Do you find that your beard is sometimes wild and unruly? While growing a beard can be a lot of fun, sometimes, scruffy hairs stick out in odd directions, refusing to grow the way you want them to.
While it can be frustrating, don’t despair, as there are things you can do to tame your beard. Read this guide by Beard Gains to learn how to tame your beard.
Related: Growing Pains from Growing a Beard
Why Beards Grow Weird
You likely aren’t to blame for your beard growing all wonky. Many factors can affect how your beard grows; for many men, it comes down to nature and genetics.
If your dad had a beard that grew outwards or upwards instead of downward, there’s a good chance you inherited your beard growth patterns from him. The length of your beard can also affect how it grows, as longer beards tend to be unruly. The longer your beard is, the more frequently you need to groom it.
Thickness and texture also play a role. Generally, the thicker the beard, the more difficult it is to tame. Coarse beards tend to be more unruly than thin ones because they curl.
The weather can also affect your beard, as the more humid it is, the more likely it is that your beard will be wild.
How to Train Your Beard
Despite genetics and the weather, there are some things you can to train your beard. Here’s how to do it.
Trim Your Beard
Trimming your beard is one of the essential things you can do to keep it tamed. Even if volume and length are your ultimate beard goal, trimming can shape facial hair to grow in the right direction.
Once you’ve passed the initial awkward phase where your facial hair is just growing out (typically, after the first couple of weeks), you can begin to trim stray hairs on your neck and cheeks for a more even finish.
Remember to match your beard to your face shape when trimming.
Related: Shaping Your Beard to Match Your Face
Wash Your Beard
It’s a lot easier to train a clean beard than it is to train a dirty one. Use a dedicated beard shampoo to clean your whiskers thoroughly. Doing this a few times a week can help remove dead skin flakes and clean your pores.
Avoid regular shampoo on your beard, as it’s too harsh and will strip your beard and skin of essential nutrients and moisture, causing your hair to turn brittle and go haywire.
You should also avoid blow drying your beard, as heat can make the ends of your beard go brittle. Additionally, you should avoid washing your beard every day, as doing so can strip it of its natural oils.
How often should you wash your beard? Click here to learn!
Brush Your Beard Correctly
You should already be brushing or combing your beard every day. Ensure that when brushing, you’re doing so in a downward direction, as this will help your beard grow straight.
We recommend investing in a beard brush, as it can help train stubborn hairs to grow in the correct direction. Bristle brushes are best for longer beards, whereas combs are better for short beards.
Oil Your Beard
You should apply oil to your beard after you hop out of the shower and before your beard dries. Oil adds moisture to your beard and prevents it from drying out and becoming frizzy.
Rub a few drops of oil into your beard, going down to the skin to ensure your entire face is hydrated. Avoid using too much oil, though, as you don’t want your beard to look greasy. The right amount of oil will leave your whiskers soft and supple.
Use Beard Balm or Wax
Beard wax or balm is another styling product you should have in your ammo. This product is essential for medium to long beards, as it helps hold your beard in place throughout the day.
Just as is the case for moisturizers, remember that a little bit of beard balm goes a long way. Using too much beard balm makes your hair look stiff and unnatural.
Training Your Mustache
Luckily, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to train your mustache. While mustaches can be a bit more finicky, you’ll want to follow the same process to train your mustache as you would for your beard.
You should take the time to trim, wash, brush, and oil your mustache. Once your mustache hairs achieve a decent length, brush them daily with your beard comb, training them to follow a new pattern.
You can then use beard balm to shape your mustache and trim any hairs that start growing toward your mouth.
Be Patient and Consistent
The above tips won’t work unless you’re doing them consistently. Try to get into the habit of washing, brushing, and styling your beard at the same times each day, as this will make it easier for you to keep up with your beard maintenance.
And remember, you need to be patient when training your beard. Straggly hairs won’t settle down overnight, so give your beard time to fill out and calm down.
Related: How to Straighten Your Beard
Time to Train Your Beard
Now that you know the tips for training your beard, it’s time to put them into practice. Training your beard requires a combination of passion, caution, and hard work, so give yourself time to learn these skills.
You’ll be rocking the tamest (yet coolest) beard in no time.
Are you struggling to grow a beard? Click here to learn why some men can’t.