You should always take a shower, style your hair, and see that every inch of you looks its best in order to make a lasting impression. But you must keep your cool at all times. Simply take a deep breath and follow this 10-step routine; half an hour is all you need to get ready and look sharp.

Step 1 - Wash your hair & body
I'll be the first to confess to taking long and steamy showers in the morning. But unfortunately, when you're in a rush, you'll have to cut down on your shower time if you want to meet your deadline. Keep your showers short and the water lukewarm because scorching water can deplete your skin's moisture.

Wash and rinse your hair first. Then, to speed up the process, leave in the conditioner while moving on to the rest of your body (or try a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner). I also recommend using shower gels, liquid cleansers, or any soap that also has moisturizing agents (alkaline soaps tend to dry out skin).

Estimated time: 6 minutes

Step 2 - Wash your face
Your face is the first thing people notice upon meeting you, so make sure it's clean and healthy looking. Removing dead skin cells with a mild facial scrub (such as an exfoliator) will help combat the effect of aging and give your face a healthy glow and smooth texture.

Avoid aggressive scrubbing because you might scratch and irritate your skin. Also keep in mind that you don't need to exfoliate your face on a daily basis; two or three times a week should suffice. But you should wash your face twice a day, especially if you have acne-prone skin.

Estimated time: 2 minutes

Step 3 - Shave
The quickest way to shave is to do it in the shower with the help of an anti-fog mirror, or immediately after your shower, while the bathroom is still steamy. The warm water will soften your skin, making it easier to shave and decreasing your chances of getting nicks and cuts.

Lather up with a good shaving cream or gel to protect your skin from razor burn and in-grown hairs; you don't want to waste your time plastering your nicks with tissue. Apply some after-shave balm for maximum relief and to help keep your skin moist.

Estimated time: 5 minutes

Step 4 - Clip your nails
Post-shower is also the best time to clip your finger and toenails because they're usually softer and therefore easier to cut. If you file your nails, then do so right after you're finished cutting them.

Estimated time: 2 minutes

Step 5 - Apply cologne
Now it's time to put on some cologne, but don't overdo it. Spray or dab cologne on your favorite pulse points (i.e. your wrists, behind your ears, the base of your throat, etc.). Remember that your goal should be to smell nice and fresh -- not to overwhelm anyone with an odorous cloud.

Estimated time: 1 minute

Step 6 - Moisturize
It's a fact that most guys don't like moisturizing. But we still do it because it beats having flaky skin. Make sure to moisturize your face and body daily; just keep in mind that your face and body might require separate moisturizers, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Estimated time: 1 minute

Step 7 - Get dressed
At this point, you should already have an idea of what you're going to wear since you had time to think about it in the shower (right?). Remember, you're in a hurry; pick pieces that don't require ironing and are easy to mix and match.

Estimated time: 6 minutes

Step 8 - Do your hair
Some guys take forever when it comes to styling their hair. Chances are if it's taking you a long time, it's either because you are overloading your hair with styling products or just love checking yourself out in the mirror.

It's worth spending more money on quality hairstyling products, as the results are longer lasting and, 90% of the time, you only need a tiny amount to get the look you want. Low-end hair products, on the other hand, tend to make your hair flaky and greasy.

Estimated time: 3 minutes

Step 9 - Brush your teeth
Remember to brush your teeth and tongue, and floss to remove all the nasty bacteria that causes bad breath.

Time-saving tip: Brush your teeth in the shower.

Estimated time: 3 minutes

Step 10 - Do a final spot check
Finally, look at yourself in the mirror and make sure everything is in order, from head to toe.

You are now ready to go so I won't keep you much longer. Bear in mind that with proper planning and order, you can make just about any task or routine more efficient.

Estimated time: 1 minute

Until next time, keep on stylin'.