Photo credit: Thelm Magazine

If you are looking to shave the whole thing off, then understanding that shaving a beard is different from shaving stubble is a terrific place to start. There is a process that doesn’t have to involve hours of rigorous work to get your face back into shape, and we’re going to teach it to you why. Whether it’s been a few weeks, or a few years, these techniques will help you uncover the man behind the furry mask once more.

Let’s take a look at how to shave a beard:

1. Choose a Good Time (This Is Not Something to be Rushed)

When it comes to shaving off a beard, there is always a risk you might not like the after effects or that without the correct technique, you will end up with razor rash. Shaving your beard is not something you want to do before going to work one morning, as it might put off your mood if you end up with a ‘bad no hair day.’ That’s not to say we won’t give you ever winning chance of a successful shave, but giving your skin time to respond kindly can help a great deal.

Some guys may notice that their skin is reddened after shaving a beard, due to the newness of shaving and that it tends to calms down after a few hours. So think about where you will be going during that time, so you do not have to risk a potentially embarrassing situation.

Photo credit: The Beard Hunter

2. Prepare the Area (You’ll Thank Us For This Later)

Now that you have cleared some time, and are dedicated to shaving your beard, the best tips we can give you are to prepare the area before touching the hair itself. This will reduce the risk of red bumps, ingrown hairs, and make the shaving process much easier (not to mention much more economical on your blade). If you have a thicker, longer beard, or course hair, you can extend the recommended time to suit.

Soak a salon quality facial wrap in hot water, wring out the excess water (making sure the wrap is not too hot), and apply to the face. As the name suggests, you want to wrap it around your face so that you cover all of the hair, and keep the heat trapped inside. This will loosen up the hair and help prepare the skin for shaving. You can leave this on for between ten to twenty minutes or until the towel is cool to the touch; repeat as needed.

Salon Quality Facial Wraps

Photo credit: Amazon

Once you removed the towel wrap, apply pre shave oil to the entire beard and neck, to protect and nourish the skin during shaving. This will also help to moisturize, and reduce the risk of red rashes and inflammation.

Pre Shave Oil by the Art of Shaving

Photo credit: Amazon

3. Trim the Top Growth Back

The first step when shaving the beard is not to jump into a clean shave first, but to remove the excess hair and beard length. This will depend on the thickness and length of your beard, but is recommended that you use a beard trimmer all over first, to cut the hair reasonably close. You need to get the hair to within a few millimeters, long stubble, to be able to cut it cleanly and smoothly first time round.

Panasonic Beard Trimmer

Photo credit: Amazon

What you want to achieve is a shorter canvas to work from, reducing the effort on your razor when shaving.

4. Fine Tune the Shaving Process (The Fun Part!)

The third step is to use a safety razor and shaving gel to remove the last of the hair. This will give a close, clean shave without irritation. Investing in a quality safety razor and shaving gel is a superb choice for men who haven’t shaved in a while, as the blades are designed to give a professional result, in as few strokes as possible. You can always switch to a disposable razor after if desired, but we think you will appreciate the neat finish.

Silver Tone Safety Razor

Photo credit: Amazon

Always use a razor with shaving gel to ensure a quality shave, and that the risk of skin damage is kept to a minimum. Shaving can be extremely drying, and skin, which has been protected by a beard, is super sensitive. So really, consider if using any old razor is a good idea before taking the plunge. Most safety razor are more economical, and offer a longer shelf life than expensive disposable razors; so it’s a win-win situation.

5.  Attention to After Care

The next step is also part of your regular skin care régime, and will help protect your skin for the following days between shaving. Club Man aftershave has a distinct masculine smell that reminds most men of the traditional barbershop and has a variety of fragrances that all help to protect and nourish. This is a fantastic way to finish your shaving routine, and will make you feel like a new man.

Club Man Aftershave Lotion

Vanilla is a unisex fragrance, and an aphrodisiac.

Photo credit: Amazon

If You’re Looking For More Top Tips On How To Shave, Prune, And Preen Every Inch Of Hair Into Submission, Then The Ultimate Guide To Grooming Has You Covered; Check It Out! 

If you are ready to take that leap from smoking the occasional stogie to becoming a full fledged cigar aficionado then you need to read on.

Smoke a Variety of Cigars

If you really want to get a good grasp on what kind of cigars are out there then you need to smoke a wide variety. These consist of mild to full bodied cigars, cigars from different companies, cigars with different tobaccos from various countries and different shapes (also known as vitolas).

