Every Man's Grooming Needs

Do you often end up with chapped lips, scaling skin, unkempt hair and hands that look like they've been run through a cheese-grater? What you need is a grooming regime. Yes, for most men, this may sound like the 'must not do'. But, its the 21st century and most grooming regimes are not only regular to-do rituals for men but also 'necessary'. Okay, maybe you're not so courageous to walk into a salon and ask for a facial, but here are five products that you can use 'at home' that will lift up your look.

Body Scrub
What do you use every morning when you shower? A bodywash? That's completely fine. But make your Sunday shower a little special, since you have the time. Use an exfoliating body scrub that will scrape out the dead skin from your body. Good riddance to unwanted skin!

Body Butter
It's winter and your skin needs all the nourishment that it can get. Grab a nice, extremely thick body butter and apply all over your body after your shower each morning. Just like you moisturise your face, you must do the same for your body as well. But remember, this is a body moisturiser for a reason - it's meant for your body and not your face!

Tweezers
A good pair of tweezers will take you a long way. All you need to do is, every week, pick the extra unwanted facial hair. And especially in between your eyebrows so that you don't like a uni-brow monster!

Hair Conditioner
Wow, you get a shampoo plus conditioner and all you need to do is use it once. Cuts down effort and saves time in the bathroom. If that is how you think, you need to change it. It is highly essential to condition your hair with a good conditioner, after you shampoo. Ensure that you leave in your conditioner for five minutes before you wash.

Hand Cream
Surprised? Who needs soft hands? Well, you might want one when you want to hold your girlfriend's hand when you take a walk by the beach. Soft hands don't appear magically only when you need them. You have to work towards then. So twice a day, use a good hand creme and reap the benefits of it later on your Nth honeymoon!

Tuxedo Cues

Every year, the red-carpet events are to-look-out occasions for someone who loves fashion. You get a glimpse of the best dressed and the worst. These are also places where one can pick some style tips from the masters - celebrities who often create style and fashion. So, while most of the men at the recently concluded Golden Globes turned up dressed in a tux, here's By The Collar's round-up of 5 most-interestingly dressed, all selected for a reason.

Damian Lewis
BTC Tip: A tux doesn't always need to be buttoned up and stuffy. Sometimes, leaving the jacket open without making it look like a sportscoat is a good idea. 

Adam Levine
BTC Tip: When you have a figure that allows you to 'Move like Jagger', allow your tux to show it. In a slim and well-fitted tux, the Maroon 5 star proved that his skills lie not just in singing, but also dressing-up suave. 

James Cromwell
BTC Tip: A scarf is not just to wrap yourself on a cold winter day. It can be used as an accessory. 

Matt LeBlanc

BTC Tip: Black may be the most used colour, but a royal blue tux will ensure that you are not lost in a crowd.

Ty Burrell
BTC Tip: If you are courageous enough try a white and black combination. However, you need to carry it out extra carefully or someone may just ask you to get him a drink. 

Christian Louboutin

Ask any girl with a little fashion sense and they would love you from the bottom of their heart if you gifted them a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. These trademark red soles occupy a high throne in every wardrobe with lots of love, care and pampering showered on them. The brand has been in the news lately. Firstly, for claiming the rights to the red soles when they were used by another very fashion forward brand. And more recently for the launch of their first ever men's store in Paris, bang opposite the flagship women's store they've had for two decades. To celebrate this new step here's a peak of their Fall-Winter 2011 Men's shoes. Beware! They are kinky, very high fashion and need lots of courage to wear. If you have that in you, Louboutin's the way for you!

Smart Work - Part 2

Last week By The Collar started a series on 'Looking sharp and smart at your work space', debuting it with the basic trousers. Taking this forward this week we bring you the basic tips to keep in mind for work shirts.

The idea is to stay away from prints, embroiders and crazy textures. Remember, you don't want to look like a gigolo at the night club when you're sitting with your million dollar client. Having said that, don't shy away from experimenting with colours, stripes and checks and different styles of collars and cuffs. However, be sure that your checks and strips are playful yet sober. Smaller checks and thinner stripes are ideal, unless you are sure you can carry off a basic madras without being loud and obnoxious.

Though the simple barrel cuff is the most common and easy to carry off, having a few shirts with a French cuff will allow you to use some classic cuff links that can add not just glamour but also an aura of 'being well versed with style'. Similarly don't just stick to the normal collar, rather experiment with a cutaway, or for that matter even a contrasting colour cuffs and collar shirt. Keep the cut simple with either one or none breast pocket and minus any box pleats at the back. And though slim fits are perfect, hit the gym if they're going to make you look like a beer barrel! Yes, the idea is to stay fit so that you can dress fit.

White cutaway collar shirt, Zara

Small checks with contrasting cuffs and collar, H&M

Blue striped shirt, Paul Smith

Classic pink cotton shirt, Thomas Pink

Point collar, Top Man

French cuff shirt, Turnbull & Asser

Smart Work - Part 1

I was once told by someone that he didn't want a job that would require him to be formally dressed everyday. Now, would you leave a great opportunity just because you don't want to stuff yourself into a pair of dress pants, or a shirt? Though men have fewer options and choices, dressing for work can be fun and interesting with a little bit of work. So here's the first of a series of posts that will help you build a great wardrobe and also give you a noticed entry at work everyday. This also means that you can never be late again!

Let's start you off with the trousers. There are three things that you need to look for - slim, straight and simple. Do away with anything that looks like a sack and opt for more fitting flat front trousers in cotton, linen or even a mixed fabric. Remember, stay away from anything that shines brighter than a light-bulb. Though don't shy away from trying out a new sober colour, as long as you don't count bright red and yellow as 'sober'!

Black , Zara

Wool blend, Burberry

Grey cotton, American Apparel from Asos

White, H&M

Stonewash blue, Top Man

Quick Finds

There are those mornings when all you want to do is go through the various e-shopping websites and see what they have on offer. Here are some quick finds to keep you going in style.

D&G leather shopper from Asos.com

Graphic T-Shirt from FCUK

Imitation leather boots from H&M

Tweed limited edition bow tie from Top Man

Versace sunglasses from Sunglasshut.com

Travel set from Zara

Safe And Stylish

If you're looking for the perfect case for your iPad, iPod or iPhone, look beyond what your friends already have, and be different. Plastic, crystal studded, rubber, leather, you might have thought of all those materials but what you definitely might have missed is wood. The collection of cases from Vers is stylish, classic, very sturdy and will never run out of style. They also come in different kinds of wood that brings out the natural color of the tree that it is from. Now, here's the best part. For every hardwood tree that Vers uses to make their cases, they plant 100 more in places that need the trees. Isn't that a brilliant idea to contribute to your environment? Ever thought you'd find this anywhere? Well, it's here now for you Apple owners. Sorry BlackBerry-ites, you might have to wait a bit longer.  
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