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The term 'metrosexual male' was coined to describe a man with a strong aesthetic sense who invests time and money in his appearance. As originally coined, this term was meant to describe a single, urban male with a high disposable income. The British male as moved on since then however, and in a recent article the Daily Telegraph quoted Mark Hooper of the men's style magazine 'Esquire' as saying that in a recent football match in Nottingham 'Everyone on the terraces seemed to have a Hoxton fin haircut or an expensive jacket. It's not just about trendy types in Soho or Shoreditch. It's a universal attitude now.'

Men are moving away from the traditional ungroomed manly look and investing time and effort on their physical appearance. This makes them feel good and gives them confidence in the workplace and in their personal lives. In today’s world, confidence and success go hand in hand with the way you look and feel.

With this in mind here are some tips on ways men can improve their appearance.

Skin Care

Your skin is the largest organ in your body and its first line of defence so it is important to look after it well. Skin needs to be kept hydrated and therefore the first rule of skin care is to drink plenty of water. At least 8 glasses a day, 10 if you are over 200 lbs. Good skin care does not take much. It is basically using water, mild soap and moisturisers. Cleanse your face with warm water and a glycerin-based soap rather than a body bar. Body bars are harsh on the face. Cleansing your face opens up the pores that will then allow toxins and sweat out which will help eliminating spots, blackheads and sometimes acne. Skin needs to be moisturised and it is important to pick a moisturiser with sun protection because sun damages is the main ageing factor of the skin.

Always smell good

A bit of your body smell is sometimes good but acrid and sweaty stench is a definite no. Wearing cologne will not completely cover up bad odours, but can certainly make it better. Make sure you do not bathe in it though. Preventative measures in men’s grooming can help keep problems from developing. The simplest thing you can do is to wash and shower as often as necessary using deodorant soap instead of regular soap to kill odour-causing bacteria. Keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth often especially after meals and visits to the dentist for teeth cleaning every six months does wonders to bad breath. Breath mints can be helpful as a quick fix before meetings.

It is also advisable to wear clothing that allows the skin to breathe, cotton underwear and socks are ideal rather than synthetic materials. Also change shoes daily to allow them to dry out.

Hair care

The hair is very important in looking good for men be it long hair or short, it is often the way you present your hair that makes all the difference. You should never try to dye your own hair, it usually is very apparent that you did. If you want to dye it, have it professionally done.  Clean hair is always attractive and gives you a refreshed feeling and look so use protein shampoos as these add luster and fullness to the hair. If you blow dry your hair always use low settings to avoid heat damage. If you have thinning hair, get over it and go short. It's the "in" style anyway. Wearing a toupee, plugs or a comb-over doesn't fool anyone, but only makes for amusing conversation. There is definitely more dignity in aging gracefully. Hair styles often need products for the best results. Waxes, gels, sprays, mousses and volumisers can help keep hair styles to stay looking good

Facial hair care

Your face is one of the most important parts of your body and people usually make a judgment based on looking at your face. So men making sure your face is tidy and clean can make you feel good and confident. It also gives others confidence in you. Keeping your beard tidy or having a clean shaven face is important.  Always try and shave after your shower using warm water, when your pores are open and your skin is softer. If your beard is thick, a wet shave with a razor is always closer than an electric razor. Use shaving cream instead of cheap foams that contain alcohol, which often irritate and dry out the skin. Allow the cream to soften your beard for a few minutes before shaving.

Always use sharp blades. Discard disposable blades after four or five shaves. Shave in the direction of the hair growth if skin irritation or ingrown hairs are a problem. Avoid alcohol-based aftershaves, instead use a toner or aftershave balm to close pores and tighten skin.

Dress well

A well dressed man bears the mark of a gentleman and often draws attention and admirations. Dressing professionally makes you feel important and confident in yourself. When it comes to clothing always keep it smart and trendy. No matter if you are going out to a formal or casual event ensure that your clothes are well laundered, cleanliness is next to godliness after all. You could spoil it all by having poorly washed or pressed clothes, shoes should be well cared for and well polished. Don't wear white socks with dark shoes and vice versa. Always avoid wearing socks with sandals.  Change outfits daily avoiding wearing the same twice in a row and also make sure to avoid washed out and ratty clothes.  A white shirt usually goes with any other clothing that you wear but always avoid wearing stained clothes.

Diet and exercise

Get in shape, but don't think you absolutely have to have huge bulging muscles. Get enough exercise. Use everyday opportunities to avoid a sedentary life. Walk rather than take the lift. Avoid using your car for very short journeys. Joining a gym or sports club will encourage you to exercise. It can be very good for the social life too, a good way to meet new people. Subtle differences in things like the size of your chest muscles, the width of your shoulders, or the V-shape in your torso show through. Don't think your only options are lifting weights or running on a treadmill either. There are tons of activities you can do that will make you fitter. Take up dancing, or walking. Pick something you enjoy doing and that isn't an unnecessary hassle to take part in. A well -  balanced diet containing fresh vegetables and fruit is good. It keeps you healthy and improves skin and hair. Try limiting your fast food intake. Dietary food supplements and vitamins can help when a normal healthy diet is not possible or if you become deficient in some way.

Although in men’s grooming, much comes down to personal preference and what you are comfortable with. You may decide on a total overhaul of your grooming habits or you might just tweak here and there.

Whatever the case may be, a man must never compromise his style by thinking that grooming and looking good is for women only.  Please bear in mind that to be respected and be confident in the office a man must never have the following.

• Bad breath
• Protruding nose hairs
• Protruding ear hairs
• Abnormal body odor
• Dirty fingernails
• Crusty feet
• A mullet
• Dandruff flakes
• Scruffy hair
• Stained clothing
• Dry flakey skin

When all is said and done, men’s grooming should be a part of every man’s life as this give a feeling of self confidence as well as commands respect and attention from others.  When you look good you feel good and you are oozing confidence all that is left is to put on a smile, enjoy your life and always be positive.