Trimming your bread can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you don't know where to start. You don't have to worry though because we're here to help. Here's all you need to know about how to trim your beard.
Trimming Beard Essential Information
1. Patience Is Key
Chill out. When it comes to landscaping your thick bushy beard, patience is key. Most men with good beards achieved their glorious growth with a lot of self-restraint. No matter what happens, try and grow out your beard for at least 1 1/2 months. What this does is allow your beard to grow out more or less evenly. It also helps create shape to your beard so that you can pick a style that suits its growth. So put down the clippers and wait for the flowers (in this case, beard) to bloom.
2. Your Beard and Face Are Married
Not all beard styles are made equal. There are big, medium, and small beard styles that fit a wide range of face shapes. Some beard styles just aren't right for you; it's an inevitability that comes with trimming beard aesthetics. Make sure you pick a beard style that matches your face shape. You don't want to sport a square-cropped beard with a square-shaped face. Unless, of course, looking like Meatboy is something of a life's dream for you.
Let's not forget, of course, the other star of this show: the mustache. Just because your focus is on grooming that Gimli beard doesn't mean you should forget about your mustache. It's a very important part of your beard. Make sure you groom it just as you do your beard. For some tips, here are some ways on how you can trim your mustache.
3. Timing the Trim
Like any hedge, tree, or Facebook friends list, pruning is essential. When talking about trimming beard techniques, keep in mind the beard style you want, then check the mirror. If you see that your beard is a bit longer than it should be, it's time for a trim. Otherwise, hold off on grabbing that beard trimmer or clipper. If you're not sure how to trim a beard with clippers, go to your local barber for expert advice you can hopefully replicate at home.
4. Wash Your Beard Often
Listen, fellas: beard is hair. Taking care of your beard by washing it consistently should be a no-brainer. Washing takes care of food particles and dead skin cells that accumulate over time. These things cause lots of itchiness, especially during the growing period. Use a good, reliable beard wash for your beard. Scrub your beard with a good exfoliant several times a week. After washing, don't scrub; pat dry. This is to avoid frizziness and split ends in your beard. Yes, those aren't just for long hair!
5. A Beard Is a Lion That Must Be Tamed
Trimming beard alone is never enough. Like a circus lion, your beard must be whipped into shape. (Please don't whip lions. We do not condone animal cruelty here.)
Whip out (yes, we'll stop with the whip puns now) your favorite fine-tooth comb and give your beard a bit of love throughout the day. A comb or brush daily straightens out stubborn hairs and gives your beard a nice, uniform look. You should do this every time you trim it, too. Make sure you brush downward so a) your beard knows which direction to go when growing, and b) just to show your beard who's boss.
6. Anoint Your Beard With Oil
This product is perhaps the least-appreciated beard product available today. People keep talking about trimming beard hairs, but no one talks about aftercare. Well, boys, beard oil not only keeps your beard nice and hydrated, but also it makes you smell nice. It gives your beard a shininess and softness that gets lost whenever you trim your beard. Here are a bunch of great beard oils you can buy to help you out.
7. Gains, Beard Bro
Saturday shreds or beard gains? #newmanfitness pic.twitter.com/hYfGQzEIEh
— NewmanFitness (@NewmanFitness) June 2, 2018
Put as much work into your beard as you do in the gym. If you have protein shakes for your muscles, you have to have supplements for your beard, too. Beard growth is largely genetic, but helping it along with protein, fat, and vitamins won't hurt. Stock up on the "beard vitamins:" B5, B3, and B9. Add lean meat, egg yolks, milk, leafy greens, and nuts to your diet. These will all help encourage your chin to man up and keep growing.
Here's a video from Jordan O'Brien that teaches you how to trim your beard at home:
Now that you have the basic trimming beard necessities down pat, you're ready to begin your journey to beard greatness. Take absolute care while trimming, because you don't want a bald spot where you want your beard to be. However, if you follow these tips, you'll have nothing to worry about with your trim beard style.
Got any beard trimming tips for us? Let us know in the comments section.
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