WHAT YOUR PARTNER IS NOT SAYING

We may all think we're on top of hygiene and maintenance, but there are often things we miss. Here are some examples of details that are easy to overlook but may be too sensitive for your partner to bring up.

TIRED AND UNKEMPT FEET

If there is one part of the body that we tend to neglect, even though it is perhaps the part that is exposed to the most stress on a daily basis, it's probably the feet. They are mostly hidden in socks and shoes but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be taken care of, or that there can't be unpleasant consequences of neglecting them. Hiding them from your partner naturally becomes difficult in the long run and poorly maintained feet are among the things that cause problems but are embarrassing to talk about.

Regularly caring for your feet by washing them and having a nice foot bath every now and then will keep them fresh and revitalised. Finishing off with moisturising foot creams keeps them soft and smooth, and getting into the habit of regularly filing away calluses with a foot file sends a message that the details are not neglected. Preventing hard, dry feet also reduces the risk of bacterial formation and bad odour, but if, in addition to daily care, foot baths and normal hygiene, you are one of those who suffer from foot sweat and bad odour, try effective antiperspirant foot sprays, a product that often has both antibacterial and antifungal effects. Of course, a regular foot care routine also includes regularly trimming your toenails - letting them grow too long not only looks less pleasant, but they also become increasingly difficult to trim the longer they get.

OVERGROWN EYEBROWS

Eyebrows are another detail that's easy to overlook, and it's never attractive when they grow out of control and maybe even bridge the root of your nose - so called " a unibrow" (if it's gotten that far, you should definitely give them an overhaul!). Many people shy away from grooming this type of facial hair as it may be perceived as time-consuming and not entirely painless, but regular grooming pays off in terms of a well-groomed appearance.

Take out a pair of tweezers. Grasp the hair fairly close to the skin and quickly and firmly pull it out in the direction of the hair growth. Try to achieve a thumb-width distance between your eyebrows. You can do the same with excessive hairs in the eyebrow itself, whether they grow upwards towards the forehead or downwards towards the eye. Just remember not to pluck too much if you want to achieve a natural look - trimming is key. Be prepared for some redness around the plucked area - it usually disappears after a little while. If you're extra sensitive, you may need to wait a few hours.

 Näs- och öronhår

Not only is nose hair itchy and annoying, it's also one of those things you definitely don't want to show! Nose hair is best trimmed with a mechanical or electric nose hair trimmer, but if you don't have one, you can use a small pair of fine scissors, preferably blunt. Press the tip of your nose upwards so you can get a good grip. Do not cut or trim all the hair in your nose, it is needed to trap particles and pollutants when you breathe in. A few millimetres into the nostrils is enough. Never pull out your nose hairs - this can lead to infections in the hair follicles. Perhaps most effective is the use of a nose hair wax - easy to use and really does the job with long-lasting results.

The same goes for ear hair - a phenomenon that is probably the easiest type of hair to miss for yourself, but which your surroundings certainly don't like to look at! Getting it right with scissors is tricky, but many electric nose hair trimmers also work on the ears, so why not take the opportunity while you're doing your nose hair?

HAIRY BACK

A hairy back is something that is not easy to fix yourself. Booking an appointment at a salon for waxing is therefore often something that is recommended. Waxing may not be an entirely pleasant experience according to many people, but it is probably the most effective method of getting a smooth, sleek and long-lasting result (one treatment every two months is considered sufficient).

If you still want to try to remedy the problem yourself at home, there are good products for this, such as hair removal cream that you can use in the shower. On the other hand, if you have sensitive skin that can't tolerate waxing or depilatory creams, there are now smart razors with long specialised handles that make it easier for you to get at it (obviously not as durable as waxing, but it's a clever novelty that provides an alternative when nothing else works).

BAD BREATH

We know that bad breath is something that can be a real nuisance, and it is equally well known that it is not easy for people to pick up on. Addressing the problem in many cases is basically about good oral hygiene in the form of regular brushing and flossing, but you should also consider tongue scraping (as the odour often comes from deposits on the tongue) - a good mouthwash can also help. Remember that diet is also important.

NEGLECTED NAILS

They say that the hands are one of the most important things that people notice, and here a detail like dirty and chewed up, uneven nails is something that won't exactly win you extra points with your partner. No one is asking you to mould them into well-manicured works of art, but regularly tidying them up by cleaning them and trimming them with scissors or nail clippers is essential, maybe even cutting them from time to time with a nail file. Remember - details make the man and no one will be happier than your partner if you pay attention to them.