A question that I often get asked is, “Other than smoking a variety of cigars, how can you figure out what is good?” I remember when I started out, there were some cigars that I smoked that I thought were wonderful. But once I expanded my cigar smoking horizons I realized that those cigars that I thought were excellent were average, at best.

Review the Cigars you Smoke

Reviewing most of the cigars that you smoke is a good idea for a couple of reasons. First off, it allows you to keep track of the cigars you smoked. When I began smoking cigars, I did not review any of them for a couple of years. I liken that time to being blinded and left in a forest, trying to find my way out. It’s fine if you just want to smoke the occasional cigar but if you really want to get an understanding of which cigars are good and what flavors you like in cigars then you will need to keep track of the cigars you smoke.

The second reason why it is a good idea to review the cigars that you smoke is because it makes you focus on the cigar. When I started reviewing cigars, I began picking up more of the nuance in each cigar. All the different spices, the sweetness, chocolate, leather, etc.

Use the Right Tools

Trust me, it’s better to spend a little extra money to get a good cutter and lighter then it is to spend $5 on a long line of lighters and cutters that just aren’t that good.

A solid cutter is the Xikar MTX and there are a number of good lighters out there from companies like Xikar, Blazer and Dupont. Cutting your cigar with a cheap, dull cigar cutter is asking for problems like wrapper tear.

Cheap lighters, on the other hand, routinely break down and produce schizophrenic flames.

While poor quality cutters and lighters can ruin cigars one at a time a substandard humidor can ruin scores of cigars at a time. I won’t get too in-depth here but here are some simple rules about humidors:

1. Get a humidor that is bigger then you think you will need.
2. Put a digital hygrometer/thermometer in that humidor and make sure the humidity stays around 70% and the temperature at 70 ∞F.
3. Humidify your humidor with a humidification system like humidifier beads. Oh, and use distilled water when recharging your humidification system.

Go Smoke a Cigar!

Now that you know some of the basics on becoming a cigar aficionado go out there and smoke a cigar or two!

Travis Lindsay runs a cigar blog called The Perfect Draw where you can find reviews, cigar news and cigar tips. For a look at his favorite cigars check out his Top 10 Cigars 2009.

Photo credit: Birchbox

Top tips for growing, just in time for the World Beard and Moustache Championships.

Growing a beard can be one of life’s secret joys; even a token accomplishment. Not all men find it easy to grow plums of facial hair, but there are a few things you can do to help. While the rate and thickness of growth you produce will be dependent on your age and genetics, one thing all men lack is patience. This is how many men come to ask for advice on how to make your beard grow faster, as no one enjoys the itchy, fuzzy growing in phase.

Photo credit: In Fun We Trust

We didn’t think it possible, but Kate Beckinsale kind of looks hot with a beard…

So, if you are looking to get into the beard scene, Male Standard has a few tips to share to help you look and feel like a pro in no time!

1. Give Your Beard the Tools to Grow

It might sound obvious, but a diet high in protein, with less stress and more sleep can help you grow a faster beard. Stress is one of the contributing factors of hair loss, and will reverse the effects in men of any age. Protein gives your body the right nutrients to grow more hair, and sleep is the necessary time to put it all into place. Even drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day will help keep the growth thick and healthy.

Biotin is a natural hair growth supplement that you can take to help improve the hair quality and growth. This is especially helpful in men who suffer thin, patchy beards. Biotin contains Vitamin B6, C, and E, which will help keep your hair and skin in top shape. The downside to this supplement is that hair and nails are much alike, and accelerated nails and other bodily hair are likely to occur. So make sure you can deal with this potential before going forward.

Spring Valley Biotin

Photo credit: Amazon

2. Commit to Growing a Beard

The next problem men face when trying to grow a beard faster is unreasonable expectations. It is almost impossible to wake up one morning with a fully-fledged beard, but you can begin to see growth over a few days. When tempted to shave it all off, remember that it will take time and that you are taking active steps in the right downward direction. Most men move out of the itchy, growing in phase by the end of the week, so focus on something else and it will arrive faster.

Go through the Male Standard vaults and look up different shapes and styles. Go check out the best product reviews and see what’s on offer as a means of distraction.

