Personal care
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
If you dislike social interaction or costs at barbershops, learn to cut your own hair.
It avoids awkward small talk and saves money.
3 people, independently
Select nail clippers that include a built-in catcher or sleeve to hold trimmings.
This keeps cut pieces from scattering around.
11 people, independently
- Clip nails outside to avoid mess.6
Choose a barber who actively advises on what hairstyle suits your face shape and hair type, rather than one who simply asks what you want.
Barbers should know which cuts work with specific face shapes and how different hair grows.
6 people, independently
Cut toenails straight across the top instead of curving the corners to help avoid ingrown nails.
Rounding the edges or angling them toward the skin is a common cause of ingrown nails.
4 people, independently
Soak hands in very warm water until clean before clipping to soften the nails.
Softened nails cut far easier and are less likely to fly all over the place.
3 people, independently
prices, often, cuts, men's14
Show pictures of the hairstyle you want instead of trying to describe it verbally.
Find a local kitchen store that offers knife sharpening services.
Shears cost more to sharpen and take longer to return.
one person who lived it
Avoid chain salons and seek out independent barbers or salons with skilled staff.
Chain salons often hire stylists who rotate frequently and may lack skill.
3 people, independently
Use a bar of stainless steel soap to remove food smells from your hands.
It eliminates the smell.
one person who lived it
Hone your knives regularly to realign the edge without removing metal.
It maintains sharpness longer; sharpening is only needed when the edge is rounded.
one person who lived it
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Check for local dental schools to access services at lower prices.
Services at dental schools are much cheaper.
one person who lived it
Show pictures of the hairstyle you want instead of trying to describe it verbally.
A picture is much more helpful than verbal explanations.
4 people, independently
Wash hands with vanilla extract to remove strong smells, then rinse.
The alcohol in the extract kills germs and the vanilla provides a pleasant scent.
one person who lived it
Consider visiting a gay male barber or a female barber for men's haircuts.
They may offer a perspective focused on what makes you attractive.
- You may need to go to a more expensive shop where they care about the result.
one person who lived it
Communicate your preference for silence during aesthetic appointments by stating it when booking or at the start of the session.
Service providers cannot read minds and appreciate clear communication; it shows respect.
- Some may overtip to compensate for quietness.
- Some providers may misinterpret silence as shyness and try to engage anyway.
one person who lived it
Choose independent barbershops over chain salons for men's haircuts to get better quality and lower prices.
Independent shops often deliver better cuts for specific styles (like fades) without overcharging for simple clipper work.
- Some argue chain salons also give the desired haircut.
2 people, independently
Recognize that higher prices for women's haircuts may reflect the extra time required due to stylist unfamiliarity with the style.
Women's short cuts often look different from men's cuts and take longer to perform.
one person who lived it
Call ahead or check online photos to confirm a barbershop cuts women's hair before visiting.
Policies may vary.
one person who lived it
Write down the agreed-upon appointment time immediately after booking so you do not forget.
You will forget otherwise.
one person who lived it
Avoid trendy, 'fancy' barber shops that charge premium prices primarily for aesthetics rather than skill.
Luxury often comes from upfront investment in space and equipment, not necessarily the person's skill.
one person who lived it
nails, nail, cut, prevent29
Apply tape to the open edges of your nail clippers to trap cuttings.
Run a chipped fingernail across concrete to wear it down.
To get rid of an annoying snag.
- Results aren't pretty if wearing nail polish.
- Not fun to do.
2 people, independently
Apply tape to the open edges of your nail clippers to trap cuttings.
Trimmed bits will adhere to the tape, simplifying cleanup and stopping them from scattering.
- Some nails may still fly out the front.
7 people, independently
Pick out toe jam after showering.
To keep feet from smelling.
- Especially important if you wear work boots or are a tradesman.
one person who lived it
Clip nails dry to get cleaner cuts, as wet nails may result in rough edges.
