Proper Beard Care For Men
with
Jonathon E. Stewart
Don't let your beard become a nesting place for stray birds and crumbs - be well-groomed and stylish with your neatly kept beard by using these easy tips.
Transcript: Proper Beard Care For Men
Hey guys - Jonathon Stewart here for About.com. Beards can be sexy, cool, sophisticated, and suave, depending on who you ask. But, they can just as easily be ratty, nasty, dirty, and smelly, which isn't fun for anyone. Take a look at these simple beard care tips, and you'll be on your way to a fashionable, good looking face in a flash. Check it out.Keep Your Beard Clean
Beard care rule number one - keep it clean. Just like the hair on your head, the hair on your face needs to be shampooed, even if it's not all that thick. Lather up every other day with your regular shampoo and rinse as usual. Just be careful not so get any in your mouth. Starting to grow a beard can be tricky, as most men tend to look a little haggard after a few days of not shaving. You might want to start growing your beard over a holiday or break from work, when you have the time to look like a slob only in front of your family and friends.Condition and Moisturize Your Beard
Beard care rule number two - condition and moisturize. Especially if you've got a little - or a lot - of grey in your beard, it's important to keep your beard from getting dry and bristly. Stick to a facial moisturizer and be sure to cover your entire beard. Now, my beard's a little short for this, but it's also important to keep your beard combed, and crumb free. Do this after you get out of the shower, or any old time of day. Mmmm.Trim Your Beard
Beard care rule number three - trim it. If you're going to grow a beard, you should definitely own a beard trimmer. Most come with an adjustable guide and guard that prevents trimming your beard closer than you want - the standard beard length is about a half inch, or setting number 3 on most trimmers. Make sure your beard is dry and that you start out on a setting that's a little longer rather than a little shorter. Be sure to trim your sides, chin, and moustache. Bear in mind these are only guidelines for a standard beard - if you're going for burly and intimidating, do it. But, ah, you might still want to heed the washing and conditioning parts. Just sayin'.Shape Your Beard
Beard care rule number four - shape it. This step is mostly up to you and how comfortable you are with your beard. Use your trimmer without the guard to tighten up the neck and corners of your mouth, and use a regular razor to clean up areas like your lower neck and cheeks. Just be sure to leave your beard as symmetrical as possible, and you're all set.I keep my beard pretty high so it doesn't itch so much, but some beards look best all the way down your neck and all the way up your cheeks. You can also choose to dye your beard's grays and there are plenty of products out there that'll do it, but just remember, grayness is next to godliness. Or something like that.
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