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beard care and grooming

Look younger while sporting a beard

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Most men like to look younger. Some will even admit it. However, too many guys automatically believe that looking younger means shaving off their beards. Stop! Don’t do that! Instead, follow these steps to look younger while still sporting your prized facial hair.

Step 1: Get your rest

The first step to looking younger is making sure that you are getting a good night’s sleep, every night. Depriving your body of proper rest can lead to many health problems. One of the first negative effects of insufficient sleep is on your looks. Having bags under your eyes can make you look older. And a great cure for that is…SLEEP.

Step 2: Prep your face

The next step to looking younger is always keeping up on general maintenance. Washing your face every day and exfoliating once a week is a good place to start. It is good to rid your skin of excess oils that could lead to breakouts and scarring, which could diminish your youthful look. It’s important to know your skin type for this step! Skin types, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, are:

  1. Sensitive skin may sting or burn after product use
  2. Normal skin is clear and not sensitive
  3. Dry skin is flaky, itchy or rough
  4. Oily skin is shiny and greasy
  5. Combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others

Each skin type presents its own need. For oily skin you should use a cleanser that cleans deep. But for dry or sensitive skin you want to use a gentle cleanser.

Step 3: Trim and shape

How to look younger with a beard, image 002
Big or small: keep your beard looking sharp for a younger appearance.

After washing your face, your hair follicles are at their prime for trimming and shaping. That said, trimming with clippers or scissors generally works better when your beard and mustache are dry. When your beard is well trimmed and shaped, it’s bound to make heads turn your way. Plenty of young guys keep their beards in top form. This should remain a priority as you get older. You want to make sure that your beard looks sharp and well-groomed.

Keeping all your edges crisp and clean is key to a sharp-looking beard. The easiest way to get this look is by using the right tools. Do your research and make sure you are using the proper accessories when it comes to maintaining your facial hair. Brands like Harry’s offer many different shaving products and solutions you can use to clean up your beard’s edges and turn your trimming process into perfection. Pro Tip: Don’t forget your eyebrows. Trim your eyebrows to keep them in check as well. The neater your eyebrows and beard are, the younger you look.

Step 4: Add some beard oil

We know that as we age, our bodies change. With that said, our facial hair changes too, which can make us look older. Facial hair not only changes in color, but it can also change in texture. The older we get, the more coarse our beards may become. However, beard oil can help with this. Adding a little beard oil every day will help to moisturize and protect your beard!

Step 5: Moisturize your face

Adding a light lotion to your face can reduce the effects of the environment on your skin. Using the correct moisturizer for your skin type can make a world of difference. For example, if you normally have dry skin, use a heavier daily moisturizer. For added defense, try a face moisturizer that contains sun protection (SPF). This will help limit the effects of sun exposure. However, be sure not to add face moisturizer to the areas that already have beard oil on them.

Add these five steps to your regular grooming routine and you will look younger before you know it. With the proper care, you can keep your beard and still look younger! Now please share any other tips that work for you in the comments below!

featured beards

Chris’ fierce beard: growing stronger

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Chris, with his fierce beard, made his debut in the featured beards section six years ago. Since then, Chris’ thick beard has been growing stronger. He grows an eye-catching luxuriant beard that is the envy of many an onlooker. In this update you’ll see that his beard is bigger than ever before. In addition, Chris discusses how things have gone with his beard in recent years and how he cares for and maintains his beard in top form. A new photo gallery featuring Chris’ beard is included below after his interview. All photos appear courtesy of Chris.

Also, since Chris was first featured here on All About Beards, he has gone to graduate school and earned his MBA in executive management. Click on any of these photos to view a larger version:

Chris and a fellow student are all smiles at graduation.
Chris and a fellow student enjoy a celebratory moment during graduation.
Chris is joined by a friend in celebrating his MBA graduation.

Chris’ beard update interview

Do men still mention to you that they wish they had a beard like yours?

I honestly get comments like that almost every day. My friends and family roll their eyes when it happens. But they’re just jealous of the attention. Ha ha.

Does your beard still get you a lot of attention?

We recently had a new executive join our team. And when our department had the opportunity to meet with him, he opened the meeting with a comment that mine was the best beard he had ever seen. He closed the meeting with another reference to the beard. Needless to say, I inspired several new beards in the company that day!

I am happy to report that I’ve been able to merge my bearded appearance with my corporate persona successfully. My favorite story was one day I was on the elevator with our VP of HR. He asked me if I planned on keeping the beard… a short pause that felt like an eternity gave my mind time to wander… “I’ve never had any negative comments about my facial hair at work, but here we go…” He broke the silence with, “I definitely think you should. You know, I had a beard once…” And he continued to tell me about his previous experience. I encouraged him to try it again and he is now part of the bearded brotherhood!

From a flirting standpoint, let’s just say yes, the beard still delivers…

Have you kept your full beard continuously since the time of your beard feature?

I did shave my beard completely off once since my last appearance on the website. My mom is one of the few people who prefers me bald faced. I shaved for her 70th birthday as a gift. After the birthday month was over, the beard growing resumed.

