was better and less expensive than the big names. So, I picked it up at Walley World (I mean, Wal-Mart). You can use the shave oil by itself, but after I massage that in, I use shave gel.
Oh, and I do the shaving in the shower after I’m all warm and soaked.
As for after shaves, I have the classic Clubman for occasional use, but I prefer unscented things like Nivea or Neutrogena lotions. Then I can use my Manly Man ® cologne without conflict.
One comment on hair gels: I hate them, but I have irritating hair problems (especially that cowlick in the very front that is prominent after a haircut), and finally purchased Clubman hair gel. Available at Walgreens (so is the Clubman after shave), it is not overpriced. I can wear a cowboy hat and not have too much problem with my hair being re-shaped. But watch out, the Clubman fragrance will be on your hair all day if you use too much.
Two additions to the list;
Rotary nose hair trimmer
Q- tips
Rediscovered the old-school Vitalis my grandpa used to use. It’s actually good stuff. Not stiff like hair gel, but has enough oil in it to hold the hair together until it dries.
A good aftershave would be something to add to the list, although I’m sure you can bunch that up with cologne. Some of the best smelling aftershave I have used thus far is Hawlewoods No.9 Bay rum aftershave. good bay rum and clove smell. Google it, they make an outstanding pomade too.
“- very light (meaning color) soya oil is good also – I find god after showering, and NOT expensive also”
Toneshiro, I wish I could find God after showering.
Listerine: it works.
While I don’t recommend it except as a “temporary” measure, I’ve used the Listerine scalp treatment for dandruff and scalp itch an and it does work. Best done when you can let it sit for a while. And your willing to stink like Listerine for a while.
Shampoo: Mix a little with your shampoo and KEEP IT OUT OF YOUR EYES (OUCH!) The mild burning sensation will tell you were your scalp is dry or cracking. Let it sit for at least 3 minutes before rinsing. A little conditioner after a thorough rinse will help with the smell.
Spot treatment for Scalp, Beard and Mustache: A little on a Q-tip. Soak the hot spot or flaking area.
In my case, I’ve found diet is the best defense against flaking (easy on the Cokes and junk food, heavy on the veggies), but its still a cheap and effective treatment.
Oh, and be sure your using the “regular” Listerine and not the minty flavored kinds unless you want to feel sticky and attract critters.
What’s the read on having around things women might want in your bathroom? If you have things for women (tampons? brand new, unopened toothbrush, etc.) would that be unmanly? Do you think a woman would see that as considerate or that you’re a player or something?
Been using Brylcreem, Old Spice, and either Burma Shave or Williams shaving soap for about 10 years now (I’m 38). Wish I’d started earlier.
A number of women have told me “You smell just like my grandfather did,” usually followed with a hasty “OH! I meant that in a good way! I love it!”
Matches — Anyone ever use matches to cover the odor after dropping one? My mind was blown when I first tried this, it was like a magic trick. Something about the burned match neutralizes the smell. Air freshener is fine to use too but if you have left an especially rank smell, use a match first before you spray the freshener. You may not even need the latter.
I like using clubman products to include their talcum powder.
I already had all of this, except for the Gold Bond powder, which I picked up a couple of days ago. Now let me just say WOW. I’ll be honest, my feet sweat a LOT, and in turn they tend to smell pretty rank by the end of the day. Yesterday after my morning shower and drying off I rubbed a small bit onto both of my feet and put my socks on. I wasn’t expecting much when I took my shoes off at the end of the day, especially since I had only used a rather thin layer, but WOW. No smell at all, of sweat nor Gold Bond. I wish I had picked some of this stuff up years ago, it would have saved me a lot of feelings of embarrassment after taking my shoes off in front of a lady. I can’t thank you guys enough for the recommendation.
(Not getting a dime for this of course, just a damn satisfied customer.)
Great list. I also have a hair trimmer and a styptic pencil. I don’t have cologne due to a sensitivity to scents.
I love Acqua Di Parma for cologne and Proraso Aloe Shave Soap.
I wish I had enough hair to care about hair product, but it is one less thing I have to worry about.
