Regardless of how well you may dress, your level of articulateness (yeah, it’s a word. I looked it up) or how good you may look, improper grooming habits can kill how attractive you seem to everyone around you. This article is mainly for guys, but if you’re a girl grab your boyfriend, you’re going to want him to read this.

It’s been seen time and time again. Good looking dude, dresses well, he’s a blast to hang out with but what the frack is that smell? And what’s with the long fingernails?

Bad grooming is an affliction that is sweeping our gender without mercy. Girls are instantly turned off by a guy who has dirty fingernails and guys are left with images of hobos and freaks in their heads whenever your name is mentioned. To do my part in the fight against bad grooming, I’m going to outline some good practices that should always be adhered to, always.

So what do i mean by grooming? Well, I’m taking about any part of your body that gets dirty, or dirty-looking, with time. It’s easy to do and I’m going to spell it all out for you so do us all a favor and read on.

1. Fingernails

You may think that people don’t notice your fingernails, but they do. Girls are especially conscious of how long and dirty your fingernails are and it can really be a deal breaker. Lucky for us, they’re easy to manage. Every few days or so (depending on how quickly your nails grow) give them a once over with some nail clippers. Come on, it takes all of like 45 seconds to keep them in check and you’ll be a lot better off for it. You should give your toenails a looksie too, especially in the summer when they’ll be exposed more.

Dude, you really need to keep those suckers clean too. Washing your hands regularly can keep a lot of dirt out from under your nails but if that’s not enough, secretly purge those guys with whatever you have on your person.

You may want to invest in a good sharp pair of nail clippers. They leave cleaner cuts and are easier to use. I like to use clippers that are housed in plastic so that my clippings don’t go flying in all directions.

2. Hair

I understand that it’s easy to nix regular haircut from your list of priorities when you’re in school but you really should work hard to squeeze them in when you can. Unkempt hair lies right above your eyes, and that’s where someone will be looking if they’re interacting with you. If your particular look requires you to have shaggy hair, you’re the exception, but let’s not go too crazy. There are very few people in the world who think Rob Zombie is a looker.

I only trust one person with my hair. I won’t let anyone with a pair of scissors get close. If you’re new to your school, it may take some experimentation with the local options, but there’s no way around that.

3. Facial Hair

Facial hair is a tricky situation. A lot of girls don’t like it, but some do. Those that do don’t make up enough of a minority to make growing a beard a no-no, so tread lightly. It also just doesn’t look good on some guys. Either way, keep it under control. If you decide you like your manstache, then keep it, just make sure its properly trimmed at all times. If you’re going to forgo the wonder that is the goatee, make sure you are shaved clean, everyday. Again, if it’s part of your look to have a little stubble, that can be ok, just remember that moderation is the name of the game.

4. Showers and smells

Most guys are pretty good about keeping clean and taking daily showers so I don’t think I need to get into this too much. I do have a tip for you though. When deciding if a shower is necessary, don’t ask yourself if you’re clean. Ask if you’re fresh.

Deodorant practices are pretty good too. I recommend using cologne also. You see, smelling good can be really attractive to girls and can leaving a lasting impression with whoever you’re interacting with. But again, not too much. You want people to think you smell good, not that you bathed in your acqua di gio.

If you’re going to use cologne on top of deodorant (you should), you may want to consider the scent-free options. Mixing two smells together can leave olfactory glands confused or displeased.

5. Dental Hygiene

Brush your teeth twice a day, use floss and swish around a little mouthwash. I really hope this wasn’t necessary.

Carry some gum or mints around with you because that garlic laden spaghetti you had for lunch is going to kill your conversations.

If you want to be extra fancy, you can go buy anti-shine lotions, oil blotting paper for your face or any of hundreds of products, but this list should be enough to seriously improve your game and to keep others pleased when around you. Thinking about all of the properly groomed guys out there is giving me a sense of satisfaction. Don’t you feel good? Good. I’m going to go clip my nails.

We’d love to hear about your own experiences with how to groom, what to use and horror stories. Go ahead…comment!