I’ve spent a large part of my career asking women why their skin is so good or what beauty products they stock in their top shelves, but I’ve rarely gotten the opportunity to do the same with men. These days, my peek into men’s beauty routines comes mostly through TikTok, where horrified girls sometimes secretly record their date or boyfriend’s bathroom to showcase the object of their disbelief. But I want more of it—really, I wish to be horrified, entertained, and impressed in equal measure. Welcome to He’s Just A Man, a series where I try to uncover why men are the way they are—at least when it comes to beauty.

(As for the franchise name… Back in January, I was meant to go on a date. When I told one of my friends, she asked his name. Without hesitation, I said, “He’s just a man.” Meaning: I don’t think my friends need to know the name of the man I’m dating until it’s essential. Why bother learning a new name when he might not make it past the first date? Until I’m ready for them to meet him, repeat after me: He’s just a man. But also! Sometimes the answer to why is he doing that? really is—as Lana Del Rey once said—he’s just a man; it’s just what they do.)

Below, two New Yorkers talk acne, makeup, and “feeling pretty.”

Daniel-Yaw Miller

, 29, Journalist, Editor, and Advisor + Creator of

SportsVerse

“For me, keeping a beauty routine is super important, no matter how simple—it’s part of my overall self-care and helps me feel happy and healthy. Look good, feel good, and all that.

I’ve dealt with pretty consistent acne since I was around 14, but I grew up in a household where there was minimal understanding of beauty products—and a general suspicion of anything that wasn’t ‘natural.’ That shaped my perception of the beauty industry for a long time, and it took a while before I started exploring—or even realized there were treatments for this kind of thing.

My acne used to make me really self-conscious. When I was younger, I definitely wished it had been more acceptable for guys to wear makeup so I could cover it up, but eventually, I just accepted it as a fact of life.

​​With help from friends, I started to build a basic routine—face wash, moisturizer, serums, and SPF—that helped keep my acne at least somewhat under control. From there, I got more and more interested in skincare, especially products that target scarring and pigmentation. These days, I follow a routine morning and night without fail, using a solid roster of products: The Inkey List’s hyaluronic acid cleanser and serum, Allies of Skin clarifying serum, Pers eye cream and light cream, La Roche-Posay hyalu B5 cream, Vichy’s mineral SPF, Topicals clarifying mist and eye masks, and R&R body butter.

Outside of skincare, I’ve had medium to long Afro hair most of my life, and I started getting curious about how to care for and nurture it properly when I was a teenager. The pandemic gave me time to really do my research and learn. Wash day—when I shampoo, deep condition, and detangle—is every Sunday. I also use masks now and then, usually one from Mielle, and I sleep with a durag or silk bonnet.

I’m very selective about who I let cut and treat my hair. When I lived in London, I went to a salon called The Curl Bar, which is known for its healthy approach to Afro and curly hair. I haven’t found an equivalent in NYC yet, but I’m in desperate need of a cut, so if anyone has tips, hit me up.

My all-time favorite and go-to scent is Debaser by D.S. & Durga. I get so many compliments for smelling good when I wear it. Oh, and I always get a manicure and pedicure on my birthday—without fail—and probably two or three other times a year. I also use hand cream religiously because ashy hands are illegal! My favorite is from Aēsop.”

My take: We love a man who’s not afraid of a mani-pedi. More men should get them, especially with summer right around the corner. PSA: Men, we do not need to see your unkempt toes! I also want men to feel comfortable embracing makeup—let them experience the epic highs and lows of high school football concealer.

Nicholas, 30, Student and Research Assistant

“I definitely take a ‘maintenance’ approach to beauty; I need to look presentable most days, but I don’t spend a ton of time thinking about it. That said, I still try to use high-quality products that work for me. What’s important to me is something being a legacy or heritage product—my reasoning is that if something was invented in the 1800s and is still around, it’s probably pretty good. I go to C.O. Bigelow’s website—I rarely have time to go to their store—and look at what they have. I use the store’s oily skin face wash—but no moisturizer. I just rarely try something new for the sake of it, although my girlfriend has made me more open to using things like the Topicals eye masks, the Idun face mist, and the TheraBody massager.

I get my hair cut by Dan Castillo at Fellow Barber in NoMad about every six to eight weeks. At this point, Dan knows how I like my hair, so there aren’t any specific instructions besides asking for ‘the usual.’ I think about dyeing my gray hairs all the time—the only thing stopping me is my girlfriend, who loves them. I occasionally use Malin and Goetz’s pomade in my hair, but most days, I go all natural.

I have a rotating cast of Maison Margiela scents: By The Fireplace, Jazz Club, and Autumn Vibes. I really like the travel-sized sprays because they allow me to rotate through a few different scents. It also takes me forever to use up a full-size bottle of fragrance. I have a bottle of Amazingreen from Comme des Garçons, but I don’t use it so much anymore—it’s years old, and I feel like the scent is wearing off. Does that happen with fragrances? I don’t know how it works.

As for my nails, I cut them at home. I don’t get manicures or pedicures, but I’m not necessarily against them. I leave my nails bare; I would screw up any nail polish within five minutes of applying it. When I’m with my girlfriend, she gives me Juara cream for my hands before we go to sleep. It makes me feel pretty, honestly. I guess I have to start using it every night.”

My take: Thank God for girlfriends. But no moisturizer? I’m scared. And yes, fragrances do expire! Keep them—especially ones you love—in dark, cool spaces (like your fridge) for longevity.

P.S. Know a man with an intriguing beauty routine—or no routine at all? A boyfriend, a brother, a dad, an ex, or a friend-of-a-friend? Send him my way—I’d love to ask him too many questions.

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