4 Steps To: Improving Your Looks

By Brandon Dyce

Stress Management Specialist

Every so often, our looks require some attention. We men can become slouchy, slovenly and just plain lazy when it comes to maintaining a consistent dapper appearance, but we mustn’t let things get too far out of hand. From time to time, it’s necessary to assess the situation and make some immediate improvements. Plus, some occasions even mandate one to pay special attention to the way he looks -- like just before a date, a big interview or an important meeting. And sometimes, on a random day, men find themselves feeling portly and disheveled, and desiring a change.

So, the next time you need sprucing up, follow these four simple steps -- which take less than 60 minutes combined -- to improve your looks.

step 1
Exercise for 30 minutes

The process of improving your looks starts with a 30-minute workout. Head out for a jog, hit the gym or, if pressed for time, exercise at home. And if 30 minutes sounds futile to you, rest assured it’s not. A half-hour workout is all it takes to get the blood flowing and oxygenated, eventually leading your body to release the negative energy clouding your mind. The real beauty here is the long- and short-term effects exercise has on improving your looks. Over time, regular 30-minute routines provide actual results that enhance your overall health and appearance; the instant gratification, though, comes in the form of bolstered self-esteem. At the end of the workout, your confidence levels will be back up -- and shining through -- as you realize that you are, in fact, a force to be reckoned with. Your mind will be clear(er), and you’ll be ready to hit the shower… and take on the next step.

step 2
Remove excess hair

With the mind and spirit restored, the focus shifts to the body… and body hair. In improving your looks, turn your attention to removing any excess hair. While each of us has different facial features to highlight and tend to, one commonality we all share is facial hair. Of course, to upgrade your appearance, you’ll want either a close, clean shave or a meticulous once-over with the beard trimmer, but don’t stop there. Spend some dedicated time with your face in the mirror, examining your eyebrows, nose, sideburns, and hair. Noticeable stray hairs in these areas are unsightly, so remove them. You can tweeze, trim or cut, but the important thing is to weed them out. In the end, attending to excess hair demonstrates your penchant for the tiniest details, not to mention it enhances your looks by 1 million percent.

step 3
Iron your clothes

At this point, things are taking shape: You’re feeling good about your physique, and you’re perfectly groomed, but now you’re faced with choosing the right outfit. And regardless of your selection, to truly improve your looks, the choice must undergo an iron. For us guys, this step usually confounds us with its complex, time-consuming processes, so we usually skip it. But that has to change. Though the situation dictates the appropriate attire, each component of the outfit must be perfectly pressed. (Never was there a sharp-dressed man whose entire ensemble didn’t showcase crisp creases and sport a starchy finish.) Thoroughly ironed clothes not only polish up and refine your overall appearance, but also add swagger to your step as they boost your self-confidence and pride.

step 4

Wear a white shirt

While carefully pulling together your outfit -- be it casual, dress, or formal -- there is one last universal choice guaranteed to improve your looks: Wear a white shirt. Simple, yes -- but a pure white oxford shirt is the patriarch of classic style. No matter the occasion, a well-made, cleanly ironed, white shirt brings an elegant, timeless feel to any outfit and any guy. It’s your ace-in-the-hole, sure to evoke a sense of both grace and fortitude. And once it’s on, you’ll immediately discover just how perfectly a white shirt suits you. Improving your looks is a process, for sure, but the last step is -- and will forever remain -- wearing a white shirt.