Beards come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Some are short and well-kept, a clean coating of impeccably maintained follicles smeared across the jaw, while others are long and wispy, dangling like drapery. Some are irreparably patchy; others, impossibly thick. And some fall somewhere in the middle of it all, not long enough to rival Gandalf, but not so short they take the name “stubble.”
Today, we’re here to talk about the outliers on fuller end of the spectrum. These are the redwoods in the face forest, the beards that are not only thick, but also enduring, taking up the space between chin and chest with gusto. And these follicular wonders require a set of maintenance instructions all their own. Fortunately, we’ve got that covered.
Trim Deliberately
When it comes to growing your beard out to epic proportions, your biggest concern should be carefully treading the line between manicured and hermit. That is, if not kept in check, your mane might lead people to assume that you’ve given up, when in fact you’re striving for furry greatness. On the other hand, if you’re you’re overzealous with scissors, you might look like you’re trying too hard. The key is landing somewhere in the middle. To do so, trim only to fit a general shape, as well as when problems like split ends arise. Otherwise, leave it be; a touch of wildness is exactly what you’re going for.
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Brush It Out
Pretty simple concept here: the longer the hair, the more likely that it’s going to get tangled. Plus, the greater the chances that stuff is going to get stuck in it. Solve both these problems by running a either brush or comb through your face-mane a couple of times a day. If you prefer the former, Beardbrand makes a great boar hair option that’s tough on tangles but gentle on the skin underneath. If combs are more your style, though, there’s always the Art of Shaving Large Horn Comb. Made with natural keratin, it reduces static electricity, keeping beard frizz at bay for longer.
Keep It Squeaky Clean
Want to hear something gross? Big, thick beards are especially prone to feeling icky because the longer hairs provide a lush, wet environment for things like bacteria and fungus to grow unencumbered. Luckily, that’s where shampoo comes in. The same one you use on your head will work fine, cleansing away all the stuff that builds up over the course of a day. If you feel like going for something beard-specific, though, Billy Jealousy Beard Wash will get rid of gunk, while also softening and detangling hair.
Never Stop Conditioning
You’ve heard us tout the benefits of beard oils and salves time and time again, so we’re not going to get too deep into general benefits here. But we will say this: longer hair, whether on your head or on your face, tends to dry out more easily. Thus, Santa-style beards do require more attention moisture-wise than other, shorter facial hair styles. So go ahead, apply your favorite whisker conditioner liberally, and no need to worry about overdoing it. Your face will thank you later.
SPF Is Not Optional
You might think that because you need to dig to see your cheeks, you no longer have to worry about getting a sunburn, but the truth is, you couldn’t be more wrong. The sun’s rays have no trouble penetrating even the thickest face fur, even in winter, so don’t get lax about applying protection. A moisturizer with built in SPF, like Clinique for Men Broad Spectrum Moisturizer, is your best bet, soothing itchy under-beard skin while keeping you safe from the burn.
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