Cutting dry nails is compared to cutting wire, whereas cutting wet nails is like cutting rope where strands fray.
- Nails may fly around more when clipped dry.
one person who lived it
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Rub soap under your fingernails before working in the garden to stop soil from accumulating there.
The soap creates a barrier that prevents dirt from lodging beneath the nail plate.
- Sweat may make hands soapy during hard labor.
- Soap chemicals may harm soil and plants.
6 people, independently
Knead bread dough to clean under your nails after a dirty job.
The kneading action cleans under the nails.
one person who lived it
Apply Vaseline to torn nails or nails cut too short to reduce pain.
It may stop air from reaching nerve endings.
one person who lived it
Avoid filing or clipping nails in enclosed public spaces like airplanes, restaurants, or subways.
Particles become airborne, the noise is distressing, and it is considered gross.
- If you accidentally break a nail and need to stop it from breaking further, excuse yourself to the washroom.
3 people, independently
Wear shoes that are the right size or slightly larger, cut toenails straight across, and keep them super clean to prevent ingrown toenails.
One person reported that following this routine prevented ingrown toenails for over 30 years.
one person who lived it
Clip most of the nail from one side, then clip the remaining small bit from the opposite side to prevent nail fragments from flying.
No flying nails.
2 people, independently
Trim nails with small cuticle scissors rather than clippers.
This prevents pieces from launching away and helps maintain the shape you want.
3 people, independently
Avoid using grinders or coarse V-shaped pull-through sharpeners on knives you care about.
They remove too much metal.
one person who lived it
Keep your fingernails clean and smooth to appear more attractive to potential partners.
Partners may be put off by dirty, chewed, or scratchy nails.
one person who lived it
Pack nail clippers for newborns, as they may be born with nails of varying lengths that need trimming.
Newborns are often born with nails of different lengths.
one person who lived it
Do not cut nails in break rooms or at work.
The clipping noise is considered nasty and annoying to coworkers.
one person who lived it
Wait until your nails are completely dry before cutting them.
Wet nails can splinter and feel jagged once they dry.
one person who lived it
Trim and file nails semi-regularly to maintain good hygiene and avoid issues.
Good nail hygiene is good practice.
3 people, independently
Strop the blade on a flat surface like a granite cutting board by dragging it backwards at the sharpening angle with light pressure to remove the burr.
This removes the burr and finishes the edge.
one person who lived it
Make multiple small cuts when trimming nails to prevent them from springing away.
A large cut turns the nail into a leaf spring, causing it to fly when released; smaller cuts reduce spring energy.
one person who lived it
Trim nails frequently to keep them short so they wear themselves smooth naturally.
Short nails are less likely to have rough edges.
one person who lived it
Dry nail clippers and razor blades after use to prevent rust and extend their lifespan.
Heat, wetness, and darkness promote germs, and water can rust nail clippers.
2 people, independently
Apply matte clear nail polish to create a smoother, rounder surface.
To reduce discomfort caused by long nails.
one person who lived it
Cut your toenails regularly, especially before sleeping with a partner.
Long toenails can hurt your partner, such as when spooning.
one person who lived it
Use super fine grit sandpaper instead of emery boards for smoother nail filing.
Emery boards can feel coarse, while finer grit sandpaper provides a smoother finish.
one person who lived it
Keep fingernails short to prevent dirt from accumulating underneath them.
Short nails reduce the space where dirt can collect.
2 people, independently
Keep a nail clipper at your desk to manage hangnails immediately.
One person described this as life changing.
one person who lived it
Apply peanut butter to nail clippers to catch clippings and lubricate the mechanism.
The peanut butter holds clippings and the oil keeps the clippers running smoothly.
one person who lived it
Wash hands before and after cutting nails to maintain hygiene.
Bacteria collected under nails is exposed after clipping.
2 people, independently
Moisturize your hands to prevent calluses caused by using shovels.
Shovels can cause calluses.
one person who lived it