The Man-Basic-T

I currently am cleaning up my room after not really doing it since before the last exam..And that mean, months and months before it. Never get me wrong, the room is still clean and the bedspread was changed accordingly, thank you to Kak Uswa and kak mis, the maid. What I really mean, is that the room had not really been in order or tidying up. It is still look pretty nice though, comparatively to most room, but I prefer it to be more organize..hahha.... So today, surprisingly, on a Sunday, I decided to start doing that.... I have to say lot of things to do, especially on the notes part, the rack, the cloth and the drawers. Yet I start with the last complicated one, the toiletries table...aka in girls room, the make up table. While I cleaning it up and updating my facebook,...Julia, was online and directly commenting...wondering and gasping...that guy do have a table dedicated for toiletries.... So here, I will try my best to educate the others, especially the Julia species...on Man Toiletries ..or The Man-Basic-T...

Guideline to Man-basic T


1. Toothbrush-everybody need one...not just man. I have both, the manual and electronic one. Bought the battery operated, about 2 years ago, while in Jakarta, and it is good and different, doing a better job. Yet being battery dependent, the battery life and the mechanical things, slowly becoming weak as time goes. So the classic toothbrush is still the best. Recommendation by dentist, say that everybody should go for the soft brush and the normal straight brush, because that is what the tooth need. Still wonder, why the manufacturer still produce medium and hard brush when it will do more harm. Ohh the best place to buy toothbrush....my tip..buy it in Jakarta or in Bangkok at the major supermarket or pharmacy, such as Carrefour etc. U will get the same brand, at even less than half the price. Buy up to 3-4 brushes, cause u need to change it by 3 months. My favourite-the classic Oral B, simple and u will never go wrong with it.

2. Toothpaste-I'm still finding the right paste. Grew up with Colgate, sometime Kak Ina did influence the house to buy darlie. Mak is using Sensodyne, what I called the rather expensive toothpaste, for the sensitive teeth, but can't deny it is good. My problem with the oral hygiene, are firstly, I got a sensitive gum that easily bleed since I’m young. And don’t worries check my coagulation profile- I have no other bleeding problem. So, tried several things b but it is still there. But the one that I really wanted to change, is the colour of my teeth-as the dentist say-the healthy yellowish colour. They maybe right, but as my complexion is fair, I really wish whiter teeth. So tried several whitening toothpaste-yet to no avail. Nevertheless, I bought pearl drop toothpaste-which does cause "expensive", and I started to like it- yet I lost it..haha...So currently I’m back to my Colgate, but maybe I will try back Pearl Drop soon...

3. Face wash- A good face wash is truly essential. Those times when men use normal soap to wash their face is gone. I'm among the earliest to use face wash I guess, as anybody who knew me earlier remember, I got a sensitive skin. I had terrible acne and rashes and the skin was always red and painful. Tried numerous skin products since young-from normal oxy, to nivea, to Neutrogena and Clinique. When I was in form 4, I started using Lancôme, and gradually the skin improves and better, Alhamdulillah. Maybe it just the normalization of hormone at that time, but when I try using others, I will be having breakout and skin back to be sensitive. So making me stick to Lancôme till now. Currently, I'm using Lancôme Homme-combination of both Hydrofix and Age Fight. Nevertheless, as my skin improve, I’m not that religious with my skin regime, especially during on call and late night work. Yet, a basic step of good skin care, a regular and proper face wash. Need to stick back to the regime

4. Moisturizer- a must have. As people say, how oily u thinks your skin is, you still need a moisturizer. And a good one is essential. My favourite, is still Lancôme the green series, tak tahu apa nama dia, but it is water based. It is light, and smells pleasant, and it works. Currently-I’m using Lancôme Age Fight-which is great at night, and Lancôme Hydrafix-for day time. If you have a really good moisturizer, just a small amount can do the trick and that bottle Lancôme of mine can last up to 4-6 months with regular usage. Ohh…and this is very crucial in cold and dry climate aka overseas- and I guess you may need more than the normal your Malaysia moisturizer. My recommendation-try Rosken…

5. Hair product- For a guy, hair is accessories, a style and a statement. It is also an identity. In my case, I may change my look by having a haircut, by changing the style and even the texture of it. So good hair product is a must. I tried a lot, from gel, crème, wax, oil, to vitamin and even the foam and spray. My trick- I used them all in different situation and different hair style. I was stuck with Gel for along time, as it usually do the work, really cheap, and hold it longer. Moved to wax when I was in my horsemanship- tried several types, from clay to hard wax to semi wax- it do a lot of trick and work fantastic, yet it make my hair dry and it take time to style it. So as my hair grew longer as I enter the Mastership-moved to crème and vitamin, which make it movable, yet not drying it and give volume and a bit of control. Yet, as I cut my hair short-I’m back at using the semi wax- and currently using L’Oreal Osis+-mess up…



