Beards, Goatees and Moustaches – Tops Tips and Hints for a Well-Groomed Face
Here are some tips for beard, goatee, and moustache grooming:
Some recommend only having this done professionally. Others won't let anyone else get near their beards with scissors or trimmers.
If you're going to trim your beard yourself, you'll need the right tools. You will have to decide whether to trim using scissors or a beard trimmer.
If you decide to trim primarily with scissors, consider purchasing a pair of professional barber's scissors.
When considering beard trimmers, a rechargeable cordless model might be a good choice.
You should also have a good wide-toothed comb. Optionally, for the mustache, you might want to have a fine-toothed comb. Some specialty stores sell small mustache combs.
A good-sized wall mirror is usually indispensable. You might also benefit from a magnifying mirror and possibly a three-way mirror.
Do not trim a wet beard or mustache. Wet hair is longer. When it dries you may find you've trimmed too much.
If you use a comb and scissors: Comb through the beard and cut the hair on the outside of the comb. It will take some practice to perfect this technique. It is better to err on the side of not cutting enough rather than cutting too much.
To help maintain a balance between the two sides of your face, you may find it useful to start near the ear on one side and trim down to the chin. Then repeat on the other side.
Beard trimmers almost always come with an adjustable and removable trimming guide. By adjusting the position of the trimming guide, you control how closely it will trim your beard. Refer to the instructions supplied with your trimmer for details. Until you've mastered the use of your trimmer, it is best to adjust the guide for a longer beard length setting at first.
To trim your mustache, first comb it straight down. Then use either the beard trimmer or scissors. Start in the middle and trim first towards one side of the mouth, then towards the other. Normally, you should not shave or trim the top of the mustache. It usually looks best if you let it grow all the way up to your nose.
After you've trimmed your beard and mustache, then you should maintain the shape of your beard. Use the beard trimmer with the adjustable trimming guide removed (be careful) to keep the neck line of your beard well-defined. Alternatively, you could carefully shave the lower portion of your neck to maintain the neck line of your beard.
Miscellaneous stray hairs can be removed with a trim razor. Plucking them is not recommended.
Keeping a beard clean
Just like your hair, wash and shampoo your beard regularly. A mild shampoo is easier on your skin.
After shampooing, you may use a conditioner. Be sure to rinse thoroughly. Failure to rinse sufficiently may result in flaking. Because beard hairs are so coarse, conditioners will have less effect on the beard than on the hair on your head. But a conditioner will still help make your beard feel softer.
Gently pat and wipe your beard dry with a towel. Blow drying is not really necessary and can be harsh on your skin.
Comb your beard and mustache with a wide-toothed comb to remove tangles. Optionally, you can finish up by using a brush.
To Trim Mustaches
Place a finger on upper lip to extend hair away from skin.
Trim hairs using an upward motion.
After achieving desired length, use a downward motion to blend mustache hairs.NOTE: Use slow and light pressure. Too much pressure may trim off more hair than desired.
Turn trimmer OFF.
A goatee is a cross between a miniature beard and a moustache. It is essentially a circle of facial hair that wraps over your lip, around your mouth, and across your chin. If you aren't confident with your shaving skills, grow out your facial hair to the length that you want your goatee to be and then go to a hair stylist to get your first goatee. Ask your stylist to show you the easiest and most effective way to create the look. The goatee is a great style for all ages, and it is a classy, smart, and manly look and it is one of the favorites for women! Every man should try out a goatee look at least once!
How to Make Your Goatee Even
Face it, the ladies aren't clamoring for guys with lopsided goatees. To keep your goatee properly aligned, always use a shaving oil or clear gel. Unlike foam, these products will allow you to see exactly what you are and are not shaving.
The moustache has been around as a men's facial hair style for centuries, but it remains a timeless look with a plethora of variations. Young men, between the ages of 18 and 35, generally do not look good with a bushy moustache. A big, bushy moustache will make you look too stern and gruff for your age. Instead, go with a neatly groomed moustache that does not extend any longer than the corners of your mouth. Make sure that you trim your moustache so that the hair does not fall over your upper lip. If you are older, a moustache can help to hide your thinning lips: let the hair fall just slightly over the top of the upper lip to create an allusion that your lip is fuller than it is. While a bushier moustache is more appropriate for older men than young men, even older gentlemen should avoid too much bushiness. A good rule to follow when trimming a moustache is to follow the natural curve of your top lip - every mouth is different, and you want your moustache to match your face. If you are seeking a more unique style, you may want to give yourself a thinner moustache or a moustache that flares up over the corners of your lips.