Did you know the beard is a historical emblem of power? That’s why influential men in history like Lincoln, Norris, ZZ Top, and even Santa and Jesus wear the beard. But during all this time they came, they went, they came again, and they went again.
People always perceive full beards as a sign of aggressiveness, masculinity and of active testosterone in the body. Men with beards are often seen as more angry, aggressive, dominant and therefore as being an alpha male. On the other hand men with groomed beards display that they take good care of themselves and are healthy.
A study by Barnaby Dixson and Paul Vasey found that both men and women associate beards with maturity, power and higher social status. The bearded men received higher scores that the clean-shaven ones.
Surprisingly, study shows that surveyed managers demonstrated a preference for neat and well-maintained beards, as they rated bearded men as having a better personality, appearance, competence, and composure that unbearded men… especially if you have a perfect hairstyle too.
In Journal of Hospital Infection study, they found out that you men with beards are less likely to be carrying germs than your clean-shaven buddies. It was revealed that not having a beard actually increases chances of having an infection causing bacteria on the skin threefold. Micro-abrasions made to the face while shaving create tiny cuts in the skin, which help to collect bacteria and support its growth.
We all project meaning onto beards but that may not really align with who the man is.
How to grow a beard
Most of people will tell you “To grow an awesome beard, simply put away your razor and trimmer and wait.” But the fact is there is a much more to learn about grow a beard. It is like choosing hairstyles for men, when it comes to the point you need to know a lot about to select the right one.
Not all men find it easy to grow plums of facial hair, but there are a few things you can do to help. Please avoid the biggest mistake men make is focusing on the belief that they cannot grow a beard at all, which is extremely rare.
Remember, your growth depends on three facts only: your age, genetics, and patience. No one enjoys the itchy, fuzzy growing in phase but there is no short cuts. Even drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day will help keep the growth thick and healthy.
Growing a beard is a amazing experience that we recommend all men trying in their lives. If it’s not for you, you can shave it off anytime – but you should try it once.
Why? Beard men can find incredible friends through beard clubs, got tons of compliments from random strangers, and have their career skyrocket… and this is all just because of beard. You can even become a better man.
It is almost impossible to wake up one morning with a fully-fledged beard, but you can begin to see growth over a few days. Your new beard would not be measured in length, it actually will be measured in months:
- 1 month beard
- 3 month beard
- yeard (year long beard)
- terminal beard (maximum length you genetically can grow)
Beard growing comes down to a few basics: diet, exercise, plenty of sleep, and a little everyday maintenance.
1 month beard
Your scruff is about to look weird, but you have to resist the urge to shave. After day three, you’ll begin to feel that dreaded itch, but resist the urge to scratch it and use a lightweight beard oil instead.
After a week you’ll begin to get a sense for the shape of your beard, and it is the time to start using a growth supplement. After week 4 the itch should be gone, the patches should be filled, and you should have a good sense of the final shape of your beard. You have to let the beard grow for 4-5 weeks before you get to the grooming stage.
Just because the beard is not super long yet, does not mean you can’t enjoy the growth that you have. Embrace each new growth phase as a time to test out different beard styles.
3 month beard
You can fill in the blanks with a special spray (beard thickener) that give the appearance of thicker beards. Just be sure you don’t overdo it and chose a color closest to your natural, otherwise you might end up like leopard ZZ Top.
A fair warning, you will keep playing with your beard all day long case it feels so good and soft!
Yeard (year long beard)
Long, straggly hair is not going to look good on anyone. So please keep the beard trim, it is a wonderful technique for creating the appearance of thicker, fuller hair. We recommend to invest in a quality facial groomer to trim things back or into shape, if you are looking for lofty facial locks.
Castor oil is a great conditioning treatment that promotes hair growth, and will keep your beard moving in the right direction. Just apply it at night before you go to bed, and wash off in the morning.
Your beard now requires serious maintenance as it becomes basically hair now and you need a brush to groom it because the comb will simply not be able to keep up with the thickness of it.
It might sound obvious, but a diet high in protein, with less stress and more sleep can help you grow a faster beard.
Biotin is a natural hair growth supplement, it contains Vitamin B6, C, and E, but the downside is that hair and nails are much alike, and accelerated nails and other bodily hair are likely to occur. So please be aware.
You can read our article about longest beards for motivation.
How to find your beard style
Before you start you have to have a game plan. First of all decide which beard style best complements your face shape.
Oval Face
Most styles will work well.
Square Face
Keep hair fuller on the chin, shorter on the sides.
Rectangular Face
Keep the sides fuller, and the bottom shorter.
Round Face
Grow hair longer on the bottom, shorter on the sides.
Different shapes suit different beards however and there are all kinds of charts that can help you look for realistic inspiration and facial comparisons.