Or choose your beard personality from this chart:

Photo credit: Ask Forensic Artist

3. Work With the Facial Hair You Have

Just because the beard is not super long yet, or where you want it to be, does not mean you can’t enjoy the growth that you have. Embrace each new growth phase as a time to test out new styles, and enjoy growing from stubble into substantial growth. Keeping the beard trim is also a great technique for creating the appearance of thicker, fuller hair. Long, straggly hair is not going to look good on anyone.

Invest in a quality facial groomer, so that you can style the longer hair as it comes in. While it might seem counterintuitive to cut hair, keeping it in shape also promotes new growth. Much like the hair on your head, split ends and damage mean that your body is working overtime to repair that damage instead of creating new growth. So don’t be scared to trim things back or into shape, if you are looking for lofty facial locks.

Phillips Norelco Beard and Face Trimmer

Photo credit: Amazon

4. Fill in the Blanks

If like many men, you suffer patchy facial hair, consider filling in the blanks with beard products that give the appearance of thicker beards. This will immediately draw the eye to the area and make it look as if there is more hair than there is. Most of the time, celebrities keep their beards short and thick, and use this approach. You would be surprised how short some beards actually are, but it’s actually their presence that carries the greatest of weight.

Any barber worth his salt keeps this stuff on hand. A beard thickener is a spray on product, which gives professional results. Use this in areas where you have thin, patchy growth to give the appearance of a fuller beard. Just be sure you don’t overdo it, otherwise you might end up Amish on the scale of awesome. Also, choose a color, which is closest to your natural so you don’t end up with a weird leopard print effect (unless that’s your thing).

Jerome Russell’s Hair Color Thickener

Photo credit: Amazon

5. Keep Your Facial Hair in Good Condition

Once you have grown your beard, keeping it in top condition will prevent the need to trim if off and start again. Castor oil is a great conditioning treatment that promotes hair growth, and will keep your beard moving in the right direction. Apply castor oil at night before you go to bed (a towel will help prevent staining), and wash off in the morning. Keep this ritual daily until the hair shows successful growth, and then move to a weekly régime.

Now Pure Foods Castor Oil

Photo credit: Amazon

The Ultimate Guide To Male Grooming Has 101 Expert Tips, And Can Help You Look After That Beard For The Long Run! 

Photo credit: Sci Fi Now

Robert Downy Jr., who plays Stark/Iron Man, was said to do his own grooming on set. While some think that this is an arrogant look to strive for, we say they’re not man enough to handle this cosmic style. You’ll need a few tools to hand, such as a quality body groomer or beard and facial hair trimmer, and about ten minutes per day. With a strong shape and smooth thin beard, most men can re-create this look at home.

Photo credit: Coming Soon

Male Standard will be showing you the top tips on styling a Tony Stark Beard, a powerhouse style and one that earns respect.

How to Style a Tony Stark Beard

When looking to style a new beard, make sure you take the time to look up different photos and ideas. This will give you an idea of what you can expect to happen through the growth period, and how much maintenance you might need to undertake. Matching the right beard to the right man does take some practice, but once you get this style down, it’s easy to see why you won’t mind battling once in a while!

Let’s take a look at these three simple steps to completion:

1. Step 1: Use A Beard Trimmer To Reduce The Total Length

To start the groundwork, begin by using a beard trimmer to remove excess hair from the entire face. As you can see, this is a sleek look, which has little length. There are two main lengths in this style, with the goatee area being a one or two, and the edging stubble. This can be shaved completely and left to grow, or you can fade the goatee into the desired length depending on how much time, hair, and skill you possess.

Wahl All in One Trimmer

Photo credit: Amazon

2. Step 2: Switch Heads, And Define The Unique Area

The next step is to switch the head and opt for an edging tool that can help you begin to map out the general shape. We won’t be moving into the actual diamond shaping until the three main areas are mapped out. These are the moustache, which runs side to side by (do not connect with the goatee underneath). The goatee, which has two side swooping bangs, has a strong sense of symmetry, and the side and under jawline shadow profiling.

Photo credit: 450

3. Step 3: Shape the Goatee

This part is a little more complex and takes some mastering. It will also become the backbone of the daily effort to maintain this style. If you are confident you can style this section by hand, then by all means show us how it’s done. Otherwise, a neat trick to use is an eyebrow pencil to trace the lines of the shape before cutting into the shape. This will help prevent you making a mess, and can be washed off after.

