By Edward Lemont
For those bearded folk or those recently new beard owners, when it comes to beard maintenance products it can be a minefield working out your beard shampoos to your beard oils. So, we have created a guide of the essentials to keep your beard in shape and keep it looking healthy and well-maintained.
It starts, like many things skincare/hair care, with cleansing. Find a beard shampoo that not only cleanses your beard but also hydrates. It’s really important to find a product that offers a good balance here, as you don’t want to strip the essential oils from your beard.
We’re a big fan of HORACE’S Beard Shampoo. The shampoo, specially made for the beard is created from all-natural ingredients including Jamaican black castor oil to stimulate growth and soften, Aloe vera to prevent irritation and Argan oil to hydrate each strand. It’s also sulfate-free.
Next, lock in those softened strands with beard oil. Beard oil is particularly good for conditioning the beard post-shampoo and has a duel-function in the sense that it moisturises the skin underneath the beard layer.
ESPA Triple Action Grooming Oil is a particular favourite of ours, this multipurpose oil is perfect for softening and conditioning bristles with its Vitamin A and E, Candeia Tree extract and Omegas 3 and 6 formulas. Use daily and you’ll notice a change in the feel, as well as a radiant shine.
Next, you’ll need beard tools. You can either use a beard brush or comb, these ones from Percy Noble are some of the best on the market and reasonably priced too.
Use the beard comb, made from Austrian pearwood to comb through your bristles are applying your beard oil for even distribution, and the vegan-friendly beard brush to create shape with your beard. The brush also helps to exfoliate the ‘hard-to-reach’ skin underneath your beard.
Finally, if there are any areas of the beard that appear patchy War Paint for Men offers a Beard and Brow Filler to fill in the blanks. The filler works by creating hair-like strokes to fill patches or lighter areas of the beard to even out and give your beard impact.