How to grow a long beard and keep it neat…

Growing a long beard is hard enough, let alone keeping it neat in the process. Nobody likes a wiry beard with scraggy hairs popping out left right and centre and as you probably know by now – there is a lot more to growing a beard than simply not shaving. Once you reach the territory of the likes of Calum Best circa 2014 or contemporary Stalley, beard management is key – unless you want to end up looking like Tom Hanks in Castaway.

There is a big jump from short beard maintenance to long beard management, your old tricks really aren’t going to cut the mustard anymore.Not to worry though, that is what we at Bear Grooming are here for.  We have put together a list of 5 essential tips gathered from far and wide, to make sure you can grow a long beard and keep it neat and tidy all at the same time:

1. Find your beard barber and stick with them.

Arguably, the longer your beard, the more often you should be seeing your barber. Growing a long beard is a real commitment and as such if you want to keep it looking in tip top shape, then you need to book in with the specialist – regularly. Effectively the barber will be performing beard maintenance, trimming the hair to ensure you don’t get split ends – the number one cause of a scraggy beard. Split ends are also known to slow down the growth of your beard, so it makes a lot of sense to ensure your booked in with your barber on a fortnightly basis – at least!

2. Beard Oil in the winter and Beard Balm in the summer

A trick that not many bearded brothers know about is the seasonal application of your beard care products. Beard oil is great for moisturising your beard and the skin beneath it, giving it that healthy sheen. This is particularly useful in the winter months when your face and beard can dry out and is often battered by extreme weather. When it comes to the summer however, something a little lighter and less liquid is the way to go – a scented beard balm for example will do the job, apply generously.

3. Get your beard care routine and stick to it

The most important times to apply your beard balm or beard oil is after the shower and before bed. If you shower before bed, then perfect – you can kill two birds with one stone. After a shower your pores will be more open and your skin will be ready to absorb whatever you put on to it. Use this window to apply your softening beard oil or balm depending on the time of year. Get into this routine and stick to it.

4. Make use of a beard shampoo

The longer your beard gets, the more important a proper beard shampoo becomes. Normal hair shampoos and conditioners will often be bad for your beard, leaving it wiry and the skin beneath your beard dry and damaged. The chemicals in hair shampoos aren’t designed for your face so applying them often can be bad for it. Using a beard shampoo, designed for the beard and the face to wash away all the dirt and crumbs that no doubt will collate in it is of vital importance to keeping your long beard neat.

5. Comb or brush your beard daily

Your beard needs direction. If you aren’t combing or brushing it in the direction you want it to grow – it will do its own thing. Most barbers recommend you do this three times a day and eventually your beard will be trained into growing in a fixed direction. A beard comb or a beard brush can both do the job, it comes down to preference really – however the longer the beard, usually a beard comb with wide teeth is the best option. If your beard gets tangled then it is very important that you straighten out those beard hairs.