Let's break this down.  Based on our highly regarded officially (un)scientific method of going around the office and surveying process, an overwhelming percentage of the respondents said.... yes, absolutely shave or "clean up" in some shape or form.  Specifically two-thirds of the office (men and women - thank goodness) said, they shave.  And close to half of the office said, they trim their pits.  Reasons varied, however.  A small percentage of the office said, they shave for athletic reasons - some of these guys are hardcore tri-athletes, swimmers (some shave beyond their armpits and regularly shave their legs and who knows what else).  Most of the dudes who shave or trim their pits, also said their primary reason was related to aesthetics.  When you break this down further, the core reasons varied even more.  Some shaved because their significant other preferred it "clean" (we're talking about wives and girlfriends liking clean pits).  Some said, it was more "comfortable" with trimmed or shaven pits.  And some said, they've tried shaving because they were curious.... okay!

So whatever you decide to do, we won't judge.  As a matter of fact all above reasons are good and hygienic reasons to shave or trim your pits.  But if you do decide to shave or trim, how should you do it?  

1.  Similar to shaving, trim it wet (if possible).  Use a waterproof beard trimmer.  Water, especially warm water (in the shower) will soften and prevent pulled hair.  Your pits will thank you.  And if you're going to shave, apply shaving cream just as you would on your face then shave once with, then against grain of your hair for a smooth armpit.  You can always ask your girlfriend / wife about how to do it... they (should) be the experts.  

2.  For those trimming - keep it (relatively) short, but not too short.  The idea is to keep it short and well groomed, but not too short where it can irritate your skin.  This of course will depend on the hair type:  straight, curly, soft, rough, etc.  Experiment with it!

3.  Soothe thy pits.  After trimming and especially post shave, do remember to clean thoroughly and apply aftershave balm and/or lotion.  Your pits are very sensitive and this will help soothe your skin.  Be careful (unless you're a brave soul) not to apply the alcohol based shave balm.... or remember that kid from Home Alone?  

Let us know how it turned out and what your best practices are for your pits via email, FB, Twitter, etc.  We'd love to know.

by ManPossible

In short, if your lifestyle speaks "champagne [whisky] wishes and caviar dreams," then Balvenie’s calling. Answer wisely."

by ManPossible

What is a Man Bun?

​This week, Groupon's promo [re]stirred the "man bun" craze.  So for those who aren't exactly sure what a man bun is, let's start with a definition.  A bun is is a type of hairstyle wherein the hair is pulled back from the face, twisted or plaited, and wrapped in a circular coil around itself, typically on the back of the head or neck... according to Wikipedia.  A man bun, therefore, is a man who sports such hair do.  

Here are some historical and celebrity figures who have sported man buns:
1. Terracotta Worriors
2. Samuri Worriors
3. Buddah
4. Chris Hemsworth (pic)
5. Leonardo DiCaprio
6. Brand Pitt
7. Wannabe Hipsters (aka interns) at ManPossible 
etc. etc.
​ 

Here at ManPossible, we keep it sharp—whether it's your wardrobe or your dog's latest grooming adventure. And boy, do we have a hair-raising trend for you! Straight from Taiwan, where grooming has gone full-on geometry, dogs are being transformed into squares, spheres, and... well, basically into shapes you probably last saw in math class. Yep, Fido’s headed for a glow-up, one snip at a time.

The mastermind behind the madness? Meet Mo Ming Fung, aka Xiao Mo, the Picasso of pooches. His grooming shop in Taiwan is now the place for dog owners who want their pets looking less “fluffy companion” and more “living art installation.” The pièce de résistance? Square heads. If your social feed hasn’t been blessed by a perfectly cubic dog yet, you’re missing out on some serious paw-geometry.

On this particularly epic grooming day, Xiao Mo works his magic on an 8-year-old Bichon Frise named Tang Xiong Xiong. He’s got eight types of shears (including one that costs more than your monthly rent), and after 45 minutes, Tang’s no longer just a dog—she’s a furry cube with a big pink bow. Total cost for this transformation? Around $75, but let’s be honest, you can’t put a price on that kind of pet styling fame.

So, why the sudden boom in geometry-inspired dog cuts? Xiao Mo thinks it might have something to do with Taiwan’s low birth rate. When kids aren’t in the picture, the fur babies get all the love—and creative grooming. Add a few social media likes, and boom, you’ve got a trend that’s catching on faster than you can say “isosceles triangle.”

Curious to see the original inspiration behind this furry geometry? Check out NPR’s full article here.

Now, the big question—would you take your pup for a cube cut? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
​
by ManPossible

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Photo by Đường Hoàng Giang

7 Steps to Be Stylish AND ManPossible’s (MP) Translation:

1. Update Your Wardrobe... Once in a While
No need to torch your entire closet and run to the mall. Just wear stuff that actually fits (nobody wants to see your belly button unless you're on a beach) and go for timeless, not trendy.
MP Translation: Try updating your wardrobe at least once a decade. Stick with the classics—think non-iron shirts from J.Crew or Banana Republic, and your trusty jeans. If matching is hard, services like TrunkClub (from Nordstrom) have semi-hot stylists who will help you look semi-handsome—just be ready to drop some cash on their picks.

