It’s that time again - the summer holidays are coming to an end and the new school year is right around the corner. After some well-earned downtime, the start of a new term is the perfect opportunity to refresh your grooming routine and head back with confidence.
To help you feel your best from day one, we've rounded up our top grooming tips and back-to-school essentials to keep you feeling fresh.
How to Prepare for a New School Year
Rather than leaving everything until the night before, give yourself some time to get back into a routine. Why not start by setting an alarm a little bit earlier than you’ve been naturally waking up (yes, we mean pre-lunchtime) the week before to slowly adjust to those early rises.
In the days before, it’s a good idea to prepare your things. You can make sure your clothes and books are ready so there’s no last-minute scrambling, as well as getting back into the swing of a good self-care routine.
Self-care is a great way to feel your best. Below is our back-to-school grooming guide with some easy ways to help you get prepared for the new term.
1. Take Care of Your Skin
Around this age, it’s common for our skin to experience changes. Things like breakouts, excess oiliness or dry patches are normal during puberty as hormones fluctuate. To keep on top of things, use a mild cleanser each evening to help remove pore-blocking impurities. A gentle cream (that avoids harsh acids, retinol and vitamin C) can be applied to keep your skin hydrated and comfortable. Look out for ingredients like panthenol, hyaluronic acid or vitamin E, instead.
If you have facial hair, our King C. Gillette Beard, Face & Hair Wash is a great way to tackle dirt and debris on the skin and in the hair, providing multi-tasking action to make things even easier.
2. Refresh Your Hair Style
A trim before the new term can make your morning routine that little bit easier. Even if you’re just tidying up some split ends, this small act of self-care can make you feel much more confident and put together. If you’re wanting to make a bold impression, shake things up with a whole new style, like a mullet or a shorter, chin-grazing bob.
3. Nail your Shower Routine
Making sure to shower regularly, especially after sports or exercise, is key for feeling fresh. Cleanse with a non-perfumed soap if possible, one that’s gentle on the skin and is made to moisturise. Make sure you’re cleaning all over, paying attention to often-missed areas like between the toes, behind the ears and other little nooks. These areas are just as important to clean thoroughly to help wash away dirt, sweat and impurities.
4. Facial Hair Grooming and Maintenance
You might have noticed some fine hairs appearing on your upper lip, or even be further along in your facial hair growth journey, with a fuller, thicker beard or moustache. Whether you're sporting a full beard or a lighter style, keeping your facial hair neat and well-maintained can make all the difference. Trim away any stray hairs and nourish your beard with the right products to keep it looking healthy, soft and well-groomed.
Our SkinGuard range is ideal for first-time shavers, as it reduces pressure on the skin and features a soothing aloe strip to minimise the risk of bumps and razor burn.
Looking to style your ‘stache? Our Gillette Fusion One Hybrid Trimmer and Shaver is a good choice if you want to focus more on shaping existing hair.
5. Be Prepped for P.E
We know P.E is some people’s favourite subject, while for others it’s the one class they would rather sit out. Regardless, in many UK schools, you’re required to wear a specific kit, often some variation of a T-shirt and shorts.
If leg hair (or any body hair, for that matter) is something you’re concerned with, our Gillette Venus Pro ComfortGlide Sensitive Razor is here to help you remove it (only if you want to, of course). Whatever makes you feel most comfortable and confident.
Thanks to the inclusion of flexible moisture bars, with a touch of aloe for enhanced glide and lubrastrips for more of a cushioning effect, everyone can use these cartridges to shave with maximum levels of comfort.
6. Don’t Skip Deodorant
You are probably familiar with anti-perspirant by now, but thinking you can skip it one day is a big no-no. Lots of factors can cause us to sweat or produce body odour, and these can occur unexpectedly. Being protected is important to smell and feel good.
If you struggle with excessive sweating, an anti-perspirant is your best friend, as these work by temporarily blocking the sweat glands to reduce moisture.
If odour is more of a concern, a deodorant helps to neutralise any unpleasant smells by fighting bacteria and adding a light fragrance. You can apply both if needed, and some products may even combine both.
7. Keep a ‘Just-in-Case’ Kit
Can’t get caught out if you come prepared! Having a small bag filled with essentials is an easy way to feel fresh no matter what the day brings.
We recommend packing:
- Deodorant
- Chewing gum
- Hand sanitiser
- Gentle wipes
- Hairbrush
- Hair tie and grips
- Lip balm
8. Take Care of Your Teeth and Lips
Got your school photo coming up? A bright, healthy smile can help you feel more confident in front of the camera and in day-to-day conversations.
Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing regularly and using mouthwash are simple habits that keep your teeth clean, your breath fresh and your smile looking its best.
Meanwhile, a clear balm protects against chapped and dry-looking lips when the temperature turns chilly. Keep this in your just-in-case kit.
9. Get Enough Sleep
That’s right, this means no more gaming or ‘doomscrolling’ until 2am. To feel refreshed, you should aim for 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Try winding down with some light reading, a comforting show or a relaxing bath before getting into bed.
10. Stay Hydrated
Keep a bottle of water with you throughout the school day to make hydration a part of your routine.
Drinking enough water is important for multiple reasons. It’s said to support concentration and maintain normal energy levels, both necessary for getting back on track with school studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Grooming Essentials Should Students Have for School?
Some back-to-school grooming essentials might include a deodorant, a hair comb, hand sanitiser and gum for quick and easy freshness.
On the days that you have P.E, it’s a good idea to pack cleansing wipes, spare clothes and a towel if you are showering afterwards.
How Often Should School Students Shave or Trim Facial Hair?
You should shave or trim as often as you feel needed. For some this might be every few days, especially if you want to maintain a clean shave. For others, it might be once a week or once every two weeks, depending on the rate of your hair growth.
What is important is taking care of your facial hair and skin regularly. Our King C. Gillette Beard, Face & Hair Wash and King C. Gillette Beard Oil are perfect for cleansing and softening, supporting a more put-together look and feel-good finish.
What Are Some Quick Grooming Tips for Busy School Mornings?
If you don’t have time to take a shower in the morning, make sure you apply plenty of deodorant. You can also spray a fragrance too if you want to go one step further and smell fresh.
Small steps like combing your hair, brushing your teeth and washing your face are all quick wins for feeling comfortable and confident.
If you’re prone to a slower start, why not try preparing the night before? Lay out your uniform and toiletries so everything is ready to go, so you can avoid rushing around or searching for things at the last minute.
Keeping a simple yet consistent routine could soon become second nature, meaning you’ll likely get faster at it.
Why is it Important to Combine Self-Care and Grooming in a Daily Routine?
Combining self-care and grooming in a daily routine is important because it helps you stay clean, healthy and confident. Good grooming habits, such as bathing, brushing teeth and caring for hair, support personal hygiene while self-care can make you feel good and improve overall wellbeing.
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