Start growing a beard, it’s quite like taking care of a small furry pet on your face. It’s exciting, but also — somewhat — challenging. The question many beard enthusiasts face is this: Should you trim your beard as it grows? How to build ruggedness without hiding it away in a greasy mess of unkempt beard hair isn’t just about looking good; it’s about making sure your beard is groomed and healthy.
For those starting out, the guide below will guide you through every stage of your beard growing adventure from pale beginnings to full fledged glory.
The Early Stages: Keep It Neat While Growing
The first weeks of growing your beard can be awkward… but patience is key. You don’t necessarily have to be unshowered. Small grooming habits during this phase can make all the difference:
- Train Your Beard: Apply a quality comb or brush as a comb guide to encourage your beard to grow down and in the same direction.
- Define Your Neckline: Shave just above your Adam’s apple to leave a clean edge. Don’t cut that beard—you’re framing your face and providing space for your beard to grow.
- Tidy Stray Hairs: Keep the beard in a clear path of growth without prematurely shaping it by shaving stray cheek hairs.
So this stage all about setting boundaries while letting your beard grow naturally.
The Midway Point: Trimming for Uniform Growth
Around this one month mark you will see enormous progress developing, however patchy or uneven growth will begin to become obvious. Here’s how to manage:
- Use Adjustable Guards: You get the essence of the market demand here: you will need a high quality trimmer with moveable guards. Begin with the longest guard — rather than trimming the whole thing in one go.
- Focus on Symmetry: Take a look at your beard from all sides, to make sure it is all growing evenly. Instead, spot any uneven areas by use of a second mirror or a quick photo of your piece.
By doing this at this stage, you’re trimming without the beard having fully developed and encouraging balanced, even hair growth.
Full beard advanced Grooming
It’s a feat to go full beard, but keeping it is work in progress. Here’s how to keep it sharp:
- Shape and Structure: Get smoothed out cheek and neckline. This precision carries volume of the rest of your beard.
- Use Scissors for Control: Scissors work better at producing longer beards than trimmers. Trim stray hairs carefully, as you risk over trimming.
- Consider Layering: Bushy is a beard of uniform length. Trimming closer to the neck and more length on the jawline is what tapering does, which creates a more elegant shape.
- Hydrate and Tame: Moisturized, tangle free beard thanks to boom bristle brush and beard oil. Beard balm for thicker beards helps tame unruly strands.
This phase is that of finding a balance between bold and beautiful.
Pro Tips for Every Stage
- Consistency is Key: Train your beard to grow nice and groom regularly.
- Invest in Tools: All you need for quality tools are a trimmer, scissors and, of course, grooming products.
- Patience Pays Off: Great beards are not overnight. Keep moving.
Make Growing Look Good
A well cared for beard is a stylish and confident statement. How to trim your beard while growing it out makes sure your beard will grow out healthy, bold and beautifully tamed. Your beard doesn’t have to be a hard, angry thing. With the right tools, techniques and a little patience, it can become a true extension of your individuality—and possibly even a source of envy amongst your peers.
Mia Patel is a grooming expert focused on men's health and skincare, sharing advice on products, routines, and tips for a polished look.
