Studies show that men with beards are more attractive than their clean-shaven counterparts. But if you’re planning to grow a beard, you’ll need to trim it regularly; otherwise, it will turn into a bushy, unkempt mess.

#1) Wash Regularly

Washing goes hand in hand with trimming with a beard. Unfortunately, though, this is a step that many men overlook, believing the natural oils produced by their skin will help moisturize their beard. While natural oils do moisturize, you still need to wash your beard. Failure to do so will result in dead skin cells and other debris becoming trapped.

#2) Comb Before Trimming

Another helpful tip is to comb your beard before trimming it. Using a medium-stiffness comb, comb your beard towards the grain to straighten it out. By combing your beard, you’ll remove any tangles or knots while allowing for an easier and more efficient trim.

#3) Trim Shorter on Neck and Cheeks

It’s a good idea to trim the hair on your neck and cheeks higher than your actual beard and mustache. Why is this necessary? Well, it’s the same principle as “fading” the hair on the side of your head. You want the focus to be on your mustache and beard, not your neck and cheeks. Therefore, trimming your neck and cheeks so the hair here is longer than your mustache and beard helps you achieve this goal.

#4) Don’t Trim When Wet

There’s nothing wrong with cutting your hair when it’s wet, but you shouldn’t attempt to trim your beard when it’s wet. The problem with trimming a wet beard is that it may look different when dry. You might trim your beard, only to discover later that it doesn’t look how you wanted it to. To prevent this from happening, err on the side of caution by trimming your beard only when it’s dry. This way, if it’s not just right, you can adjust it accordingly.

#5) Finish Up with Scissors

An electric trimmer is an invaluable tool that can help streamline the beard trimming process. A high-quality electric trimmer ensures a consistent, even trim while also giving you greater control over length. However, you should still finish up with scissors. After you are finished trimming your beard with an electric trimmer, go over it with a pair of scissors to remove any stray hairs. In addition to creating a more polished finished, using scissors also allows for a more natural-looking beard.

References:

https://www.birchbox.com/guide/video/how-to-trim-your-beard-if-youre-growing-it-out

Perhaps a beard really does make you more attractive. According to a study conducted by the Official Journal of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society, men with beards are viewed as being more attractive, masculine and healthier than their counterparts without facial hair. But if you’re planning to grow a beard, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the different types of beard products, including oil, balm and wax.

Beard Oil

Perhaps the most common type of beard conditioning product is beard oil. This classic product is the go-to choice among countless bearded men, and for good reason: it moisturizes the skin, protects against itchiness and dryness, and creates a darker and smoother-looking appearance.

When using beard oil, it’s recommended that you apply it using a brush or comb. Rather than just rubbing the oil directly into your beard using your bare fingers, try brushing it into your facial hair with a brush or comb. This allows the oil to penetrate deeper into your hair, moisturizing your skin directly at the pores.

Beard Balm

Alternatively, some men prefer beard balm instead of oil. Beard balm falls somewhere between oil and wax in terms of texture, making it an attractive choice for casual beard growers. It performs the same functions as beard oil, including moisturizing and protecting the skin from dryness. The only real difference is that beard balm has a thicker consistency.

Beard balm also contains the same ingredients as beard oil, only with the addition of butter. By adding a small amount of butter, beard balm becomes thicker than oil.

Beard Wax

A third type of beard conditioning product is wax. As the name suggests, it’s characterized by its wax-like texture, allowing for greater control regarding the styling of your beard. Beard wax is typically used for beard competitions and serious beard-growers who want to style their facial hair.

There are dozens of different types of beard wax on the market, though most contain ingredients like beeswax, cocoa butter, shea butter and coconut oil.

Regardless of which product you choose, it’s a good idea to start with a small amount and gradually add more as needed. Over-doing your beard with too much oil, balm or wax will make it look messy. You can always wash out the excess product, but it’s best to avoid using excess product in the first place.

References:

http://www.askmen.com/grooming/appearance/the-right-way-to-use-beard-balm.html

What are the Differences Between Beard Oil and Beard Balm. The Worries of New Beardsmen

Skincare is something that many men overlook. Some guys assume their skin is fine while others believe there’s no real benefit in caring for their skin. But regardless of your skin type, all men can benefit from a skincare regimen. To learn more about skincare for men and how to achieve healthy, vibrant skin, keep reading.

Moisturize Daily

Arguably, the single most important thing you can do for your skin is to moisturize daily. When skin becomes dry, it’s more susceptible to flaking, cracking, blemishes and other problems. Like a sponge, our skin is constantly absorbing or releasing moisture, depending on the surrounding environment. If you’re in a dry environment, your skin will also become dry. So, use a moisturizing cream or lotion to keep your skin moist and protect against dryness.

