Grooming Tips?
 

After a short discussion in #gfchat on the subject, I've decided that GFF could benefit from a thread like this. Since most members are in their teens and early 20s, hearing some tips on effective grooming should be rather welcome.

I've read that for those who have long hair, that Mane N' Tail conditioner is almost indispensable. You work it into the hair, by massaging or combing, while the hair is still wet, then let your hair dry naturally. You don't even need to rinse it out.

This is what they use on champion show horses and they've become legendary for their graceful manes. It's a shame that most people don't know about it, since horse hair and human hair is pretty similar in composition. I think you can find the stuff at any good pet supply store or tack & bridle shop.

My hair's too short for this to be very useful, as it's meant for longer hair. But my girlfriend uses it and I've seen firsthand how well it does its job. And it's odor-free too, which I'm sure would be a concern to some.


Also, if you have psoriasis, Vick's Vaporub can work wonders. Every other day, apply a modest daub to the affected area, work it in and try not to wipe the area free. Let is soak in. I've tried this myself and it does work.



What grooming techniques have you picked up over the years? Hear about any alternative uses for products that aren't normally meant for hygeine? LEt us know. I'm sure there's at least one pimply-faced kid on GFF who could use a push in the right direction.

This was mentioned by someone else in a different thread, but a little more publicity couldn't hurt.

If you have trouble with bad razor burn, shave WITH the grain of the hair (i.e. shave down your legs/face). I'll be honest, it doesn't get a close shave, but it will give your skin some time to heal up without having to look unshaven.

Also, for girls with acne, Neutrogena has a good line of make-up with salicylic acid, which can really help with the inflamation. I'm not a big make-up girl, but I use their cover-up and powder because they make my face less greasy and don't cause break-outs.

And if you have eczema, sun helps. In fact, sun helps complexion in general... If my face has broken out really badly, I go lay out in the sun long enough so that I get a light burn, and it will clear up within a couple of days (I'm afraid some people will jump on me about this one, since sunburn damages skin... but if one has a reeeally bad breakout, one's willing to go to great lengths to get some relief).

I dont have any, but I spike the frnt of my hair up recently, and its around medium length now. But its becomin annoying spiking it up after every shower, it takes forever to do, well not really but I dont like spending more than 10 minutes doin that to just the front of my hair. But then again, it has to be the way I want it, not just up. Has to be even and stuff lol. I dont think there is, but id like tips on how to complete that faster. :p

Guys; trim your nose hair. Don't braid it.

Sadly, I've met more than one person who thinks he "doesn't need to use deodorant." Trust me, if you're over the age of 14, you NEED to use antiperspirant/deodorant daily. Just because you can't smell yourself doesn't mean that other's can't.

Also, I second what Fresh Frank said about nose hair. Guys, please check your noses at least semi-frequently. I think that, in general, men aren't as naturally observant about things like that as women are, so write it on a calendar or something in case you forget to do it. Or just check it on the first and the fifteenth or something. You may not notice that you have something sprouting out of your nostrils, but she will.

If you wear the same pair of shoes every day, your feet will reek. You need to alternate between at least two or three pairs of shoes.

Yeah, that can actually work really well. I just used to quickly sculpt before lying down, as applying the product was a little more difficult with your head hanging back.

For guys just a little tip about styling your hair. Use wax rather than gel for spiking your hair. It's great for re-styling and it looks better in your hair rather than looking like you have a greasy mop hehe. Also for the best results for spiking your hair (This comes in really handy for people with thicker, wavy or even curly hair) try this out. It may take longer to do but it works wonders. Instead of just waxing your hair straight out, first wet your hair, blow dry it making the hair stick up on the top of your head. Get a good pair of straighteners and straighten your hair up the way. Then finally add the wax, defining where you want spikes.

I have thick curly hair and this is how my hair turned out hehe:

*Edit* Well I was going to post a pic of how my hair turned out but I don't have enough posts or something lol.

Clean your ears out with a Q-tip after you get out of the shower. You get more out that way.

