BRIAN SISWOJO’S MUSTS FOR WELL-GROOMED MEN

A wearer of many hats, you might know Brian Siswojo as the local talent behind Hong Kong’s first skate store. What you might not know is that, as the co-owner of Hong Kong’s beloved Handsome Factory, his grooming game is just as strong as his sneaker game.

Here, Brian shares his top five maintenance musts that are non-negotiable when it comes to looking like your sharpest self.

1.“Exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle – you will look so much better with these two things! I try to exercise once daily and am on a pescatarian diet. With so many health issues these days, it’s important to be in a non-toxic environment which is why more and more men are sticking to barbershops. A real traditional barbershop shouldn’t be using chemicals for dying, perming, treatments and straightening; they focus on cuts and shave services. There should be clean air for everyone. The same goes with products; there are so many options for toxic-free, phthalate-free, paraben-free and sustainable, water-soluble products, so why do we need to choose things that are harmful and potentially cause hair loss? Do good to your body!”

2.“Get a haircut and keep it tidy. Choose the right shape and style that best fits the dimensions of your face and enhances what you have by consulting an expert barber. Find the cut that’s good for your hair texture and direction of hair growth so you can better maintain it. What works for Jake Gyllenhaal might not look good on you, and what works for you might not look good on Jake Gyllenhaal.”

3.“Use grooming products that can help you achieve a tidy look. There are so many toxin-free, water-soluble products that can help. Many men think that all you need is one grooming product that is one-size-fits-all, but different hair types, different levels of thickness and different styles require different things. Find the one that best suits your hair, lifestyle or the event you need it for. A barber can guide you through all of this. With issues like receding hairlines, try to use products that promote growth, like coconut oil or mint shampoos that stimulate and keep it healthy.”

4.“Smell your best, especially in heat and humidity. In Hong Kong, people often don’t use dryers, so if you need a quick pick-me-up scent, use a roll-on cologne. A little goes a long way, so easy on it!”

5.“Keep facial hair maintained. One of the main differences between salons and barbershops is that barbers don’t just focus on cuts. They are trained to do classic wet shaves and beard trims, which should be done as frequently as needed to keep things looking good. You can also use beard oils to tame and beard washes to remove excess oil, as well as pre- and post-shave products to tend to sensitive skin. Facial hair is not going to keep looking good on its own – it requires maintenance and with the right products anyone can achieve this!”