20 Grooming Tips for a Better Beard Care Routine

When it comes to beard maintenance, it isn’t for the faint of heart. Knowing exactly how to take care of your beard in terms of proper cleansing, moisturizing, gangling and styling is practically an art form and should be treated as such. In this post, we will share some effective tips to groom your beard.

Beard Grooming Tips

While most men know a few basic steps when it comes to proper beard grooming, it has been found that most men don’t have a clue about trimming, brushing, or even styling their beards. So before you decide to give up and shave it all off, take a look at these beard grooming tips and see if you can use a few to salvage your manhood.

1. Invest in a Good Beard Trimmer

If you trim your beard yourself, it is very important to have a great beard trimmer. Choosing which trimmer to buy will depend on certain things such as how you like to style your beard, how close you may shave your beard down and even precision work.

Whether you like your beards long or short, it is important to choose a trimmer that is durable and will cover all of your needs. Researching trimmers and the settings they offer will be the best bet in your hunt for the perfect one, so take your time and really focus on what look you’ll be trying to achieve with them.

2. Keep it Clean

Just like your head and every other orifice of your body that grows hair, your beard needs to be cleaned regularly. Use something as simple as a moisturizing shampoo, or even a medicated one to reduce the risk of developing dandruff. While you don’t need to do it every day (unless you’re a messy eater), shampooing the beard a couple of times a week should be enough to maintain cleanliness.

3. Condition/Moisturize

You shouldn’t wash your hair or face without moisturizing afterwards, and the same goes for your beard. While conventional conditioners won’t leave your beard feeling as luxurious as your hair, you can be sure they’ll impart some well-needed moisture back into it. While some men opt to just apply some beard oil, others actually deep condition and moisturize with specialty products formulated just for beards.

4. Use Sharp Scissors

If you choose to trim the hair with scissors, it is important to make sure that they are sharp. Using dull scissors to trim your beard will not only leave you with a choppy cut, but it will cause the hairs to split, which will leave the beard looking wiry and unkept no matter how much you style it.

5. Trim the Beard When it’s Dry

This may sound ridiculous, but it is best to trim your beard while it is dry. Not only will it prevent the hair from clogging up your trimmer, but it will also ensure that you aren’t cutting off more than you want to.

Water has a tendency to weigh the hair down, making it appear longer than it is when it’s dry. Trimming the beard while it’s wet runs the risk of cutting the beard too short and uneven.

6. Comb the Hair Downwards When Trimming (if you use scissors to trim)

It’s best to comb the hair down with a small tooth comb while trimming in order to ensure that the beard is being stretched to its fullest length. This will not only ensure that the beard is being cut evenly, but it will also remove any tangles.

7. Experiment with Different Beard Types

There’s no right or wrong way when it comes to trying to find the perfect beard look for you. So do some research on beard styling and experiment yourself. You may find that something you thought you’d never do actually looks good on you. Once you find your signature look, you’ll see that styling your beard will become as easy as putting your pants on.

8. Ditch the Razor

If you are prone to razor bumps from ingrown hair, it’d be best to ditch the razor so that the skin is given the chance to heal. This is particularly common among African-American men since the hair is very tightly curled.

After shaving, bumps occur because as the hair is trying to grow back in, either a scab forms over the follicle, preventing the hair from breaking the surface of the skin, or the hair curls back into the follicle on itself.

If you do prefer using a razor, be sure to shave in the same direction that the hair grows (upwards from the Adams apple up towards the chin) which will cut down on ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

9. Visit Your Dermatologist

If you notice that your skin is flaking or enflamed, it would be best to visit your dermatologist in order to get it treated. Inflammation of the skin could be due to a possible allergic reaction or infection so it shouldn’t be disregarded.

By focusing on the health of the skin beneath the beard, you are ensuring that your face remains in tip top shape which could be the difference between a full, healthy beard and a thin, patchy one.

10. Grow It Out

If you’re looking to achieve a fuller bearded look, allow it to fully grow out before you trim it down and style it. Trying to style a beard that has not fully grown in is a mistake that many men make, especially if they think they can’t achieve a full bearded look. It’s best to grow it out to at least an inch before styling.

11. Develop a Routine

In order to keep your beard looking its best without too much added effort is by developing a routine. Routines make it easier to maintain the care and styling of your beard. Since it pretty much becomes second nature, it will also cut down on that feeling of having to do it as if it were a chore.

12. Shave It

When all else fails, shave it off/down. It’s no secret that some men aren’t able to grow full beards and that’s okay. If your beard grows in patches and doesn’t get long or thick enough to style and maintain, then just shave it off.

13. Stay Hydrated and Eat Healthily

What you eat and drink affects how your beard looks. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin and hair hydrated. Eating a balanced diet rich in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins will also promote better hair growth and a healthier beard.

14. Beard Balm for Styling

Beard balm is a fantastic tool for styling and shaping your beard. It helps to tame any unruly hair and keeps the beard looking neat and tidy. Plus, most beard balms also contain natural oils that help condition the beard and moisturize the skin beneath.

15. Regular Trimming for Even Growth

Regularly trimming your beard helps maintain an even length and shape. Not all beard hair grows at the same rate, so occasional grooming can keep your beard looking its best. This also helps to get rid of any split ends and keep the beard healthy.

16. Mind the Neckline

The neckline is an often-overlooked part of beard grooming. A well-defined neckline can enhance the appearance of your beard, but be careful not to trim the neckline too high as it can make the beard look unnatural.

17. Use Beard Brush

Invest in a quality beard brush. It is a crucial tool to distribute beard oil evenly across your facial hair and to keep your beard looking neat. Brushing also stimulates the hair follicles, encouraging growth and keeping the hair healthy.

18. Check for Beard-Friendly Products

When buying grooming products, check to see if they’re beard-friendly. Certain shampoos or face washes can strip your beard of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle. Opt for natural products or those specifically designed for beards.

19. Handle Beard Itch Like a Pro

In the early stages of growing a beard, you might experience itchiness. Resist the urge to scratch as it can lead to irritation or even damage your skin. Instead, try using moisturizing beard oil or balm to soothe the itch.

20. Patience is Key

Growing a beard doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient and let your beard grow out naturally. Try to resist the urge to trim or style it in the early stages. The length will eventually help cover any patches, and once it’s grown out, you can then shape it to suit your face.