Everything You Need to Trim, Pluck, Shave or Wax Before Hitting the Beach

We’re going to venture to guess that after three long, cold months cooped up indoors, you’ve let a few things slide when it comes to body hair. Don’t worry, that’s natural; even the most meticulously groomed men find themselves lulled into manscaping hibernation over the months of December through March. (Cozy-as-hell sweaters and on-point outerwear tend to have that effect.) The thing is, now that beach season is finally upon us, you’re undoubtedly going to find yourself in some state of undress in front of other humans—and soon. Without a little spring cleaning, that experience might not be the most flattering. And so, here’s an inch-by-inch breakdown of all the below-the-neck skin you need to shave, trim, wax, pluck or otherwise before baring any skin this season.
Shoulder Strays
Winter leave a coat of fur across your shoulders? Well, now’s the time to do something about it. You could shave, of course, but then you’ve got the problem of irritation. Plus, those hairs might pop back up even thicker. So instead, you’re going to want to go with either your standard set of tweezers or, for guys with more than a few strays, an epilator. With 72 rotating tweezer-like heads, it’ll clean things up right quick, even around tricky bits like your shoulder blades.
Chest Hair For Days
How exactly to groom the swath of skin between your neck and solar plexus has been hotly debated for years, and truth be told, the jury’s still kind of out. Some call for a complete and total follicle eradication, while others promote looking a tad more au naturel. So really, it’s entirely up to you. Our suggestion, though: the better shape your pecs are in, the less hair you want coating them. An electric razor with a range of attachments, like this sleek steel Wahl number, will help you determine exactly how low you want to go. Just be sure to leave at least a little hair, alright? Trust us, it’ll go a long way.
The Flat of Your Back
What a Grown Man Should Pack for Spring Break
Style
What a Grown Man Should Pack for Spring Break
In contrast to your chest, there’s no question at all as to what to do with unwanted outcroppings of back hair: get rid of every single one of them, permanently and without a shred of mercy. And again, shaving’s not going to do the trick here, at least not without complications. This time, though, your best course of action is to book an appointment with a waxer, as ripping the hairs out from the root will help to keep them at bay for longer. Never gotten waxed before? No problem, we’ve put together a handy guide to the experience, here.
A Stomach Full of Fur
Here’s a good—if not obvious—rule of thumb: depending on the extent you trim your chest, your stomach should be shorn to at least the same level, probably even shorter. It’s a visual thing, really. As for below the belly button, don’t hesitate to simply pick up a trimmer and go to town. Because remember: your happy trail should be just that—a trail. Not a super-highway leading directly to your equally unkempt junk. Close the extra lanes accordingly.
A Forest On Your Ass
We’ve spoke about it before, but any hairs sprouting out from the below the waistband of your swimsuit (a phenomenon we’ve dubbed “the assfro”) deserve your undivided attention. Once again, this is where that epilator you invested in will come in use, smoothing over areas that you wouldn’t want to even try to reach with a razor. Besides being safe than sticking a blade between your cheeks, though, it’ll also eliminate the risk of stubble. Because the last thing you want over spring break is an unbearably itchy ass-crack.
Feet To Rival Frodo
Looking to don a pair of pool slides in proper company? Before you do, you’ve got to do something about the short and curlies that grace the tops of your toes. Now, you don’t need to go completely bare—why should your feet be hair-free when the rest of you isn’t?—but you don’t want to leave them untamed, either. Use a nice, sharp pair of trimming scissors to find that happy middle-ground.
Odds and Ends
Arms. Legs. Armpits. Unless you’re particularly overgrown, these are areas you shouldn’t really have to worry about. If decide to weed-wack, though, don’t overdo it.