Everybody loves a good beard these days. But, good beards are harder to achieve than they seem. It takes proper care, maintenance, and a whole lot of itching-tolerance. Though there may be a tiny, genetically-gifted group of men that can just grow one and not do anything, most of us need some help. Thankfully, there are tons of products out there to make you look your best. Unthankfully, they can be confusing as all hell. Here, Alfredo Ortiz of Brooklyn Grooming in New York gives us the lay of the land.

TrimmerObvious, right? Well, sort of. Ortiz cautions against using these when actually shaping your beard, "With trimmers, it’s really hard to control. You may cut off too much, and then there's nothing you can do about it," he says. Save this for when you're doing some maintenance on your cheek and neck. Keep them away from your precious beard.

ScissorsWith the trimmer safely away from your proud facial hair, you can move in with some scissors and a comb. "You need to use a comb and scissors—sharp ones, it’s easier to control that way." It may not be the quickest way to manage your facial hair, but the ending result will be a carefully sculpted masterpiece. Proceed with care!

CombWant to keep everything nice and clean? You'll need one of these. "When you use a comb, you get rid of the junk in between because it can get really deep." Never forget that your beard can catch anything and everything. It's your responsibility to keep that shit fresh. Comb your beards!

Brush"I've seen it around, but I don't think it's necessary," says Ortiz of brushes. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a softer way to style things, a brush is the thing for you. If things are really hairy, this will also let you do some shaping and general maintenance.

SoapYour beard and face needs a different soap than your body. It requires something less abrasive and specific. "Some people use regular soap, which basically dries everything out. You can't use the same stuff for your body." Look for a wash made specifically for beards, and use it a few times a week. This will keep things from looking too nasty or brittle.

Beard OilBeard oil can be tricky. It acts as a conditioner and is helpful for younger beards that are still in the stubble phase. "I like using the oil because it helps soften the hair, avoid itchiness, and moisturizes the skin," Ortiz told us. So if things are looking a little dry (or dandruffy), splash some oil up in there. He also added that beard oil is double-acting as a cologne, so you get some more bang for your back.

Beard BalmLongbeards of the world, listen up. While it functions in the same way as beard oil, beard balm is meant for guys with more length, or dudes with kinky, curly, bushy, or bristly hair. "Balm has a more waxy and gummy texture, it will help sombody who has a really long, thick beard. As a styling agent, it will give you a more uniform shape, like a Santa Claus beard." Well ho, ho, ho.

Beard TonicNot quite as heavy as an oil, but with the same benefits, tonic is ideal for guys who are looking for something unscented. "I use the tonic because it has a neutral or natural smell—a less heavy oil. It's coconut oil, avocado oil, and argan oil. It helps out a lot in the summer to avoid flakiness," Ortiz says of his own. Tonic will make everything nice and soft, so if you got a brillo beard, invest.

Omega 3s"Healthy skin really translates into healthy hair, so take an Omega-3 supplement and that will do it," prescribed Ortiz over the phone. The fatty acids in things like fish oil help to invigorate your skin and keep it nice and healthy. The resulting effect is a better beard. Who knew?

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