Chris starts growing his fierce beard again after shaving for his mom's birthday.
Mom’s birthday party’s over: Chris starts growing his fierce beard once again.

Have you gone bigger or shorter with your beard in the recent years?

Compared to my featured pics, my current beard size is definitely bigger. It varies. But even on the smaller end of the scale, it’s bigger than back then.

Have you settled on a more-or-less permanent beard size and shape?

My style has been a little refined over the years… short mustache (my hair is too stubborn to go handlebar), long in the front, squared off at the bottom, keeping the sides trim, and then tapered from back to meet the length of the front.

Are you still trimming and shaping your beard yourself or do you ever utilize the skills of a professional?

I do let my barber trim my beard.  But it’s usually a joint effort. If I want a major trim, I’ll do it first, and then have him clean it up. Or, for a regular trim while I’m getting a haircut, I’ll trim a bit when I get home. He just opened his own shop, and I’ve sent him a lot of business over the years. I even did a photo shoot for the shop. You’ll see me on his website, Single Barrel Barbershop, and I’m the first pic they ever posted on their Insta.

What’s your beard grooming and maintenance routine?

I shampoo and condition my beard every time I’m in the shower. I try to use quality products that are sulfate free and have a decent oil content. Then I towel dry.  I apply a generous amount of beard oil (I’m crazy about Duke Cannon right now) and brush it out. If I’m looking for a more styled appearance, I’ll use a styling product like a beard balm. I keep a brush in my truck so I can touch up before heading into my destination.

Do you have any beard-care secrets that might benefit other beard growers?

I always keep my beard smelling good. People love a well-groomed beard that smells delicious.

When trimming and styling your beard, also consider your hairstyle. If you’re going to have a big beard, your hair should be trim and tight as a contrast. I love getting a tight fade on the sides. It makes the beard stand out even more!

Is your beard still inspiring other men to grow their beards?

Absolutely. Some of my friends tag my pics with #beardgoals .

Would you say that your level of enthusiasm for your beard has changed over the years?

At this point, my beard is a big part of my personality. The only reason I could see shaving would be for a future milestone birthday gift for my Mom.

Chris’ new beard photo gallery

Click on any photo below to view a larger version.

Chris gets his beard trimmed at Single Barrel Barbershop.
Chris gets his beard trimmed at Single Barrel Barbershop.
Chris gets his beard trimmed at Single Barrel Barbershop.

Be sure to see Chris’ original beard feature:

Chris’ fierce beard, featured image 1
Chris’ fierce beard

beard care and grooming

Add some new zing to your look and your beard for spring

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It’s time for spring — north of the equator, that is — and it brings longer days, warmer weather, and maybe a new beard style! One of the great things about having a beard is the ability to change it up whenever you like. Maybe you’ve kept your face nice and toasty with a big beard all winter but are now ready to trim it down or switch to a different style for a lighter look. Below, we’ve come up with a list of ways in which you can do a little spring cleaning to freshen up your facial hair style as well as other aspects of your grooming program.

Consider new beard ideas for spring

If you’re the kind of man who likes to keep his beard the same all year long, that’s great!  We salute you.  However, springtime represents a time for renewal and fresh starts.  Changing up your beard can transform you with a fresh new look. So if you’re game for a beard change, there’s no time like the present.

While we always strongly advocate for the full beard for those who are capable of growing the full beard, you can still change up your full beard while keeping your full beard.  If your full beard is still wild and woolly from the winter growth season, lightening it up with a trim down to a shorter length can give you a sharp new look for spring.

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Trimming your full beard short can give you a lighter feeling and a sharp new look for spring.

If you feel like making an even bigger change to your beard, consider switching to another style such as a goatee and mustache combo. Or go for the similar yet bolder extended goatee.   Maybe now would be a good time to have fun with a temporary switch to the chin curtain.  Check out our beard style guide and select a style that you’d like to try.  Or be creative and design your own unique beard style.

Develop a skincare routine

A great beard needs a solid foundation. And a healthy beard comes from healthy skin. Harsh winter weather may have left your skin feeling dry and flaky, which does not provide the greatest grounds for growing and maintaining facial hair. The good news is that this can be quickly corrected with the proper skincare routine. The first step is determining your skin type. The American Academy of Dermatology lists skin types as follows:

  1. Sensitive skin may sting or burn after product use
  2. Normal skin is clear and not sensitive
  3. Dry skin is flaky, itchy or rough
  4. Oily skin is shiny and greasy
  5. Combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others

Knowing your skin type will give you a better idea of which products you should use. Always use skin care products that are gentle on your skin that will maintain your face and scalp as clean and healthy places for hair to grow.  If you are in doubt about your skin type and which products would be best for you, it’s a good idea to check with a medical professional.

