Once upon a time, not so long ago actually, beards were associated with ruggedness – think biker, rocker, tramp. But then the modern man embraced his beard. Facial hair has become a staple of male fashion, and also a mark of sophistication. Which makes us believe that the beard is not a passing trend but a classic extension of a man’s personal style, just as his haircut or his clothes. So, here is all you need to know to make sure your beard looks good and feels good.
1.Choose the right beard style
Beards are not one style fits all. Just as you pick a hair cut for how well it suits your face, you must style your facial hair to suit you. So when choosing between a goatee or beardstache (a beard with an accentuated moustache like Ranveer Singh) or a full scale Gandalf beard, make sure it balances the proportions of your face. Experts recommend that you grow a bit more hair on your cheeks if you have a long face. If you have a round face or a strong jaw, it is better to reduce the width of the beard.
2.Know your beard
You might hone in on the style you want for your beard but you also need to know if the look you want is achievable at all. For this, you need to have a fair idea of your hair growth. If you have a patchy beard, you could opt for the stubble look, or a goatee instead of struggling hopelessly.
3.Start a beard routine
A good beard routine requires regular brushing sessions and timely trimming. You don’t want your beard to be unruly, it looks too messy and makes styling the beard very difficult. So keep a beard brush handy and give it a nice combing regularly. Also keep a good beard trimmer handy (or find a professional in your locality), to make sure your beard remains in good shape and free of neck hair. It is also advisable to use grooming scissors to keep your lips free of stray hair.
4.Wash it like a beard
You might want to believe that your trusted shampoo will be enough to give your beard a nice cleaning but the truth is it won’t. Facial hair thicker and coarser than the hair on your head and your facial skin is way softer than your scalp. This means that a shampoo will not give your beard the thorough cleaning you desire and it will strip your beard hair of its natural oils. Luckily, there are several dedicated male grooming brands in India. Make the effort to find a beard shampoo with natural ingredients like essential oils that nourish and protect your beard.
5.Pamper your beard
An oil massage is a magical thing. But it is not just for skin or tired muscles or hair. Regular oiling will help soften your bristles, hydrate the skin beneath the beard and aid beard growth, for that lustrously thicker and fuller appearance. So make sure you spare some time for your facial hair next time you are oiling your head. It will help your beard make you look your best, just as it is meant to.
