Winter Grooming Habits

Here's another uninspired and bland article that I tried to make interesting for the Dixie Sun.

The birds fly south, the Superbowl draws nearer, the weather changes, and so do the grooming habits of some, if not all, students.

While grooming can have many definitions varying from makeup to hairstyles, the one definition that seems to repeat itself is shaving.

“I totally stop shaving [in the winter],” said Jalee Scott, a junior integrated studies major from St. George. “I need the insulation.”

While sub-zero temperatures aren’t always a major concern here in southern Utah, apparel can be. Senior dental hygiene major Nicole Strawn from Logan said she shaves less because of her attire. She said every other day is the day for shaving in the summer, but limits shaving to Fridays and Sundays in the winter time.

Whether it’s legs or faces, having more hair seems to be the trend in the colder months. Conner Sowles, a freshman business major from Spokane, Wash., said he shaves more in the summer.
Sometimes, it’s just the thought of shaving that changes in the winter. Marcus Stucki, a junior biology major from St. George said when winter comes around he wouldn’t shave because it would probably keep his face warmer. Stucki works as an ice cream taster at the Blue Bunny factory, so he is required to stay clean shaven year round.

Although a majority of students tend to focus less on the hair they are growing, there is still a small percentile that consider it to be important.

“If I don’t [shave], I just feel gross,” said Jessica Smith, a senior dental hygiene major from Beaver.

Strawn, who dyes her hair, said winter is the time to go darker and shorter. Sometimes she likes to wear a beanie when it’s cold, and shorter hair is easier to style after removing a beanie. She cuts her hair every fall for this purpose.

Sowles does the opposite. He lets his hair grow during the colder months and keeps it shorter during the summer.

Smith, who is also a hairdresser, notices that people often grow their hair out after fall.
The female students both agreed that when it comes to makeup, the shades usually go darker and the applications a little thicker.

“[Putting on makeup] depends on how tired I am in the morning,” Strawn said, "And if my face is breaking out."

Clothes, like makeup, tend to go darker as well. All four students agreed that the clothes they wear go darker in shade than in the summer months.

“It depends on how I feel that day,” said Stucki. “Bright colors are always fun, but dark colors win out because that’s the fashion.”

Sometimes, it’s just about that certain accessory that can’t be worn when it’s hot.
“I have a pea coat I just love to wear because it’s awesome and warm,” said Stucki.

For the DSC guys, there are numerous internet sites dedicated to the male grooming habits.

Hair inspired by the TV drama "Mad Men" is growing in popularity, according to www.askmen.com. This look is achieved by rubbing pomade between your hands and then through your hair. Finish by parting your hair on either side, or comb it straight back.

A change of scent is very appropriate according to askmen.com.

“…Think about shifting your fragrance from light, citrus scents to deeper, woodsier notes,” said Diana Schmidtke of askmen.com. She also suggests that men keep the fragrance to a minimum.

“A little goes a long way in terms of scent. You want girls to get in close to smell you, not be hit with your fragrance from across town.”

These and many other in-depth ideas about winter grooming for men can be found at http://www.askmen.com/scent/scent_300/331_grooming-trends-for-fall-winter.html.

Gals might want to check out www.elle.com for ideas on grooming and fashion for the fall and winter. According to http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Style-Tips, an “androgynous” style is in for winter.

An article at http://www.beautyden.com suggests purchasing a leave-in conditioner to battle cold weather hair problems.

And if a girl needs advice on how to change up her winter scent, she should check out http://girliegossip.com. The latest fragrances by Victoria Beckham, Gucci and Prada are some of the suggested scents according to http://girliegossip.com/our-top-5-winter-perfumes-for-women.