Long Beard Care

If you’re just beginning to grow a beard or are styling a short beard, we’ve already covered the best tips on maintenance. But what about long beard care? A long beard is impressive but, unless it’s well cared for, it can quickly look more Hagrid than hipster. The English Shaving Company have our top tips on long beard care to ensure your long beard looks awesome. Man looking into long beard care Long beard care is a combination of knowing what you’re doing and having the right beard tools to do it! We’ve broken down our top tips with some recommended products that will help you get the very best long beard.  

Brushing and Combing

The first step in long beard care is to brush and/or comb your beard everyday. This ensures  your beard is free from tangles and helps keep it looking and feeling smooth. We would recommend a high quality brush or comb. While you can get basic combs, not necessarily intended for facial hair, these are often too flimsy to cope with a long and sturdy beard! Cheap combs are often cut badly, which means the teeth are slightly jagged and can snag and damage your hairs as your brush - especially as many bearded men comb repeatedly when trimming or applying a beard product. Look for a comb that’s polished to ensure the teeth don’t damage your beard. It’s good to have fairly narrow gaps between the teeth so they comb through as many individual hairs as possible. We recommend this one from Kent, but all the combs we have available are fantastic!

Kent Comb

Kent Comb for a long beard  

Beard Trimming

A long beard is not the same as a wild one. Even if you’re looking to add length to your beard, it’s still vital you keep it looking neat by trimming. Invest in a pair of beard scissors as these are the best choice for trimming long beards. You can even get ones in handy cases that are perfect for travelling. Trimming your beard is all about creating and maintaining a good shape. The best way to start your trim is with a thorough comb. First, brush against the grain and then with; this helps you see the longer hairs and areas that are in most need of attention. It’s better to use scissors rather than electric trimmers for long beards as trimmers come with a greater risk of mistakes. One small slip and a chunk of your prized beard is gone! Scissors give you greater control and allow you to be more precise in determining the length of your beard. Start from the bottom and work upwards. Trimming from the bottom allows you to better shape your beard around its longest part. Gradually work up on each side, shaping it around your neckline and tapering your cheeks to create a defined shape. Most men with a long beard like to give it a quick trim every couple of days to ensure it stays neat.  

Hans Kniebes Beard & Moustache Trimming Kit

Moustache and beard trimming kit  

Styling a Long Beard

A brushed, combed, and trimmed beard is great, but using the right styling products can kick your long beard care game up a notch.  

Beard Balm

Beard balms are a great way to both moisturise and style your long beard. They contain lots of oils that keep your beard from getting dry and are combined with beeswax that allows you to smooth and style your beard. One of our favourites is the Captain Fawcett Private Stock Beard Balm that smells fantastic!  

Captain Fawcett's Private Stock Beard Balm

Captain Fawcetts beard balm  

Beard Wax

Beard wax isn’t combined with all the same oils as balm, so it doesn’t also condition your hair as your use it. It does, however, provide a much stronger hold for facial hair that’s particularly hard to tame. It contains beeswax which gives it its properties. Read more about beeswax on our blog!

Mr Bear Family Woodland Beard Stache Wax

Beardstache wax for a long beard  

Washing your Long Beard

One of the most important things you can do to care for a long beard is to wash it. It’s vital to use a quality beard wash - these are facial-hair-friendly and won’t dry out your beard. Wash your beard every day, especially if you use balm or wax. If you don’t wash, wax, dirt and other impurities can build up in your beard. Not only is this unhygienic, it will also end up clogging up your pores and irritating your skin. Hairgum’s organic beard shampoo is a great choice. It doesn’t just clean your hair, it helps to hydrate and add extra strength.  

Hairgum Origines Organic Hair & Beard Shampoo

Hairgum hair shampoo

Conditioner

Once you’ve washed, use a beard conditioner to protect your hair as it dries. Beard oil works really well for this - just comb it through the length of your beard and leave it in to work its magic. You can also buy wash out conditioners, such as Noberu Sandalwood Beard  Conditioner, which work like normal hair conditioner but are specifically formulated for the needs of facial hair.  

Edwin Jagger Conditioning Beard Oil

conditioning beard oil from Edwin Jagger  

Noberu Sandalwood Beard Conditioner

Noberu beard conditioner

Long Beard Care

Do you have any other tips for long beard care? Share them with us in the comments below - we’d love to hear your thoughts and tips. Or you can have some fun and read our favourite beard quotes!
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