You want to make sure that you have the diamond shaping inside the goatee mastered before cutting. This style can be grown out a little and still look sharp, but freshly shaven is best for the original Tony Stark look. The diamond sits under the mouth, and again above the chin, to create this stellar look. If in doubt, go back and check out the photos so you have exactly the right look in mind. Then go for it!

Brow Pencil

Photo credit: Amazon

Tip: Don’t start shaving, and then planning the style. Make sure you know where you are going and then cut. Draw in the diamond detailing, and begin to work in from the edges to the center so that the liens match up. How much you take off in-between varies, as this is a flexible style for men. If you make a mistake, rinse off the pencil guideline, and start again (remember: Tony Stark had to practice to).

If all else fails, you can always invest in a quality fake beard:

Photo credit: Amazon

We don’t recommend wearing it to the office, unless you’re a natural born prankster.

4. Finishing Touches

The last section is to make sure the moustache is neat, and trim. You don’t want to make the length so much longer than the rest of the hair, as this can lead to some strange, exotic look only seen in 70’s porn. Keep the edging neat, and bring the sides of the moustache down to create a strong frame around the mouth. This should not meet the goatee, but frame it so the detailing is accentuated.

Photo credit: Cinema

Don’t Forget To Leave A Comment Below And Tell Us If You Have What It Takes To Pull Off Styling A Tony Stark Beard! Extra Judos If You Include Pics!

Photo credit: The Hair Doctors

The good news is, most hair loss is a product of our environment, and there are things you can change to reduce or stop the hair loss. While we all lose around 100 hairs a day naturally, more than that will result in balding spots or patching. If you notice you have a receding hairline, or wear baseball caps and constantly put your head under assault, then you might find the excess shedding is a cry for help. It can recover quickly.

Male Standard discovered less than 1% of the male population suffer Andro-genetic Alopecia, a genetic disposition that makes it almost impossible to reverse the hair loss.

Here are the top 5 hair loss products for men:

1. DS Laboratories Revita Hair Shampoo for Men

DS Laboratories have devised a man’s hair loss shampoo and conditioning formula, which does not contain harmful chemicals such as Sodium laurel sulfate, or Sodium laurite sulfate, found in most commercial shampoos and conditioners. These ingredients, which promote lathering, can damage the hair follicles and prevent new growth. Instead, switch to a shampoo that does not damage, and which has added natural foliate stimulants to reverse the effects.  

The Revita in this name comes from the revitalizing ingredients that stimulate blood flow and new growth. When your hair is in a shedding phase, which can last a few weeks or months, it can be helpful to trigger the growth period instead. Hair has three stages, and is continually moving in a cycle. When you give your hair the environment that is typical of growth, it will respond in kind. Take that away, and it will move into shedding.

Photo credit: Amazon

2. L’Oreal Paris Vive Pro for Men

Another great product for cleaning your hair is a two in one formula from L’Oreal Paris that cleanses and conditions men’s hair that is prone to hair loss. As many men seldom condition, they often forget to add back the essential nutrients needed to nourish and protect hair; but not you, right? Switching out to a thickening shampoo is ideal for men who are experiencing thinning, or natural thin hair and who could do with a boost.

Thickening styling products are a great investment that can give you instant results, as you boost the roots and overall appearance of the hair, giving the visual there is more there than before. Just do not be tempted to comb-over hair in a bid to replace missing areas. You can also cut longer hair short, to reduce the total hair loss, and to give the same appearance of thicker fuller hair without changing your routine.

Photo credit: Amazon

3. American Crew Hair Recovery Patches

The official brand for Mad Men hair, American Crew have created a unique product for men who are experiencing moderate to severe hair loss that actually works. The patches are applied to the temple and hairline areas, where noticeable hair loss is occurring, and help to supply fortified nutrients. The patches are see through, and left on for 20 minutes and help the skin to absorb the product deeply.

Apply the patches daily for as long as needed to ensure the hair gains the essential amino acids and proteins needed for healthy growth.

Photo credit: Amazon

4. Cabookie Hair Loss Concealer

If the hair loss is severe, then immediate results are desirable. This hair concealer is a unique product that can help combat the illusion of balding, or patches, that occur in the crown or hairlines. Simple add the product as you would a gel or styling serum, into the hair, and style into shape. The colored product will adapt to the hair around it, giving the appearance of thick full hair, which is rich in color. You can also dye your hair for a similar effect.

