INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Before you can style a beard, you have to give it time to grow. Leave it alone. Seriously, no trimming or shaving for at least a couple of weeks. It’ll look messy, but remember that your beard won’t look the same when it reaches full length. When starting clean-shaven, it takes at least two weeks to achieve short beard status. You can then begin trimming unless you want your beard to be longer. Every beard grows at a different rate and to different lengths. For some men, a full-length, natural beard can take up to a year to grow. Let the beard grow for about a month before you try trimming it. Pick up a beard trimmer to refine the edges but be careful! Remember that you’re removing very little hair here. Too much means a look you’d rather hide from friends. Even out the neckline at your Adam’s apple. Cut hairs above the natural line of your cheeks until your beard line forms a curve from ear to ear. Trimmers with adjustable guards are needed to accomplish the fade. Start from your Adam’s apple with a low-number guard such as a two or three. Trim all the way up to where your neck meets your jaw. Switch to a one or two guard and shave up an inch (2.5 cm) from your Adam’s apple.  The lower the guard number, the closer it cuts your hair. A one guard leaves behind less hair than a two guard, but using them next to one another creates a gradual fade. Anything below your Adam’s apple should be shaved. Carefully use a razor or remove the guard from your trimmer. Once you’ve established your look, all that’s left is maintaining it. Over time, it’ll grow and lose shape. When you notice this, trim the edges again and renew the fade. Trimmer guards make length maintenance simple. Find a guard that leaves you with the hair length you desire and stroke it downwards through your beard. Scissors are another option for shortening overgrown hairs. Establish a routine of washing, oiling, and brushing your beard if you haven’t already. Your beard will thank you by being plush and pliable. Getting the opinion of a professional never hurts in matters of the beard. In addition to giving you advice on what style works best for you, they’ll keep your beard in tip-top shape. Ask for a beard trimming every three to four weeks. If you ever doubt what you’re doing at home, your barber will also be happy to give you advice.

SUMMARY: Let your beard grow to the desired size. Trim the edges until your beard is tidy. Fade the hairs along your neck. Trim the beard to maintain its shape. Visit a barber for advice and maintenance.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Usually, the best way to impress someone is by not trying too hard. Just be yourself - she’ll probably be able to tell if you’re trying to put on an act. While it’s normal to be nervous, just try to have fun when you talk to her. If you really want to impress her, give her a compliment that shows that you pay attention to her. Instead of dropping a stereotypical pick-up line, say something specific that shows you’ve noticed something unique about her. For example, if you saw her earlier that day, you could say, “I really like how you wore your hair today,” or “You made such a great point in history class - you’re definitely one of the smartest people I know!” Who likes chatting with people who only talk about themselves? Impress her by showing that you’d like to get to know her better. It’s fine to tell her things about yourself, especially if they relate to something she’s told you, but just try not to dominate the conversation.  You could ask about her hobbies, her favorite places to be, if she has siblings, or what songs and bands she couldn’t go without. Try to respond to her answer instead of asking one question after another as if you were interrogating her. For instance, if she said she loves the beach, you could say, “Me too, but only the ocean. No lakes for me!” Starting a deeper conversation will show her that you really care about understanding who she is as a person. After some small talk, or after you’ve had a few superficial conversations, try to find a topic that’s close to her heart. You could ask questions about her goals, passions, and dreams, like “What are three things you want to accomplish in life?” Try asking about the qualities she looks for or admires in a person, about her favorite childhood memory, or what the most important thing in the world is to her. Have patience and give her time to respond before sending another message. In addition, most people prefer one longer message instead of a bunch of messages with just a couple words. Keep the memes to a minimum, too. It’s one thing to send a funny GIF that relates to your conversation, but don’t spam her with tons of random stuff.

SUMMARY: Try to be natural and confident. Compliment her. Ask her questions instead of talking about yourself. Bring the conversation to a deeper level. Don’t bombard her with tons of messages.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The rubbing alcohol will preserve the body of the insect and prevent it from decaying, drying out, or breaking into pieces. The jar should be larger than the insect, but not unnecessarily so. If you put a small insect in a large jar, you’ll waste rubbing alcohol.  Most rubbing alcohol is a 70% solution—this should work well for preserving your insects. Stronger rubbing alcohol—at 80 or 85%--is also appropriate, as some insects are better preserved with a stronger alcohol.  Examples of insects that should be preserved in stronger alcohol include: spiders, scorpions, earthworms, and small insects including lice and silverfish.  Make sure that the glass jar has a tight-fitting lid, and does not have any cracks. Keep in mind that soft-bodied insects are most commonly preserved in alcohol. The insect could come from anywhere: a window inside your house, the environment near where you live, or even from a nearby spider’s web. You’ll want to preserve an insect that is still in decent shape. If the insect has been dead for days and is already decaying and breaking apart, preserving it will be less effective. You can also trap insects yourself through a variety of methods: for example, catching moths and butterflies in a butterfly net. While some would object to the ethics of killing insects simply to preserve them, traps are an effective way to make sure you have dead insects available. When preserving insects, it’s important to know which specific species you are dealing with. This is an especially important part of the procedure if you are preserving insects for scientific purposes. The label should include: the genus and species of the insect, the date and location on which the insect was found, and the name of the collector. Tape the completed label to the outside of the alcohol-filled jar. There are many helpful websites that can help you identify the dead insect. Start by checking BugGuide.net or InsectIdentification.org. If these sites aren’t helpful, try to contact a local entomologist. Be delicate, and handle the insect carefully: its body will be very fragile and could easily be crushed. It’s best if you handle the insect with forceps or a pair of tweezers, as your fingers could break or damage part of the insect. If the insect has a stinger (bees, wasps) or is otherwise poisonous, wear latex gloves when handling the body. Only do this once the body of the insect has settled to the bottom of the jar. Pour the rest of the alcohol in slowly. If you pour too fast, the liquid may damage or break the insect’s body.  Close and seal the jar, then store it in a safe location. If you’re planning on starting a large insect collection, it may be prudent to dedicate an entire tabletop to the jars. Store the insect jars far from food, children, and animals.

SUMMARY:
Fill a small glass jar halfway full with rubbing alcohol. Find a dead insect. Identify and label your insect. Carefully put the insect in the jar. Fill the jar the rest of the way with rubbing alcohol.