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This symbol (*) indicates USA Today has tested a product for operating in full compliance with the manufacturer's specifications and to determine its performance as applicable to our readers' needs. Disadvantages, if any, also are reported. Although we cannot guarantee a product, we offer the starred designation as a guide to readers.

KEEPING TRIM(MED)

(*) Sooner or later, most men give in to the temptation of growing a beard. Whatever the motivation--avoidance of the tiresome chore of shaving every day, experimentation, boredom, the desire to change one's appearance--after a few days, there is enough growth to require thoughts of what to do with it now. Unless one wishes to adopt the look Tom Hanks sported for most of his Oscar-nominated performance in "Cast Away," a decision must be made about what shape the beard should ultimately be fashioned into and how to keep it trimmed.

Having one's beard maintained by a barber is expensive; razors are difficult to use among all the growth and practically impossible to wield to keep everything the same length; and electric shavers are likely to remove too much of what was intended to be left, even if they have special attachments. The perfect solution is the T-7500 Beard and Mustache Trimmer from Norelco Consumer Products Company, Stamford, Conn.

The ergonomically designed cylinder fits comfortably in the hand, allowing ease of manipulation, which is half the battle. A grooved comb guard over the cutter heads provides channels for the beard to protrude into so that it can be trimmed, with the Ring Hair Length Selector--a calibrated dial running from one to nine--controlling the blade exposure. A nine setting will remove the least hair, perfect for those who want a bushy, Smith Brothers-like beard. As the numbers get lower, the trim increases, to the point where the number-one setting reduces it to a length barely above a stubble. A pop-up trimmer allows you to get into tight areas--especially underneath the nose--and is designed for shaping and defining the growth, whether a devilish goatee, muttonchops, or full facial foliage.

The comb guide snaps off for easy cleaning, and the cutter heads swing away for maintenance and removing whisker buildup. The device can be operated cordless, with a stand for recharging when the gauge on the handle indicates power is low, or can be plugged in with its cord to use like an electric razor. A vinyl carrying pouch protects the trimmer for traveling.

The T-7500 Beard and Mustache Trimmer can be found in department, electronics, and drug stores, as well as mass merchandisers, for a suggested retail price of $50.

GET A GRIP ON CAR CARE

(*) Faithful readers of this column probably have noted our frequent recommendation of kitchen devices from Oxo International, New York. The oversized, soft-rubber handles in the company's Good Grips line have been a blessing for the elderly, arthritis sufferers, or others who have problems with their hands, though the wonderfully well-constructed utensils are equally as welcome for those who simply value a finely crafted implement.

Good Grips tools are now poking their heads outdoors, with a practical approach to caring for your vehicle's appearance. A quartet of soft brushes with oversized heads make washing a car an efficient operation. The oval-shaped Car Wash Brush ($20) is nine inches long with a seven-inch handle that allows you to stretch even to the normally hard-to-reach center of the roof. The Small Car Wash Brush ($10) with its elongated figure-eight design that nestles comfortably in the hand works well on smaller areas, while the long-handled Wheel Brush ($14) and pistol-grip Tire Brush ($10) are perfect for the tasks their names suggest. Each brush features extra-long, soft-feathered bristles that won't mar a car's finish and nonslip bodies that provide a firm grasp even in the soapiest of water. The 17" Squegee ($14) combines a streak-free rubber wiper blade with a sponge-like scrubber for...