Looking good should be the product of you trying to live a lifestyle that makes you feel empowered and confident in your own skin.
Perfect hairstyle, perfect physique, perfect outfit etc…. this is what we are living for – blogs, websites, YouTube, instagram etc flooding with advice on how to look fab. The never ending ways and tricks to fit into the stereotypical definition of looking good- PERFECTION!
We’d like to believe the worst has passed, but summer is still far from over. Through the last few months I am sure you’ve seen endless ads of skin whitening cream ads bashing your self esteem just to lure you to buy the product. First the ads create inferiority complex and then the product itself disrupts your normal lifestyle only to lead to disappointment.
I believe looking good means taking care of yourself in a way that doesn’t let you change who you are, rather makes you appreciate yourself more. Looking good should be the product of you trying to live a lifestyle that makes you feel empowered and confident in your own skin.
Our everyday lifestyle does weigh in a lot when it comes to presenting yourself at your best to the world.
Whether you look like a Greek god that doesn’t sweat, or you are just any normal INSAAN 😉 sunburns, abraded skin, acne etc doesn’t spare anyone during this season. And at the expense of my misery (trial and error) I have come up with what’s best for our Indian heat – something effective and easily accessible but not tedious- since we are always so busy but never seem to be doing anything productive.
Anyways this write up will be focused on basic lifestyle hacks for Indian men, which will definitely not disrupt your everyday regime, but for sure will help achieve a well groomed loook.
Here’s my easy to follow (if you will) advice:
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Drink lots of paani
Yeah you heard me! Just start drinking lots of water, it is cheap if you buy, easily available. If possible I would suggest replacing aerated drinks with water- and before you judge, try it and you’ll know. Unlike aerated drinks it won’t leave you feeling sluggish after the caffeine kick wears off. Okay! I am not a beauty guru, but if you are prone to acne or break outs it does really help tone down or no break outs (based on my experience). I hope you really do start drinking water religiously, I am not asking you to drink vegetable smoothie to detox as per the trend, just good old PAANI!
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Moisturize and scrub
Sun tan, abraded knuckles, elbows and toes is very common during summer for us Indians. And I don’t mind if you go and bleach your face in salons like most men do :p. But what’s the point of achieving fair skin for a day? Would you rather not maintain your natural tone instead of trying to look fair? Anyway here is a hack- go grab a body scrub and use it during shower especially on abraded skin. Done with shower? Go grab a BOROLINE! Yes! BOROLINE and smear it on your knuckles, elbows- wherever necessary. And see the results for yourself in a week. Face? Instead of fairness cream, go for a moisturiser that has SPF- Blossom Kochhar’s Aloevera moisturising sunscreen wouldn’t disappoint you.
I know most of us use shower gels for summer, but using a good moisturising soap will also be an added bonus if using moisturizing cream is a tedious process for you.
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Oral hygiene
I know everyone brushes their teeth, but just brushing won’t cut it- especially if you are a chimney ;). I am sure we have all been at the receiving end of bad breath while conversing with people or maybe you were the one giving it hahaha. Please invest in mouthwash; even if you chew mint gums- Well sadly I’ve been booted out of class for chewing gums several times so chewing is out for me :(. Enough said! Just go and grab a mouth wash, stat.
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Deodorants
Investing in a good cologne or deodorant is always wise. Personally I prefer alcohol free cologne and deodorant stick for my underarms rather than aerosol spray. Even if you use aerosol spray, I would suggest deodorant stick too- sweat stains on shirt are not appealing to anyone. And lastly smell good but please don’t take a perfume shower, it does become nauseating for people around you.
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Nails
Some of you might be thinking isn’t it common sense that we should clip our nails. But in my defence I’ve seen many people casually existing without getting one. Not only is it unhygienic but may we leave long nails for the ladies to flaunt please? I know college is so hectic, attending classes then hitting the gym (author exempted) but will you please take 5 minutes from your schedule to clip your nails?
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Hair
The obsession with man buns and hair straightening is in the next level hype – though I still don’t get the concept of hair straightening. Anyway that’s not the point of our discussion for today. Do you shampoo your hair? I guess we all do, but casually using a product without knowing your hair needs is a loss. I was doing the same until this chatty guy who cuts my hair suggested I use a specific product and I guess it worked. But just shampooing and conditioning isn’t enough, what you use after is also very crucial – personally I try to stay away from gel and wax unless the occasion demands for it. If you are prone to acne I would suggest you do the same especially with hair oils. Use the right shampoo and let your hair breathe once a while.
Well that’s just about it. Easy, right? If you are someone who takes care of himself, kudos to you! But for those out there, still trying to find a balance with everything that’s going on, these few hacks will be a good place to start.
