Despite what your mum might say, beards are still an incredibly popular trend. With the right look, a beard can amplify your masculinity and give you an edgier, more dramatic aesthetic. But it’s not simply a case of forgetting to shave for six months; a good beard has a lot more to it than just mere patience. The key to making your facial hair work is keeping it trimmed and well-maintained. Facial hair grows out at different rates, meaning the longer your facial hair grows, the more likely it is to look messy. Trimming not only keeps your facial hair looking neat but also defines the shape your beard takes. Whether you’re thinking about growing a full-fledged Ned Kelly or merely some Javier Bardem stubble, you will want to read on for our tips on trimming and maintaining your beard.
Contents
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Beard Tools
How to Trim a Beard
How to Trim a Beard With Scissors
How to Trim a Beard With Clippers
How to Maintain The Same Beard Length
How to Trim a Short Beard
How to Trim a Long Beard
How to Trim And Fade Your Neckline
How to Trim a Goatee
How to Create a Sharp Jawline
FAQs
Where should my beard neckline be?
Is it better to trim beard wet or dry?
How do you trim your beard for the first time?
Does trimming a beard make it grow thicker?
Should I trim my beard while growing it?
Beard Tools
While you might be able to get by with just a trusty old pair of scissors, there are a few essential tools that make beard trimming an easier task. An electric beard trimmer (or clippers) will make life a hell of a lot easier, especially for men who have decided to maintain a shorter beard. Clippers also come in handy for defining your neckline, a sure sign of a well-kept beard.
If you have already moved past the short, neat beard stage and are ready to push into hipster barista territory, you will need a good pair of scissors too. Any scissors made to cut hair will do, although you can buy special beard trimming scissors that are designed with finer control in mind. You will also want a comb of some type to prepare before trimming. There are thicker combs available designed specifically for this purpose but don’t worry, a standard comb will suffice. To define your beard’s edges, a razor or standard electric shaver can be handy too. A razor will offer a more precise definition, giving you neater edges.
How to Trim a Beard
If you’re just setting out on your beard adventure, you may not yet know what shape you want your beard to take. The style of beard you grow will be decided by your personality, the style you want to portray, what looks best on your face’s shape, and maybe even what your boss will let you get away with. Have a read of our guide to men’s beard styles to work out what type of facial hair will work best for you.
Trimming a beard involves three aspects: shaping your beard, usually best achieved with scissors, maintaining length, best done with clippers, and defining its edges, usually with a razor, electric shaver, or clippers.
How to Trim a Beard With Scissors
If your beard is beginning to make its way into the longer territory, you will be wanting to think about shaping it with a pair of scissors. Now, it may be tempting to simply leave this job to your barber, but the fact is many men don’t go as often as they would like. Learning how to trim your beard with scissors is a must to keep you looking at your beardy best.
- Firstly, make sure your beard is clean, give it a wash with a little bit of shampoo. A clean beard will be easier to work with. Then run a comb through it, this will give you an idea of which parts are looking messy.
- The most important rule to remember about trimming your beard with scissors is to never take off too much too soon. You don’t want to be left a shadow of your former self because you went crazy with the scissors. Go easy, especially at the start. Starting around your chin, work freehand to trim away loose ends. Remember that symmetry is key if you trim one side take an equal amount from the opposite side. Continue working your way up from the bottom of your sideburns.
- If you are trimming a shorter beard with scissors, comb up against the grain. Carefully work your way up the sides, again remembering to pay attention to symmetry. With a scissor cut, you will need to use your judgment on length, so the second pair of eyes can be helpful.
How to Trim a Beard With Clippers
Clippers give you more control (and fewer nightmares of accidentally butchering your beard) than scissors. Modern electric beard trimmers even come with digital controls that let you select the exact length you would like.
- Comb your beard before you begin your trim. Unlike scissors, clippers allow you to define your beard boundaries and fade your neckline. If you opt for a defined cheek line, use a razor or the shortest setting on your clippers to shave this part of your face first. This will give you a better idea of the shape of your beard.
- Next, decide on how long the longest part of your beard will be. Begin trimming with this length guard comb or setting around your chin and jawline. Then move to the sides of your face and cheeks, most men will need to opt for a shorter guard comb or setting here for appropriate weighting. Finally, move on to your mustache.