6. Deodorant- everybody need a deo. BO-no matter how mild it is-an ultimate no no, maybe except after a very tiring marathon, but that only apply for a while for you to rest before you need to hit the shower. Two important element of deodorant is to lessen the sweat, and the smell. Even how good the smell is, if it is still dripping like hell, still not doing it job. The some goes to smell, kapur barus is not a DEO, full stop. Tried several, but I still like the classic Rexona. Rexona Men Power, is what im using currently, and it works great. Keep the under arm dry and smell great. Tak caya boleh bau…huhuhu…

7. Soap/Body wash- I don’t think guys are that fussy when it come to soap/body wash. I do think gel body wash smell great and rather hygienic, but I guess, most guy, still prefer the solid bar soap, for me at least. Nevertheless, I do use gel wash, especially when someone bought it for me, the prizes I won, at the hotel or when I travelled, when the gel wash becoming handy and more travel friendly. I have no much recommendation on this, yet I have to say, I prefer a clean and fresh smell, and I bet most guys too. Smells of protex, dettol, dove are among those….

8. Shampoo- How short the main hair is, it do need care. A good treatment shampoo is what most guys need. I used Pantene when I was studying and moved to Head and shoulder as I started working. Yet I realised my main problem now is dandruff. So as even the best shampoo, still can’t do the trick, I’m currently using the medicated Selsun Blue Shampoo. So far so good-….less dandruff…maybe because of the hair product, yet as I said, man can’t lave without hair product-unless you are bald…

9. Lip balm- seriously!!! I remembered when I started using it, some my female colleagues, look at me like I’m wearing bra and g string. Believe it or not girls, you don’t want your guy, to have that dry and chapped lip. I started using it when I was overseas, and it is crucially needed. Nevertheless, men lip balm, are different in a way, no colour, no taste and should have no smell. Among the classic one is Labelo. Used that for years until Nivea came out with Nivea Lip treatment which is wonderful. Yet currently, because of the trying to be manly and not to attract much attention while wearing it, I’m using Mentholatum for men, that come in black casing and the balm in fluorescent blue. It work well and that how important it is, to make the lip as inviting as ever,,,

10. Shave and shave cream- Being 1/16 Indian, I’m born partly rather hairy. Need to shave everyday, as some guys need to do. Shaver is a very important tool, and a good reliable one is so important. And I’m a Gillette’s man. The mach3 turbo just fantastic. It feels smooth with aloe protector, 3 sharp and effective razor blade, and layers of fine sweeper at the end. Clean shave every time. And I have to say, shave cream is equally important. For a daily shaver like me, this things, just make it a pleasant sessions, to guide the shaving process, to make sure it has a smooth glide, and to protect the skin and lessen the razor burn. My favourite currently is Gillette Lime Form, which comes in small handy bottle, that is mobile and travel friendly.

11. Perfume- Everybody needs to have their own smell, through the unnatural way. I don’t really have BO, yet I still think it is important to have a smell that pleasant rather than thinking u doesn’t smell bad. Yes, I am a guy that loves perfume. I do think it can change the mood, among the first impression element and partly an identity. Getting the right smell for each individual is the first most important step in wearing a perfume. I believe, not everybody can wear certain smell. For me, I prefer something a bit rare than usual, something not that fresh, moderately masculine, had a deep emotion and smell naturally pleasant and not provoking. I will not really name my perfume- but I have several that I’m using in different occasion…and As I said…every men need it own perfume…

And here are the 11 Man basic T- according to me….

I have to say there are numbers of other men’s product for example – the aftershave cream, the comb etc etc, but if every guy have this 11 basic T and stick to it, I think every guy will end up to be a Jude Law or Takeshi Kaneshiro. I don’t comb my hair for about 9 years already, and as a stylist say in the year 2000, the millennium men, don’t use comb anymore, as the hand is created by god, and it is a men’s hair styler.

Saying that, I do think eye cream is important for me who have eye bag and dark circles, and a good hand cream, especially after endless time of washing hand and alcohol rub at the hospital.

Yet, here are the 11 important men’s toiletries …- according to Adli’s Guide to Man Basic-T