Master Your Mane: Beard Grooming for the Guy on the Go
A beard is not just facial hair – it’s a statement. Yet, for some men on the move, the fuzz is simply too much upkeep. What’s a man to do between visits to their go-to Upper East Side Barber Shop?
Indeed, beard maintenance requires a certain amount of consistency and TLC, but put down the scissors for a second and consider the might and power of a good-looking beard that conquers – with the bare basics. If you start anywhere, start here.
Your Great Style Barbershop has started already, and you’re not even relaxing in your skillfully convenient barber’s chair during that precision trim or hot towel shave yet. The foundations of a fashionable, fearless fuzz are just a hair’s breadth away. It’s Beard Care 101’s holy trinity.
#1 Wash It
A healthy beard is a clean one. Finding your beard care groove at first can be tricky, but no matter the hairy moves you make, don’t skip a good old scrub – and really get in there. A cleanser and exfoliator go a long way in removing dirt, pollution, and dead skin. Reach for a gentle cleanser that unclogs pores without stripping the beard of natural oils. Level 1 of beard grooming is now complete.
Pro tip: Pick your beard cleanser according to your skin type. For oily or acne-prone skin, opt for a facial cleanser with salicylic acid or glycolic acid as an active ingredient. A hydrating cleanser free from fragrances also revolutionizes dry skin.
Ditch the possibility of irritated skin and look for labels that say “soap-free” and “fragrance-free,” solidifying your beard care routine’s greatness for good.
#2 Combing Greatness
The beard brush (or comb) has long been foretold by barbers as the one thing no beard should go without. A humble beard servant, this brush holds many benefits. When it isn’t busy stimulating hair growth, this fearless brush tames and directs your beard to follow your lead.
Pro tip: Most beard wearers prefer a wood handle for the movement, durability, and control that it offers. Likewise, instead of synthetic bristles, consider flexible natural boar bristles that absorb and evenly distribute products and detangle even the toughest knots.
#3 Be Wise – Moisturize
You look in the mirror, only to witness a clean, fluffy canvas – comb in hand. Your final secret weapon is a simple one – moisturizer.
The first question is usually how much moisturizer is enough, and how often should it be applied? Facial hair tends to draw moisture from the skin. That said, our bodies naturally release oils (sebum) that keep our skin and hair moisturized.
The intricacy of that balance is fickle in modern-day life, though. Beard maintenance can go south quickly if too many products are introduced into the skin regimen or just general exposure to different environments. Invest in your beard’s hydration, but limit it to one cream-based moisturizer and beard oil (alternate between the two in moderation). And remember, a little bit goes a long way.
Pro tip: Apply right after cleansing when your hair follicles are open. Moisturizing allows your skin to replenish its natural oils. Use your trusted friend – the beard brush – to comb the product all the way through your mane for the ultimate softness and shine.
Beard Care Leveled Up
Your beard care is an investment that delivers short- and long-term dividends. Embrace it as an extra few minutes of ‘you-time’ that exists outside of the hustle and bustle of life. After all, it’s something you wear on your face (never mind your sleeve). With these three basics, bearded glory is imminent!
At the Upper East Side’s best barbershop, expert care follows every motion, every conversation, and every snip. Here, only the best products and services make the cut, and our dedication to great grooming does not start and stop once you leave the chair.
Look and feel your finest with everything-expert hair care at Great Style Barbershop on 1734 2nd Avenue in New York. Appointments and walk-ins are welcome.
