The Complete Softmaxxing & Hardmaxxing Guide

Become the
best version
of yourself.

A research-backed guide covering every level of men's physical optimization — from daily grooming to fitness, fragrance, style, and aesthetic medicine.

Begin the guide
Softmaxxing or Hardmaxxing?

Where should you start?

Answer 4 questions and we'll map your highest-ROI improvements with direct product recommendations.

1
2
3
4
Question 1 of 4
What's your primary goal right now?
Question 2 of 4
What's your biggest concern right now?
Question 3 of 4
What's your monthly self-improvement budget?
Question 4 of 4
How much daily time can you commit?
Your personalised plan
Based on your answers — here's where to focus first for maximum ROI.
Medical Disclaimer: Content is for educational purposes only. Nothing constitutes medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional before any treatment, supplement, or procedure.
The Optimization Spectrum
Softmaxxing — Low risk, high returnHardmaxxing — Higher commitment, higher risk
Level 01
Grooming & Skincare
Daily routines, evidence-based actives, SPF.
Level 02
Style & Tailoring
Fit, proportion, colour theory, wardrobe.
Level 03
Fitness & Nutrition
Body composition, lifting, diet protocols.
Level 04
Aesthetic Medicine
Non-surgical: fillers, Botox, hair loss.
Level 05
Surgical Intervention
Rhinoplasty, jaw implants, canthoplasty.
Softmaxxing — Levels 01 to 03

Softmaxxing

Replace with editorial image

Skincare &
Grooming

The highest-ROI improvement for most men. Consistent basics outperform complex protocols.

01
Softmaxxing — Skincare

Core Skincare

UV damage causes ~80% of visible aging — SPF is non-negotiable. A 5-step AM routine done consistently outperforms any complex protocol.

  • Daily SPF 30+ is the single most impactful anti-aging product available
  • Retinol (0.025%–1%) rebuilds collagen and reduces fine lines over 12 weeks
  • Niacinamide reduces sebum, pores, and uneven tone
  • Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) brightens and protects against free radicals
  • Moisturizer maintains barrier function and prevents dullness
Budget Pick
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc
The Ordinary — ~$7
Clinically effective, zero frills. Best starting point.
Shop now* Affiliate link
Premium Pick
🧴
Retinol 0.5% Serum
Paula's Choice — ~$44
Clinically proven. Visible fine line reduction in 12 weeks.
Shop now* Affiliate link
SPF Essential
🛡️
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
EltaMD
Dermatologist gold-standard. Niacinamide formula. No white cast.
Shop now* Affiliate link
💧
C E Ferulic Vitamin C
SkinCeuticals — ~$182
The benchmark vitamin C. Proven collagen synthesis results.
Shop now* Affiliate link
02
Softmaxxing — Style

Style & Tailoring

Clothing is an optical illusion. Proper fit manipulates perceived proportions — broadening shoulders, lengthening the torso. See Visual Guides for diagrams.

  • Jacket shoulder seam must land exactly at the natural shoulder tip — nothing matters more
  • V-necks and open collars lengthen and define the neck
  • Vertical patterns create height; horizontal create width
  • Neutrals (navy, charcoal, black) project authority and elongate the frame
Budget Pick
👔
Slim Fit Dress Shirt
Uniqlo — ~$30
Best off-the-rack proportions for the price. Start here before investing in bespoke.
Shop now* Affiliate link
Premium Pick
🪡
Made-to-Measure Suit
Hockerty — from $299
Enter measurements online. Tailored fit that transforms perceived proportions.
Shop now* Affiliate link
03
Softmaxxing — Grooming

Facial Hair & Brows

A well-groomed beard can visually enhance jawline projection by 15–20%. Eyebrow shaping directly alters perceived eye shape — no procedure needed.

  • Keep beard shortest at cheeks, longest at chin to elongate the face
  • A sharp defined neckline creates the illusion of a stronger jaw angle
  • Cleaning the unibrow and shaping the arch raises perceived eye openness
  • Thicker medial brows (inner third) signal higher testosterone aesthetically
Budget Pick
✂️
OneBlade Face + Body
Philips Norelco — ~$40
12 length guards, waterproof. Reliable daily driver.
Shop now* Affiliate link
Premium Pick
The Lawn Mower 4.0
Manscaped — ~$90
SkinSafe blade tech, wireless charging, LED spotlight.
Shop now* Affiliate link
04
Softmaxxing — Hair

Hair & Hair Loss

Hair frames the face. Hair loss is addressable if caught early — act before it becomes a surgical conversation.

