Grooming Archives | Wedding ETC

In Accessories

The ultimate guide to honeymoon road-tripping

May 20, 2026 No Comments

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of freedom that comes with the open road – and there’s no better person to share it with than your new spouse. Just married, chasing adventure with good music, scenic stops, and uninterrupted conversation? That’s honeymoon magic.

If you’re planning a honeymoon road trip, here are a few things to keep in mind before you hit the highway.

Avoid Breakdowns and Breakouts

Before you embark on your journey, make sure your car is properly serviced – especially the filters, fluid levels, brakes, tyres, belts, oil, and water. Check that your tyre pressure is correct and inspect your wiper blades, indicators, brake lights, and headlights.

If you’re travelling through different climates or remote areas, ensure your vehicle is prepared for changing weather conditions. And if you’re road-tripping during a South African summer, don’t forget to check the air conditioner – nothing kills romance faster than being stuck in traffic in unbearable heat.

It’s also worth downloading offline maps ahead of time in case signal drops along your route.

Clean Up, Stock Up

There’s no better way to begin your honeymoon than in a freshly cleaned car. Turn the pre-trip prep into part of the fun with a quick car wash date before departure.

Stock up on snacks, padkos, and plenty of water – buying from grocery stores beforehand is usually far cheaper than relying on petrol station convenience stops. Pack blankets and pillows for extra comfort, especially if one of you wants to nap between destinations.

Finally, don’t skip the emergency kit. Include essentials like:

A flashlight and extra batteries
Jumper cables
A first aid kit
Spare tyre and tyre repair kit
Portable phone charger or power bank
Emergency contact numbers
Being over-prepared is always better than being stranded.

If You’re Renting

If you’re renting a car, companies like Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Thrifty offer a variety of vehicle options and pickup locations.

Look out for package deals that combine flights, accommodation, and car rental – they can save you a significant amount on honeymoon costs.

If you’re renting abroad, check whether your destination requires an International Driving Permit (IDP). It’s also important to note that manual transmission vehicles are still standard in many countries. If you’re used to driving automatic, reserve one well in advance, as availability can be limited and rates are often higher.

And yes – screenshot or print your booking confirmation. Airport Wi-Fi has a habit of failing exactly when you need it most.

Are We There Yet?

Planning the time spent in the car together can be just as important as planning the destinations themselves. A long drive can either become part of the adventure – or feel very, very long.

Prepare some entertainment ahead of time to keep the energy fun and relaxed. Think curated playlists, nostalgic singalongs, podcasts, audiobooks, or even a few classic road-trip games.

Here are a few ideas to make the journey more memorable:

Car games

They’re not just for kids. Classics like I Spy or the licence plate game are surprisingly entertaining when the kilometres start blending.

Story time

Take turns reading aloud from a book, sharing funny memories, or even telling each other stories you’ve never heard before.

Create an on-the-road scrapbook

Snap photos of quirky roadside stops, beautiful scenery, and funny moments along the way. The blurry selfies and petrol station coffee runs often become the best memories later.

Tunes for the trail

A good playlist can completely shape the mood of a road trip. Create one together before you leave, blending both your favourites with songs that feel like the start of a new chapter.

The journey is the honeymoon

A honeymoon road trip isn’t about rushing from one destination to the next – it’s about the moments in between. The unexpected stops, terrible padkos combinations, inside jokes, scenic detours, and quiet conversations are often the memories that last the longest.

So, leave a little room for spontaneity, keep your itinerary flexible, and enjoy the ride together. After all, the best love stories rarely stick perfectly to the route.

ALSO SEE: How to pick your honeymoon destination

How to pick your honeymoon destination

Feature image: Pinterest

In Grooming

3 Reasons you should be wearing a fragrance

August 25, 2021 No Comments

Scent is a powerful tool. A fact that was so beautifully proven by Cleopatra, who brought two powerful warlords to their knees through the art of scent.

A scent tells a story, can evoke a memory, or ignite your fight or flight response. Much like how scents can excite or repulse you, the way you smell can encourage those reactions in others. Desire is formed by engaging all the senses, and smell is a key factor. Fragrance is the ultimate accessory, much like wearing a scarf or a dazzling pair of earrings; adorning yourself with the right perfume can make those around you stop and turn.

As German writer Patrick Süskind perfectly surmised in his novel – Perfume: The Story of a Murderer: “Odours have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, appearances, emotions, or will. The persuasive power of an odour cannot be fended off, it enters into us like breath in our lungs, it fills us up, imbues us totally. There is no remedy for it.”