2. Invest in Timeless, Not Trendy (Rich Vibes Only)
A black sweater that's brand name and simple? Instant upgrade. It makes everything look a bit more "oh, I summer in Monaco."
MP Translation: Get a few timeless items that scream "wealth," but make sure they scream it looks good on you first. Yeah, looking rich is cool and all, but you’re mature enough to avoid gold diggers, right?

3. Understatement > Overkill
Nothing kills style faster than looking like you tried too hard. Keep it simple, and people will think you're effortlessly cool.
MP Translation: Never overdo any outfit—except for your socks. Funky socks are forever stylish.

4. Hair: The Crown You Never Take Off (Unless You're Bald)
For everyday looks, embrace the bedhead or go with loose, natural styles. For fancy events, go for something classy without too much effort.
MP Translation: Focus on your hair—if you’ve still got some. Let it breathe, enjoy the wind, and if it’s disappearing... hats are an option.

5. Makeup? Nah. Clothes? Yes.
Makeup is like extra credit, not required reading. Same goes for your wardrobe—don't treat it like a life raft. Just get dressed, please.
MP Translation: Clothing is essential. Period.

6. Find Your Look & Stick to It (Channel Your Inner Jobs)
When you’ve got a signature look, people will think you’re stylish without you even trying. Just ask Steve Jobs—mock necks and Levi’s never let him down.
MP Translation: Pick a style you love and stick to it. You can never own too many mock necks... or too many pairs of the same jeans.

7. Confidence Is Key (Seriously)
Look, you could be wearing a trash bag, but if you're rocking it with swagger, nobody will care. Confidence makes the outfit, full stop.
MP Translation: Confidence? You've got ManPossible... what else do you need to feel like a legend?

​by ManPossible

We’re absolute coffee fanatics and snobs here at MP.  Coffee is similar to grooming in that it’s much about science as it is about art… in a way, like us men.  Loyal MP followers will recall our former series on wine and whiskey.  Similarly, coffee will be added to our regular series post.

So let’s get you all into being sophisticated coffee snobs [sidebar - coffee houses are great places to strike intellectually stimulating conversations with geeky hot chics!].  Before we start brewing lattes (lots) of discussions about coffee, let’s start with some history and the basics….

History

According to the National Coffee Association… In the Ethiopian highlands, where the legend of Kaldi, the goatherd, originated, coffee trees grow today as they have for centuries.  Though we will never know with certainty, there probably is some truth to the Kaldi legend.

It is said that he discovered coffee after noticing that his goats, upon eating berries from a certain tree, became so spirited that they did not want to sleep at night.

Kaldi dutifully reported his findings to the abbot of the local monastery who made a drink with the berries and discovered that it kept him alert for the long hours of evening prayer.  Soon the abbot had shared his discovery with the other monks at the monastery, and ever so slowly knowledge of the energizing effects of the berries began to spread.  As word moved east and coffee reached the Arabian Peninsula, it began a journey, which would spread its reputation across the globe.

Today coffee is grown in a multitude of countries around the world.  Whether it is Asia or Africa, Central or South America, the islands of the Caribbean or Pacific, all can trace their heritage to the trees in the ancient coffee forests on the Ethiopian plateau.

The Arabs were the first to cultivate coffee.  It was often referred to as the “Wine of Araby”.  The drink quickly found tracking and started to spread far beyond Arabia.  European travelers to the near East brought the mysterious black drink back to Europe, and by the 17th century, coffee made its way to Europe.  Coffee houses (Penny Universities – one penny got you a cup of coffee), sprung up everywhere in London.  And as the demand for these beans continued to grow, there was tense competition to grow coffee beans outside of Arabia.  Despite Arab’s best efforts to hold onto the coffee monopoly, the Dutch succeeded in cultivating coffee in what is known today as Indonesia.  It then further grew to the regions of the Caribbean and Brazil.

What's In A Cherry?

A coffee tree is covered with dark-green, waxy leaves growing opposite each other in pairs.  Coffee cherries grow along the tree's branches.  It takes nearly a year for a cherry to mature after the flowering of the fragrant, white blossoms.  The coffee cherry's outer skin is called the exocarp.  Beneath it is a thin layer of pulp, followed by a slimy layer called the parenchyma.  The beans themselves are covered in a parchment-like envelope named the endocarp, more commonly referred to as 'the parchment.'  Inside the parchment, side-by-side lie two beans, each covered separately by yet another layer of thin membrane.  

So from planting to harvesting the cherries to drying and milling the beans to finally roasting… that is how a man’s cup of coffee comes to life.  We’ll be covering a variety of both useful and just cool coffee related subject matters in future posts.  Hope you are as wired as we are about this!

by ManPossible