Beard with the best

In time for Movember, here’s our guide on how to keep your facial hair looking and feeling its best

If you’ve spent any amount of time on social media recently, you’ll undoubtedly have come across posts of men flaunting their facial hair — whether in the form of ambitious beards or bushy moustaches — in the spirit of Movember. The term, in fact, is a portmanteau of the words mo (from moustache) and November and was coined by a group of young Australian men to raise awareness about men’s health issues, including prostrate and testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. Their goal is to promote early detection and also highlight the importance of mental health. 

However, for those men who don’t typically sport facial hair, growing out a beard can be daunting; it’s easy to go from well-groomed to caveman, if you don’t know how. “Facial hair is actually the easiest way to add definition and dimension to your face. If you prefer a sharper jaw line or want to slim your chubby cheeks, a beard is the best accessory you can sport,” says Bony Sasidharan, a hair expert at Schwarzkopf Professional.  

Trims are important for a neat look; Bony Sasidharan (right). 

Grooming matters

Unlike the hair on your head, facial hair tends to grow unevenly, giving you a scruffy, dishevelled look. To avoid this, Sasidharan recommends regular trimming, so that all your facial hair can settle into your preferred shape. Once your hair has reached a respectable length, you could visit a stylist for a cut — this cut can serve as a guideline for your at-home trims. If your hair is especially unruly, he suggests blow-drying it with a round brush and styling it with the right products. If you are experiencing sparse or patchy growth, he suggests experimenting with different styles until you find one that works for you. 

The right products 

The texture and thickness of your facial hair is quite different from your scalp hair. And so, it’s important to use products that have been especially formulated, with the right ingredients and the right pH balance on your facial hair. “Use a beard shampoo to clarify your beard and follow this routine with a beard oil. The latter moisturises the skin under your beard, preventing dryness and flaky skin. Finally, use a beard butter or a cream to style your hair,” he concludes.

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