Photo credit: Amazon

5. Vichy Pro Hair Loss Treatment

Sadly, if you are in the severe stages of hair loss, then investing in a quality hair care régime is paramount. While protective and preventative, this daily conditioning treatment can help the scalp and hair follicles recover from extended periods of damage. The idea is to use the product each day to help strengthen and rebuild with an intensive régime, and once the hair growth is back to normal, you can move into regular treatments once more.

Note: If you continue to treat your hair poorly, or revert to your old styling régime, then the hair will also likely decide to shed faster. Think of your hair as a houseplant, it needs constant nourishment to remain happy and healthy.

Photo credit: Amazon

Hair loss can strike at any time, but these five products will help you figure out how to deal with the consequences. Whether you begin to notice a few, or sudden hair loss, there are actionable steps you can take to prevent and reduce the appearance of bald spots. The choice is up to you if you decide to implement a hair care régime, but we strongly suggest that you begin to look after your hair as soon as possible, and for as long as possible for best results.

Don’t forget to let us know which of the 5 best hair loss products for men you’ll be using!

For More Top Tips On How To Care For Your Hair, The Ultimate Guide To Grooming Covers The Essential Breakdown On How To Prevent Hair Loss From Occurring. 

Photo credit: Static

Even Halle Berry knows that grey is a good color to consider when kicking ass…

Male Standard discovered that yes you can. While not all hairstyles suit the silver bullet, some styles actually look significantly better when doused in varying shades of grey. Take Matt Le Blanc for example. He recently restarted his entire career on the choice to dye his hair grey, as people now see him differently. Grey hair when cut right commands respect. It is a marker of success, of prosperity, and of wisdom.

Below are five of the best hairstyles for grey hair, with celebs who know how to use this unique color advantage to their favor. We’ve also thrown in a bonus clip to show you why grey hair is a lifestyle, an attitude.

1. John Slatterly of Mad Men

Photo credit: Marshall Mattock

While snow white, Jon Slatterly looks ten years his senior with this post-production Mad Men inspired hairstyle. The trick is all in how you see your grey. For John, and his character Roger Sterling, this bespoke style commands respect. Harking back to the Americana era, the sides are short, with a mid-length flat top up front. Here, the style is messy and fun, and natural products have been used to stop this from being too formal, and to add volume.

The addition of a clean white beard is also very becoming, and sets a consistent look that draws the eye, for all the right reasons. Minor contouring of the bead stops Slatterly from looking like Santa Claus, and adds depth that may otherwise be missing from white. His moustache is thick and trim, and the beard starts thin, and grows into a respectable line around the jaw, taking any unnecessary pounds off from this unsuspecting area.

2. George Clooney the Forever Grey

Photo credit: BlogSpot

It’s hard to think back to a time when George Clooney wasn’t grey. This is a great example of a transitional style, where the white of the beard creates an ombre (shading) effect, going from his dyed dark hair to white beard. Dying grey hair doesn’t mean have to mean covering every grey in sight, and offers up a lot of room for creative styling. Here, the color adds depth and character to an otherwise common cut.

While you can’t always choose where your grey comes in, you can choose where to highlight and accentuate using hair dye. As a rule, keep the tips of hair lighter than the roots. This will give a playful style that is effortless. George has left his beard to grow into his designer stubble that women adore, making this a great look that’s low maintenance. Dying the top layer of hair and leaving the sides natural grey also adds depth, stopping his facial features from drowning out in all the white.

3. Jeff Bridges Will Always Be The Dude

Photo credit: The Place

Bridges has always been an inspiration from many men, but his ability to age with style and grace makes him a double threat. This style shows that you can dare to grow longer when grey without risking it all. The trick to maintain a sense of decorum, so not to overwhelm the face with so much hair. Again, we see Bridges has opted in for the grey, lighter ends with  his natural color at the roots and on his head.

4. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon

Photo credit: WordPress

For a while, anything Frick did, Frack followed, and recently, these brothers from other mothers are back at it again, and it’s a win. Matt Damon looks great in grey and shows why going grey does not mean you necessarily look older. In fact, he looks much younger and fresh faced with the all-over grey. The consistent color means you can choose a strong style and it’ll pull it all together. The complimentary stubble also works well, keeping it fun.

