There’s something empowering about growing a beard. Some might even say there are primal elements involved. It’s a way of embracing your manhood and communicating a sense of strength and ruggedness. But in order to grow a great beard, there has to be some level of planning and intentionality involved.
5 Secrets for Growing a Thick, Eye-Catching Beard
No two beards are the same. Every guy has a unique facial structure, complexion, growth patterns, hair color, hair texture, etc. That being said, here are some helpful techniques you can use to improve your chances of growing an impressive beard:
1. Develop a Plan
If you’re serious about growing a beard, you need to plan ahead. This isn’t something you just go into blindly and hope for the best. You need to have a clear idea of what direction you’re going – literally.
Consider the shape of your face. If you have a long/oblong face, you don’t want to grow a long, narrow beard. (Doing so will magnify your face shape.) Got a square jaw and a wide face? The opposite is true. Fuller sides will exaggerate your face. You’ll want to keep the sides trimmed and focus on elongating your face with more length on the chin.
2. Clean Up the Perimeter
There’s a difference between letting your beard grow and being lazy. In the context of this article, we’re talking about disciplined beard-growing – not neglecting personal grooming and hygiene.
One of the keys to success is to shave the perimeter of your beard – i.e. the neck and cheek lines. This is very important – both early on and in the later stages of growth. A failure to create a crisp edge will make your beard look like an accident.
3. Use the Right Products
Shaving is one key aspect of growing a beard. Beard care is another important element. More specifically, you need to be intentional about how you moisturise and feed your beard. Products like beard oils, balms, and shampoos all play a role in keeping your beard health by providing nutrients and moisturising.
There are lots of options on the market, but quality beard oil is the best option. Find one that’s made with natural ingredients and oils. The goal isn’t to saturate your beard, but to make it soft and comfortable.
When it comes to showing off your beard, a nice beard wax can help you tame loose whiskers and present a thicker, fuller appearance.
When showering, consider using a product like Head and Shoulders shampoo. Lather it into your beard and let it sit for a few minutes. This will help address any underlying dryness and/or flakiness beneath the beard.
4. Brush your Beard
Most guys understand the importance of shaping their beards, but there’s more to it than this. If you want your beard to look full (and feel good), run a comb through it. Brushing your beard eliminates knots, removes tangles, and helps your beard live up to its full potential.
5. Consider Supplementing
Looking for ways to speed up the rate of hair growth? Want your beard to look thicker and fuller? While you’ll always be limited by biology and genes, you can maximize your beard growing capabilities through strategic diet and nutrition.
Beards are fueled by protein and fat. However, they also require lots of vitamin B5, B3, and B9 – not to mention other vitamins and nutrients. This is why it’s so important to consume lean meats, leafy greens, egg yolks, nuts, milk, potatoes, raisins, etc.
Can’t get all of the necessary vitamins and nutrients in your diet? There are a handful of beard supplement products on the market. Just be sure to use discretion when buying and using these products. Many of them make claims that are hard to support. Only use products that your doctor approves of.
Give it Some Time
You can follow all of the tips outlined in this article, but at the end of the day, you have to wait on Father Time. Everyone grows a beard at a different pace. Some people can grow a thick, sprawling beard in a matter of two weeks, while others have to work hard just to produce a five o’clock shadow. Work with your body rather than against it. Your patience will eventually pay off.
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