Welsh actor Matthew Rhys made Emmy Awards history by picking up lead acting wins for two TV shows. But the star’s wavy brunette hair and salt and pepper beard also delivered a masterclass in modern men’s grooming.
“Men are becoming much more sophisticated about grooming, but interestingly, it’s less about performance and more about individuality,” says Daniele Didone, a master barber and co-founder of ÜLRIC, a luxury men’s grooming space that opened in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile this past June. The aesthetic, which emphasizes texture, natural movement and longer shapes that look good weeks after an initial trim, offers an ideal reset for fall.
“Grooming should refine and reveal your identity, rather than disguise it,” says Alex Iasinskyi, the other half of the ÜLRIC founding team. As summer fades, a few simple steps can create a hair-and-skin-care routine that works in cooler weather.
For starters, take an all-inclusive approach. “Treat the scalp and the skin underneath your beard as skin,” says Iasinskyi. “Men tend to focus on what they can see – the hairstyle or the shape of the beard – while ignoring the foundation underneath it.” Consider dryness or itching under a beard as a signal to add moisture with a beard conditioner, balm or oil. “Clean your beard without stripping it, rinse it thoroughly and work a modest amount of product through the beard toward the skin,” says Didone. A good result is a finish that lacks glaze. “Beard oil isn’t supposed to sit exclusively on the outside of the hair making it shiny,” says Iasinskyi. “A healthy beard should feel clean and supple, not greasy or coated.”
Don’t be surprised if the seasonal shift impacts your scalp, too. “Sweat, frequent washing and sun exposure can leave it irritated, while cooler temperatures and lower humidity in the fall can make dryness and flaking more noticeable,” says Dr. Roni Munk, a Montreal-based cosmetic dermatologist and the medical director at the Dermapure skin care clinics in Westmount and Pointe-Claire. “Some men may experience an increase in hair shedding,” he says. “[Shedding] can be part of normal seasonal variation, but significant or persistent shedding deserves a closer look by a dermatologist.”
Pay attention to any lingering changes on the scalp too. “Not every flaky scalp is simply a ‘dry scalp,’” says Dr. Munk. “Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis can produce flaking and itching as well, and those conditions often benefit from regular cleansing and medicated shampoos rather than simply adding oil to the scalp.” He recommends anti-dandruff formulas containing ingredients such as ketoconazole or selenium sulfide, but notes that flaking that is persistent, greasy, itchy or accompanied by redness can call for a different protocol. If you’re unsure, consult your doctor.
Has your face felt tighter lately? Try a face cream with ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid or squalane. “Moisturize consistently rather than waiting until the skin feels dry,” says Dr. Munk. “It is much easier to maintain a healthy skin barrier than to repair one once it is already irritated and inflamed. Apply moisturizer after cleansing or shaving, ideally while the skin is still slightly damp.” Use it daily as a fundamental along with a gentle cleanser and sunscreen. “UV exposure does not disappear because summer is over, and UVA in particular is present throughout the year, and penetrates glass,” he says, “Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher remains one of the highest-impact things someone can do for the long-term appearance and health of their skin.”
Six buys to try
Reset your grooming routine for fall, starting at $18
Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Hydrating Cleansing Gel
For use on damp skin morning and night, this gel cleanser lathers up to a foam that gently removes dirt, debris and sunscreen without stripping skin, and contains glycolipid and prebiotic inulin (a plant fibre) to replenish skin’s barrier. $51
Schāf Moisturizer 3.0
Made in Canada for mature and sensitive skin, this fragrance-free moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid, bakuchiol, peptides and squalane to deeply hydrate and firm the face while reducing redness and improving skin texture. $79
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel SPF 40 Face Sunscreen
This lightweight gel dries to a clear, matte finish, providing broad-spectrum sun protection that is invisible on all skin tones and free of fragrance. $18
Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Normal to Dry Hair
Formulated with 1 per cent selenium sulfide (an anti-fungal active ingredient), 1 per cent salicylic acid, ceramides and vitamin E, this shampoo helps to treat dandruff, exfoliate flakes on the scalp and reduce itchiness. $26
Groom Beard Oil
Created by a Canadian company that has been dedicated to men’s grooming for a decade, this beard oil is a lightweight blend of jojoba, argan and grapeseed oils to soften hair and skin, with a subtle woody scent of cypress and vetiver. $32
Typebea G.0 Exfoliating Scalp Treatment
Designed for use on dry hair, this weekly preshampoo clarifying treatment contains glycolic acid, shea butter and Baicapil (a botanical active found in some studies to reduce hair loss) that helps to gently exfoliate buildup, rebalance excess oil and rehydrate a dry scalp. $55