How to comb a beard (the right way)
The first mistake men make when starting their beard journey, is not properly caring for their facial hair. Good beards don’t happen by accident. Going for longer beard without proper maintenance can also be a nightmare; your face itches, you get red blotches on your face and neck, and your beard starts to collect food and local wildlife.
Learning how to comb a beard is crucial if you want to make sure your facial hair doesn’t tangle and that the skin underneath stays healthy. Here’s the big “why” for your investment into a quality beard comb, and we’ll also give you straightforward tips on how to use it.
Key benefits of men’s beard combs
#1 Makes your beard thicker and reduces patching
Combing your beard also makes your beard look thicker. Even though combing doesn’t affect the growth rate of your beard, it lines up all the hair follicles in the same direction, making your beard seem richer. This also helps to reduce patching, so if you are struggling to grow a full beard, try to wait for the length to improve to a few inches, then smooth over patchy areas with your comb. Just a little longer bead hair can make all the difference, so long as your beard is well maintained.
#2 Trains your hairs and maintains your skins health
Combing your beard daily trains your facial hair to grow in a certain direction. This helps prevent facial hairs from tangling together, and it also helps your skin look better.
One of the most common causes for the red blemishes you get on your face when growing a beard are ingrown facial hairs. This happens when hairs curl around themselves and start growing underneath the skin. But if you comb your beard on a regular basis, you train your facial hairs to grow in the direction you want, so you reduce the chances of having ingrown hairs.
#3 Helps you style and control Your beard
Sometimes style is about looks, other times about function. For beards, both aspects are important. Combing your beard will also help you get the look you desire, keeping you looking tidy and presentable. Combing your facial hair can help you trim your mustache, clearing your mouth and making it easier for you to eat. In addition, combing your beard and mustache will help direct the hairs around the mouth to the sides, reducing the number of food particles that get trapped in your facial hair. It reduces the need to carry around napkins constantly, though some men with big bushy beards just might!
Comb your beard, add some balm or wax to maintain the look throughout the day and you’re bound to turn heads anywhere you go.
Step by step: how to comb a beard
Start with the right comb - You should get a beard comb that fits well into your hand. Its teeth should be wide enough to easily pass through your beard, but thin enough to catch and direct your strands of hair in the right direction. There’s a few different options available for big bushy beards, as well as smaller, regular facial hair.
Start upwards from your neck - Start combing your beard from the neck, moving smoothly upwards toward the chin and cheeks. It’s easier to do this with a dry beard, or once oil has been applied. Avoid doing it while wet, straight from the shower.
Don’t force the tangles - Remember, the point is to tidy and straighten, not yank the hair clean from your face, so be gentle. You might run into some tangles during combing. Don’t pull at them because you risk ripping the hairs from your face, instead, pass the comb gently through the tangle to separate the hairs.
Comb downwards - Now that you’ve passed through the beard in an upward direction, it’s time to inverse your strokes and brush downwards to style and shape your beard.
Don’t forget the mustache - Comb the hairs in your mustache to direct them away from your mouth and to the sides. Some folks use a separate mustache comb for that; it’s optional. Most regular beard combs will work with a little care.
Stick to a routine - Make combing your beard part of your regular grooming routine, it gets easier when your beard is regularly trimmed and maintained with product. The most important tip is to ensure you put aside sufficient time for self care and personal grooming. Good looks take time, don’t rush or be aggressive to get the best results.
