Rinse and clean any debris or dirt off the potatoes. Cut the potatoes in half and place them in a large pot, add 1 tsp salt, 2 garlic cloves, and cover the potatoes with water. (if the potatoes are small you can leave them whole)
Over high heat, bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-high and let the potatoes cook for 30-35 minutes, or until soft. Poke the potatoes with a fork and it should effortlessly pierce the potatoes.
While the potatoes are cooking, gather your butter, mince the remaining garlic cloves, and chop the chives (or parsley).
When the potatoes are done, turn off the heat, reserve ~¼ cup of the water, and drain the potatoes completely. Add the ~¼ cup of water back into the pot and begin to mash the potatoes with a potato masher or immersion blender. I highly recommend using an immersion blender if you have one.
Prepare the garlic butter sauce. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the butter (or olive oil) and minced garlic. Let the garlic cook for 1 minute, making sure to stir it so that it does not burn.
Add the garlic butter, garlic powder, and remaining salt to the potatoes. Use a wooden spoon or the immersion blender to fully incorporate the ingredients.
Taste the mashed potatoes and season with salt to your liking. Remember, potatoes come alive with the addition of salt! Add more butter or olive oil to make the potatoes creamier.
Serve in a large bowl and garnish with chives or parsley.