Home for the Holidays: Tips for Looking Sharp During the Festive Season
Whether you’re getting ready for the office holiday party or for your big family get-together at home, Bulldog’s got your back with all the essentials to achieve a polished look. From perfecting your grooming and skincare routines, to choosing the right fragrance, in this article, we share our top tips for looking sharp during the festive season.
Self-care during the holidays doesn’t have to be complicated. After all, that’s what they’re for! Just a few additions to your usual routine can make a significant difference in how you feel and look. This is why we’ve come up with 4 essential tips that will guarantee you’re looking smart – whatever the occasion.
1. The Scent
Besides boosting confidence and defining personal style, fragrance can leave a lasting impression in any social setting. Ever heard of fragrance layering? When you combine complementary products like scented body washes, lotions, and deodorants, you can extend the longevity of the scent, ensuring you’re all set before mingling with the crowd.
When launching our products, we keep this in mind, and our deodorants are all about catering to diverse fragrance tastes. Plus, they’re 100% natural and leave you smelling fresh, because let’s be real, that’s what matters the most!
~ Find your perfect match ~
Original Natural Deodorant: Herbal and refreshing, our signature natural deodorant is made with an aromatic blend of citrus, fresh mint, eucalyptus, cedar leaf and patchouli. It’s a classic musky scent, subtle enough if you’re looking for something more neutral.
Peppermint & Eucalyptus Natural Deodorant: With notes of peppermint, spearmint and eucalyptus, this one’s the most crisp and invigorating scent from the entire range.
Lemon & Bergamot Natural Deodorant: Perfect for those steering away from minty fragrances. Its main notes of lemon and bergamot are complemented with basil, rosemary and cedar, maintaining a neutral essence.
Vetiver & Black Pepper Natural Deodorant: If you prefer a more earthy and warming scent, then this one’s for you.
All of these contain a prebiotic extracted from chicory root that helps balance the skin’s microbiome, keeping your underarms odour-free for a confident day ahead. They come in a 75ml packaging, ideal for travel and small enough to take with you if you’re on the go.
And it doesn’t stop there – our shower gel range is designed to perfectly complement our deodorant scents, so that you can enjoy a consistent fragrance all over.
2. The Grooming Routine
If you already have a grooming routine going, then you’ll know it doesn’t take a lot for it to boost how good you look and feel. Some guys sport a stubble while others prefer growing out a longer beard, and having a top-quality beard trimmer is the best way to ensure you achieve the desired length.
It’s a total myth that the right care can’t keep longer beards looking sharp and tidy. With proper grooming and the right products, even fuller beards can rock a neat and stylish appearance. The key is to know what products to use and why.
For example, a beard shampoo and conditioner not only cleanse the beard, but help keep it nourished and conditioned. Why condition, you ask? Simply put, it helps soften the hair in the beard, making it easier to shape and style. Plus, the hydration ensures there’s no more itching and protects the skin underneath from becoming dry.
Ever seen beard balm and wax at the store, but never knew what they’re used for? Beard balm functions like a leave-in conditioner, both styling the beard and keeping it moisturised. Beard wax, on the other hand, has a heavier consistency, which provides a longer high-strength hold. The choice between the two hinges on your personal preference and the style you want to achieve.
With just a few tweaks and additions to your usual grooming routine, we know you’ll feel better and more confident, whatever your holiday plans are.
3. The Skincare Routine
Believe it or not, your skin goes through a lot during the holiday season – travel stress, late night celebrations, and nasty cold weather. Yep, all of these can have a negative and dehydrating effect on the skin.
This is why it’s essential to maintain your skincare routine in winter, and if you’re new to it, there’s no better time to start than now. Here’s our top advice for making sure your skin is at its best these holidays (and ready for those festive photo opportunities):
Hydration
During the day, use a moisturiser that’s designed for long-lasting hydration and protection from UV radiation (yes, the sun does damage in winter, too). Before going to sleep, apply a recovery cream formulated with antioxidants that help refresh and soothe tired skin overnight.
Some of us get dry hands and lips as soon as temperatures drop, and we all know it’s difficult to find a hand cream that feels good and absorbs well. Our original hand cream doesn’t leave your hands feeling sticky or greasy. If you’re spending a long day outside, we suggest reapplying the product to ensure maximum protection.
Exfoliation
Gentle exfoliation not only removes dead skin cells, but also stimulates blood flow to get rid of toxins. How often you should exfoliate depends on your skin type. Some people do it three times per week, while others exfoliate once a week at most. For the winter months, we recommend a sensitive face scrub. Begin with a minimal frequency and gradually increase it based on your personal preference.
4. The Outfit
When it comes to deciding what to wear during the holidays, there’s no right or wrong answer - even if you plan on wearing a Christmas jumper to every celebration. You want to feel comfortable in your clothes and also dress appropriately, especially if you’re attending a less casual event. Wear a classic outfit perfect for every occasion, and you certainly won’t go wrong.
A good quality men’s topcoat improves the look of any outfit - whatever you’re wearing underneath. For a smart-casual gathering, pair it with a merino-wool crewneck sweater and 90’s straight jeans. For a more classy look, throw in a shirt underneath the sweater and substitute the jeans with a pair of pleated trousers or some classic chinos. For shoes, opt for classic white trainers or smart-looking chelsea boots, and get ready for the compliments.
We hope this guide inspired you to take all the necessary steps to feel and look your best this winter. Whatever it is that you celebrate, Bulldog wishes you a warm and festive holiday season!