  • Finasteride (1mg daily) is the gold standard for DHT blocking — requires prescription
  • Minoxidil (5% topical or oral) stimulates regrowth independently
  • Microneedling (0.5–1.5mm) combined with minoxidil shows strong clinical results
Budget Pick
🪡
Derma Roller (0.5mm)
Sdara Skincare — ~$15
Enhances minoxidil absorption. Weekly use recommended.
Shop now* Affiliate link
Premium Pick
💊
Keeps Hair Treatment
Keeps — subscription
FDA-approved finasteride + minoxidil with online telehealth.
Get started* Affiliate link
05
Softmaxxing — Fragrance

Fragrance

Scent bypasses rational thought and connects directly to memory and emotion. A signature fragrance creates a powerful invisible impression that lingers after you've left.

  • Apply to pulse points: neck, wrists, inner elbow — heat activates projection
  • Woody/aromatic scents (cedarwood, vetiver) read as masculine and grounded
  • Rotate 2–3 fragrances seasonally: lighter in summer, deeper in winter
  • Apply to moisturized skin — fragrance lasts significantly longer
Discovery First
🧪
Scentbird Subscription
Scentbird — ~$18/mo
30-day designer fragrance monthly. Find your signature before committing to a full bottle.
Start trial* Affiliate link
Investment Bottle
🏺
Bleu de Chanel EDP
Chanel — ~$120
The benchmark masculine woody-aromatic. Office-to-evening. Universally respected.
Shop now* Affiliate link

The Daily
Skincare Routine

Check off steps daily to track consistency. Progress saves to your browser.

AM Routine: 0 / 5 completed today
01
Gentle Cleanser
Morning — 60 seconds
pH-balanced, non-stripping. Harsh soaps disrupt the barrier and cause rebound oiliness.
CeraVe Foaming
02
Vitamin C Serum
Morning only — damp skin
L-ascorbic acid (10–20%) neutralizes free radicals, brightens, and boosts collagen. Builds over 8–12 weeks.
TruSkin / SkinCeuticals
03
Niacinamide Serum
Layer after vitamin C
Reduces pore appearance, sebum, and uneven tone. Also reinforces barrier function.
The Ordinary
04
Moisturizer
Before SPF
Locks in serums. Gel-based for oily skin, cream for dry.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost
05
SPF 30+
Final step — reapply at midday
The most impactful anti-aging product available. UV causes ~80% of visible skin aging.
EltaMD UV Clear
01
Oil Cleanser
Evening — first cleanse
Removes SPF, sebum, and pollution without stripping the barrier.
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
02
Water-Based Cleanser
Evening — second cleanse
Removes remaining residue. Prepares skin to absorb actives.
CeraVe Hydrating
03
Retinol
PM only — 2–3x per week when starting
The most evidence-backed anti-aging ingredient. Start at 0.025%, increase slowly. Never AM.
Paula's Choice 0.3%
04
Rich Moisturizer
Final PM step
Sandwich method on retinol nights: moisturizer → retinol → moisturizer. Reduces irritation significantly.
CeraVe PM Lotion

Key Active
Ingredients

Evidence ratings based on clinical literature, not marketing claims.

IngredientPrimary BenefitEvidenceUse WhenCaution
Retinol / TretinoinAnti-aging, collagen, acne
PM only, 2–3x/week startPhotosensitive. Avoid with benzoyl peroxide same night
Niacinamide (B3)Pores, tone, barrier, sebum
AM or PMSlight flushing at very high doses (rare)
Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic)Brightening, antioxidant, collagen
AM before SPFOxidizes quickly. Store dark.
Hyaluronic AcidHydration, plumping
AM or PM, on damp skinCan dehydrate in dry climates without occlusive
Salicylic Acid (BHA)Acne, blackheads, oil control
PM, 2–3x/weekDon't combine with retinol same night
Azelaic AcidRedness, PIH, rosacea
AM or PMGenerally very well tolerated

Optical Illusions &
Visual Guides

Diagrams that make the concepts immediately click.

