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If Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is having a good game, there’s a strong chance he spritzed himself with cologne before tipoff. (OK, yes, it also has to do with the fact that he’s one of the best players in the league.) But he tells PEOPLE that going through his hour-long getting-ready routine (more on that below) makes him feel especially confident.
“I’m kinda high-maintenance,” Wade admits. “I can wash and go if need be, but I don’t like to.” He explains that while he’s not superstitious, he tries to go through his whole routine before every game, even when on the road. Why? If he skips it, “I feel like I’m a little off.” Not how a basketball player wants to feel heading into the playoffs.
Wade starts with a 15-to-20-minute shower, where he loves to use the Dove Men+Care products. He’s a spokesperson for the brand and starred in their most recent ads along with his sons.
“These Dove products came around at the perfect time,” Wade says. “I’m raising young boys, trying to teach them that grooming is important.” He explains that the fact that the stuff is made for men and doesn’t look like a girlie product makes his kids (and him!) more inclined to use it.
(Not that he’s never used women’s products before. Wade, who dates actress Gabrielle Union, admits that “every now and again” he’s reached for his girlfriend’s stuff while getting ready.)
Wade’s also big into facials to maintain a good complexion. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t blessed with perfect skin. That’s one thing that’ll really mess your confidence up.” He’s also all about lotion: “After the shower I like to take the time to lotion up every part of my body then let the smell of the lotion seep in.”
But it’s not just about confidence on the court and making a good impression while in uniform. Wade goes through the same routine on non-game days, too. Even if he’s not trying to win a game, he has his reasons: “If I give you a hug [after spending all that time grooming], you can smell my deodorant and my cologne.”
Unfortunately, this editor interviewed him over the phone so she can’t comment on that.
–Zoë Ruderman
Check out Wade (and his adorable sons) in this Dove Men+Care video.
