A full and well-groomed beard is a point of pride for a lot of guys. Especially in recent times beards have become quite the fashionable trend among modern men. However, achieving a proper beard is not that simple, and just growing out a beard without much grooming is just going to be you looking like a hobo or something! So there are a few tips and tricks you should know if you want to achieve a proper manly beard without looking scruffy!
Getting started with a beard
Don’t let the itch get you
The first little while of growing out a beard can be the hardest for some, due to the itchiness that comes with the short hard hairs of your stubble. Just hang in there, after a while the itchiness goes away as the hairs become longer and softer.
Be patient
Let your beard grow out a little before you start to trim and shape it. Even if you want to wear your beard short and close to your face, it is recommended that you let your beard grow approximately and inch or an inch and a half before you start shaping it.
Be realistic about your beard
Not everyone can grow out an awesome beard. Unfortunately genetics gives some of us scraggly and patchy beards, instead of the full mountain-man type beard. So be realistic about what you can grow and cannot grow.
Beard trimming
Consider getting a pro to do it
If you are a little unsure of how to exactly trim your beard the best way, consider going to a professional barber that can do it for you. Not only will they be able to give you an awesome trim, but they can probably even give you some tips on how to maintain your specific beard (as everyone has different hair types and facial features).
Have the right tools
If you decide to go the DIY route for maintaining your beard, you need to make sure you have the right tools available. Using a rusty old pair of scissors is not going to do it! Consider getting a decent electronic beard trimmer. A beard trimmer’s clippers will allow you to more accurately trim and shape your beard while also cutting your beard to a specific length. I recommend getting the rechargeable cordless beard trimmers. They might be a little pricier than other options, but in the long run you will be glad you made the investment!
You should also consider getting a good comb to comb your beard with. For your beard a wide-toothed comb is best (as your beard hair can be thick and coarse), while if you have a mustache that you want to keep neat, a fine-toothed comb will be the right option.
Careful when wet
When you trim your beard, be careful to do it when the hair is still wet. Wet hair can look a lot longer than when it is dry. So the best would be to rather trim your hair once dried.
Keep in mind the shape of your face
Your beard and your jaw should work in tandem to achieve a nicely graduated, oval shape. If you have a square or round jaw, you’ll want to grow your beard fuller on the bottom to elongate your face. If you have an oblong or rectangular face, you’ll want more hair on the sides while avoiding more length beneath the chin.
To help maintain a balance between the two sides of your face, you may find it useful to start near the ear on one side and trim down to the chin. Then repeat on the other side.
Keeping your beard clean
Beard hair is hair too, so shampoo and condition!
Just like you would do with regular hair, you should shampoo and condition your beard hair. A mild shampoo is usually easier on your skin. After shampooing, go over to the conditioner to get a softer feel on your beard. Be sure to rinse thoroughly in order to avoid flaking.
Don’t blow dry
Avoid blow drying your beard as the warm air will dry out your skin. Instead you should rather use a dry towel to wipe and dry your beard.
Beard oil
If you really want to get your beard soft and shiny, you should invest in some good beard oil. There are a bunch of different beard oil options out there, and you can even get recipes off the Internet to make your own if you really wanted to. So experiment with some beard oils and see what you like best.
Daily combing ritual
You should comb and brush your beard on a daily basis to untangle hairs and to also train them to grow in a specific direction. This will help you to maintain a specific shape for your beard.
Products
Below we’ve listed our top 4 men’s grooming & shaving desstinations, take a look:
Wrapping Up
A great beard is a thing of beauty! But it takes commitment and discipline to get a truly great beard that looks good and feels good. I hope the above tips helps you in your quest for your ultimate beard!
High Street Gent 
Leave a Reply