Skip to main content

Beginner Beard Grooming

beardcare 101 b2
Image used with permission by copyright holder
If you’re thinking about growing a beard and don’t have a whole lot of basic beard knowledge, this quick primer will get you started. From the beginning stubble stage to full-grown whiskery, it’s important to keep your beard and the skin underneath nourished and clean. Oils and dirt can stay trapped in your beard, clog pores and lead to painful ingrown hairs and acne. Harsh soaps can also do damage by stripping the moisture from your facial hair causing uncomfortable dryness and flakes. A great smelling, soft, shiny beard starts by using the right products. We spoke with the Co-Founder of Bluebeards Original, Paul Kaniewski, who offered these tips on how to make it through the itchiness on the way to full blown beardom.

 Do you have any suggestions for trying to grow a beard? Is it true that shaving helps your beard come in quicker or thicker?

There is no way to really grow a beard faster and any product that does so is doing you a disservice. Thick or thin facial hair is part of your genetic make-up. Using a good conditioner can make your beard appear thicker and fuller.

BB1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why are beards so damn itchy while growing in?

Facial hair is coarse, and the end of the follicle (from years of shaving) is sharp and often barbed at the end. As the hairs emerge, the sharp edges irritate the skin. In addition, dead skin cells that usually fall away from the face are now clinging to the facial hair shafts, further irritating the skin. Whatever you do, don’t scratch. It won’t help, and can cause redness and “beardruff,” or dry skin flakes in your beard. This is not a good look. Remember that the itching does go away in about a month. Products like our Beard Saver, $24. minimize the irritation and help with the itch.

Tell us about the Bluebeards Original? Which products should a bearded guy always have on hand? And how many times a week should guys be using them?

Bluebeards Original was started when I first grew out my beard and it itched like crazy. There was literally nothing out there to help with this so my wife worked on a bunch of different formulas with essential oils till we developed our Beard Saver, $24., which has been helping grow beards for over a decade. If you are growing a beard you need to have Beard Saver, $24, and use it daily along with our Beard Wash, $14. every day to take care of all those dead skin cells we talked about. If you have a big old beard you will want to add our Wonder Beard, $20. weekly conditioner that help repair split ends.

BB2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Can you use Beard Wash for the hair on your head? How is it different than a shampoo?

You can use Beard Wash on your head but you better not go the other way around and try putting your regular hair shampoo on your face. Shampoos are made for the scalp; the skin on your face is more sensitive and will often itch and feel tight when washed with shampoo. Our Beard Wash, $14., is gentle on the skin, but also has ingredients that can handle the coarse hairs that you have on your face. These are thicker than the hair on your head and require extra conditioning.

BB3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What are your thoughts about trimming your beard? Do you have a favorite trimmer?  

Beards are fun and you should have no fear of styling and trimming a beard if you want to because it always grows back. Guys don’t have as many ways to change the way their facial looks as women do, so a beard is a great way for a guy to get creative and express his own style. As for trimmer, use plain ol’ scissors if you want the most control, because with the electric trimmers one false move can lop off more than you bargained for.

The summer is coming, are there any benefits to keeping a full beard? Can guys skip the sunscreen if they keep it?

 When summer comes a lot of guys want to commit Beardicide, that’s why we started a Beardicide Prevention campaign. Beards provide a great natural barrier to harmful UV rays. Not only that, if you’re an active guy your facial hair is protecting your face from wind and other damage. A bearded face stays far more moisturized than a clean-shaven one. Remember unless you’re Teen Wolf it’s smart to apply sunscreen to the exposed parts of your face.

Jennifer Ryan Jones
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jennifer Ryan Jones is a fashion and grooming expert who contributed regularly to The Manual and AskMen.com. Her past…
Make grooming easy: The 8 best beard trimmers to get the job done
Whatever look you're going for, one of these trimmers will get you there
Smiling businessman with brown bag walking in city

If you want to be the envy of facial hair enthusiasts everywhere, growing a beard is only half the battle. Once your facial hair goes beyond a certain length, it starts to get messy, and even the best beard-styling products will only get you so far before it’s time to bring out a good power tool (and we do love power tools.) Enter the beard trimmer. Using a good trimmer on the regular may be what some men need to keep their facial beasts under control. Depending on how fast their hair grows, others may want to use one between visits to a barber, maintaining style daily. If you are trying to develop a longer beard, you still need to trim the ends to ensure you keep the hairs strong and healthy, and it will even help them grow faster in some instances.

Either way, there is a wide range of options, from value-priced to expensive, from simple solutions to those with significant horsepower. Most include comb attachments to cut hairs to specific lengths, allowing for elaborate shaping and styling. Cordless models offer convenience with as much power as you should need. Below are some of our picks for the best beard trimmers on the market.

Read more
Get your facial hair in order: The best beard combs
These beard combs can help with styling, detangling, and so much more
Man brushing his beard in the mirror

When you look in the mirror at your growing beard, do you like what you see? While we don’t doubt your beard-growing progress, every face needs some TLC. Luckily for you, these best beard products offer the boost your mane deserves.

When looking for ways to groom your beard, a beard comb is the one tool you shouldn't overlook. As we get ready for nicer weather and and spring cleaning season, investing in good self-care tools is always a good idea, so take a closer look at this guide to the best beard combs and see which one may be right for you.

Read more
The best beard balms to tame, hydrate, and shape your whiskers
Treat your beard to one of these amazing beard balms right now
A pair of hands using beard balm.

It is of the utmost importance to focus on maintaining your physical appearance, whether you’re working at home or relaxing by the fireplace, and that's especially true if you've got a beard to take care of (trust us); he who cares wins. That would mean being armed with a full suite of the best men’s grooming essentials, specifically beard oil and balm.

Many of the best beard products cater to every beard type and length, but arguably the most versatile of them all is the beard balm — an all-in-one conditioning product that is specifically designed to help tame, hydrate, and help shape and sculpt your luscious facial whiskers. If you’re on the lookout for the right one for your bearded needs, we’ve rounded up the best beard balms for men — all containing the highest quality ingredients that help keep your beard soft and hydrated and have a great sheen no matter what the weather. These are our top picks for the best beard balms to tame your facial mane right now.

Read more