Photo credit: BlogSpot

Ben Affleck has also being going grey for a while, with his salt and pepper look taking the critics votes all the way to the Oscars. It’s hard to believe these once youngsters to the movie scenes are now taken with a pinch of respect, but we think it’s all down to the grey hair and how they carry themselves. Grey is mature, not aging. It’s demure, but also fun. It’s a great balance for the professional, and the protégé. Now if we could just work out which is which!

5. Even The Young Are Having Grey Haired Fun

Photo credit: Tumblr

You might think that grey hair is only something older men have to deal with, but you can go grey at any time. So much so that many men are actually turning to the bottle to find their grey hair first. Over the years, punks have been testing out DIY hair dye kits in the attempts to find the one color that is shocking, surprising, daring or a little bit different. Little did they know that it wasn’t a color at all, but grey.

Do You Think You’ll Be Going Grey This Summer? Leave A Comment And Let Us Know How Your Grey Hair Is Shining; Are You An All Over Tidy Whitey, or Peppering Into a Powerhouse

Photo credit: The Murdock Man

Beard Lube? Now we’ve seen it all…

Beard conditioners are also perfect for managing unruly beards. Very few men wake up in the morning with a perfect facial ‘do, and those who do, we salute you. You are in the minority. If you have uneven hair growth, patchy thinning hair, or are frustrated with the overall condition or appearance of your beard then timely news, this might be the exact product you didn’t know you were looking for. Get ready to find out why.

Make Standard reviewed the top five quality beard conditioners for men, and are bringing you the results.

1. Honest Amish Beard Leave in Conditioner

Honest Amish are a perfectly natural product, with no additives or chemicals that can dry out and damage facial hair. This vegan formula is a facial butter, meaning that the main ingredients are derived from oils and nut butters, which naturally help to protect the hair. As these are also on the slick side, they help keep hair in place. Be careful to use only a small amount, and work the product into the hair for a shiny, healthy beard as needed.

What we like about the Honest Amish are that their products smell fresh, and help to defend against dry skin and brittle hair. As beards are susceptible to drying out, this will help prevent the bristle comb look. Keeping the skin under your beard in top condition is paramount to growing a fantastic looking beard. If it’s dry, damaged, or in need of some TLC, then so is your beard; this is a potent dual action product for no fuss facial hair.

Photo credit: Amazon

2. Bluebeards Intensive Beard Repair Cream

Bluebeards have created an intensive conditioner that is there to help restore and revitalize damaged beards. Instead of shaving it all off and starting again, give this a shot and see if you can’t reverse some of the signs. While no cream is going to be an instant wonder cure, this does a superb job of injecting much needed vitamins and nutrients into the skin and hair, and leaving it feeling healthy and soft.

This is also an excellent weekly conditioning treatment for beards that belong to men with fidgety hands. If you’re tempted to twist and shape every hour of the day, your bead is going to quickly become dull and lifeless (splitting). Use this to help inject some life back into the beard and fix those dry ends. As this in an intensive formula, a little goes a long way. You may wish to invest in a beard styling product to go with this as it won’t hold the style in shape.

Photo credit: Amazon

3. All Natural Moustache Wax and Gloss

While predominantly a styling product, this all natural moustache wax and gloss contains great benefits for keeping your beard in terrific shape. This is another vegan product, with no harmful chemicals, and uses natural waxes to restore the luster of beards. This is a superb product to use after a quick trim when you want professional results, or as a daily measure to protectively grooming your beard into shape.

Photo credit: Amazon

4. Ultra Beard Shampoo and Conditioner

If you have ever wondered if you should use a spate beard shampoo and conditioner, Ultra Beard has answered that question for you. Yes! As the hair on your face id different from the hair on your head, it requires different care and attention. It is also recommended using the conditioner first, then shampoo, so that you don’t end up with a greasy beard which can lead to adult acne and irritated skin.

Containing added Vitamin B5, his beard and shampoo conditioning set are a simple way for men with thick, long beards to make sure they retain strong facial hair. As hair ages, it becomes brittle and can break easily. This will help repair the damage, and help new growth come in thick and healthy. Use when you are in the shower, as a rule. Other than that, a simple product that smells fresh and works well at keeping the birds nest at bay.

Photo credit: Amazon

5. Shea Leave In Conditioner

If you suffer from a dry, damaged beard, then a leave in conditioner is a terrific way to add more protection to your day. Shea is a protective butter that protects and nourishes, and will leave your hair feeling softer and shinier. This won’t offer any style hold, but it will help your facial hair to become more manageable. Simply spray onto the beard, and comb through and move on with your day.

