Most men wish to try growing a beard at least once in their life. Some are simply curious about their ability to grow facial hair and wonder how a beard will complement their face. Others — consciously or unconsciously — may be tempted by a full beard because of all the positive attributes associated with it: maturity, wisdom, power, virility, masculinity, and, of course, a certain rugged charm. And some simply love the look! Whatever your reasoning, explore our tips for growing a beard to start your facial hair journey on the right foot. There’s a lot more to it than simply not shaving.
How to Achieve Your Best Beard
Be patient.
Sometimes men struggle to push past the stubble phase, but if you want a full beard, you’ll need to trust the process and be patient. Your beard may look patchy and unkempt for a few weeks — or even a few months — but you’ll never grow a substantial beard if you aren’t willing to deal with a little awkwardness at the start. Plan to let your beard grow for about two months before you start trimming or shaping it.
Schedule a professional beard trim.
Beards don’t grow in perfectly tidily. In fact, when your beard first grows in, you should expect it to look straggly, bushy, or uneven. The fullness, thickness, and length will likely vary throughout. So, after you’ve achieved several weeks of growth, visit a barber to have your beard shaped and trimmed.
Tell your barber what sort of beard you’re hoping to achieve, showing some reference photos if you like. In addition, trust your barber’s expert opinion regarding what will best suit your face shape and the natural growth of your facial hair. By trimming off the scraggly bits and creating a more uniform shape, your barber can make your beard look polished and intentional.
Continue trimming your beard regularly.
As your beard grows, schedule routine barber appointments to keep it well-trimmed. Though this may feel counterproductive when you’re trying to grow a longer beard, it helps ensure that your beard grows in nicely and avoids looking uneven or unkempt. This is one of the most important tips for growing a beard because when facial hair looks messy and lacks cohesion, many men simply give up and assume beard life isn’t for them. Remember that sometimes your natural beard isn’t the issue — it’s that you’re not maintaining it properly.
Keep your neck and cheek lines tidy.
Now that you have a solid beard, you’ll need to maintain the neck and cheek lines to prevent it from looking disheveled. Shave carefully to avoid a lopsided look, and pay attention to the details. If you have questions about where the neck and cheek lines should fall, ask your barber when you first have your beard trimmed.
Wash and brush your beard.
Just as you need to shampoo the hair on top of your head, you need to wash your beard to keep it clean, shiny, and healthy. Although regular shampoo is just fine, you may wish to consider purchasing a product made specifically for beards that will be gentle on your chin and cheeks. In addition, brush your beard each morning and night to keep the hair neat. Not only does brushing your beard feel good, but also it helps exfoliate the skin underneath.
Apply beard oil.
Beard oil will keep your beard nourished, hydrated, and soft. It can also help you avoid beard itch and dandruff, which are unfortunately quite common with longer facial hair. As an added bonus, it gives your beard a lovely scent! If you’re interested in learning more about the basics of beard oil, check out our blog post How to Use Beard Oil. When your beard gets a bit longer, you may also wish to explore beard balms or creams to tame and style your facial hair.
Be realistic.
Keep in mind that your ultimate beard goals may not be possible. Your facial hair is unique, and you can’t choose its texture, fullness, and growth pattern. Maybe your beard is a bit sparse on the cheeks or much fuller in the goatee region. Maybe its color doesn’t quite match the hair on your head. Embrace what you have, and work with it.
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We hope these tips for growing a beard help you finally grow your best beard. With a little patience and some TLC, you’ll be rocking a hefty beard in no time.
Need advice on masculine grooming products? We can help. If you’re looking for that classic, community-oriented barbershop feel, look no further than Hudson / Hawk Barber & Shop. Since launching in 2013, we’ve become the go-to barbershop in numerous Midwestern communities across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. We offer community, conversation, and, of course, quality haircuts. Give us a call if you’d like to schedule an appointment.