The Groom’s Guide to Looking and Feeling Your Best

Usually, for brides, the months leading up to their wedding day resemble a well-oiled operation, which includes an entire spreadsheet for backup hairdressers and makeup artists, as well as a detailed beauty calendar filled with skincare routines they need to complete before their big day. It could easily rival a NASA launch sequence, to be fair. On the other hand, for most grooms, the pre-wedding “routine” hovers somewhere between “maybe I should get a haircut” and “I need another pack of 3 in 1 — you know, the shampoo-conditioner-body-wash hybrid that’s been loyally holding your grooming routine together since college. The double standards here are quite wild, but also kind of hilarious, mainly because when the big day eventually rolls around, both parties are standing under the same lighting, in the same hi-res photos, facing the family, friends, and a dozen camera lenses all waiting to immortalise every pore, every stray hair, and every bead of nervous sweat. And that’s the time most grooms eventually end up realising, maybe, just maybe, they should’ve done more than just splashing cold water on their face and calling it self-care. 

Before we get into the technicalities of it, which majorly include the skincare routines, the grooming hacks, and he subtle “art” of not looking like you barely survived your bachelor party, let’s get one thing straight: this is definitely not about transforming into a different person altogether. You don’t need a 12-step Korean skincare routine or a personal stylist whispering outfit ideas into your ear. What you really need is a game plan, something that helps you look polished, put-together, and like the kind of man who didn’t just discover sunscreen last week.

And who better to help decode that game plan than someone who’s made it his mission to change how men view grooming altogether? Arjun Bhargava, Founder of Forest Hill, has spent years trying to dismantle the idea that grooming is a chore, or worse, something men shouldn’t really care too much about. “Men’s grooming in India has often been limited to either purely functional or overly mass-market products,” he says. “I wanted to bridge the gap between performance and purpose — creating affordable luxury essentials that not only make men look better but also feel good about the ritual of self-care.” His approach is grounded in the idea that grooming isn’t about ego at all; it’s about assurance, the kind that comes from knowing you’ve put in the effort to show up well.

And that’s really what grooming is about — it’s more on the lines of redefining what it means to “look your best.” For the modern groom, this is more than just another checkbox on the pre-wedding to-do list; it’s a subtle attitude shift. It’s more on the lines about being intentional with the way that you take care of yourself, understanding what truly works for your skin and hair, and recognising the smallest rituals, eventually end up making the biggest difference. This said difference between looking “fine” and looking well taken care of often comes down to these smallest details, a clean shave or a well-groomed beard, neatly trimmed nails, hydrated skin with hair that actually looks styled rather than just “present.”

And the best part? You can start incorporating these habits weeks, even months, before the wedding, without overcomplicating your life. Schedule a haircut a month out so you have time to adjust the style if needed. Begin a basic skincare routine at least a few weeks ahead — cleanse, moisturise, and apply SPF daily. Even little things, like getting your eyebrows in check or figuring out a subtle, signature scent, make a surprisingly big impact when you step into the spotlight.

Bhargava calls it “smart grooming”, the idea that less is more, as long as it’s done right. “For a groom, the wedding day isn’t just a photo moment; it’s a day when you’re expected to look your best, projecting confidence and composure,” he says. And it’s true. It’s your armour. The better you feel, the better you carry yourself, and that presence is what people remember on your big day.

The key is consistency and pacing yourself. You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine overnight. Think of it like training for a marathon: a little effort every day adds up. Use weekends to experiment with shaving or beard grooming so you’re confident on the big day. Hydrate, sleep, and give your skin time to adjust to any new products. By the time the wedding rolls around, these small, steady rituals will have built a quiet confidence — one that comes through in your posture, your smile, and even the way you interact with your partner, family, and friends.

So before you brush off the idea of skincare or roll your eyes at “grooming trends,” here’s a reminder: this isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about showing up as the best version of yourself, one that looks composed, confident, and ready for every photo, every handshake, and every moment that matters. Because in the end, the groom deserves to look their best too.

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