It is a mistake to believe that beards are a trend. People love beards. They will not go anywhere.
Last week I sat in a Brooklyn barbershop where five bearded men talked about beard maintenance the same when I’ve heard men Monday-morning quarterback a football game. They discussed strategy and effectiveness; trials and failures. They laughed and nodded and bumped fists.
It was normal — as normal as it is to debate a thing at a barbershop. But beard discussions aren’t just in the barbershop, they’re everywhere. The beard is lifestyle and strategy is necessary. That’s why "how to use beard balm" was the fifth most-searched beauty question of 2015.
That could be surprising too. But it’s not. Guys don’t just want facial hair. We need it to be thick and sharp and full. We need it to flourish. We even found out a study that proved having a beard could save your life. So you go out and purchase a beard oil or a beard balm or both and slap some on your face. But are you doing it right? Do you know how much is too much? Are you better off using a balm or an oil? Celebrity barber Marcus Harvey, says the most important thing is to avoid using too much.
"Be very, very careful because you can clog your pores if you put too much on," said Harvey, the founder of The BarberStars, who shapes hair for the likes of rapper Nas, and athletes like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Grant Hill and Chris Webber among others.
So what is beard balm anyway? Beard balm is pomade used to moisturize and condition your beard using oil blends and possibly fragrance oils. The major difference between beard balm and beard oil is that the balm is thicker and can used as a styling agent. The oil, on the other hand, is easier to get to the skin beneath your beard and help reduce dryness and itch.
Harvey suggests using balm if you're rocking shorter facial scruff and using the oil if you've reached the bush leagues. Take a dime-sized amount – your beard oil may come with a dropper — and work in it through your facial hair evenly with your hands. It's best to apply the balm or oil when your skin is slightly moist so the best time may be just after a shower or washing your face. It’s also key to comb or brush your beard after applying.
Frequency depends on length and individual need based on the dryness of your hair or skin. How often you take to a beard balm will be a matter of trial and error.
"If you grow your beard long enough, it'll start talking to you," Harvey said. "You’ll know what to do."
This story was originally published on AskMen: The Right Way To Use Beard Oil. Follow AskMen on Twitter.
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