How to maintain a great beard
Growing a great beard is definitely an achievement for many men, but it doesn't stop there. Once you have achieved your desired length and style, you need to understand how to keep your beard looking fresh and healthy. Beard maintenance is really important if you want to keep an awesome looking beard, and it doesn't have to be complicated. We’ve come up with 5 key steps that will help you maintain a beard that everybody will be jealous of!
1. Wash your beard regularly
It may sound pretty gross, but your beard can become quite dirty if you don’t make a conscious effort to keep it clean. Think about those crumbs and leftover food from yesterday that got stuck in there! We think all beards are great but we recommend washing them properly at least 2-3 times each week to avoid them becoming gruby.
If you just give your beard a quick splash in the morning, it may be craving a little bit more attention. You can keep your beard hair looking and smelling great by shampooing it when you take a shower. And if you want to really treat yourself (and your beard) you can look out for products made specifically for beard care, which can add an extra touch of softness. These will help to prevent any unwanted buildups of dirt which can be caused by sweat and any excess oils.
2. Trim your beard
Trimming your beard is an essential step in your beard maintenance routine. It will help to keep your beard looking really healthy and fresh, as it continues to grow everyday. The general rule is that the shorter the hair, the more often it needs to be trimmed. Depending on your beard style, the amount of trimming it will need will vary but as a rule of thumb - for a full beard - once or twice a week should be enough. Beard scissors are great for a more precise trim whereas beard trimmers are favourable if your beard hair is longer. When you come to trim, keep a lookout for any uneven patches, long spots or split ends and take the time to even things out and remove any damaged hair.
3. Use beard oil
Beard oil is the secret to a soft and shiny beard. Conditioning your beard with oil also helps to moisture the skin under the beard, preventing itchiness and also maintains follicle health. Beard hair is usually quite rough in texture too, so using beard oil regularly will help soften the hair and add a shine to your beard. It can also make your beard look fuller and promote hair growth - so it’s great for people who are looking to thicken up their facial hair.
4. Keep the neckline clean
Keeping your neckline and cheek lines shaved is a great way to define the edges and give your beard its desired shape. A well-kept beard will help to give your face some solid definition, and a shaved neckline plays a big part. As much as you treat your beard, your facial hairs will continue to grow unevenly and in different directions so frequent trimming of the neckline and cheeks is essential to keeping your beard looking shaped and sharp.
5. Use the right tools
A mens beard maintenance routine isn’t complete without a brush and comb. These are definitely two of the most useful beard care tools that can be used for exfoliation, beard taming and styling. A beard comb is a great way to evenly spread the oils through your beard, and to shape it after a warm shower. It's an essential component when it comes to beard presentation. Whereas, a beard brush is an effective way to exfoliate the skin under the beard (which is just as important!) and remove dead skin cells that may otherwise get trapped in your beard hair.
A properly maintained beard is definitely an attractive one. Keeping your beard clean and healthy by using the tips above will help to give it proper shape to fit your style and enhance your features.
Having a fresh and well-groomed beard can be a huge statement in your personal style. You just need to put some time and effort into your beard maintainance routine and you will reap the results.