i am currently growing a beard. i feel it is something i would like to do, whilst it fits with the current menswear trends. however it is hard work. i am learning as i go. i suppose i have been learning for years about grooming in general, particularly since i have been shaving since around the age of 15. like anything in life it takes time, trials, and practice. i now am at the point where i favour particular products and razors.
male grooming main rule - find the equipment that suits your skin, your hair, and you.
for me this is anything by gilette for a wet shave, whilst i swear by my babyliss itrim for stubble manipulation. i use natural soap for my wet shave (a gentleman's shave), whilst i combine liz earle and clinique products prior to and following the event.
so now back to the art of growing a beard. i have played with this idea for years - trust me its been tried and tested but to no avail. firstly because i proceeded to favour either trimming around my jaw line and/or leaving growth on my neck the same length as the rest of my beard. these issues lead me to the main rules of growing a beard:
growing a beard rule 1 - never trim directly on the jaw line
otherwise this gives a lined off effect - making you look like craig david.
growing a beard rule 2 - never leave your neck hair to grow the same length.
this must be trimmed with a gradual effect. otherwise you will look like a goat.
the issue of beard growth leads me to a current trend in male grooming - the barely there beard - as characterized by the d & g boys - notably noah mills & david gandy.
to read this in full follow this link:
http://models.com/work/details-magazine-the-barely-there-beard
i hope this insight has been useful.
JACques.