There is a strong link between talc and cancer. To be safe, try using a corn starch based powder instead. Gold Bond offers talc-free varieties, just keep on the lookout. I also avoid talcum in deodorant and anti-fungals.
Sources:
http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/talc.htm http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_6x_talcum_powder_and_cancer.asp
Derek D.
“strong link between talc and cancer” Did you know 100% of all cancer patients consumed water at some point in their lives? I hope you cease drinking water as well. Your concern is getting ovarian cancer from using talc? Did you even read the links you posted? Stop posting ridiculous hype as fact.
Doc (?), I am not sure what the source of your lash out is, but you might want to look into some sort of anger management therapy. I don’t know about you, but I have recently come to recognize that I am constantly exposing myself to carcinogenic compounds, such as talc and diethanolamine, and have started looking for more natural ways to take care of myself. An ounce of prevention…What does it hurt? I thought I’d share my curiosity about this out of kindness and concern of my fellow man. I don’t think that warrants being attacked by senseless sarcasm. I didn’t state it as fact, as I said there was a strong link according to articles I have read by the American Cancer Society and the Cancer Prevention Coalition and attached links to the articles for people to decide for themselves. If you have sources to debunk this link, I would be happy to read them.
Interesting article. I have not had hair to try the pomade/hair tonic in years, but i remember my grandfather using vitalis and brylcreme. Shaving for me includes my head. I have found a wonderful product called SLICK that comes as a creme in a plastic bottle. Put a dime sized dollop of that on a wet shaving brush and you get enough lather to do the face as well as the head.
Gold bond is great stuff especially if you are prone to heat rash or irritation in body cracks and crevices. It definitely is ‘cooling” so if you’ve never used it, be aware.
One thing I find a bit confusing is that this site stresses the importance of owning and maintaining quality leather shoes and boots. The absolutely worst thing you can do is sprinkle foot or any other type of powder into your leather shoes or boots. The powder gets into the pores of the material and clogs them up and you end up sweating more not less. Wash and dry your feet, then sprinkle them liberally with powder then put on your socks. Don’t kill your shoes with powder!
@ Derek D.
from your link to the article by the American Cancer Society
Studies of personal use of talcum powder have yielded inconsistent results, although there is some suggestion of an increase in ovarian cancer risk. No other forms of cancer appear to be associated with the use of talcum powder.
However, only a very small minority of women who have used talcum powder will ever develop ovarian cancer. And it is impossible to say to what extend talc use had contributed to these cases.
” I said there was a strong link according to articles I have read by the American Cancer Society and Cancer Prevention Coalition”
The American Cancer Society claims no such thing.
The only link between talc and asbestos was that they appeared to be similar in form. I could not find a source “debunking” this topic. This would be because there are no definite findings to debunk. There are *suggestions* of *increased risk.* Again, the American Cancer Society ends with “it is impossible to say to what extend talc use had contributed to these cases [of ovarian cancer].”
I will continue to use Talc as I do not own a set of ovaries. I will also continue to trust the American Cancer Society over any independant Coalition of experts and their blogs. This is due in part to the fact that the ACS cites more sources and studies than the CPC. I’m not sure whether this means the CPC is biased, or that the ACS has access to more resources.
“It is recommended to put cologne on pulse points such as the wrists, the base of the throat, and behind the ears as the heat produced in these areas will help activate the scent.”
This is nothing more than a marketing gimmick. Sounds impressive, but has nothing to do with reality. Anywhere you put it will have the same effect: it smells. “Pulse points” (whatever that means) do not “produce heat” any more than a random spot on the body. Nor does the scent need to be “activated”. It’s not a puzzle, it’s not a machine, and it’s not an explosive. It’s just a perfume marketed to men, plain and simple.
You’d think, at first glance, that a marketing gimmick would tend to encourage you to use more of it, so that you go through it faster, and pay the company more money. Indeed, Unilever (owners of the AXE brand) bases their entire fragrance marketing strategy on this. “Douche yourself in our spray, and hot chicks will be attracted to you like a magnet!” However, for products meant to appeal to customers who fancy themselves “more refined”, marketing gimmicks tend to go in the opposite direction. If they can convince you that “a tiny bit is enough” then you are left with the psychological impression that the product is POWERFUL AND POTENT, and therefore intrinsically more valuable. It tends to produce a great deal of brand loyalty, which wins the long-term game. That’s why companies like Procter & Gamble (owner of the Old Spice brand) are still in business.
