Perfect Beard Maintenance Routine: Tips from Real Men
Facial hair can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how well you manage it. A well-maintained beard can bring confidence and style, while a neglected one can lead to discomfort and hygiene concerns. Here, we explore the beard maintenance routines of several men, sharing tips and insights to help you achieve a healthy, stylish beard that complements your lifestyle.
What is Your Beard Maintenance Routine?
My facial hair growth largely depends on the busyness of my weeks. When I'm not too busy, I allow my beard to grow naturally. However, I make sure to keep it neat by shaving at the weekend.
Before I shave, I warm up the area by taking a hot shower. Then, I prepare the sink with warm water and place my razor in the sink to warm the blades and handle. I'm a fan of wet shaving using gel, as it moisturizes the skin and prevents irritation. This method is my weekly routine, especially on weekends when I have time.
Professional Beard Care
On other days, I rely on my traditional men's hairdresser, who is just a short walk from my apartment in Liverpool. A quick call, a short walk, and I'm there getting a beard trim, facial if needed, and hot towels. This service is convenient and keeps my beard in perfect shape.
Beard Trimming and Shaving
I generally trim my beard every 8-15 days. Additionally, I trim my nose hair during the same session. Each man's beard trimming frequency can vary based on how fast their beard grows.
Ever since I started using threading for my facial hair and body hair, I've noticed how effective it is. Threading is safe, precise, and a good exfoliator. It's the perfect method for maintaining a clean-shaven look between regular trims.
In case you're curious about a daily shaving routine, I shave my face every other day unless I'm feeling lazy or about to go somewhere where my mask will be off. The mask fit issue with a beard, especially N95 masks, can be quite challenging. My white beard makes me look very old, and without it, I just look beyond my years due to my slowly graying hair.
Challenges of Facial Hair
For some, facial hair can present unique challenges. For instance, in my case, the hair on my face stopped growing on my head but started growing on my face, leading to a mustache that's better than any wolf man's. The duck down on my checks is braideable and requires constant attention. At one point, my facial hair made it hard to apply makeup as the foundation would swirl around, leaving me with blotches of hair sticking out. That experience ultimately led me to start shaving my face.
Another long-term beard keeper shares that he has grown a beard for 50 years and trims it once a week. The area in front of the ears grows fastest, so he tidies that up. He always shaves the neck area as growing the beard there becomes untidy and uncomfortable during the summer, especially when the temperature soars to 35/90 degrees.
He keeps the overall length to about 25mm to 35mm, ensuring it's not a bushy beard. He prefers a well-groomed look over a semi-bearded one, believing it looks untidy when one has forgotten to shave for a weekend. For him, this routine saves him 37 hours of sleep over the year, as not having to shave constantly is a huge time-saver.
Conclusion
No matter how much or how little facial hair you have, maintaining it with care and precision can make a significant difference in how you look and feel. From weekly trims and shaving to professional grooming, finding the right routine is key to enjoying a well-groomed and healthy beard.