With the holidays right around the corner, I’m sure many of us will be trimming our Christmas trees and Chanukah bushes, but what about our little trees? And no, we aren’t referring to the droopy tree with the one red ornament from the Charlie Brown Christmas special. We are talking manscaping here, people. 

Grooming below the belt is just as important as getting your bi-weekly fade or threading your eyebrows. It can say a lot about who you are to sexual partners. When they recount their experience with you over brunch with friends, do you really want to be known as the guy who doesn’t trim? Regardless, your bush will most likely be the topic of discussion over bellinis either way. Popstar Labs is here with tips to help you groom your pubic hair and ensure your partner(s) will sing your trimming praises rather than grimace over your lack of grooming.

Now, we aren’t asking you to go full-on Samantha Jones and shave your pubic hair in the shape of a lightning bolt. However, having a well-kept garden will not only make you feel your sexiest, but it is a major turn-on for others.

Trimming your tree can be tricky. Hell, shaving your face is annoying enough. The most important thing is to have the right tools. We recommend getting a specialized razor that is designed for manscaping. At the  very  least you should have a separate razor for your body. You wouldn’t caulk your bathtub with toothpaste, would you (kudos to you if you can caulk a tub)? Then you wouldn’t shave your family jewels with the same razor you would use on your face. There are a plethora of products out there that make manscaping easy. Features like ceramic blades, headlights, long battery life, and waterproof design make shaving a cinch. However, electric razors with all the bells and whistles can be a bit pricey.

If you don’t want to spring for an expensive razor, no big. Save your coins. It is perfectly fine to use a disposable razor to manscape, but we recommend using one with two or fewer blades. Fewer blades mean fewer nicks, less irritation, and the razor won’t get clogged with hair as easily. If you are going to use a disposable razor, make sure you are replacing it often, or better yet, using a new blade each time. A dull blade increases the chance of cuts and razor burn. Buying a bag of disposable razors is not only more affordable but it ensures cleanliness.

If you are someone with sensitive skin, using pre-shave oil and shaving cream is a must. Pre-shave oil preps the skin by creating a lubricating layer that softens your hair and helps the razor to glide easier. This will allow you to apply less pressure when shaving, ultimately reducing the chance of any complications. I think we all know that shaving cream is a no-brainer when shaving, but it is important to make sure you are using the correct one. If you have sensitive or dry skin, having a shaving cream with aloe vera can reduce irritation and lock in moisture.

Now that you have the right tools for manscaping, where do we start? How about a shower? Cleanliness is key when it comes to manscaping. Showering before you shave is not only helpful, it is a must. Washing away any potential bacteria reduces the risk of infection should there be any nicks or cuts. Warm water also opens pores, giving easier access to the hair follicles and a closer shave. Open pores combined with the right pre-shave oil and shaving cream are a surefire way to have a seamless manscaping experience. This can also reduce inflammation, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs.

Now that you’ve cleaned your tush, it’s time to trim your bush. I bet you’re wondering, “how far is too far?” Well, my friends, that is a personal choice. The answer is: whatever makes you feel your sexiest. Or perhaps you want to consider what your partner prefers or find a happy medium if your preferences don’t align. If you want to keep a little body hair and just trim, you can give yourself a fade. Treat your body just like your barber would treat your head. This method can be used for both your chest and below the belt. Simply, leave the center a little longer and as you move out, gradually get shorter. The faded look on your chest looks more natural and will naturally contour your pecs, giving them a more defined look. Having an electric razor with an adjustable length will help with this.

If you are someone that feels most confident with no hair at all, be bald and beautiful! Go big or go home, right? However, be prepared for the itchy stubble in two to three days. A great remedy for itchy stubble is hair conditioner. Apply the hair conditioner to the affected area right after you shower. Most conditioners contain silicone that will coat the hair so it won’t be as itchy on your skin.

Ok, ignore the attempted Silence of the Lambs reference, and let's focus on lotion for a minute. Just like stretching after an intense HIIT workout, manscaping also requires a post-work routine as well. That is where lotion comes in. Shaving can dry out your skin so it is important to moisturize right after manscaping. It is also helpful to use shaving creams for sensitive skin and avoid harmful ingredients. For best results, you may want to rinse off again after manscaping to not only get rid of any loose hair, but you can re-open your pores. Open pores will take in and hold onto moisture so you can avoid dry skin. 

Now that you have the trimming tips from the gurus of grooming, get out there (or in there) and shave away! We hope our manscaping guide will have you looking and feeling your best.