So you have a beard. Great! Now you need to take care of that beard. How do you do it?
In this article we plan to discuss just that. We hope to cover a few of the basics when it comes to every day care as well as provide a quick overview of what a few common products can do for you as well as provide a few tips that work for most people.
First Things First...
Wash your nasty self:
It is true that natural oils can be removed when you wash your beard but at the same time, beards collect quite a few nasty particles in them from just doing every day things. We recommend washing your beard every few days with a shampoo made specifically for beards. Washing can help tame the beard as well as make it to where it does not have a dingy scent or excess greasiness. Washing is especially important if your beard is long and thick because it absorbs and filters whatever is in your environment.
If you shave, now is the time to do that while your pores are still open from the hot shower. Check out our how to guide for the perfect shave.
Dry your beard:
It is preferred to pat your beard to remove the excess water. Rubbing can irritate your skin and potentially remove a few hairs. after you pat it dry with a towel, use a blow dryer to remove the rest of the moisture.
2nd Apply Product: (treatyoself):
If you are like most men in the shower, you probably used the same shampoo on your face that you did your hair so this poses a potential problem. Shampoo for your head has a different PH level than what your face should use. What this does is strip your hair (and face) of natural oils it leads to brittle hair and irritated flaky skin especially under your beard. This is where product can really make the difference in the condition and quality of your beard.
Beard Oil:
Its called beard oil, so you would think it is only for your beard, but the beard is only part of it. The other part is the skin underneath. It does not take too much oil to fulfill its function and in fact, too much you are just wasting it. After your beard is dry put a few drops on your fingers and rub it in at the base of your hair follicle ensuring contact with the skin.
Butter/Balm:
After you treat your self with oil (not too much oil) you need something to condition the hair. Butters and Balms provide high conditioning which is what makes the beard soft and tamable and there are plenty of options out there. Balm has to be melted with body heat to make it usable. Add a small amount to your fingertips and rub vigorously until it has melted then apply. After application is when you should use a brush or comb to straighten your hair. Butter you should be able to just swipe a small amount, spread it out on your fingertips and rub in.
Tips
Trimming is something that should be done. Knocking down some of the split ends and wild hairs promotes healthy growth, makes it easier to maintain, and provides a better overall appearance.