Shaping a Beard

Men need to learn appropriate grooming methods to create the ideal look.

A well-groomed beard creates a distinguished look that hides any facial flaws, while uneven or misshapen beards convey sloppiness. The ideal beard shape is proportionate to the size of the face, and complementary to the bone-structure. Figuring out what looks best on your face involves experimentation and practice to learn the proper grooming methods. Maintaining a full beard is a time-consuming process at first, but over time it becomes a natural part of your personal routine.

Things You'll Need

• Tweezers
• Long, narrow comb
• Barber shears
• Electric beard trimmer

Instructions

1. Allow your beard to grow in fully for about four to six weeks, without shaving. This will allow you to see how fast it grows, the color and growth pattern, while making sure you don't over-trim by shaving too soon.

2. Pull stray hairs from above the top of the beard line with a pair of tweezers. The top part of your face should remain natural and hair free. Make sure your beard is completely dry.

3. Comb through the length of your entire beard with the narrow comb to remove any tangles or knots. This will make trimming more accurate. Begin the trimming process next to your ear, by pulling the comb through the beard hair until you reach the desired length. The ends that need to be trimmed will remain in the front of the comb. The hair that needs to be trimmed must be slightly longer than the ideal beard length, which will prevent over-trimming.

4. Use a pair of barber shears to trim the excess hair from in front of the comb. Continue the process over the surface of one side of the face, from the ears to the chin, and repeat the process on the other side. Take extra care near the mouth to keep the length even. Alternatively, use an electric shaver with a guard that is adjusted to the desired length to go over the surface of the beard. The surface should be shaped evenly.

5. Use an electric razor to trim down the neck hair, so the beard is fully blended. If there are a lot of stray hairs farther down the neck, apply shaving cream and shave them off with a standard razor.

6. Create a standard goatee by removing hair from the sides of the face with a standard or electric razor. Slowly shave the hair beside the side of the mouth, leaving or removing the hairs that connect the mustache to the chin hair, according to your personal preference.

7. Shave off the mustache to create a younger look for a beard or goatee. Pluck the stray hairs from above the hairline on the chin and underneath the lower lip to create a uniform look.

Tips & Warnings

• Experimentation and attention to hair growth allows you to find your ideal look.

• Wash your beard daily in the shower with regular shampoo and conditioner to avoid build-up and dandruff.

• Do not over-trim. Leave the hair slightly longer to prevent unevenness during touch-ups.

References

• One Thousand Beards; Allan Peterkin
• Milady's Standard Professional Barbering; Maura Scali-Sheahan