Aside from the obvious advantage of keeping you smelling good throughout the day, what other reasons could there be to splashing on your favourite perfume? Here are three of our favourites:

Confidence:

Did you know that fragrance can enhance your mood and the way you feel? Fragrance plays a role in eliciting emotion and can include anything from sexy, happy to relaxed. It’s all about how you connect to the scent on an emotional level. The perfect example of this is the Montblanc Legend and Montblanc Explorer.

Legend combines notes of bergamot, lavender, sandalwood and oakmoss to create a contrasting and strong, yet tender, perfume. Bergamot, vetiver and patchouli mingle to produce the woody, aromatic and leathery concoction that is Mont Blanc Legend. All of these elegant and sophisticated notes combine to form a fragrance that exudes a scent of confidence.

A lasting impression:

Only 10% of the impressions you leave on someone are related to the words that you utter, while the rest is hinged on body language and appearance. When you’re feeling confident and in your power people remember this, which can provide a potent first impression. As humans, we utilise our five senses: scent, sight, taste, sound, and touch. Certain scents can trigger our memory, and if you’re wearing the right scent, this will only add to the allure and impact of that all-important first impression.

A unique signature:

Similar to pheromones, everyone has their own unique scent. A person’s fragrance is unique to them, that’s why finding the right one that suits you is so important. There are so many incredible fragrances to choose from that perfectly encompass an individual’s personality. There’s no question that finding this level of individuality through scent can influence confidence and self-esteem.

Picture/s: Supplied

In Advice

Alternative hair removal options to try

January 17, 2020 No Comments

Removing all or some of your body hair is a personal choice, and we’re firm believers in doing whatever works for you. Many men and women do choose to wax, though, especially before the big day and long-awaited honeymoon. However, it’s not a very pleasant thought when making that waxing appointment. Often accompanied by pain, discomfort and even skin conditions like rashes or in-grown hair have made many skeptical of this procedure.

We take a look at the other options out there, which may just make things slightly easier and prevent you from getting in a sticky situation.

Sugaring

This method makes use of a sugar mixture which is applied at body temperature. That already means there is no chance of burning as is sometimes the case with wax. The sugar paste does not stick to live skin cells, only to hair and dead cells – giving the best exfoliation and leaving your skin smooth when the dry paste is removed. Although not completely painless, sugaring is considerably less painful than waxing.

Laser

Laser treatment’s biggest perk is the fact that it leads to permanent hairlessness over a long time if that’s what your goal is. However, it is quite expensive and you might still have to go for up to six treatments per year, depending on your hair growth and other factors like the quality of the laser machinery. Also, not completely pain-free, but most women say that it is definitely less painful than waxing.

Electrolysis

Different to laser treatments but working on the same basic principle, a probe emitting shortwave radio frequencies is applied to hair follicles to stop new hair from growing. This damages your hair follicles to prevent growth. Unlike laser technology, electrolysis is able to treat even blonde, white and grey hair.

Dry shave

It’s not groundbreaking, but it has proven to be an effective -and cheaper- alternative. Easy to do at home, a waterless electric shaver is quick and easy, with the bonus that it won’t cause in-grown hair like shaving does.

Image: Pexels

In Advice

Pre-wedding bridal skincare tips

January 17, 2020 No Comments

On your wedding day, you want to look and feel your best. However, getting here requires work that often starts months before your big day. Here are some tips to make sure you are looking and feeling your best come wedding day.

Develop a consistent skincare routine and STICK TO IT!

Hopefully you already have one in place, but it is important to have a skincare routine designed for your particular skin. Maybe you have oily skin, dry skin, or sensitive skin. Maybe you have discolouration, rosacea or fine lines. Regardless, there are many products created to cater for a multitude of skin types and concerns. Now, developing a skincare routine is not easy. It’s mainly just trial-and-error.

While Koreans are famed for their 12-step routines, many dermatologists recommend a simpler skincare routine with three key steps: cleanse, tone, moisturise. Another thing dermatologists agree on is that SPF is the most important skincare product everyone should be using. Sunscreen protects your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Many skincare and makeup products contain SPF, which makes it that much easier and leaves you with no excuse not to use it.

Facials:

Treat your skin to a facial with your regular aesthetician every month in the lead up to your wedding. When meeting your aesthetician, highlight what you want to focus on with the facials. It’s also important to speak up about your skin type. If you’ve got sensitive skin, your aesthetician has to be very careful about the types of products they use, and it’s the same for dry and oily skin.

