Beard care can indeed be much more complex than it seems. Every modern man who cares about his appearance knows that beard maintenance is absolutely necessary for a neat look.
We’ve all seen what ignoring facial hair care can lead to and how unappealing it can be. So, don’t let laziness get in the way of your leaving a positive impression. Check out our tips on how to turn your beard into the target of every guy’s envy.
Essential Beard Care Tips
To make your beard look its best, first you need to have an idea of what kind of vibe and style you’re going for. Once you’ve figured that out, you can move on to the following steps.
Invest in High-Quality Beard Care Products
Using the right products can help you tame your beard and make it silky smooth. If you’ve never done so, try adding beard shampoos, oils, wax, softeners, lotions, conditioners, or balms to your routine. Of course, you’re also going to need a solid beard brush, reliable scissors, and a top-notch trimmer to complete your beard care kit.
How to Trim a Beard
There are two simple solutions here. You can either use a trimmer or scissors. Both of these tools are good, and the choice boils down to personal preference.
However, many professionals say that scissors provide more precise results. At times, trimmers can make split ends or even make your beard uneven. Paying attention to details is very important in beard trimming.
So, if you haven’t already, perhaps give scissors a try. You don’t have to pay an expensive barber to trim your beard. It’s better to learn how to do it yourself. Even if you don’t achieve perfection the first time, it’s okay. This does take some practice.
Combing
If you want great precision, we recommend using a beard trimming comb. You don’t have to buy a specific comb for this. It just needs to be small enough to fit your beard.
Combing while trimming will help immensely, and it doesn’t take much time. If you comb your beard between cuts, you’ll surely notice a difference and make the process much easier.
How to Trim a Beard Neckline
After combing comes trimming the neckline. It’s common sense, right? Well, most guys don’t realize that straight away. Having a clean neckline can significantly improve your look and bring your game to the next level.
You can trim your neckline beard in three simple steps.
- Place your middle and index finger above the Adam’s apple.
- Trim up to the index finger.
- Cut in a u-shape from the sideburns to where you held the index finger instead of following your jawline while trimming to this point.
Even if you don’t precisely follow these steps, trimming the beard on the neck will significantly improve the whole look. Guaranteed.
How to Maintain a Beard
After a successful trim, you need to develop a maintenance routine. By maintenance, we mean things like moisturizing, regular washing and touch-ups, applying balms and oils, etc.
These things should be done regularly, several times a week. Simply washing your beard while showering or washing your face won’t cut it. Like any other hairstyle, facial hair care also requires time and attention.
Don’t worry—these products aren’t necessarily expensive. All you need is beard shampoo and oil. Wash your beard with shampoo every other day, and use a natural kind if possible.
The next element of proper beard care is oil. Here’s how to apply it:
- Smear a few drops of oil on your palms.
- Spread the oil on your beard, preferably when your beard is slightly damp.
- The oil needs to be applied evenly, top to bottom.
It’s generally recommended to do this twice a day, in the morning and before going to bed. Also, remember to brush your beard every day if you want it to be nice and smooth. This can even help make your oil application routine easier and faster.
How to Shave a Beard
Certain beard styles require a bit of shaving as well. Naturally, the necessity of this step depends entirely on your decision on how to shape your beard.
You can shave either with a razor or an electric beard trimmer. In case you opt for a razor, make sure it’s sharp. Also, stocking up on products like shaving cream, gel, and aftershave lotion is essential in beard care. You need to keep your skin healthy and hydrated, and prevent irritations.
The most convenient time to shave is after a shower or bath because your skin is softened by the warm water. If you don’t like to shave after a shower, then always start by wetting your face and facial hair, preferably with tepid or warm water.
Once you’ve done this, it’s time to apply shaving foam, gel, or cream, whichever feels most comfortable for you. When you begin shaving, make sure your swipes follow the direction of the hair’s growth. Don’t forget to rinse frequently to remove the hair you’ve already shaved off. Finally, apply aftershave to reduce or avoid skin irritation.
Moustache Care 101
There are many facial hair-care guides online. However, a lot of them disregard moustache care or don’t pay that much attention to it. We’ll try to rectify that here at least a little bit with several steps you can follow to make your mustache look its best.
Firstly, trim your mustache twice a week to keep it neat. For this it’s always best to use grooming scissors. Moreover, make sure that you comb the mustache while combing your beard.
Using mustache wax is also a good idea, especially if you want to prevent the hair from getting into your mouth. Besides that, the wax will also help keep your mustache neat, soft, and moisturized.
How to Trim a Mustache
For a nice trim, you’ll only need a smaller comb, scissors, and clippers.
- Start by combing your mustache to the sides so you can trim evenly.
- Trim the hair to the desired length using a clipper setting of your choice.
- Comb the mustache down so that you can remove any unwanted hair across the lips.
- Take out the clipper guard and trim all the hair that goes over the lips.
- If you have a long mustache, comb it from the middle to the side, and snip the extra hair from the top alongside your lips.
Patience Pays Off
Beard care can be a bit demanding, but it’s totally worth the effort. A well-maintained beard is an expression of style and even offers people a glimpse into your personality. And if you need another reason to care about this aspect of your appearance, remember that beards provide 90 to 95% protection from harmful UV rays. So, we hope our beard trimming guide has motivated you to use this change on the outside to create a statement about who you are.