One more thing to remember is you need to know what cheek line suits your face. And you can only know this by trial and error. Some people leave it natural, some shave off everything under the jaw. It is all about preference and what looks better on you.
If you’re new to the wonderful world of beards, your best bet is to find a beard buddy who can act as your stubble guru and show you the ins and outs of your bristle growth — what products worked for him, and which ones didn’t. There’s nothing like having a knowledgeable friend by your side as you embark on your beard journey.
Stubble
From Clint Eastwood to George Clooney, Hollywood has turned stubble from an everyday guy’s everyday struggle into the epitome of cool. The general misconception is that people think that it’s easy and you just roll out of bed. But you do have to maintain it.
3-Day Beard
3-Day Beard has been around for long and looks rougher than stubble. Many men opt for this look, since it looks manly, while not being too wild nor too neat. Also, it helps conceal skin imperfections and is a great option for skin that is sensitive to constant shaving.
Soul Patch
The soul patch has its roots in the beatnik fashion of the 50s, when hipsters and artists artfully cultivated hair under their lip taken it from jazz culture of the same era. It was known as a “Dizzy Gillespie beard” and was imitated by jazzmen and, eventually, beatniks. In 1999 the celebrity boosts pushed the soul patch into the mainstream. Legend has it that the soul patch covers the hole from which your soul was extracted.
Short Beard
Shorter beards are often easier to care for. It is a versatile look that can slip in with most hairstyles, and appear smart and rugged at the same time. This style is achievable and adaptable, and one we’ll be seeing plenty of this year.
Chin strap beard
Chin strap beards has an incredible history. This style came into existence one hundred years ago. Chin strap beards moved to Europe later-on to Russia, and finally Japan subsequently. Chin strap beards looks nice on individuals who have an egg like shape face. But remember, this beard style requires constant maintenance as it’s easily overgrown.
Here is the Gillette Shaving Guide on How To Shave The Chin Strap Beard.
Goatee beard
This style was hit in the mid-1990s. It was a bit of a statement then, but it’s sort of become the overly done expression. Both Brad Pitt and Idris Elba keep the goatee from looking too throwback by balancing it out with a mustache. We advise to grow in more than just the goatee area to start with, that way there’s more to work with when it comes time to carve in the shape.
Full beard
This style only works if you have extensive facial hair growth. Full beards take a lot of grooming, which takes time and care to maintain – especially the shape and fullness. Use a moisturising to help the beard retain its moisture, otherwise it could flake and cause beard dandruff.
Full beards also have religious associations, think of Moses or Jesus. So that one comes with a lot of historical weight. It’s a bit of an old-fashioned style but young men still wearing it these days.
Here is the list of all beard types.
How to grow beard faster
So you’ve tried growing your beard out before and it ends up looking more jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces than thick and fertile man mane. We understand and we’ve all been there. Like all good things growing a hearty beard is a labor of love, but it always pays off in the end, but we have a few tips to make your beard grow faster, naturally.
- Exfoliate your skin once a week
- Wash your skin with warm water using a mild cleanser twice a day
- Massage with a moisturiser with eucalyptus
- Sleep well and don’t stress
- Include Vitamins A, B, C and E in your diet
- Refrain from shaping or trimming your hair very often
A fully grown beard is a source of great pride.
How to trim your beard
Beards are prone to grow in any direction they see fit, regardless of how hard you try to do otherwise. The best way to combat this? Using a brush or comb. A good beard comb or brush will train your hairs in the right direction.
Growing a beard is a commitment. Beards don’t take care of themselves any more than your lawn. If you don’t pay enough attention to your beard, pretty soon, you’re going to look like the Alaskan wild man.
You know how you choose the best shampoo that suits your hair? The same goes for a beard too. You need to see what suits it better – a shampoo or a simple soap. It is okay to be fussy about it. Actually, being fussy about it is better, because that way you take care of it properly.
Designing a neck line
Designing a great neck line for your new full beard is something of an art. Your objective should be to
create a neck line that defines the beard in a smooth shape that is pleasing to the eye.
- Do not make the neck line too high
- Visualize a line from ear to ear
- Visualize a line extending down from the back of the sideburns
- Round the intersection off to achieve a smooth shape that pleases you
If you’ve messed up your beard’s neck line, with time and patience it is easily repaired.
Cultivate your masculinity. To maximize your testosterone production, and hence your beard-growing abilities, practice full-body exercises, such as squats, push-ups and cardios.
Remember, facial hair fun to experiment with. You won’t know what you’re getting until you’re a few weeks in.
It’s a hard truth, but not all guys can grow a beard. It’s just a matter of genetics. Let it go, shave it off, and move on.
Check out our gallery of bear men below.
Ducktail Beard
The ducktail beard style is incredibly popular among men these days, it creates an incredible hipster look and requires a fully grown beard, so it is quite an investment of time. This look is especially suited for men who have round face shapes.