Wash Face After Exercising

If you’re a physically active man who enjoys exercising, you should wash your face immediately after working out. Exercise promotes the release of sebum within your skin’s pores. This natural oil produced by your skin helps to moisturize and lubricate your skin. Unfortunately, though, it can also promote breakouts and blemishes when left unchecked. As long as you wash your face after exercising, however, this shouldn’t be a problem.

In addition to washing your face after exercising, you should also wash it immediately before going to bed. Doing so ensures your face is clean when sleeping, preventing excess oil from clogging your pores at night.

Choose Skincare Products Carefully

Not all “skincare products” are actually good for your skin. The truth is that many contain harsh ingredients like alcohol or salicylic acid, which can further dehydrate your skin. When choosing skincare products, look at the ingredients to see what exactly the product contains. Avoid products with harsh chemicals such as this and instead choose products with natural ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe vera, vitamin E, etc.

Beware of Razor Bumps

Assuming you shave on a regular basis, you should take the necessary precautions to protect your skin from razor bumps. Also known as pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), razor bumps occur when hair follicles begin to grow sideways or inward instead of outward. If you shave too closely too your skin, for instance, it may cause irregular hair growth; thus, causing the formation of razor bumps. To prevent this from happening, try to get into the habit of shaving after you get out of the shower and use an aftershave lotion or cream to soothe your skin.

References:

https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/skin-care-for-men

This is a question many men ask themselves. Shaving is arguably one of the most important steps in self-grooming. By removing excess facial hair, you’ll create a cleaner appearance — and that’s something every man should strive for. Of course, there are different types of razors available, the two most common being straight razors and safety razors. So, which razor should you choose?

Straight Razor

The straight razor is the oldest and most traditional style of shaving razor. It’s characterized by a single, long razor attached to a handle (see above). From afar, straight razors resemble knives, which is essentially what they are. You hold the handle in one hand while carefully running the blade across your chin, neck and other areas where you want to remove facial hair.

So, what are the benefits of using a straight razor? For starters, they tend to last longer than their safety razor counterpart. A high-quality straight razor will offer you countless years of use. Granted, you may need to sharpen or replace the blade, but you don’t have to worry about replacing the actual straight razor.

Another benefit of using a straight razor is the simple fact that it’s less likely to produce razor bumps. This is because straight razors don’t create the same “close” shave as safety razors.

Safety Razor

The safety razor is a relatively new concept that first appeared in the early 1900s. Prior to its invention, the only tool available for shaving was a straight razor. Safety razors are characterized by the use of a protective component (usually made of plastic) between the blade and the skin. This plastic is designed to reduce the risk of cuts when shaving. While you can still cut yourself when shaving with a safety razor, it’s less likely to happen when compared to a straight razor.

Safety razors often feature two, three or even four blades. With more blades than a straight razor, they typically offer a closer shave. This can be both good and bad, however. A close shave means you get a cleaner appearance, but at the same time it also increases the risk of razor bumps. When you shave too close, hair follicles may grow inward and sideways, which is essentially how razor bumps form. If you’re going to shave with a safety razor, choose one that has three or fewer razors to reduce the risk of razor bumps.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaving

Some men assume that straight razors are obsolete and no longer needed given the countless number of “safety” razors that are now available. However, a straight razor offers several key benefits that aren’t found elsewhere. They are cheaper to use than safety razors; better for the environment; and when used correctly they reduce the risk of razor bumps. But how exactly do you use a straight razor?

Prep Your Face

Before shaving with a straight razor, you should prep your face by either taking a hot shower or applying a hot towel to your skin. The purpose of this is to encourage your pores to open, making it easier to shave while also reducing the risk of razor bumps and cuts.

Next, apply a generous amount of shaving cream to the areas you want to shave. Don’t just place a huge clump of shaving cream on your skin, but rather massage it into your skin. This helps to distribute the shaving cream more evenly.

The Stroke

Shaving with a straight razor requires a different approach than using a traditional safety razor. Without a “guard” to protect against cuts, you’ll need to make more methodical strokes. So, start by making slow and even strokes by going in the same direction in which your facial hair grows (with the grain). This is particularly important, as shaving against the grain increases the risk of razor bumps.

When holding your straight razor, try to keep it at a 30-degree angle. When the blade is pressed at a higher angle, it increases the risk of cuts. So, try to keep your straight razor pointed at a 30-degree angle as you shave.

You should also be sure to apply an appropriate amount of pressure. Too little pressure and the razor will simply glide across the hairs without actually cutting them. If you apply too much pressure, however, you may accidentally cut yourself — and that’s something best avoided when shaving.

Other Tips for Using a Straight Razor

• Apply additional shaving cream as needed (you should only shave when skin is moist and lathered).
• Maintain a clean, sharp blade. If the blade is dull, replace it before using it.
• Always shave with the grain and never against it.
• Apply an aftershave lotion to help soothe irritation and prevent razor bumps.
• If you accidentally cut yourself when shaving, apply styptic powder to the affected area.

References:

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/10/06/how-to-straight-razor-shave/