Importantly, make sure not to get a new facial the day before your wedding. Your skin might react weirdly and leave you with a nasty pimple on your big day. Leave yourself a couple of days for your skin to calm down and really reflect the benefits.

Exfoliate:

Get rid of those pesky dried skin cells with a weekly exfoliant that will leave your skin silky smooth. Exfoliants help your skin appear brighter and glowing, which is always a good thing. Be careful when choosing your exfoliant, as some can be too harsh on your skin.

Importantly, over-exfoliating can leave your skin dry, flaky and irritated, so best avoid using this product more than three times a week. Usage will change depending on the strength of your exfoliator.

Manage your stress

I know it’s hard, but this one’s important. With all the wedding planning and small moving parts to keep track of, your skin and body is likely to show your internal stress. You need to keep stress at bay so that it doesn’t show up in your skin through a breakout. A host of other conditions like exzema and psoriasis can be worsened through stress.

Consider sharing the load and delegating jobs to your bridal party to help out so that you don’t carry all the stress of event planning. If you have an event planner, that’s even better! It’s also a great idea to participate in some stress-relieving activities like yoga, painting or reading.

Feature image: Pexels

In Grooming

Every groom’s ultimate grooming guide

November 15, 2018 No Comments

Whether you’re a metrosexual, moustachioed man or a couldn’t-be-bothered bearded bro, our ultimate grooming guide will have you looking dapper on your big day.

BACK TO BASICS

If you haven’t started investing in a solid skincare regime yet, the day you get engaged is the perfect time to start. Begin by washing your face correctly with a good-quality cleanser, add a biweekly exfoliation into your routine, and nourish your skin with a moisturiser that suits your skin type and contains an SPF for daily sun protection. Speaking of hydration, up your water intake to eight glasses a day for a clearer, more radiant complexion come the big day.
We recommend:
Dermalogica Daily Defense Block SPF15
Clinique For Men Oil Control Exfoliating Tonic
Nivea Men Active Energy Face Wash Gel

CLOSE SHAVE

The only way you’re going to find your stubble sweet spot is by testing it out before the wedding. Shave a few times and take note of how long it takes for your beard to grow to a length you’re happy with for the ceremony. An unruly, scruffy beard is never a good look, so trim it slightly more than you usually would for a clean look (and to keep your bride smiling) on the day.
We recommend:
Philips Series 7000 Wet And Dry Shaver

GO PRO

If you’re wary of trimming and styling your own stubble, why not gather your groomsmen and treat yourself to a hot-towel shave ahead of your wedding? Chat to your trusty barber about both your hair and fuzz options, including how close to the wedding you should have your final haircut and shave – all depending on your typical growth and proneness to irritation.

EYES ON THE PRIZE

Maybe you hit the bar a bit heavy at the bachelor party and your peepers are far from sparkling. Sit for a few minutes with ice packs on your eyes (cold cucumber slices work too, in a pinch), and then follow with redness-reducing eye drops and a soothing under-eye gel.
We recommend:
Clarins Men Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum

TOP TO TOE

Don’t forget about your hands and feet – they deserve a good pampering too. Book a men’s mani-pedi at a salon a few days before the wedding. Your bride will be impressed at your attention to detail, and we bet you’ll love the feel of well-kept fingertips and soft skin. Use a dollop of hand cream on the day to prep your mitts to ensure plenty of hand-holding.
We recommend:
The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector

GRIN AND BARE IT

Consider getting your teeth cleaned and whitened a few weeks before the wedding, especially if you are a big coffee drinker, red-wine lover or smoker. For a cheaper alternative, add a dentist-approved whitening toothpaste to your brushing routine a few months before the day.

SCENT AND SENSIBILITY

There are few things worse than a groom who reeks of cheap cologne, so be sure to choose your fragrance wisely and apply sparingly. Already have a signature scent? Go with that, or shop around a few weeks before the day to find something special. We recommend a lighter scent (one with ‘green’ notes of herbs and zesty citrus) as opposed to an overly masculine one with strong woody notes.
We recommend:
Chanel Allure Homme Sport EDT

BROW NOW

Tame those caterpillars by plucking any errant hairs a few days before your wedding. Focus only on removing the rogue hairs between your eyes. Leave the ones above your brows and inside the inner or outer-eye lines alone – plucking these is overkill.
We recommend:
Studio Basics Slant Tip Tweezer