Looking Good, Feeling Real: A Guy's Guide to Dove Freshness

Captured by Mitchell Royel | Now Spinning: "Like Me" & "Stupid Sh*t" - Girlicious Like Me/ Stupid Sh** EP

So I've been thinking about that Dove Evolution commercial from way back - you know, the one showing how models go from regular people to magazine-ready with makeup, lighting, and then get completely airbrushed into someone else? That got me wondering about how we guys approach our own looks.

Look, we all want to look good. That's not shallow - it's human. But there's something to be said for Dove's whole authenticity thing that I think we dudes could learn from.

When my girlfriend spends an hour getting ready, I might joke about it, but I get it. There's something about that effort that shows she cares. And honestly? We guys should put in some effort too. Not to become some digitally-altered version of ourselves, but to be the best real version we can be.

So here's my take on staying fresh without becoming someone you're not:

First, find a face wash that actually works for your skin type. No joke, I spent years using whatever random bar soap was in the shower before realizing why my face was always either dry as hell or breaking out. Game changer.

Moisturizer isn't just for women. Seriously. Your face will thank you, especially after shaving. And one with SPF? That's just smart, man.

Speaking of shaving - invest in decent gear. A good razor and quality shaving cream make a massive difference between looking clean and looking like you lost a fight with a cheese grater.

Your scent matters more than you think. Find a signature cologne that isn't overwhelming. Less is more - you want people to notice when they're close, not when they're across the room.

Haircuts shouldn't be a twice-yearly event. Every 4-6 weeks keeps things looking intentional. Find a barber who gets your style and stick with them.

Eyebrows. Yes, eyebrows. Getting the unibrow situation under control takes like two minutes and makes a surprising difference.

Clothes don't need to be expensive, but they should fit well. That's the secret nobody tells you - fit matters more than brand every time.

It's worth mentioning why we've been featuring Girlicious tracks like "Like Me" and "Stupid Sh**" from their EP lately. These songs capture that same tension between image and authenticity we've been talking about. They're bold, confident tracks that play with themes of attraction and self-presentation. The way they balance attitude with vulnerability mirrors our own discussions about how we present ourselves versus who we really are.

When it comes to Mitch Leyor - our core philosophy is simple: you can look, but don't touch, and we're speaking universally. We know it's 2025, girls and boys, please remain civil when looking at our content. Respect matters, always.

At the end of the day, I think we can acknowledge that these fantasies can be beautiful and even inspiring, while still remembering they're just that - fantasies. Your real, unfiltered self is what matters most. That's the version of you that's actually living life, not just posing for it.

Stay fresh, stay real, and remember - putting in effort isn't fake. It's just showing yourself the same respect you'd show someone you care about.

-Deck