We get that finding the most flattering haircut and growing out your patchy beard can be a complicated and time-intensive process, but when it comes to simpler grooming tasks—like trimming your ear and nose hair—you have no excuse not to score a 100 every day of the week. Here, the five most common mistakes in that department and how to avoid them today and ever after. If nothing else, you owe it to your mother.

Deny that your ear and nose hair exists.Unless you are 100 years old, you do not have permission to ignore your ear and nose hair. You need to have some hair in both places, to be clear, but it should not be visible to others. If you're tall, be extra careful about nose hair. If you're short, ear hair—both inside your ears and on your lobes—is more your concern. But seriously, better to just play it safe and keep both areas clear.

Admit that it exists but think the rest of us don’t notice it.If you spot a couple of hairs poking out of your nose or ears, other people will, too. If you’re pressed for time, use a pair of small grooming scissors (they should have a rounded tip) to remove the obvious ones. Tilt your head back or to the side and trim what’s directly in front of you—do not go digging around in there blindly.

Pluck the hair with your roommate’s tweezers.First of all, gross. Second of all, you could get an infection that way. You have no idea what your roommate uses those tweezers for, hence they do not belong in your orifices. Invest in an electric trimmer or a razor with the appropriate attachment, and use it often. Better to be safe than sorry.

Go at removing the hair blindly.Ever notice how those stray hairs always appear at the worst possible time? That’s because the sexy movie-theater lighting in your bathroom isn’t telling you the truth. Make sure you’re examining the situation in natural (or super-bright) light and, ideally, with a magnifying mirror in one hand.

Forget that you can just have someone else remove it for you.There are barbers who will take a flame to your ear hair and the occasional brave soul who will get up in there and deal with your nose hair for you. If you have such a person, why not use him? Incorporate this annoying task into your standing shave-and-trim appointment and enjoy life as a freakishly well-groomed man, without lifting a finger.

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