"We lived by God's grace back then (still do)," I thought. Simplicity was key—soap doubled as lotion, and we'd head out smelling like Imperial Leather, no second thoughts. Now? The same guys who once thought skincare was for "extra" people can't imagine leaving the house without a full grooming routine. Funny how the basics we barely noticed back then have now turned into essentials we swear by.

Growing up, most of us had a pretty straightforward approach to grooming: as long as we looked clean-ish, that was enough. Skincare was "girl stuff," lotion was for "special occasions," and a tangled head of hair was just part of the look. But now, things have changed. We're men with responsibilities, careers, and social lives—and if we're being honest, we can't stroll around with ashy elbows, kaweke (Luganda speakers know all too well), or the same towel doubling as a face cloth, foot dryer, and occasional car wipe.

Take lotion, for instance. Back then, walking around with dry, dusty knees or elbows was almost a rite of passage. Now? The slightest hint of ash, and someone's bound to call you out for looking like you just emerged from a long day in the shamba. These days, a good lotion is as essential as your phone and wallet. And let's be real: as an adult, smelling like a tropical fruit salad isn't the move, so pick a lotion with a subtle scent, something that says, "I'm here to impress but without overdoing it."

Then there's the hair. For most of our youth, our approach to hair care was simple: leave it alone and let it do whatever it wants. If it looked like it had a mind of its own, so be it. Now, though, things are different. A well-groomed head of hair says a lot about you. It's a sign that you're someone who cares about the details, someone who's got his act together. Whether it's a fresh fade, twists, or simply keeping things neat, the kaweke look doesn't fly anymore. A bit of coconut oil or shea butter can go a long way. And if you're still only visiting the barber once a month, maybe it's time to up your game.

Let's not even get started on skincare. Sure, some of us are still in denial, sticking to the same soap for face, body, and the occasional sneaker clean-up. But our skin has a way of reminding us that time's moving on. A simple face wash and moisturizer can work wonders. And yes, some of us are blessed with that "flawless" skin that people comment on, even though we barely have a routine. Genetics are on our side, but that doesn't mean we can skip the basics forever.

Then there's the infamous towel situation. It's common knowledge: one towel, multiple jobs. You dry your face, then your feet, and sometimes even give the car dashboard a quick wipe. But here's the thing, that's not really doing you any favors. Investing in a few separate towels can make a world of difference. One for your face, another for everything else. Trust me, the women in your life (and those aunties who love pointing out imperfections) will thank you for it.

We also can't skip the importance of deodorant and a touch of cologne. In a hot, crowded matatu or boda, smelling fresh isn't optional. Deodorant is a must, and if you're adding cologne, keep it light. The goal is to smell good, not suffocate everyone around you.

It's funny to think how far we've come—from boys who only cared about looking presentable enough for school to men who understand the power of good grooming. Embracing these changes isn't just about keeping up appearances; it's about respecting yourself and the people around you. So here's to the grown men who are no longer content with the kaweke look, who know the importance of lotion, and who realize that sometimes, the secret to flawless skin isn't just luck—it's a little extra effort, too.