Do you remember those days when you could step out of your house looking like “No Shave November”? Well, with the trends in beauty and fashion today, going out looking like a mountain man is such a sight to see for everyone. It’s out of style, and it doesn’t look clean at all.
Trimming the beard used to be just a hygienic thing to do by men. Today, it’s not just something men do to make themselves look presentable. It’s more of a fashion statement. In fact, more and more men are starting to give their beards more attention than before, thanks to the beards of David Beckham, Brad Pitt, and Ryan Reynolds. If beards can provide that much sex appeal, then it’s right to know how to do it.
Trimming a Beard
Okay, not so easy. Before getting yourself so excited to look like the next Ryan Reynolds, you have to know the basics first. What do you need? When do you trim your beard? Do you need a barber to do it?
In all honesty, trimming the beard is not that straightforward even if it seems like it. So here’s a quick guide on what you need and what to do.
First, if you’re new to shaving or this is the only time you’ve seen your facial hair actually grow, it’s best to go to a barbershop. Since it’s your first time, you might have shaky hands, or you have no idea what would look good on you. Sure, you can do a quick online search on the types of beard that match your face shape, but do you really want to rely on that? At least for your first time, consult with a professional barber so that he can give you guidance on what looks best on you.
Second, if you’re doing it at home, you would need tools to keep your hair smooth and soft and your actual trimming tools. Buy shampoo and conditioner that is meant for your beard. Needless to say, you should not use the same products that you use on your hair because the skin on your scalp and your chin are quite different. You will also need scissors, a razor, and a brush.
Here’s another thing. If you plan on trimming your beard, make sure that you’ve done your research on what you want your beard to become. Not knowing what your end goal should look like will be a disaster because you wouldn’t know which hairs to trim or to keep at their current length.
When you’ve got these ready, you can now start to trim your beard.
A Guide on Trimming Your Beard
Step 1: Apply Shampoo and Conditioner
Shampoo and conditioner are important because they keep your facial hair smooth and soft. If you have dry and curly hair, all the more reason to do this first step. Besides, do you want to have nasty-looking hair on your face? Definitely not.
First, apply the shampoo all around the part of your face with facial hair. You can massage your hair a bit so that it will have fewer tangles. Rinse your hair, and then proceed with conditioner. Just like what you do with your hair, make sure that you apply the conditioner on the strands and not so much on your actual chin and jaw. Remember, they aren’t part of your skincare routine.
Step 2: Brush your Hair
After you rinse your hair of all the products, it’s time to brush it out. Of course, you have to dry it out a bit before brushing just, so it’s easier to manage.
When your hair is just damp, get a beard brush and run it through your beard. The point of this is to make your hair stand up, so it’s easier to cut. Just like any hair that is about to get trimmed, your beard will be a lot easier to tame when it’s damp. Besides, when your hair is wet, and you brush it out, you’ll actually see how long the hair is.
Step 3: Cut Away
Now for the hardest part of the trimming process - the actual cutting. Depending on what part you will cut, you will need either a pair of clippers or a beard trimmer. It’s highly recommended that you start with the hair that’s longest first and then go towards the shorter part.
If you have a long goatee, the first thing you have to do is to cut it to your desired length. Make sure that you don’t cut the whole goatee with one straight line because then it would look like bangs. Whenever you trim your beard, keep in mind that you have to line your face. Follow your jawline and use it as a guide to know when to cut the sides shorter.
One of the easiest and most efficient beard cut is the one where you have slightly longer hair on the chin than the ones that are at the sides of your jaw.
Step 4: Use a Beard Trimmer
When you’re done with your goatee or chin area, you can now use your beard trimmer. A beard trimmer looks a lot like an enhanced razor except that it has wider coverage.
To use your beard trimmer, start with the lowest part of your neck. You might think that hair beneath your neckline is cool, but it’s not. It’s a must to get it removed thoroughly before proceeding with your jaw. Once that bottom neck area is cleared, you can now shave the area underneath your chin.
Step 5: Finish it Up.
Finally, when you’re content with all the hair that’s left on your face, you can now apply oil. Oil will help give that moisture to your beard after it has gone through products. It makes your beard look alive and well-kept. Plus, beard oil smells good! Make sure to apply just enough, so your hair looks glossy. But don’t overdo it so it won’t look sticky.