Grooming
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Wash pillow sheets every two weeks to help reduce acne.
One person reported this did wonders for their acne.
- Based on one person's experience.
one person who lived it
Wait at least a week after a major haircut change to get used to it before judging its quality.
It takes time to realize if the cut is bad and needs fixing.
- Based on one person's experience.
one person who lived it
Trim your beard daily if you keep it short to keep a well-groomed appearance.
Without daily trimming, it looks like you haven't trimmed in a week by the next day.
- Based on one person's experience with a ~1/2 inch long beard.
one person who lived it
Set a regular relationship with a single barber or stylist to eliminate visit stress and ensure they know your style.
It takes time for a barber to understand your preferences and style; sticking with one person avoids the gamble of trying new stylists.
- One person prefers the anonymity of never seeing the same barber again.
3 people, independently
Find a skilled stylist who understands your hair type to get a cut that grows out properly.
Some hair types do weird things and require specific direction to grow out well.
- Based on one person's husband's experience with Asian hair.
one person who lived it
hair, neck, trim, help16
Request a complimentary neck trim from your barber between scheduled haircuts.
Wash your face with face wash for a minimum of one minute.
One person found this helped their skin compared to just splashing it on.
one person who lived it
If you have thick hair that looks like a frizzy triangle when cut to one length, ask for thinning and layers to help it curl up nicely without frizz.
Layers and thinning helped one person's thick hair curl up nicely and eliminated frizz.
one person who lived it
Consider cutting your own hair with cheap clippers if your style is simple.
one person has done this successfully for 10 years using a $15 razor
one person who lived it
Shower and change clothes after a haircut to remove loose hairs that cause itching.
Loose hairs make the journey home itchy and awkward.
one person who lived it
12 more on this
For curly or wavy hair, use fingers or a wide-tooth comb with detangler instead of brushing dry hair.
Brushing dry curly or wavy hair causes breakage, tangles, and a frizzy appearance.
one person who lived it
Tilt your head forward when checking your appearance in the mirror to spot bedhead or debris that is invisible from a straight-on angle.
This angle reveals issues like bed hair or stuck objects that a straight gaze misses.
one person who lived it
Trim nails regularly and brush them for 30 seconds daily.
women check hands constantly
one person who lived it
Request a complimentary neck trim from your barber between scheduled haircuts.
Decent barbers often provide this service for free or a few dollars.
- Some patrons report that few people actually take advantage of this offer.
2 people, independently
Choose a tapered fade at the neck instead of a blocked cut so the hair grows back proportionally and lasts longer between cuts.
Blocked cuts result in uneven, frilly, or wavy hairlines as they grow out, whereas tapers maintain shape better.
one person who lived it
Use Old Spice Fiji gel deodorant instead of white powder varieties that leave marks.
White powder deodorants leave marks.
one person who lived it
Avoid getting a fresh haircut or shave immediately after prolonged sun exposure to prevent visible tan lines on the neck or face.
Shaving or cutting hair reveals pale skin underneath, creating defined lines that take a long time to blend.
one person who lived it
Enhance curls by conditioning, detangling, conditioning again, scrunching upward, and plopping hair in a t-shirt.
Scrunching and plopping help achieve proper curls.
one person who lived it
Purchase a dedicated beard and mustache trimmer.
They aren't that expensive.
one person who lived it
Store razor blades submerged in oil.
Oil prevents rust and does not evaporate, potentially saving money on replacements.
one person who lived it
Schedule regular haircuts.
To avoid growing an unintentional mullet.
2 people, independently
Use anti-dandruff shampoo preventatively before visible dandruff appears.
prevention > treatment
one person who lived it
ensure, barber, haircut, cut20
Practice martial arts to build friendships and self-control.
It is fun and builds character.
one person who lived it
Learn to cut your own hair.
It is a significant time investment.
one person who lived it
Schedule your appointment a couple of hours after the barber's shift begins.
This allows the barber time to warm up on earlier clients.
one person who lived it
Start growing a beard in November to attribute the initial awkward growth phase to 'No Shave November'.
It allows you to blame the awkward stages on the event rather than personal choice.
- Consider starting in October if your hair grows slowly.
- Some employers do not allow for awkward growth stages.
one person who lived it
16 more on this
Text at least one friend you haven't spoken to in over a week.
One person found it keeps friendships and connections alive, and opportunities present themselves more often.
one person who lived it
Invest in a good bra to improve confidence and ensure clothes fit better.
It can make you feel more confident and help clothes fit better.
one person who lived it
Avoid altering your eyebrows before a wedding or major event if it makes you look unlike yourself.
Even if they look groomed, looking unlike yourself can make wedding photos appear weird.
- Based on one person's husband's experience where fixed eyebrows didn't look bad but didn't look like him.
one person who lived it
Spritz cologne into the air and walk through the mist to ensure a lighter application.
It prevents the scent from being too strong.
one person who lived it
Ask the barber to fix a poor haircut immediately rather than accepting it.
A barber cannot restore cut hair.
one person who lived it
Stop caring about conflicting beauty trends regarding facial hair and simply decide whether you want a beard or not.
Magazines and trends send contradictory messages (e.g., 'women love bearded men' vs. 'women love clean shaven').
one person who lived it
Ensure clippers are fully charged before starting a haircut.
To prevent them from dying halfway through the job.
one person who lived it
Mention coupons only after receiving your haircut to ensure the barber does not reduce the quality of their work.
Barbers might half-ass the job or become bitter if they feel the service is being cheapened beforehand.
one person who lived it
Apply a small amount of tinted lip balm with your finger and blot with a napkin to remove excess.
It provides subtle color without an overdone appearance.
one person who lived it
Focus on improving yourself for your own sake rather than for the opposite sex.
one person who lived it
If balding, shave the remaining thinning hair completely rather than combing it over to avoid a scraggly appearance.
Men who lean into baldness rather than combing over thinning hair are perceived as attractive.
one person who lived it
Define a personal mission to give meaning to life within the collective human experience.
A mission provides meaning to an otherwise insignificant existence in the web of humanity.
one person who lived it
Eat protein and carbohydrates together after resistance exercise to synthesize muscle.
You need both to synthesize muscle.
one person who lived it
Check your hair length after a professional cut and trim any uneven parts yourself.
because barbers sometimes miss spots
one person who lived it
Avoid pornography to better appreciate real people.
Pornography is an unsatisfactory and completely unrealistic substitute.
one person who lived it
View self-care as therapeutic rather than engaging in toxic looksmaxxing.
one person who lived it