Is your beard ready for Summer?
Managing your beard in the summer months is important for keeping it looking it’s best. Whether it is a designer stubble, a neat little goatee or the full, rustic beard, it’s essential to maintain both the hair growth and the skin underneath during hot spells. Facial hair is much coarser than the hair on your head so it requires different tools and products to keep it in check. Here, we have drawn together what we think are the six critical things to remember for the best beard care.
Washing
Perhaps the most obvious place to start with your summer/holiday beard care is with washing. You will probably find that you sweat a little more in hotter climes and therefore a quick rinse here and there will prevent breakouts. However, don’t go mad with the washing or this will dry your skin out and strip it of its natural oils. We recommend washing approximately 3 times a week in hotter weather as a balanced approach. Use a specially formulated beard shampoo for the best results.
Trimming
Regularly trimming your beard is central to encouraging healthy, even growth. If you haven't done so already, invest in a good quality beard trimmer for your kit and build it into your skin and hair care regime. It makes a big difference when you have the right equipment as it will avoid the unwanted and unnecessary follicle damage that can occur with cheaper, poorer quality products. Try and keep it as short as possible during the hottest months.
Shape
If you are going for the more intricate look with your facial hair, such as the Van Dyke or Balbo, you will require the services of a good quality edging razor. Keeping this sharp and clean is imperative and it will make all the difference when it comes to perfecting your desired aesthetic. Always clean your edging razor after each use, sharpen it regularly and wipe with oil to prevent oxidation.
Hydration
A key element of summer beard care is keeping your beard, skin and self-hydrated. Pay particular attention to the regular moisturisation of your beard and skin and of course, whatever you do, don’t forget to regularly apply sunscreen. Nobody wants to see flaky skin under your beard, especially you. In addition, keeping yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, particularly water, and avoiding drinking too much alcohol will also pay dividends.
Grooming
Using a special beard comb or brush, stay on top of grooming your hair. This evenly distributes your naturally occurring oils, which is the best thing for it. It prevents the hair from becoming dry and from your pores becoming clogged. It also helps you to stay looking super slick and refined too, and as an extra bonus, it can remove debris that may get caught up in it during the day.
Beard oils
Healthy skin is a prerequisite for a healthy beard and for this reason, beard oils are a must. They play an important role in improving the texture, appearance and aroma of your beard. The most popular beard oils are products containing argan oil, coconut, jojoba, pumpkin seed and almond oil. These are usually accompanied by natural fragrances such as bergamot, cedarwood, geranium, pine and vanilla, to name but a few, so there is also an element of personal taste when it comes to choosing one which has a scent that you find appealing.