Photo credit: Amazon

Investing in a Quality Beard Conditioner is Easy!

What we love about these beard conditioners is that applying them is easy but the results are awesome. It’s not often you can find something so simple that can make such a big difference to your day. No fuss facial hair is one of the reasons why we grow our beards out in the first place, so regain control over your routine. Leave a comment below, and tell us how you keep you beard in shape and if these will help.

For More Expert Tips On How To Care For Your Beard, Check Out The Ultimate Guide To Male Grooming Which Contains Over 101 Proven Techniques!

What You Will Need: The Right Tools for the Job

• Straight Razor
• Shaving Brush
• Shaving Gel
• After Shave or Face Cream
• Mirror
• Towels
• Water
• Around Twenty Minutes

Step 1: Prime Your Facial Hair and Skin

The first step when using a straight razor is to make sure you prime the skin correctly. This means soaking a towel in hot water, and wringing out excess water so that the towel remains hot and steamy. Wrap the towel comfortably around the face, and leave it to sit for at least five minutes. You want to soften the hair, making it easier to remove with less irritation and shaving bumps later.

Step 2: Prepare Your Brush

After you remove the towel and the timers up, rinse your shaving brush in hot warm and remove any excess water. Dip the brush into the shaving gel and build a good lather. You do not want to overload the brush, but enough to coat your skin evenly. Use circular motions to make sure the brush is evenly coated, tap off any excess residue. This will become easier to gauge with experience.

Step 3: Adding the Right Amount of Hot Water

After applying fresh warm water to the face, build the lather onto the hair, starting from the middle and working your way out. You want to make sure that you have enough water to allow the lather to glide on easily, but not so much that it runs the shaving gel away. Aim to apply an even distribution of lather across the areas you intend to shave. This will be the first coat, and benefits from a reasonably thick application.

It should look something like this:

Leave the shaving cream on for at least five minutes, to absorb into the skin and begin to add protective moisturizing and softening qualities. During this time, you can rinse of the brush and open your razor and get it ready for use. Always invest in a quality straight razor that is clean and sharp for best results. A complete kit will come with a way to store, protect, and sharpen the razor for lifetime use.

Step 4: Mastering the 20 Degrees Angle

Unlike modern razors, a straight razor works when used at a 20 degrees angle (as show in the photo above). If you go above or below this orientation, all you do is remove the lather. While it might seem complicated at first, straight razors are designed with safety in mind and this means getting it right will simply be a case of repeating the lathering process and trying again. Most guys pick this up faster than expected.

Here’s an example of how to hold your hand:

Step 5: Going Against the Grain

As you begin to shave, go against the grain to ensure a close, clean cut. You want to move the direction of the blade to match your facial hair growth. While hair grows differently, you should begin to notice obvious pathways of where hair growths in set directions. Follow these and you will achieve the perfect shave. Do not be tempted to go back over areas if you missed anything yet, we will come back to that in one moment.

Step 6: The Second, Short Pass

If you did happen to miss an area as happens when learning, do not worry. Simply go back and add more shaving gel (never use a straight razor without this). You can add the lather to the areas that you missed only so that you do not irritate the skin further. This is the second pass, and helps catch any missed areas. The third pass is coming up next, and will show you how to get that super close shave.

Step 7: The Longer Third Pass

Go back over the face with lather once more, and repeat the steps (this time much quicker as most, if not all the hair is now removed). Pay attention to the grain and changes of shape in your skin, and start to use longer strokes to even out the final results. In stage one and two, you will find that short swoops will help remove the hair, giving you time to rinse the straight razor and carry on.

Now, you can glide over the skin getting that super smooth finish. Don’t forget to finish with an aftershave or moisturizer to lock in the goodness!

Step 8: Rinse With Cold Water

This time, when you rinse your face, you want to use cold water to close the pores that have been opened, to prevent razor rash or burns from appearing. You can also use a cold towel soaked in water for a few minutes to help seal the skin. This is especially useful if you have sensitive skin, or are prone to razor burn.

Step 9: Putting Away Your Tools

One of the most essential steps you can take is to correctly store your straight razor, and ensure a lifetime of quality shaving. Dry the blade with tissue paper to remove water that can rust the blade, and rinse off the shaving brush storing it in an upright position.