Also, don't use a real heavy conditioner every day and dont apply it to your scalp, only your ends. Your hair will lose all body and just feel dirty. If you have short hair, why bother? O_o

Also, if you have long hair and you want to put it up in a tight ponytail, lean over a bed or chair so your hair's falling to the floor and use a comb to comb it all into your hand, then use a hair tie. I used to put my hair into a tight ponytail every day and no, it doesn't make your hairline recede. (that's what some girls told me in elementary school >_>)

Also, for people with braces, go out and buy the flossers with a stiff end. My dentist gave me these stupid plastic needly things and they were just too much trouble. The floss kept slipping out. :/

When brushing my teeth I like to let the toothpaste lather build up and sit on my teeth for about 15-30 seconds. The extra tingling I feel lets me know that the toothpaste is working to its full effect, and I've actually noticed a 1-2 shade difference since using this method.

...oh. >_> *fail*

*stands in corner*

If you ever have to use hairspray, I suggest using Bed Head's Maxxed Out Hairspray. It's a smaller bottle than the typical aerosol cans and it doesn't smell like hairspray, but it holds just as well. My hair never stays curled and this held the curls all through prom.

Do you have soft hair? As for me, I have thick hair. I gel it up when it's dry or a lil bit of water in it. It doesn't even take me 2 minutes to do it. If you have soft hair, it's easier to gel it up when it's dry or if you use Elmo's glue. I have a school mate that actually uses Elmo's glue. It does the same job, but it's a harder material.

Aww come on Alice ! Sweaty men rock !

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/6582/1000897tz5.jpg



Seriously though ; has anyone tried coconut oil on their hair? It leaves it in excellent form and does wonders to smooth it. I find using fresh coconut oil on my hair makes it alot more manageable and shiny. I'm a guy but i have long hair (past my shoulders).

Recently though the front part of my hair's becoming frail and weirdly enough it's like it doesn't belong to me, i have straight , strong shiny hair, and this part is dull, fucked up and almost zig-zagged. Any suggestions to help with it? (i'm in a humid area)

I dont use deoderant :milk:

Ladies, try schick intuition, it really is the best thing ever if you are phobic of hairy legs like me :afro: it takes like 30 seconds to do each leg

I found this works best for body odor. I've been buying ineffective deodorant for too long so I decided to take action. All you need is baking soda and lemon juice. After coming out of the shower. Take half a teaspoon of baking soda, mix it in lemon juice, and apply it to your body. It'll fizz for the first few seconds but that's harmless. Guaranteed no body odor the whole day.

Yeah, I got soft hair, I usually do it after I shower. But then its so hard because after I apply it and put it to the desired position, it wilts down a bit. I usually have to wait for it to dry up a bit then apply a bit more then itll stay for the most part. Still will wilt some though. :(

This is for girls .... get a good facial moisturiser with a high spf (prevent sun damage, so you don't look old early,) and mix it with your foundation. Everything smooths on better.

God help your family and friends if you're not kidding, although I think women can get by with this more than men can. For some reason we're just not as stinky.

You know, some people simply don't have apocrine glands. They literally can't stink.

For those of us that do, I've found that shaving my pit hair allows me to use much less deodorant and go longer without reapplying, as it reduces the surface area on which bacteria can breed.

Maybe it's just because I live in a really hot place, but I don't understand why a guy ever wouldn't wear an undershirt. I'm not too intune with what girls are into, but I can't imagine that having huge sweaty pit stains your shirt is very good.

Plus, it's like a backup insurance policy, you don't need to reapply deodorant if you change your shirt, just leave the undershirt on.

Not a massive amount, but sun also helps. That's why they tell you not to go outside when you use topical solutions, because they activate some things similar to what the sun does. Always helped when I was younger.

Not that skin cancer and a wrinkley face is any better, but sunblock is a good policy anyway.

I never floss. Ever. I've also never had a cavity and wore braces for 8 years.

My doctor told me the single most important thing is to use the special braces toothpaste that is available every night. If your orthodontist doesn't give it to you already, ask for it. My dentist has told me that it was a massive protection plan for my teeth, even if I hadn't had braces.

People also never brush the back of their teeth well enough.

My latin pores sweat out nothing but delicious coconut milk