Growing out a beard is great! Almost anyone can look great with some facial hair; having a beard can help frame your face, can hide some of your less desired and can exaggerate your best features.
Not only are there aesthetic benefits to growing out your beard, but there are also some health benefits! According to researchers from the University of Southern Queensland (2012), facial hair can reduce your skin's exposure to some of the harmful rays from the sun, preventing far less skin damage compared to those without facial hair. However, one problem most face while growing out their beards is that, without the proper care, the facial hairs grow out unkempt - which can usually ruin the look. Luckily, we've found same ways you can keep your beard hair straight and styled with ease.
USE SOME HEAT
It is a pretty known fact that high heat can damage your hair. High heat affects the shape of your hair's keratin strands, which can eventually lead to weaker and damaged hair. However, this shouldn't completely deter you from avoiding heat-based styling tools. When using heat to straighten your beard, it’s always a good idea to use a heat protector beforehand to further reduce heat damage. From blow dryers, to beard straighteners, to heated combs, there are a handful of tools that use some heat to help straighten and style your beard.
If you're using a blow dryer to straighten your beard hair, keep the heat on low to medium and hold the blow dryer about half a foot away from your face. Using a small, round brush with vented ceramic plates, brush out your beard as you have the blow dryer pointed to your facial hair. You would want to brush your beard thoroughly and completely to avoid any strays. We recommend using either Denman's Styling Brush or Denman's Vent Brush.
There are also hair straighteners that are catered to your beard, although a mini straightener will do just fine. Avoid larger hair straighteners to prevent the tool from directly touching your face; you would want to use a straightener that you can comfortably hold against your face without it getting in the way of your sight.
To use a hair straightener on your beard, you would first want to comb out your beard thoroughly to get rid of any tangles. Give your tool a few minutes to heat up - and remember to have your tool only on low to medium heat. Starting at the top of your beard and working your way towards the end, slowly run the straightener through your beard in small sections. Make sure to alternate between gently combing your beard and using the straightener until you get the desired style.
Lastly, there are heated brushes. Hot brushes are super convenient because they're able to smooth and straighten your beard all in one step. It’s basically a hair dryer, flat iron, and brush combo. Simply turn on your heated brush, have it on medium to low heat, wait for it to warm up, then slowly comb through your beard with the tool.
BEARD OILS AND BEARD BALMS
Beard Oils and Balms are great for keeping your beard hydrated and in place. A good beard oil conditions and softens your facial hair and the skin underneath, making your beard look fuller and softer, and can promote beard growth. Beard balms also work as conditioners and help seal in moisture. Because it is a thicker product than the beard oil, bead balms can also help style your beard.
After getting out of the shower or washing your face, towel dry your beard, then add a couple drops of beard oil on your hand before spreading it evenly throughout your beard. Applying the oil as your beard dries allows your facial hair to completely soak up the oil. Comb your beard thoroughly then apply your beard balm by adding a small amount of product on the palms of your hands to warm up, then apply to your beard as you shape your facial hair to the desired shape.
We recommend using our very own King’s Crown All Natural Beard Oil and Barberstation’s Beard Balm - a great duo our barbers use in service all the time!
SEA SALT SPRAY
Sea Salt Spray is a hairspray with a base of sea salt and water. It applies volume and texture to your facial hair and is a great natural product that removes toxins and debris from your hair. Once you comb and style your beard, finishing off your beard with Sea Salt Spray will help hold your style for the rest of the day. We recommend using Reuzel's Surf Tonic.
Depending on how coarse or how curly your beard is, you may need to use all or a combination of our 3 tips to help straighten your beard. Beard hair is thicker and coarser than the hair on your head and can grow all over the place, meaning your beard’s going to need a little more TLC.
Book your appointments today to get your beard styled with our King’s Crown barbers and to get some personal advice on how you can maintain your beard!