giving it a grow!

hi, fellas, yup, finally being able to give growing a beard a go. I've really fancied doing this for some time now, but due to my job, i haven't been able to really. but this year i was off from work, with on going mental health issues. and on going back to work i have managed to negotiate new working hours. and now my beardy adventure can get going......
i'm still wet shaving my head, using either a Gem Damaskeene or a Schick Injector Type E (used for the first time today! possibly my closest shave ever!)

i have been growing for around 2 months now and I've had it all tidied up, styled and trimmed. all at the local barbers shop.
i've been buying various beard oils, 3 from thebeardedman.co.uk and 3 from mobros.co.uk.

now i would appreciate some guidance in:

self maintaining, should i? shaving techniques, and general grooming.
beard shampoo or soap, is it really needed?
beard oil or balm, which is best or better?

sorry if there are guides etc anywhere, i've not been very active lately and need to probably read older posts as soon as i can.

pic to follow

thank you

self maintaining, should i? yes
shaving techniques, and general grooming. Just watch where you trim the beard. DON'T trim it at your jaw line. It looks ok in the mirror that way, but trust me it can look really silly if someone's viewing you from the side. Or when you smile.
beard shampoo or soap, is it really needed? I use the same stuff I use on my body. I use the 3-in-1 type soap/shampoo/conditioner.
beard oil or balm, which is best or better? Probably whichever you like, but neither are required.

ByMyBeard said:

self maintaining, should i? yes
shaving techniques, and general grooming. Just watch where you trim the beard. DON'T trim it at your jaw line. It looks ok in the mirror that way, but trust me it can look really silly if someone's viewing you from the side. Or when you smile.
beard shampoo or soap, is it really needed? I use the same stuff I use on my body. I use the 3-in-1 type soap/shampoo/conditioner.
beard oil or balm, which is best or better? Probably whichever you like, but neither are required.

Click to expand...

hi, thank you for your reply, so, i need to grow out the jawline? i didn't ask for it to be done like that he just did it, but thats fine i can grow that out again, thats cool!
oh ok, i'll just use the wife's 3-in-1 type soap/shampoo/conditioner.
ok, think i'll stick with the oil for now then,

thank you for your help

I would bring the jaw line down back towards the ear it will give you a more square jawed geek god look. let it grow out for a week or so. Then lay a comb on you face to find the angle you want and just fallow the line with the open clipper of a beard trimmer then clean it up with your razor of choice. Then set your trimmer to the longest setting and work your way down until you've blended the old with the new. I always scissor cut the chin (I like to leave it a couple inches long) and blend the sideburns down until they disappear into my BBS shaved head. I just use whatever shampoo the wife has in the shower and have never used any oils.

BTW I just started using an ER 1912 on my head and am loving it.

ok, with the advice taken on board i've grown it out, now.
i'm thinking of growing out my mustashe so i can twist it a little, and give it a personality of its own!



i've also been using various different oils, but i did purchase this last week, not given it a go yet, but next tuesday is the day!



i also got the beard oil on order too!

i have been washing it everyday, but think its bee drying out my chin skin, and the whiskers get extremely fuzzy, and un controllable, should i try washing it a little less?

any other advice would be awesome!

thank you

Advice?

We need to ask YOU For advice. That's a mighty beard you got there!

thank you, I am very proud of it!

And, yeah, no need to wash every day.

Just brush out the crumbs...

InsecureSpike said:

ok, with the advice taken on board i've grown it out, now.
i'm thinking of growing out my mustashe so i can twist it a little, and give it a personality of its own!

View attachment 636499

i've also been using various different oils, but i did purchase this last week, not given it a go yet, but next tuesday is the day!

View attachment 636500

i also got the beard oil on order too!

i have been washing it everyday, but think its bee drying out my chin skin, and the whiskers get extremely fuzzy, and un controllable, should i try washing it a little less?

any other advice would be awesome!

thank you

Click to expand...

I wash mine twice a week with oatmeal soap or glycerin soap. Stay away from body soaps and head ahampoos. They wil absolutely dry out your hair and skin. I oil every morning after a hot water rinse, and comb it through.

The choice between oil and balm is oersonal. Do you need the extra hold of the balm? If not, dont bother. I use both occasionally, as fly away hairs annoy me, and I dont trim much...

Speakiny of trims...I use scissors and trim individual hairs as needed. I wont let a barber near my beard as most hhave less experience with thwm than I have myself.

Other than that, it looks like youve got a nice beard. At this length, you can abandon the neckline, as nobody can see it, anyhow. I never carved my cheeks, personally...i like the cheeks high and natural, but thats a personal choice...

ah, this is awesome advice!! thank you!
ok,
yeah I've been using "johnsons baby shampoo" and it did feel dry after rincing even tho wet still, and yup I too oil ever morn after a hot bath, and brush it through.

cool so both oil & balm can be used if required

I have found a barber who kinda specialises in beards, he has one too,
so I trust him and it only costs me £2.50

I only take the few whispy whiskers from my cheeks, the fullness never naturally grows higher than I have in the updated pic, and I only have my sideburns that low to make shaving my head easier, lol this low I can put my glasses back on and shave lol.

thank you very much for you advice

Also...a big mustache will help balance a big beard. It sits on top of the beard like a crown jewel. Just my personal opinion. I never let my mustache grow out until I decided to go really big with my beard, and I am really glad that I chose to let the mustache grow as well. It can be a pain growing it out, but once it gets some good length, it gets easier. Elmer's glue stick is a life-saver for an unruly mustache...



This was just a week or so ago...

awesome!!
that's a mighty tash!

Elmers!

Looking good!

Maybe one day my beard will make me look as badass as you gentlemen. Well done.

it's arrived!



smells damn good too!!