Q. As an older, or middle-aged-becoming-older, guy, I have a question that I rarely see addressed. It is not about clothes but about grooming, which you seem to also address. You often mention a good haircut. What about trimming the rest of the head, specifically ear hairs, neck hairs and eyebrows. My barber (all right, to be truthful, hairdresser) insists on trimming all of the above. Is that really a required thing?
A. While it is not a required service, it is one that most men should consider, and that most significant others would be thrilled to hear that the guy in their life is aware of. This is clearly a service that better hairdressers and the best barbers know to recommend and know how to perform. The larger the city and the more sophisticated the shop, the more likely it is that your barber or hairdresser will handle such services. It is certainly the sort of offering that you should welcome and be grateful for.
Some men are concerned that the changes the barber makes will be noticed, but unless you are Andy Rooney (of the 5-inch eyebrows) or Frida Kahlo (of the famous unibrow), others do not know you for this feature and will just think you had a good haircut when they sense the improvement. One of the insightful quotes in my book, Dress for Excellence, came from the chief executive officer of a major insurance company. It addressed the concept of grooming this way, "Good grooming -- like good judgment -- is something that gets noticed most when it is conspicuously absent."
Most people realize that, of the many elements in a man's appearance that we appreciate, a perfect haircut contributes in a huge way to a well-groomed look. It is just one of the many devices that men use to help them not only look their best but also look younger. Men these days work out, buy flattering clothes, use moisturizing skin products and go to all kinds of lengths that their fathers never thought of to look younger. It is a fact that unwanted hair problems -- and I would definitely add nose hairs -- become more prevalent as a man gets older, and I cannot think of anything that makes more of an impact on how others perceive you than taking care of them.
If you have a beard or a mustache, I suggest you go on occasion to one of the finest barbershops you can find. See how he trims and grooms it. Then at home, simply follow his lines. Any style that is not too exaggerated and that pleases you is the right style if you do not allow it to become scraggly.
When I discussed the subject of removing unwanted ear and nose hair as well as the unibrow with several women of varying ages, they all said they were uncomfortable discussing it. Words that came up included "a turn-off" and "repulsive." While many other elements of grooming are something they might broach and suggest, such as, "Don't you think it is time for a haircut?" or "I wish your laundry would do a more careful job of ironing your shirt collars," most people get self-conscious and tongue-tied when this aspect of grooming needs to be addressed.
If you have noticed the problem, you can be sure that others have too. A lot of men use specially-designed tools for removing these hairs themselves. They range in price from $13 to $25. But, if you have a person who can do these rather tricky and unpleasant tasks for you, why not use him? That is why it is good to hear that your hairdresser has the professionalism to make it easy for you.
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High Profile on 08/13/2017