Now close your eyes and imagine sitting in a swanky club with your date. You are snuggled up close to her and she’s looking up at you, just as you, with your unending charm, regale her with another one of those witty anecdotes. A disco light suddenly illuminates your face and you notice that she grimaces and turns away.

What could it be?

Is it something on your face? Is it a zit? A stray hair? Is it bad breath? NOSTRIL HAIR?!

Yes, male grooming is a thing and we have come a long, long way from when your Grandpa swore by “Old Spice.” If you were to go out there looking for grooming products, there is no dearth of any.

But the trick to grooming oneself well isn’t about spending a fortune on a thousand different products, or to lock your self in the bathroom for hours at a time. Rather, you should develop a daily routine that is quick, simple and ensures that you don’t let yourself, or your carefully done ensemble, down with unsightly hair or unnecessarily puffy eyes that reveal just how many hours you slogged away in the office this week.

So here goes – 6 easy grooming habits all men should get into.

1 | Know which hair products work for you

Hair products for men have gotten increasingly more confusing since Brylcreem hit the shelves, so make sure you’re clued up on what each product is for. Thicker hair or dense hair can handle waxes and pomades, but if your hair iss thinner, then lighter products like mousse and sprays will give your hair some volume and style. Ask your barber if you’re in the dark, or here is a list of my all time favourite hair grooming products:

2 | Find your signature scent

You don’t want people to stop in their tracks and notice your aftershave (if they do, you’ve used too much), neither do you want to smell of your Rottweiler who snuggles up to you at bedtime. Your aftershave needs to be it a subtle part of you. Find one or two scents that scream YOU and invest in them.

Typically woody, spicy or herby scents suit the winter months, while lighter, citrusy scents work best in spring and summer. Below is my list of preferred aftershaves:

3 | “Do a Dylan” with your toothbrush

Two things every woman notices: your shoes, and your smile. When it comes to the latter, yellow, stained, smoking and breath are all major turn-offs you don’t want to be associated with. We’re no longer fighting the first world war, soldiers left in the open for months at an end. Electric toothbrushes are designed to do most the work for you, plus, they’re better for your health: according to a study by Sheffield University, rotating brushes reduce plaque 11% more than manual toothbrushes, and can also significantly reduce gum problems. Mouthwash is also a integral part of oral care, however, be sure to leave at least an hour between brushing and using mouthwash, so as not to rinse away all the plaque-fighting power of your toothpaste’s fluoride.

4 | Learn how to “manscape” properly

Trimming your pubic hair is not only perfectly acceptable in the 21st century, it’s polite. Believe me, no woman or man finds wading through a maze of coarse hair appealing. Aim for what you’d appreciate in a partner, i.e. keep things neat and tidy. Top tip: keep whatever device you use for this sensitive task separate from what you shave your face with. There are plenty of electric razors on the market designed for the nether region’s unique challenges.

5 | Manage your facial fuzz

Unless you’re planning to take to the wilderness to find yourself, facial hair of any length needs to be tamed and maintained if you want to be taken seriously. You don’t have to spend much on a beard trimmer, so pick one up and get into a weekly habit of tidying up.

6 | Sort out stray hairs

I love Clooney and Farrell – big eyebrows and all. But here’s the thing, big bold brows are top drawer until they’re meeting in the middle for a furry high-five. When they do, you’ve got a problem on your hands… or face. Pay attention to the spot in the middle, and any errant hairs above and below your brows are also worth staying on top of. Granted – plucking is time-consuming, so if needs be, ask your barber to tidy your brows up when you’re next in the chair. Believe me – he’s heard it before.