For the most part, Old Spice and AXE are the same product. 99% of their chemistry is the same, since they’re both intended to deliver a fragrance to the human body and cause it to stick there. The main difference, aside from the specific scents used (which is really kind of incidental), is the packaging and the marketing applied to them.
How much you intend to use is nothing more or less than personal preference, but have a care for the people around you. Sometimes less is more.
“Also, according to these old Listerine ads, Listerine can also battle dandruff.
Hmmm… not so sure about that use.”
It can. Just for the record. You probably only want to use the regular flavor for this, since a head that smells like cool mint is strange to say the least. But the fact that this was advertised is, again, basically a marketing gimmick to make you go through the stuff faster. Dandruff shampoo will work better. Actually, if it were safe to put in your mouth, Head & Shoulders would work better than Listerine even as a mouthwash. I don’t recommend that, though.
Great article.
Gold Bond. Feet, junk, and sometimes a light dab under the pits when I put on a dress shirt straight out of the shower. Most talc/ baby powder type products will suffice, but I think this is the standard.
Razors…I moved away from the triple blades and electrics because I have ridiculously sensitive skin. I’m probably going to go for the single blades and start shaving in the shower once I get back stateside. I have found that some of the products the brothers use for curbing razor burn are effective for guys with sensitive skin like me. I recommend Bump Patrol shave gel and aftershave. Also on the aftershaves, someone touched on it already, but I want to reiterate that the aftershave is intended to help the healing and restoration process of a newly razored face, not act as a cologne. I haven’t used a scented aftershave in ages, but I remember it being overpowering.
To go further into scent…the Axe epidemic bothers me to no end. I’m in the military and have been stuck on ships with young guys that use this stuff as a cure all. No my friends. Just use some ANTIBACTERIAL soap and wash your clothes and you’ll be all set. Overpowering colognes is a huge turn off to a lot of people. I do wear cologne from time to time, usually only for special occasions or if I’m putting on the ritz for a night on the town. I’ve used Chanel Platinum Egoiste since my first high school dance and am just about to finish my second bottle, after nearly 12 years. It’s a classic and I have received a compliment on it nearly every time I wear it and get close enough for a girl to notice. I recommend applying down the back or at the shoulder area. Directly on the neck is okay if you don’t plan on getting ass that night, but lets be honest, that’s why you put fourth all this effort in the first place and you should always be in the game.
The tongue scraper seems like good idea, I’ll have to get into that, but flossing CANNOT be overlooked. It’s a pain in the ass to get into but will become habit soon enough and really helps with bad breath. Have you ever smelled some of the globs of decaying food that come out with floss after not doing it for a day or two? Heinous.
Obviously being in the military I keep my hair short, and found the best product for styling is a wax stick. I suppose it is similar to a pomade, but seems to last longer as I use less of it. Just make a couple light passes over a DRY head and style with your finger tips. I usually wash my hair after a haircut, apply some wax, and repeat the process every week or two. I thoroughly rinse my head in the shower everyday, but find that using shampoos and conditioners too often leaves the dome frizzy, thin, unmanageable, dry, and childlike. I’m going to look into that Brylcreem stuff, or maybe some regular mousses, but I just went to the only store around here and they only carry the spiky headed 2000 era Boy Band gels.
As far as personal grooming goes…
Haircuts, pube TRIMMING, shaving the face, and for those Sasquatch recruits, back shaving is okay, anything else and you’re entering metro territory and risk getting laughed out of the barracks by real men, not Zoolanders. I did know a sniper that shaved his arms and legs though, and still make fun of him to this day. Totally unnecessary. He was a total Guido though, so apparently that’s acceptable.
A good set of tweezers, small, well made scissors, nail clippers, and small battery operated detailing clippers are a must as well.
In the shower, St Ives INVIGORATING Apricot scrub is legit as it gets.
-Scott
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