- Depending on how quickly your mo’ grows, you may not need to trim it at all. Keep in mind that a tidy mustache should not grow all the way over your top lip. Have a look at our guide to growing an epic mustache for some inspiration.
How to Maintain The Same Beard Length
If you’ve decided that you’ve reached peak beard, you will want to begin maintaining the same length. This is most easily achieved with an adjustable beard trimmer. Finding the right length for your perpetually-perfect beard is a matter of trial and error. Try to remember what you did to perfectly trim your beard, and use those clipper settings to re-create it. Once you have perfected your trim, it’s simply a matter of regularly trimming throughout the week to fool people into believing your care-free look comes naturally.
How to Trim a Short Beard
A short beard is just that, a short beard, not stubble. In many workplaces, it’s the difference between being allowed facial hair or being reminded to shave. A short, unkempt beard will stand out far more than its longer brothers. Pay attention to the shape of your face; this will define the form of a short beard. Follow the jawline, and make sure that your beard hugs your face without hiding it. Short beards complement the rest of your face, but should not be its defining feature.
How to Trim a Long Beard
A longer beard takes center stage, but thankfully it forgives on any trimming blunders. Don’t get carried away with the trimming, or dictating the shape of your beard. At a longer length, your beard will tell you the way it wants to grow, take its advice and follow the shape of your beard’s densest parts. Trimming a long beard is about neatening and getting rid of any split ends.
How to Trim And Fade Your Neckline
Your beard’s neckline is more important than you might give it credit for. When looking at a bearded man in profile, a bad neckline is one of the first things many will notice. Be wary of shaving a hard shape into your neckline; you want to achieve a more natural faded look.
- Begin by imagining an arched line from ear to ear, the lowest point sitting just above your Adam’s apple. This is the line where your neck hair should stop.
- After defining the length of your chin and jawline, trim your neck to that length, now go one or two settings shorter with your clippers. Use this shorter length for the bottom half of your neck to that imaginary line you drew. This will give your neck a neat but natural-looking fade.
- Finally, remove any stray hairs below this line with a razor or the shortest setting on your clippers.
How to Trim a Goatee
Although goatees may find themselves lacking in favor at the moment, their standing in Hollywood as a favorite of many actors means they are never too far away from a full revival. The most important aspect of achieving a neat goatee is defining its edges. The neatest and easiest option for edges is always a razor.
- Once you have defined that shape of your goatee, use the same techniques as if you were trimming a longer beard.
- For a neater look, trim the mustache to the same length as the rest of your goatee.
How to Create a Sharp Jawline
Chiseled jawlines send a strong, masculine message. Not every man is born with great jawline genetics, but luckily you can go some way to achieving a sharp jawline with some clever beard trimming. To create a sharp jawline, you will need to define strong angles in your beard. Make sure that your beard accentuates the angle of your jaw near your ears, and opt for a shorter fade on your neckline. By creating more weight in the right areas of your beard, you can make your jawline appear far more chiseled.
FAQs
Where should my beard neckline be?
Your beard neckline is the point where your jaw meets your neckline, and you can determine where you should shave below by using the two-finger rule. Simply place your middle finger on your Adam’s apple and then your index finger above it. The area located below your fingers is where the lowest section of your facial hair should be.
Is it better to trim beard wet or dry?
It is best to trim your beard when it is dry. The reason is that when it is wet, the hairs tend to be more straightened, which can cause you to chop off too much length or create an uneven appearance.
How do you trim your beard for the first time?
Trimming helps to keep your beard neat and define its shape. It is recommended to let your beard grow for at least four weeks before trimming it. This gives it a chance to get thick and full and have a decent amount of length. Of course, this timeframe could vary slightly depending on the length of beard you wish to have.
Does trimming a beard make it grow thicker?
Trimming your beard properly and helping to maintain its shape, as well as eating well, taking supplements, and using a nourishing oil or balm are all ways to help your beard grow faster and thicker. Invest in a good quality trimmer and take your time to create the shape you want, which ideally should enhance your facial features or create a favorable illusion, for example, a stronger jawline or longer chin.
Should I trim my beard while growing it?
It is best to leave your beard completely untouched for at least 4 to 6 weeks. This timeframe can vary slightly, depending on your hair’s growth rate. It would be best if you waited before trimming initially because allowing your beard to grow will even it out. You need to be patient for a great beard, but a good lifestyle and healthy habits can slightly speed up the process.