Maintain your mane

In addition to a facial hair change-up, many men welcome the warmer weather with a new hairstyle. Whether you opt for a shorter cut or a new hairstyle altogether, there are plenty of products out there to assist you in maintaining the hair on your head. Like skin, hair types vary depending on the individual and this determines factors such as how often you should wash your hair and which products you should use. For some men, growing hair on the face comes much easier than growing hair on the top of the head. If you’re in this boat, there’s no need to worry! Something as simple as switching up your hairstyle is a quick fix and will give you the confidence you need to look and feel your best. Following a diet full of foods that are rich in nutrients and vitamins is a great way to support healthy hair growth as well.

Invest in the proper tools

You can do everything right when it comes to the beard-growing process, but if you don’t have the proper tools to maintain your beard, you won’t look your best. Investing in a quality beard trimmer is key to keeping your facial hair looking its best at all times. While there are plenty of beard trimmers on the market from which to choose, when selecting a beard trimmer you should shop around and make your purchase based on the features that will best suit you and your facial hair.

The same goes for choosing a proper razor. If your new beard style is one that means you’ll be doing a lot of shaving, like with the goatee or chin curtain, you’ll need a quality razor. If you don’t want to bother with getting razors at the store, you might consider getting razors via subscription. Many companies now offer a basic plan in which you can tailor products and tools to fit your needs. This allows you to try out their products and then decide what’s best based on your shaving needs.

Overall, it’s pretty easy to create your new look for spring. Shedding your cold-weather style for a fresh look will leave you looking and feeling great just in time for the new season.

shaving

When You’ve Gotta Do It: The Expert Guide to Shaving Off Your Beard

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Shave off your beard? Really???!!!

Sometimes it’s unavoidable. It could result from a change in your employment situation. It could be required for a medical procedure. It might be to benefit a charity fundraiser. Or it could be that a beard just doesn’t work for you. But one day you may be facing a need to shave off your beard.

Shaving off your beard doesn’t mean that you’re being disloyal to the bearded brotherhood. It could just represent a temporary time-out until your next beard-growing opportunity presents itself. It’s been said that one of the best things about shaving off your beard is that it enables you to experience the pleasure of growing it out again. Whenever a beard is shaved off, the potential for its return is always present.

Prepare to say farewell to your beard

So if you’ve got to shave off your beard, you ought to do it the right way.  Do you know how to shave off a beard?  Our guide will teach you how to shave off your beard easily, like a pro.  Before you get started, however, make sure you have all the necessary gear on hand:

  • beard trimmer, electric hair clippers, or scissors
  • optional: electric razor
  • towels
  • mirror
  • shaving cream or equivalent (Do not use soap!)
  • razor
  • moisturizer

Step 1: Shear off your beard

Before you actually do any shaving, your first task is to remove as much of the beard hair as possible. The easiest way is to use a beard trimmer with the trimming guard removed or use ordinary electric hair clippers.

Just ahead of the beard-shearing operation, you may want to use a towel or cloth to cover your work space to catch the hair cut from your beard. Or, if you’re working over a sink, you may just close the drain and let the sink catch all the beard hair. Then you can use some bathroom tissue to sweep all of it up and out of the sink for disposal.

Now, using the beard trimmer or hair clippers before the mirror, carefully shear off as much of the beard hair as possible. A more labor-intensive alternative is to snip off your beard hair with scissors. If you choose to use scissors, you’ll get better results with a good pair of scissors designed for cutting hair. At this point, an optional step is to use an electric razor to refine the removal of what remains of your beard.

After ridding yourself of as much beard hair as you can, you’re ready to move on to step two: the real shave. Your newly-exposed skin is no longer accustomed to being shaved, especially if you count your bearded time in years. This situation calls for taking extra care to prepare your skin. Proper skin preparation will help prevent or minimize irritation and ingrown hairs.

Step 2: Shave for the first time after shearing off your beard

Here’s some expert advice on carrying out that critical first post-beard shave:

First, use a hot towel which will utilize steam to soften the outer layer of the hair. Next, be aware that using too much or too little shaving cream affects how you properly prep the skin. Using too little of a product might not soften the hair enough, while using too much of a product can become a slippery mess just asking for nicks and cuts.

Now before putting razor to skin, it’s important to navigate your grain pattern. Slide your fingers across the skin to feel which way your hair is growing. When shaving, the first stroke of shave should go with the grain when the hair is at its longest. The next stroke should go against the grain when the hair is shorter. This will relieve any tug and pull on the skin while leaving the area smooth. It’s important to remember not to put too much pressure on your skin while shaving. Gently gliding the razor across your skin will work best for a close shave.

Step 3: Finish up by soothing your newly-shaved skin

Lastly, it’s important to remember that shaving can leave your skin dry. This is even more important to keep in mind when it comes to shaving off your beard. That skin on your face hasn’t experienced the elements in a while, so it’s likely to be even more sensitive. Don’t forget to apply a moisturizer after and you’re good as new!

You’re beard-free again…for now!

With that, you’ve officially returned to the beardless world. Be sure to take a good long look in the mirror and let it sink in what you have done. The bearded brotherhood bids a fond goodbye and wishes you well. We remain eager to welcome you back whenever you have the opportunity to grow your beard again!

Of course, whenver you are ready to grow your prized beard again, be sure to follow our proven guide on how to grow a beard.