Beard grooming advice

Beltaine

So, I'm about 3 weeks into growing a full beard/mustache and the hair is sticking out in all different directions.

Is there something I can use to train it, like hair gel or somesuch, so that it looks nicer and stays looking nice as it gets longer?

curly haired boy

the longer it gets, the softer it'll get. this is the awkward stage before it becomes majestic. :P

some attention every day is probably what you need. combing and brushing on a regular basis, along with some conditioner, should help.

Enc

When I grew my facial hair out long, I would trim (using an electric trimmer) regularly at about one level higher than where I was currently growing on a daily basis. It took a little longer to grow it out long, but it kept it even during the transition which made it still seem professional/kempt during the process.

superhappypanda

You can also use shampoo and conditioner in it to soften it even more. I used to do this when I had a big bushy beard. Also, get a brush and brush it (one with lots of small bristles). It will help to train the hair to grow in a particular direction. And if you want to exert more control over it, you can use a little moustache wax. I'm not a fan of Pernaud's by any means, and would recommend you get one that's mostly beeswax and a little fragrance. Smells good (kind of like honey) and you just need a tiny bit - like really tiny. It will take time but you'll tame it over time.

Enc

Also: keep in mind your facial hair will never have the same texture as your scalp hair. It will always be coarser and, unless you are of a very few specific ethnicities (mostly central and east Asian) it will not be flowing or silky, but will curl and tangle regardless of product use. Gandalf-style long beards will eventually have the soft looking, flowing texture based upon their weight pulling down on the hair, but it takes a very long time for the hair follicles to decay to that extent and a goodly amount of weight of hair to keep it straight-ish.

Nosf

If you plan on keeping your beard long term, do not - DO NOT, SERIOUSLY - cheap out on a trimmer. One is 15.99 at Walmart for a reason, while others are 59.99. I went through a few trimmers, and lots are just shit, or the attachments are crap and were designed by people who apparently didn't have beards. I had a little one that I inherited from my Dad and ran on AA batteries; it was a goddamn tank and I took good care of it, but sadly after years and years it bit the dust. I went through three after that until settling for the one I have currently, which I sadly couldn't tell you which make it is, it's unmarked and I've had it for years.

The other thing is get a comb, a fine tooth simple comb (good luck finding one, seriously, no one locally sells the damn things anymore) as early on when you're in the itchy beard stage, they work wonders for brushing and will uh, well, 'clean' the skin underneath which is going to be sort of a dandruff factory.

Enc

@Nosf is incredibly right, you get what you pay for.

As far as a Comb, the only ones I've been able to get reliably fine enough to be useable are the flip-out knife combs from our local tourist shops. For some reason tourist traps all carry a better selection than my local grocery.

Nosf

I lucked out when I bought my wife some pricey shampoo and conditioner at a local health and beauty supply shop - they had the classic Fonzie style combs for 75 cents, so I bought three and squirreled away 2 in the man cave.

mts

you probably could just pick up a lice nit brush from the pharamcy/cvs/etc.

unclejonssoap

When I started growing my beard out, I had some of the same issues. The first thing, like others have said, is to comb or brush the beard regularly. Second: Don't wash the beard every day if you can help it. This strips the natural oils from the skin below which drys the beard out. Third: Use a leave-in conditioner. I use a beard balm or a beard oil. I switch depending on my moods. I start the day with a shower, towel dry the beard and then apply the beard oil or balm so that it goes down all the way to the skin. Then, brush it through.

I will usually re-apply sometime later in the day to freshen up a bit. The longer the hair gets, the easier it will be to keep it all under control. Like someone above said, you can use a little bit of mustache wax to help real trouble areas from sticking out too bad.

Most of all... patience! It's difficult to wait it out, but it will all be worth it in the long run.

Good luck!

YoSoyTheWalrus

I usually start trimming it into the shape I want early. A little shorter on the cheeks, a little longer on the chin, keep the mustache off the lip, etc. This gives the general sense that you are at least grooming it. It takes a little longer but makes the transition less crackhead-y IMO.

tinwhiskers

Shampoo and condition is important, but don't shampoo every day. I've had good luck with Argan oil too. It's not wax or gel like, but it helps add some weight and keep the fliers in control.

Cabezone

Yeah, look into beard oils.