Like the Sundance Kid says on television these days, "Let’s make that commitment."

When you’re ready to make your commitment to better grooming, getting a plan of action together can be a pain in the ass. There’s a lot of information to take in, and a lot of it seems to contradict the rest. Do you stick with the over counter hair and skin products or should you upgrade to the professional, high-end groom supplies? Is there really that much difference?

The truth of the matter in this VIP-driven economy is this: you get what you pay for. The days of something being more expensive simply because of its label are as far gone as the mullet and the calculator watch. For something to be worth its money, it had better work. And work better than the rank and file stuff.

As you get ready to reinvent yourself, make the commitment to spend a little more on the equipment that’s going to bring you the biggest payoff in the mid- and long-term. Anyone would tell you to do the same if you were considering how to take care of your money. Now, take the same advice and use it to guide you when taking care of the only body you’ll ever have.

When you’re planning to take care of your skin, depending on your skin type you’ll need to figure out a care regimen that works with your body, not against it. Your epidermis and oil glands are already doing everything they can to protect and nurture your skin cells. You want a cleanser and exfoliant that works in conjunction with your body’s natural defenses. The over the counter stuff you get in the drugstore is like napalm for your skin: it just wipes everything away, leaving your skin to its own devices in rejuvenating and repairing its own damaged tissue. If you’ve ever wondered why your skin gets flaky after soaping up too much, it’s because regular cleansers are indiscriminate. So, like jogging with a safe on your back is a bad idea, don’t make your skin work harder than it has to. Any number of products, including Woody’s and Baxter’s of California, include the custom-engineered ingredients and natural additives to do the job.

Like the skin, your hair is already working with the tools you were born with. But stripping your hair with chemicals found in the cheap stuff only robs your hair and scalp of those very same agents. You want to stick to shampoos and conditioners that replenish what your body already has and builds upon it, such as those found in Sharp’s Shampoo or John Allan brand shampoos. If you’re choosing a conditioner, look for a brand like Anthony Logistics, which removes excess oil buildup while rinsing away the harmful effects of chemical cleaners and protects against the heat and humidity of the elements.

Beginning your grooming regimen is the first start in looking better and looking younger, which is always a big step in feeling good about yourself. Making that commitment and keeping it helps keep you at your best.