Beards of all varieties have become ‘de rigueur’ over recent years, with sartorial males across the globe taking great pride in their carefully cultivated facial hair and considering it an integral part of their overall image.
Just like the hair on your head, beards require a rigorous and regular grooming routine to keep them in shape. There’s nothing worse than unruly facial hair to spoil a carefully put together look, and a beard that is polished to precision will enhance it instead.
Whether you’re new to the beard-growing club or you simply need to up your game when it comes to keeping yours in check, every beard-sporting man could do with perfecting the art of caring for theirs. Here, we walk you through the essential stages and share some helpful tips to get you on the right path.
Not all beards are created equal
One thing that’s critical to understand when it comes to grooming is that not all beards are the same, and while some of the basic fundamentals of caring for your facial hair will remain the same for everyone, the unique characteristics of yours will help to guide you in the right direction for success. Understanding whether your beard is coarse or fine, thick or sparse, and whether or not it grows along your jawline and neck will help you to understand what you need to do to keep it looking its best, so take some time to get to know the nuances of yours before you begin.
The right tools for the job
A workman is only as good as his tools, and this also applies when it comes to beard care. With this in mind, building an arsenal of grooming tools and products before you begin is important and will not only elevate your overall grooming experience but also ensure that you get the best possible results.
Be prepared to invest in the finest best money can buy as often, you really do get what you pay for. You’ll need a sharp pair of scissors for initial trimming and a beard trimmer for maintaining length and sculpting your beard into the desired shape. A beard comb for detangling and distributing products evenly, as well as for generally smoothing back into shape each morning, will also come in handy – and because a neat and manicured beard also requires some shaving around the edges to get the defined shape you want, you’ll also need a good razor, shaving cream and boar bristle brush to stimulate hair follicles and ultimately make this task easier.
Finally, you’ll need some luxurious products to finish the job; a quality beard oil and balm to condition and smooth, and if you have a moustache, then a natural mustache styling wax will allow you sculpt that too and ensure it looks just as polished as your beard does.
The daily ritual
The essential steps to impeccable beard care aren’t complicated, and when you’ve completed them once, they’ll soon become a regular part of your routine.
Wash and condition
A clean beard is the canvas for a well-groomed look, which means washing and conditioning are the first tasks to tick off your beard grooming to-do list. Use a gentle beard shampoo to cleanse your beard, removing any dirt and debris like flaky skin. Follow up with a nourishing beard conditioner to keep your beard soft and manageable, then you can move onto the trimming and shaping.
Trim and shape
This next step is designed to define your neckline. Aim to create a gentle curve just above your Adam’s apple for the most natural of results, then adjust your beard trimmer to the desired length and trim evenly, going against the grain. You’ll also need to shape your cheeks and jawline, and tame your moustache, if you have one by trimming with your scissors and adding a small dab of that wax to mould into shape.
Apply your beard oil
A healthy beard needs to be well-nourished at all times, as this helps to keep it feeling soft and looking smooth. A luxury beard oil will be your not-so-secret weapon for achieving this – just pour a few drops onto your palms, rub together and run your hands through your beard to distribute evenly. Be sure to massage some into the skin underneath to condition and nourish the follicles, too, and to prevent any itchiness or dryness.
The finishing touches
Once you’ve done all that, you’ll just need to finish off with a gentle brush to stimulate blood flow to the follicles – which stimulates healthy growth – and do some final shaping. Use a boar bristle brush to smooth your beard, or a comb if your beard is a little longer, and there you have it: beard perfection.
Beyond grooming
Once you’ve got your daily beard care routine down to a fine art, you’ll want to keep your facial hair in great shape for the longer term. To make the job easier, visit your barber for regular trims, and use a beard balm to shield your beard from pollutants and harsh weather conditions, as these can wreak havoc on the health of the hairs.
Proper hydration and good nutrition are also essential when it comes to achieving optimal beard health, so be sure to drink plenty of water and consume a diet rich in key nutrients like biotin, which promotes healthy hair growth.
