Style
The Mane Thing: A Simple Beard Care Guide
A great beard isn’t grown – it’s cultivated. From the right tools to the perfect routine, our easy beard care guide will help you level up your mane game
As temperatures start to drop and No-Shave November takes centre stage, facial hair emerges as the defining accessory of the season. However, there’s a fine line between simply letting it grow and truly grooming your new mane. Before you let your scruff go wild, know that a good beard takes some amount of care and intention, because it doesn’t just frame your face – it also defines your style. Whether you’re starting from scratch or perfecting the art of mane-tenance, here’s everything you need to know about mastering the bearded look.
Find Your Signature Shape
Not all beards are created equal, which is why choosing your signature style is about complementing your natural features rather than following current trends. First, think about your face shape. If, for example, you have a long, narrow noggin, you’ll want to build some width around the jawline and under the cheekbones to balance things out. For a square visage, a bit of length under the chin will soften those strong angles without losing definition. If yours is a rounder face, keep your lines sharper and your sides tidier for more structure.
Next, consider hair type. Patchy or fine growth often looks best with styles that sit close to the skin and are shaped neatly along the natural hairline, while coarser, fuller hair can handle a more grown-out, sculptural style.
And finally: maintenance. A full, rugged beard demands consistent cleaning and shaping to keep it looking sharp and avoid lumberjack territory. On the other hand, shorter styles – such as an anchor or neatly cropped stubble – give an effortlessly polished look with way less commitment. Once you’ve found that balance between shape, texture and upkeep, you’ll have a beard that’s flattering and easy to pull off.
Our Top Product Pick: Manscaped’s Beard Hedger Pro Kit is the perfect starting point for defining your look. Encompassing a precision trimmer, comb, brush, scissors and nourishing treatments, it covers everything from sculpting clean lines to maintaining a soft, healthy texture.
Protect The Skin
Whether you’re keeping your look trimmed and short or letting your whiskers reach their full potential, healthy grooming begins where you can’t always see it: the skin beneath. Regular cleansing and hydrating will help prevent itching, ingrown hair and winter flaking, while also sweeping away the buildup of sweat, oil and grime that collects throughout the day. But take note: because facial hair is coarser and denser than the hair on your scalp, your regular shower set won’t do the job.
Start by washing your face and facial hair daily with a cleanser created specifically to respect both hair and skin. Pat the skin lightly dry and follow with a gentle moisturiser or conditioner also designed for that area. These small, consistent steps make all the difference for softer texture, balanced hydration, and a beard that feels as good as it looks.
Our Top Pick: Murdock London’s Beard Shampoo & Conditioner Set features a pH-balanced, sulfate-free formula that gently cleanses both the beard hair and the skin underneath (without stripping essential oils), at the same time as it softens rough textures and reduces tangling.
Get The Right Tools
Growing a beard is the easy part. Shaping it is a different story. From precision trimmers to fine scissors and natural-bristle brushes, your jawline deserves the right instruments, because the ones you choose to use (and how you use them) will make all the difference in the results. You want tools that deliver clean edges and consistent length without tugging, for a smooth, confident finish every time.
Depending on your beard’s length and texture, you don’t need an entire barbershop of gadgets, but rather just a curated few that work for you. Perhaps a powerful trimmer for very thick or coarse hair and a pair of lightweight scissors for shaping new growth, or a professional-grade clipper for maintaining a longer style. Quality over quantity matters most here.
Our Top Pick: The Braun All-in-One Series 7 is just that: an 18-in-1 sleek precision kit built for effortless control. Its Ultra-Sharp ProBlade and SkinGuard technology promise clean lines, smooth shaves and customised results, no matter your hair type or beard style.
Indulge With Oils
Beard oil is more than just a finishing touch – it’s what separates the amateurs from the pros. A few drops can transform a coarse mane into something soft, sleek and touchable, while soothing the skin beneath to prevent itching, dryness and dandruff. As a bonus, it makes your hair smell great, too.
If you’re just starting to grow your facial hair, start light. Oils like jojoba or grapeseed mimic the skin’s natural oils and absorb more quickly without leaving that greasy feel. For wavy and medium-length beards, richer blends like sweet almond or avocado are best for taming texture, keeping definition and reducing frizz. If your skin is sensitive, argan or hemp seed oil will hydrate without clogging pores; just apply a few drops post-shower while the hair is still slightly damp, brush it through, and let it work its magic.
Our Top Pick: A silicone-free formula rich in seed oils that nourish coarse and frizzy hair, Aesop’s Shine Hair & Beard Oil adds softness and subtle gloss, and leaves you with that signature Aesop high-end spa scent all day long.
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