HOW TO BE THE MAN YOUR WOMAN

WANTS YOU TO BE…

In nine easy steps!

Do you realize how lucky you men are compared to us women? Our appearance is always under microscopic scrutiny whereas your life is free of the constraints of make-up tips and hairdresser’s price lists. It takes you five minutes to wash your hair and choose the right suit. Being a guy is a piece of cake, but that doesn’t mean you take your overall impact casually.

FRESH BREATH

A breath that smells like garlic will ruin a kiss even before it happens and poor oral hygiene is to blame. You want the truth? Despite the momentary relief the coolness of the mints provide, they cannot eliminate the smell of tobacco or food scraps decomposing in your mouth. For best results, carry a pocket toothbrush and paste wherever you go. If you like to be on top of technology buy the electric toothbrush Oral-B Professional Care 5000. This gem of engineering removes up to 99.7 percent plaque from hard-to-reach areas.

PEDICURE

Nice feet are usually associated with women. And we normally associate big, crusty, bunion-ridden feet with men. Don’t contribute towards this prejudiced ideal. After a 10-minute relaxing footbath with rock salt and tea bags, smoothen your feet with a pumice stone in order to eliminate calloused and dead skin. After that dry your feet, clean the sole and then trim and file the nails. Finally, massage them using The Body Shop Hemp Foot Protector. Just be careful not to leave any excess moisturizer between your toes or you will run the risk of getting a fungal infection.

WART-FREE

Common warts, including those in the genital area, are a harmless growth of cells caused by direct contact with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus is passed from person to person, but you can get it by touching a towel or other object used by someone who has it. They will eventually disappear, but if they are embarrassing you, there is no need to wait. And unless you have an impaired immune system or diabetes, there’s a simple home-remedy: salicylic acid. Go to any drugstore and look for a solution or patch containing 17 percent salicylic acid. It requires daily use for a few weeks, but it’ll peel off the infected skin. For best results, soak your wart in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes before applying.

EAR AND NOSE

Nothing can put a woman off more than these tiny hairy bunches in the ears and nose. We used to associate ear and nose hair with old men but it usually starts in middle age when the female hormones begin to decrease, making the male hormones more abundant. Invest in a good nose hair trimmer like Panasonic ER415, which has an oscillating blade designed to help you avoid nicking sensitive areas. Alternatively, use a good pair of small nail scissors but do not go too deep inside the nose or ears.

BODY ODOUR

Odour comes from bacteria reacting with perspiration. The steps to prevent bad odours are a daily shower with an antibacterial soap, a smart layering (underwear, cotton shirt) to contain moisture and a regular exfoliation of armpits. If you have used the same deodorant for years try a new brand. Just as bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics, it’s possible to become immune to the ingredients in your deodorant. Try Dove Men+Care antiperspirant deodorant with advanced moisturizer technology.

LUMINOUS LOOK

Late night parties during the week may show up as dark circles under your eyes causing an unflattering look. Your mom and dad are mostly responsible for this inherited trait, but a lack of sleep and poor diet only make it worse. Try to diminish it by sleeping well, eating more nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, drinking water, and asking your wife or girlfriend to take you to her yoga class! Lancôme Genefic HD Yeux is also a good cosmetic option that solves all the eye issues in one step: wrinkles, inflation, dark circles, bags. If you want a quick fix place a couple of thin, cool slices of cucumber over your tired lids and see the difference.

SHAVED HEAD

No woman will blame you if you are losing your hair but seeing three single hair trying to survive in a deserted head looks defeating. Take advantage of your condition and shave it all. Bald is fashionable and sexy. The key will be to maintain a smooth, sleek look, avoiding the nicks and scratches that can irritate your scalp and look bad. First trim your hair to a stubble, take a shower and rub shaving oil or gel well into the scalp. Then shave against the direction in which your hair grows. Start with the areas where hair is softer, saving the coarser bits for last. At the end, apply a small amount of Kiehl’s Razor Bump Relief.

FLAT BELLY

To tackle the fat around your waistline, you need to choose your battles and define your enemies. If you have 20 minutes a day, use them to fight against your big tummy and do not lose time doing sit-ups. You first need to burn calories through leg exercises like walking, running or bicycling (according to your physical condition) and start a serious sugar detox. Why? Because fat does not make you fat, sugar does. According to all public health departments around the world, sugar is the most common and unhealthy addiction. Buy an e-book or paperback version of The Sugar Detox by Brooke Alpert and Patricia Farris (www.amazon.com)

SUPER CLEAN PORES

You might get the girls to sigh from afar but as they get closer, the charm is lost when those blackheads make your nose look like a strawberry! Blackheads are caused by excess sebum that has remained within the pore. Contact with air oxidizes it to turn it black. It is not due to any lack of hygiene; in hot countries blackheads proliferate like mushrooms because the skin has more sebaceous activity. Squeeze with two antibacterial wipes after a hot shower. Once you clean the skin, the pores must be closed with a pore reducer lotion like Biotherm

T-Pur Anti Oil & Wet.