Jacket Shoulder Fit
The single most important fit point in menswear
Ill-fitting
Seam overhangs shoulder
Well-fitted
Seam sits at shoulder tip

The shoulder seam must land exactly at the natural shoulder point — the bony tip. Even 1cm of overhang makes the wearer look shapeless. No tailor can fix an oversized shoulder.

Shoulder-to-Waist Ratio
The primary aesthetic driver in male physique
Average Target 1.6:1 Elite 1.75:1 SWR ~1.2:1 SWR 1.6:1 SWR 1.75:1 Shoulder width ÷ waist width = SWR. Target via: lateral raises + 10–15% body fat
Skincare Results Timeline
When to expect visible change from consistent use
0 4w 8w 12w 16w 24w SPF + Niacinamide Retinol Vitamin C

Retinol produces the most dramatic long-term results but requires patience. Most users quit before the 12-week payoff. Consistency outperforms product selection.

Facial Thirds
Classical harmonic division used in aesthetic analysis
Upper third Middle third Lower third

A receding chin shortens the lower third — often the first thing addressed with filler or implant. Practitioners use this framework to identify where intervention has highest visual impact.

Performance — Level 03

Physique & Performance

Replace with editorial image

The
Workout Plan

The foundation of physical presence. Nothing replaces this.

Upper Body Focus

For shoulder-to-waist ratio — the primary aesthetic driver.

Overhead Press4 × 6–8 reps
Lateral Raises4 × 15–20 reps
Weighted Pull-Ups4 × 6–10 reps
Incline Bench Press4 × 8–10 reps
Cable Flyes3 × 12–15 reps
Face Pulls3 × 15–20 reps

Lower Body + Core

Compound movements drive testosterone and overall mass.

Back Squat4 × 5–8 reps
Romanian Deadlift3 × 8–10 reps
Bulgarian Split Squat3 × 10–12 each
Hanging Leg Raise3 × 15–20 reps
Ab Wheel3 × 10–15 reps

Supplements

Evidence-based only. Most supplements are a waste.

Creatine Monohydrate5g/day — strong evidence
Vitamin D3 + K22000–5000 IU/day
Magnesium Glycinate300–400mg/day, PM
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)2–3g/day

Tracking Tools

Measurement drives progress.

Budget
📊
MacroFactor App
~$12/mo
AI macro coaching. Adapts to your actual metabolism.
Try free* Affiliate link
Premium
🎧
Whoop 4.0
~$30/mo
HRV, recovery, sleep tracking. Used by elite athletes.
Shop now* Affiliate link

Nutrition &
Meal Strategy

Composition is 70% diet. No training programme escapes this truth.

Key Numbers

Protein target0.8–1g per lb bodyweight
Caloric surplus (bulk)+200–300 kcal/day
Caloric deficit (cut)-300–500 kcal/day
Target body fat (aesthetic)10–15%
Sleep7–9 hours — non-negotiable

High-Protein Sources

Chicken breast (100g)31g / 165 kcal
Greek yogurt (200g)20g / 130 kcal
Eggs (3 large)18g / 210 kcal
Salmon fillet (150g)34g + Omega-3
Best App
📊
MacroFactor
Stronger by Science
Adapts to your actual metabolism. Far superior to MyFitnessPal. No ads.
Try free* Affiliate link
🥗
Trifecta Nutrition
Trifecta — meal delivery
Macro-optimised chef-prepared meals. Removes the hardest variable in dieting: food prep.
See meal plans* Affiliate link
🍱
Factor Meals
Factor — meal delivery
Ready-to-eat in 2 minutes. Protein-plus options. Best for busy weeks when meal prep is impossible.
Get first week off* Affiliate link
Best Value
💪
Creatine Monohydrate
Optimum Nutrition
Most evidence-backed supplement in sports science. 5g/day, any time.
Shop now* Affiliate link
Hardmaxxing — Levels 04 to 05

Hardmaxxing

Replace with editorial image
Medical Disclaimer: These are medical interventions with real risks including infection, asymmetry, scarring, nerve damage, and permanent disfigurement. Educational only. Always consult a board-certified professional. Verify at ABPS.org. DIY methods including "bone smashing" and self-administered injectables have caused serious injury and have no scientific validity.
Dermal Fillers
Jawline / Chin / Cheeks
Medium risk

Hyaluronic acid injections to augment jawline definition, chin projection, and cheekbone prominence. Fully reversible with hyaluronidase.

