Real Grooming Tips You Need to Know From 9 Women

The dark, dreary times of fall and winter are settling in, but that's no excuse to slack on your grooming. Take it from nine real women on what to do.

October 30, 2015

Image via Complex Original

Summer is over. Flings are becoming baes and boo thangs. Netflix and chill season is in full effect. You don't have time to rabble-rouse anymore because it's getting darker faster and much, much colder, so your time spent with a significant other needs to be calculated. It needs to be precise because, while you don't know when it might happen, you do know you need to be prepared. Sure, you got a dope outfit in and you can spit game, but if your grooming habits are weak, your odds of being called up to the Big Leagues drops dramatically. There are some things you do, or don't do, that can play a key role in your dating life going into the dark and dreary times we call "Winter." It could make or break it, actually. Don't take it from me. Take it from 9 smart, savvy and sexy women who know a thing or two about what they like and don't like about men and their grooming habits.

Chantel Jeffries

Model

Twitter: @ChantelJeffries / / IG: @ChantelJeffries

“The bigger the beard, the bigger the crush”

Facial hair is to guys what makeup and contour is to girls. So, it's important to have a well-groomed beard. I feel like a nice, thick beard just reminds me of a teddy bear; it makes you want to hug someone.

Madeleine Holden

Lawyer/Writer

Twitter: @moscaddie / IG: @realmoscaddie

“Keep your fingernails clean and short”

I say this with some confidence because when I polled my female Twitter followers for their biggest turn off for this piece, long, dirty and/or unkempt fingernails came up CONSTANTLY. It's a pretty simple fix for guys, really: just keep them clipped short, scrub out any visible dirt from underneath them and clip off hangnails and ragged cuticles with nail scissors.

Josephine Cruz

DJ/Writer, Hypebeast

Twitter: @jayemkayem / IG: @jayemkayem

“Trim your nose hair”

I am hyperaware of this because I have a thing for taller men, but guys — the taller you are, the more likely people are to be looking up your nose most of the time. If I look up and see any unsightly strays hanging out, it's pretty much a deal breaker. Get a trimmer and deal with it!.

Crystal Westbrooks

Model

Twitter: @shutupcrystal / IG: @westbrooks.crystal

“Perfect teeth a must”

I would say every man should have pearly whites because that's the first thing a woman notices. But also to have fresh smelling breath. If you have nice teeth but when you open it up its like that episode from Spongebob Squarepants where he made people pass out with his bad breath, then that could make a lady never talk to you again.

Oh, and smell good at all times. A lady would want to be around you just from you smelling like Heaven.

Lauren Nostro

Music News Editor, Complex

Twitter: @LaurenNostro / IG: @laurennostro_

“Trim your pubes and wash your balls”

It’s fall. Which, for men, means you get some sort of relief from the lack of 80 degree muggy weather that leaves your inner thighs chaffed and your balls a sweaty, dripping hot mess. Your summer was spent being a god damn thot but at least you anticipated it, and kept your prized jewels clean and trimmed. So, just because you’re going to sit your ass on your couch for the next few months and “Netflix and Chill” or whatever the fuck we’re calling it these days, does not mean you no longer take care down there. Men, please wash your balls and trim your pubes the same way you do in the dead of the summer knowing you’re going to be a hoe that night throughout every season but especially when it gets cold enough to where you’re getting “Hey” texts more often.

Julie Zerbo

Writer, The Fashion Law

Twitter: @TheFashionLaw / IG: @thefashionlaw_

“Keep it simple”

Few things are universally less attractive than trying too hard and that does not just mean your outfits and pick-up lines. Try to avoid overly styled hair, for instance, in favor of more minimal alternatives. If it takes you longer to do your hair than it takes me, that’s probably a bad sign.

Hannah Elliott

Writer, Bloomberg Businessweek

Twitter: @HannahElliott / IG: @hannahelliottxo

“Here’s one extremely basic, extremely necessary essential: Trim your nails.“

There’s some study somewhere that says the first thing men notice, subconsciously, on a date is whether or not the lady’s nails are painted. I think a similar version applies to women noticing men’s fingernails: They should be clipped nicely and clean underneath, maybe even buffed, if you feel like it. Any number of salons offer inexpensive treatments for men that include buffing, although I expect most dudes prefer to just cut the nail themselves and leave it at that. Which is just fine.

Look, I like a blue-collar guy as much as the next girl, but there’s a time for work and a time for play. The whole idea behind meeting, talking to, dancing with, women is that maybe you get to touch them, right? Well, no one wants to be inadvertently scratched by someone’s ragged nails—ouch!—or have her dress smudged by dirty fingers. So keep them clean, fellas. It’s an easy way to tell her you’re cool.

Lauren Urasek

Professional Make-up Artist/Author, Popular: The Ups and Downs of Online Dating from the Most Popular Girl in New York City

Twitter: @loandthecosmos / / IG: @loandthecosmos

“Take care of your skin”

Wash your face with a decent cleanser every night and moisturize before going to sleep. During the day, wear a moisturizer with SPF. Not only will these things help with certain skin problems you may have (dry, oily, or acne prone skin) but they'll also help with aging. And if you're really feeling pro active - try getting a facial every once in awhile!