A woman straightens a smiling man's bowtie.

Men’s Grooming Tips for Big Events

The Big Day is Coming. Get Grooming, My Friend.

Situation: You have a wedding, gala, Valentine date or job interview coming up. You look in the mirror and your hair and beard, shall we say, are not in tiptop shape. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the right tools and advice to get you shipshape in no time.

1. When to Get a Haircut Before a Wedding or Big Event

A smiling man uses a Wahl's hair clipper to trim around his ears as he looks into the mirror.

Whether you’re the main man, on the guest list or getting ready for the big date, don't procrastinate. Leaving a haircut or even a beard trim until the morning of an event does not leave much time, in the event of an error. The rule of thumb: the difference between a good and bad haircut can be a matter of three days.

Top Tip: Looking for a new trimmer or clipper to ensure you look your best at your big event? Order and test-drive your new tool(s) for a few weeks to ensure you feel proficient and confident.

2. How Long After a Haircut Does it Look Best?

A man looks out the window as he buttons his shirt.

A fresh haircut looks great, but you should allow your hair a few days to grow out naturally. Don’t stray too dramatically from your ‘usual’ look and stay away from trends. Plus, if you’re tying the knot or collecting a big award, ensure to use a handheld mirror to finish the back of your head. Pay special attention to the straightness of your lines.

3. Shave the Night Before the Big Event

A man looks at his reflection in the mirror as he uses a Wahl trimmer to trim his mustache.

Don’t risk the chance of unsightly ingrown hair on the day of a big event. Shave the night before. Wash your face with warm water to remove any dirt or oil. Blot dry with a clean washcloth. Shave your facial hair with the grain. Apply slight pressure as you use consistent strokes, paying special attention to the areas around your nose and mouth. Pat on a little beard balm, and sleep well.

4. Don’t Forget the Nose, Brows and Ears

A man looks at his reflection in the mirror as he uses a Wahl trimmer to trim his eyebrows.

Sometimes, there are hairs growing in some less-than-preferable locations—like inside the nose and ears or between the brows. Wahl’s personal trimmers come with various attachments to reach even the most challenging (or annoying) hairs, including those in the nose, ears and eyebrows.

5. Be Yourself. You’ve Got This!

A group of men dressed up for a fancy event.

If you typically sport a beard, don’t feel like you need to shave it off for a big event. But do take time to tame it. You don’t want to look back on the photographs regretting looking like a baby-face or feeling like a furry imposter! A tight trim and some beard oil will leave you looking sharp and smelling great. Also clean up any hair on your cheeks or neck.

Bonus! Try it Before you Trim it

A man holding his phone while standing in a bathroom.

If you are gung-ho on trying a new look on your special day, you can now make sure a new hairstyle or beard suits you before you trim it with the Wahl® Style Selector. Using advanced face-mapping technology, you’ll get a photo-real view of yourself with a new look.

Whether you’re grooming for your big date, a job interview or just Wednesday, Wahl® has you covered with the right tools. Shop for hair clippers and trimmers, or read more expert how-to haircutting articles.