Avg Cost
$600–$1,800
Downtime
1–3 days
Duration
12–18 months
Reversible
Yes

⚠ Vascular occlusion is rare but serious. Only see an experienced injector.

Botox
Masseter / Forehead / Glabella
Lower risk

Botulinum toxin A to reduce wrinkles, slim the lower face via masseter reduction, and lift the brows.

Avg Cost
$200–$800
Downtime
None–1 day
Duration
3–6 months
Reversible
Fades naturally
Rhinoplasty
Surgical nose reshaping
High risk

Surgical reshaping of the nose to improve facial harmony. Complex surgery with significant revision rates.

Avg Cost
$6k–$15k
Downtime
2–4 weeks
Full Result
12–18 months
Reversible
No

⚠ Research multiple surgeons. Review before/afters extensively. Never rush.

Hair Transplant
FUE / FUT Methods
Medium risk

FUE or FUT to restore hairline density. Best results combined with ongoing finasteride use.

Avg Cost
$4k–$15k
Downtime
1–2 weeks
Full Result
12–18 months
Reversible
Permanent
Canthoplasty
Eyelid / Canthal tilt
High risk

Surgical adjustment of the outer eye corner. Extremely technique-sensitive. Very limited qualified surgeons worldwide.

Avg Cost
$3k–$8k
Downtime
2–4 weeks
Full Result
3–6 months
Reversible
Partially

⚠ Botched results can be severe. Extensive vetting required.

Custom Implants
Jaw / Cheek / Chin
High risk

Silicone or PEEK implants from CT scans. Permanent skeletal augmentation. Only after exhausting all softmaxxing.

Avg Cost
$8k–$25k
Downtime
2–6 weeks
Full Result
6–12 months
Reversible
Removable

Vetted
Resources

Credible sources this guide draws from.

Skincare — YouTube
Dr. Dray
Board-certified dermatologist breaking down ingredients with evidence-based analysis.
Skincare — YouTube
Doctorly (Dr. Shah)
Dermatologist duo covering skincare science. Excellent breakdowns of active ingredients.
Hair Loss
More Plates More Dates
Premier resource for hair loss prevention: finasteride, minoxidil, microneedling protocols.
Style
Permanent Style
Definitive guide to classic menswear. Deep expertise in bespoke tailoring and cloth.
Aesthetic Medicine
RealSelf
Aggregator for cosmetic procedures with real reviews, costs, and "worth it" ratings.
Nutrition / Training
Renaissance Periodization
Dr. Mike Israetel's evidence-based training and nutrition. Gold standard for natural lifters.
Fragrance
Fragrantica & r/fragrance
Community reviews, note breakdowns, and seasonal recommendations for discovery.
Style — YouTube
Real Men Real Style
Colour theory for different skin tones and how to appear taller or broader through clothing.
Full Medical & Affiliate Disclaimer

Medical information: All content on maxxproject.com is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before any procedure, supplement regimen, or health routine change.

Procedures: Information about cosmetic procedures is for general awareness only. Risks, outcomes, and suitability vary enormously. Board-certified surgeons and licensed medical professionals must be consulted. Verify credentials at ABPS.org.

Dangerous practices: Maxx Project explicitly does not endorse and strongly advises against "bone smashing," self-administered injections, veterinary peptides, or any practices promoted by unqualified online sources. These have caused serious medical harm.

Affiliate disclosure: This site participates in affiliate marketing programs. Links marked * may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions do not influence editorial recommendations. We participate in the Amazon Associates Program and other networks.

Results: Individual results from any product, routine, or lifestyle change vary significantly. Results reported are not typical and are provided for illustrative purposes only.

No endorsement: Mention of brands, products, or practitioners does not constitute a formal endorsement. Always perform your own due diligence before any purchase or medical decision.