TIME TO RECONNECT WITH YOUR ROUTINE
Going back to the office means the return of daily grooming too, says Stephen Doig
There was a moment, around week six of the lockdown, where I no longer recognised myself. Like most of us, I started out with the best intentions – morning run, crisp shirt, cleanly shaven and keen as mustard on the Zoom calls with the office.
Six weeks in, the hair was a shaggy mop, the jawline scruffier, the shirt swapped for a hole-strewn hoodie and that enthusiastic sparkle somewhat dimmed. Even the most upright of us have allowed standards to slip, and there’s no shame in that – it can be liberating to get in touch with your real-life Man Friday.
But as the Government encourages us to return to offices (amid a clamour of contrary advice), it feels as though we’re tentatively emerging from hibernation. And that calls for an overhaul of the bathroom cabinet. This isn’t just vanity: after the 2008 financial crash, there was a steep rise in men having plastic surgery procedures because, in a volatile and competitive work environment, older chaps suddenly had to compete with their younger counterparts to appear full of vitality and energy.
No one’s suggesting you go under the surgeon’s knife, of course. But appearing fresh, polished and ready to revive the economy is no bad thing – and I’d wager most men are crying out to feel a bit more like their old, office-based selves. Start with the area that’s taken the biggest hit – shaving.
Most barbers are still unable to perform oldschool wet shaves, but there’s no reason you can’t finesse the process at home. Forgo the plastic razor for something more substantial, and make a ritual of the process – a hot towel will soften the hairs, as will a (faux) badger hair brush. And if you’re particularly wedded to a shaggier visage, keep it professional with a beard oil – Prince Harry could do well to take note.
One tip from a master barber I learned years ago was to opt for the heaviest razor you can – that way you’re not applying excess pressure yourself but the weight of the device is doing it for you. And apply a pre-shave oil – it will stop the dehydrating effects of shaving cream.
Suitably fresh of face, while most men are familiar with moisturiser, consider some add-ons. A friend leaves two teaspoons in the fridge after a heavy night, to place on weary eyes the next morning, but a quick mask or eye cream can have the same effect. The skin is finer around that area, so requires a different consistency of cream; it’s not a one-sizefits-all approach.
You’ll likely have heaved a sigh of relief at finally being allowed to have your hair cut – I was effectively sheared – but consider some industry tips to keep it in check. Heat is an effective tool: a hairdryer will make your hair softer and more pliable, and holding it in place is easier with some wax. Finally, a spritz of cologne will set you on your commute (which is most likely by bike, on foot or in the car these days) – opt for something light and zingy to put a spring in your step.
We might be entering autumn, but let’s try to muster some first-day-ofschool optimism for our brave new world.