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Hi all... So I have grown a beard. Yay.
Its not full on zz top but probably about 2.5 inches long so far, planning on keeping it for a while at least through winter as it keeps my face warm 🙂
I have been trying lots of different oils / balms, and stuff but just cannot find one that gives the right balance of smell, hold and moisture giving ability. My beard is quite curly which is annoying and I would like to find something to tame it a bit better without smelling like an American lumberjack. Something not greasy and something that does not leave flakes and dry up during the day.
I do mix oil with balm and currently on honest amish stuff which is alright but a bit heavy (and expensive). I don't want to spend silly money...
Appreciate any other recommendations I may have missed!
I’ve been bearded on and off for years. Tried loads of balms, oils and shampoos. Oil is good for when the beard is short, balm is much better when it gets longer. Regular tidying up, cleaning and a good shampoo once per week should see you right. I only use products from Gentleman’s Face Care Club now. Right balance of cost, hold, scent and value for money. The balm lasts ages. Get a Kent comb and decent boar hair brush too.
Cheers for the reply will take a look.. Is the balm quite light or more waxy? Problem I find with a lot of balms is they are OK once applied and for a few hrs but then dry up and get a bit flakey (worst for this is the rubbish supermarket Gillette stuff).
I have a beard comb but might invest in a brush as that's probably better for slightly shorter beards (and assume better than my normal hair brush!)
Not flaky at all, more a butter like consistency and keeps the beard soft all day. You won’t notice anything for the first few days, but it’s fantastic after a bit of use. Just use every day by itself. Definitely invest in a decent comb and brush. Cheap plastic will just wreck the hairs. Took me ages to find a decent balm and theirs is by far the best I’ve found.
Bulldog oil works for me, cheap, natural, and smells nice. Wash with a normal shampoo bar when needed.
Not found anything flakey despite regularly being bought "beard care kits" by family members for Christmas which have had some rubbish in them (even one oil which was presumably rapeseed based and stank of cabbage 🤢).
Regular trimming is a must, although I've always found barbers end up taking way too much off so tend to just get it done by them over the summer and DIY it half the year while it's longer.
Having had to tie mine up since June 2020 so I can wear a mask for work I've stopped using balm or oil but I've found washing with shampoo every other shower and just using conditioner for dry hair every shower has helped a lot. Shampoo strips the natural oils from it. At weekends when I'm mask free I use bulldog beard balm which also gives a light hold, doesn't flake and smells good without being really pungent
https://uk.bulldogskincare.com/products/original-beard-balm
Now is the time to go full Blessed or Gandalf to survive the winter cold and be able to take snow beard pictures
Sounds too much hard work - shave it off !
Haaa fossy... I was expecting that reply to hit.
Cheers for the reply's guys! Some food to think about (apart from the crumbs in my beard)
planning on keeping it for a while at least through winter as it keeps my face warm 🙂
thats when I shave mine off- mostly working in cold conditions having a face that’s always wet gets pretty old
Start growing it again from new year ready for the summer 🙂
Sounds too much hard work – shave it off
I never understand this, how is it more hard work to give a beard a slight trim every two weeks or so than clean shave every day, maybe even twice a day if going out 🤷♂️
You are all overthinking it.
I've had one since I left school in 1999, never put anything on it other than a quick rub with the shampoo bubbles whenever I wash my hair.
I'm more Captain Birdseye than Grateful Dead though.
Uppercut bear balm is similar viscosity to shaving gel (not same consistency though). It has a very faint and pleasant smell (no trace of sandalwood in there) and just softens my beard without making it oily or greasy. It sounds like what you're after - I think my tube cost about a tenner and will last me until the heat death of the universe.