MEN CARE

 Hello ladies and gents this is the viking telling you that today we are talking about 

BEARD CARE

1. First and Foremost, Be Patient

A truly epic beard is the product of self-restraint. When you first start growing, resist the urge to trim or style, and leave it untouched for the first 4-6 weeks. This will allow the hairs to grow in evenly (some grow faster than others), and help you pick a style that suits its length and thickness. “With that said, every guy’s hair grows at its own speed..healthy lifestyle, good diet, and exercise can help speed up the process a bit,” adds Art Department celebrity groomer, Scott McMahan, who has worked with Josh Brolin, Future, Matt Dillon, Lakeith Stanfield, and many others.

2. Match Your Beard to Your Face Shape

Like any wild animal, a beard should be in-tune with its surrounding environment. Consult this handy chart after the first month of growth, and choose a final style that complements your face shape. Your beard will look better, and so will you.

3. Know How (and When) to Trim

Pruning is essential to a well-groomed beard—even if you plan on growing it out. Invest in a quality trimmer, and find the right technique to suit your master plan.

4. Wash It Regularly

This is especially important in the early stages of growth, especially since trapped food and skin cells can exacerbate the itchiness. “It’s not just about the hair, but also the skin underneath,” explains McMahan. “For me, washing and conditioning my beard is the most important step in caring for my beard,” he continues. Scrub your beard several times each week with a specialized cleanser, like Billy Jealousy Beard Wash (or medicated dandruff shampoo that contains salicylic acid) then gently pat it dry: An overzealous toweling can lead to frizz and split ends.

5. Love Thy Beard Oil

“Beard oils can be tricky,” confesses McMahan. “Some are too heavy. Some are too shiny. Some feel dry. Try as many as possible. You will know when it’s the one. I have at least nine or ten in my bathroom right now,” he confides. And, thankfully Birchbox Grooming can help you find your perfect match with ease, sign-up for a monthly subscription. One of our tried-and-true favorites is Glyder Miracle Beard Oil, formulated with a blend of natural, organic, and vegan oils (like argan and jojoba to name a few!)

6. Learn to Train Your Beard

A regular trim will maintain your chosen shape, but it’s not the only way to keep your beard in line. A daily rubdown with a comb or beard brush will wrangle stubborn hairs, training them to grow in a downward direction. You can even up the ante with a soft-hold styler, like Jao Bomade Beardscent, which lends some extra sculpting power while taming any flyways.

7. Don’t Forget the Mustache

Unless you’ve chosen a chinstrap—and we really hope you didn’t—growing an epic beard also means growing a mustache. According to McMahan you can keep your ‘stache looking pretty neat with tiny trims every three to four days to keep stray hairs at bay. Focus on the area around your philtrum (the area under your nose) with a pair of grooming scissors, and keep it naturally sculpted with a medium-hold wax, like Kiehl’s Creative Cream Wax.

8. Fuel Up

You can’t build a house without bricks, and the same applies to facial hair. Your beard is made from protein and fat, but it’s also heavily reliant on Vitamins B5, B3, and B9. That means lean meats, nuts, egg yolks, milk, and plenty of leafy greens. If you’re seriously committed, you can also round out your diet with a supplement like hims.

“The vitamins in many supplements sold for beard growth can be a helpful aid,” adds McMahan. “Sadly, none of these things are going to make a beard grow where it would not grow before. Not everyone can have a beard!”

and as always have a chilled day from the Viking