If your straight razor came with a strop, now is the time to sharpen and store your razor. If it didn’t, look around for a quality strop to ensure a perfect shave every time. Water is essential during the shaving process, but getting rid of it after is equally crucial. While quality blades will not rust overnight, excessive water will reduce the sharpness and hygienic values over time and leave you with a less than perfect blade.

Photo credits: WikiHow

Want To Learn More On How To Use A Straight Razor? The Ultimate Guide To Grooming Contains Over 101 Expert Tips To Help You Remove Every Inch Of Hair Desired.

Below are five expert tips to help snap your skin back into shape, with an assortment of skin care techniques that can be used on their own or altogether. Male Standard wants you to look your best, no matter your age, and recommend guys of all generations start to use these tips as part of their everyday skin care routine; the exciting thing is in knowing which active ingredients combat wrinkles, remarkably little effort is required in the application.

Let’s look at what options are on the winkle free table!

1. Tip 1: Don’t Over Wash Your Face

The first piece of advice might sound odd, but hear us out. Over washing your face can cause several different side effects, all of which result in wrinkles. If you wash frequently or with a face wash or soap, that causes dry skin, oily residue, grease, or other skin complaints then these all factor into the great wrinkle debate. While some wrinkles are natural, many can be easily avoided, as they are actually signs of damage.

Neutrogena Anti-wrinkle Cleanser will help you wash your face, twice a day, without drying out and damaging the sensitive skin. It contains critical Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (more on that in one moment), and additional vitamins to boost skins wrinkle resilience.

Photo credit: Amazon

2. Look For Products with AHA’s (Alpha-Hydroxy Acids)

Using a face or body cream with active ingredients AHA’s, or Alpha-Hydroxy Acids, is a really easy but effective way to rejuvenate lackluster skin. This is the same active ingredient found in high cost salon treatments, and helps to replace missing amino acids, which directly responds to elasticity. A great home treatment choice is a budget conscious anti-wrinkle lotion that will replenish the skin, and offer intensive spot treatments (though be careful around the eyes).

Eucrine Lotion contains the same expensive active ingredient as others, but at a fraction of the costs; implement as a staple moisturizer in your skin care routine. A great way to care for your skin is to use this after washing to replace the lost minerals and prevent dryness.

Photo Credit: Amazon

3. Increase Your Exposure To Retinol

Retinol is somewhat of a buzzword when it comes to wrinkles, but there’s a fantastic reason why. Retinol is actually a scientific name for the Vitamin A naturally found in skin and has been shown to be extremely effective when used in creams and lotions (due to our inability to easily digest this core nutrient). That means, using face products with this active ingredient can help reduce the signs of aging quickly because the skin absorbs the nutrients more readily.

ROC was one of the first to use Retinol, and hasn’t changed their award winning eye cream formula since; this is a classic anti-wrinkle staple. Use an eye cream before you go to bed for best results, this gives the skin time to suck up all the goodness without risking panda eyes.

Photo credit: Amazon

4. Fill in The Lines With Natural Products

While any anti-wrinkle regime is going to depend on the quality of your skin, age, genetics, and how much prep work you’ve done (plus some time for the effects to kick in), there is something you can do right now to immediately reduce the signs of aging. A top-secret male grooming technique is to fill in the lines with a product while using other treatments to remove the cause of the lines.

The ROC deep wrinkle filler is a lotion that immediately reduces the appearance of wrinkles while setting to work restoring the skin cells inside the wrinkles to plumping into place. This is a great day or night cure, and should be applied to areas with severe wrinkling.

Photo credit: Amazon

5. Dermabrasion: The Big Hydrocolloid Reveal   

Dermabrasion is a popular salon treatment, but the second of the active ingredients can also be found in the grocery store, and applied at home for the same results. Hydrocolloid is a healing mineral that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and scar tissue, and is placed on the skin and left for twenty minutes (or as directed) to penetrate into the crevices. Use this in the tub, for clean, smooth lines that will have everyone asking how you’re turning back time a la Cher!

While slightly different, DermaGen is one of the few product suppliers selling this product on the market, and for less than ten bucks, it’s a fantastic option to consider! The proactive plasters help to target specific areas, making sure that the cream is absorbed efficiently.

Photo credit: Amazon

For More Expert Tips on How to Prevent Wrinkles, Cut Out Frustrating Research And Find The Answers You’ve Been Looking For In The Ultimate Guide To Grooming.