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9 Genius Men's Grooming Tricks That Take The Stress Out Of Looking Good

Biting into hard cheese will protect your teeth from "merlot mouth."
By 

Men's Lifestyle Editor, The Huffington Post

Do you really need $50 deodorant? The editors of Men's Health parsed through over 2,500 kinds of men's grooming products to test them out, and published a list of their favorites in their annual Grooming Awards this week.

The best news? We noticed a few genius tricks from experts peppered throughout the list.

"I was surprised with almost every single tip the team and I uncovered," Brian Boye, the executive fashion and grooming editor at Men's Health, told The Huffington Post. Over the 16 years he's been at the magazine, he noticed that "men want to invest in their appearance but need help figuring out what to use, why and when... I sometimes think I’ve heard it and seen it all, but I’m constantly surprised by the wealth of useful information out there."

It turns out there IS a way to look good without spending all your precious money (and morning free time) on it.

Here are a few tips from the ranking that we definitely didn't know about, republished here with permission from Men's Health:

1
Say Cheese For A Whiter Smile
Marcelo Santos via Getty Images
Red wine can tint teeth. Here's a quick trick from cosmetic dentist Pia Lieb, D.D.S.: Eat some hard cheese, like white cheddar, before taking that first sip. The oils coat your choppers so you don't get merlot mouth.
2
Clean Your Cuticles
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Grimy-looking nails? Just grab a tube of whitening toothpaste, says dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D. Gently apply a thin coating and let it sit a few minutes; then use an old toothbrush to scrub the stains away. Repeat a few times a week.
3
Defunk Your Smelly Feet
Chaloner Woods via Getty Images
Your dogs stink because bacteria feast on sweat, says Whitney Bowe, M.D., a New York City dermatologist. So oust either the sweat or the bacteria. Try a prescription option such as Drysol, or an over-the-counter brand like Certain Dri.
4
Strengthen Your Jawline
Robin Skjoldborg via Getty Images
If your chin is on the round side, grow out your beard and an extra inch and keep the sides trimmed to elongate your face, advises Michael Gilman of The Grooming Lounge in Washington, D.C.
5
Even Out Your Beard
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Define the other edges before you trim for length, says New York City barber Rudy Milan. "It's like plotting a map." Use a smaller guard to blend in the edges for a more natural look.
6
Restore A Razor
volkovslava via Getty Images
Those disposable blades nick disposable income. You can sharpen a blade's edge in seconds by gently gliding it along the leg of your jeans for 10 to 20 strokes. Then switch directions.

But if you work outdoors, then your skin is tougher than most guys' because of exposure to sunlight, dirt and debris. So you may need to replace your razor blade more often. Carl Degrasso, a St. Louis area barber for over 50 years, has a rule of thumb: Swap it out every seven to 10 uses.
7
Take A Post-Shave Plunge
Alain SHRODER via Getty Images
Ice water constricts your blood vessels and closes up hair follicles, leaving your face smoother, says dermatologist Gary Goldenberg, M.D. Fill the sink with cold water, then face-plant for 15 seconds.
8
Keep Teeth Pristine
James Darell via Getty Images
Peroxide in whiteners can make teeth temporarily susceptible to stains. After using one, avoid foods with strong coloring, like berries, coffee, and even dark protein powders, Dr. Lieb says.
9
Smell Great Hours Longer
Alma Haser via Getty Images
To make a scent last longer, just spray it on a hairier part of your body. "Hair will absorb fragrance molecules," says Carlos Huber, founder of fragrance brand Arquiste.

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