UrbanUpdate

Is it just me, or is everyone a creative director these days? That's just one indication that the aesthetics of professional America have shifted. Office attire is way more casual. And that's a good thing—as long as things don't go grungy.

Appearances play an important role in building trust with clients and coworkers. And, not to generalize (okay, to generalize), creative types tend to look scruffy. We—yes, I'm lumping myself in with this crowd—like trying new hairstyles, getting tattoos, and burning the candle at both ends to meet each deadline. Most of the time, we can do all of these things and still pull of a good first impression. You know, that we’re confident (and well rested) enough to take risks, but savvy enough to execute them properly.

It really comes down to that moment in the morning when you're deciding whether or not to shower. You showered the day before and you haven't broken a sweat since, so there's a good argument for rolling out the door. Our advice? To set your self apart from the grungy hordes, err on the side of showering. These five tips might help, too.

1. Try Hitting a Salon, Instead of a Barbershop

Let’s assume you "channel" your "creativity" into your hairstyle. Sometimes it’s short, sometimes it’s long, but either way, it’s expressive. Not simply practical. Barbers are great for maintaining haircuts—and they're easier on that Humanities degree budget you're working from. But every now and then, you might want to visit a real stylist to evolve your aesthetic.

A stylist can properly treat or layer your long hair so that it grows perfectly into place, or so that it reaches optimal man bun length with little agony along the way. If you have thick, wiry hair, a stylist can educate you on how to help relax it into a stylable place, or how to condition it over time so that it doesn’t fry or fray. Think of a barber as the person who can give you more straightforward scissor-and-buzz cuts (and terrific ones at that—we’d trust them with most standard-fare men’s cuts). A stylist is someone who can help you figure out your next look.

2. Apply SPF on Your Tattoos

I hope you’re using SPF already. It’ll keep you looking younger longer, while protecting you from cancer-causing UV rays. However, sunscreen is also the key to preserving the color in your tattoos. While it’s important to cover a fresh tattoo in the weeks following the inking, it’s equally imperative to cover it with SPF after it’s settled into your skin. This keeps it from fading in the sunlight over the years. Think of it like a piece of construction paper that’s taped to the window at an elementary school: That art project looks sun-choked and faded after long.

3. Give Your Facial Hair the Attention it Deserves

Think of it like a pet that needs proper cleaning, grooming, and nourishing. The point of growing facial hair isn’t to recreate Tom Hanks's vibes in Castaway, even if that's what your barista is doing. If you're doing the beard thing, you want something legendary like James Harden’s, or trim like Michael B. Jordan's mustache. The secret is constant attention—weekly snips on the ‘stache, or spot-checks on the beard. Hydration helps: use a softening, nourishing beard oil. You may want to stock up on lots of beard maintenance products and tools, like soaps and brushes, in order to keep everything orderly and clean.

4. Go Easy on Your Eyes

Many "bloggers" spend long hours in front of the computer, and well into the night. While this wears on the body in more ways than one, it is seen almost instantly in the eyes (and no amount of coffee will de-puff those under-eye bags). So, pick up a few habits to keep your eyes looking alert in the short term, and to prevent permanent dark circles and crow’s feet around the perimeter. Morning eye cream is a great way to start the day, to de-puff and neutralize the skin tone (it’s also an effective way to mask a hangover). Then, before bed, apply a peptide-packed eye serum to help the cells regenerate faster and more effectively while you rest. And, if you wear glasses, get lenses that filter the blue light on your smartphone and computer screens, to alleviate strain—especially if you’re using your devices before bed. You’ll also wake up looking and feeling like you slept better, because you did.

5. Wear Deodorant

WEAR. DEODORANT.

Watch Now:The Rock Can't Find His Next Big Movie Role

Adam Hurly has been covering men's grooming since 2013 (and for GQ since 2016). He is also a travel writer. In Fall 2024, Adam is launching Blue Print by Adam Hurly, a men's grooming platform. Adam resides in Lisbon (previously Berlin, NYC, and San Francisco). He is a Sioux Falls, SD, native... Read moreWriterInstagramRelated Stories for GQGrooming