One tenant of growing a better beard is knowing how to trim your beard. Seriously, you need to tidy it up as it grows, in order to maintain optimal beard shape along the way. It’s no different from getting haircuts as you grow out the hair on your head. Plus, you can take care of your beard at home rather than having to go to the barbershop constantly. These routine trims will keep things looking shapely and help you navigate any awkward phases—because beard care is self care.
And on the topic of shapely beards: Beard shaping is its own thing, too, which will help you achieve the best beard possible for your potential. Your optimal style factors in face shape, and even the most patchy beards can achieve something great.
Check out our advice below to know how to trim your beard as it grows out (or as you maintain a desired length). We’ll cover the best tools for the job, as well as the steps you should follow—including tips for tidier necklines, cheek lines, and even fading.
Get the Right Tools
These products are essential for any beard kit; mix and match to build out the best regimen for yourself, even if you’re just a beginner.
1. A detailing trimmer: You’ll need T-blade clippers to maintain a clean neckline and cheek line, all of which will make up your beard line. An electric trimmer is great for tuning up any lineups on your hairstyle, snipping strays, or tidying the sideburns, too.
2. The actual beard trimmer: The best beard trimmer will have all the customization you need for length management on a short beard, fine tuning on the beard style itself, and might even negate the need for a dedicated detail trimmer.
3. A razor (or two): Yes, a shaving razor. Don’t part with the blade just yet. If you ever want the cleanest contrast between beard and skin, this is your ticket. Or, at the very least, get an electric shaver for the task, too.
4. A facial hair styler: This could be any kind of tamer for those coarse hairs. A beard balm, beard oil, or leave-in conditioner will help you shape the mane at the end of the sculpting and trimming, in addition to keeping it soft and nourished. Once the beard is styled, check back to see if there are any lingering stray hairs to snip away.
5. Facial hair scissors: These round-ended snippers will clip any standalone beard strays, and trim the mustache hairs that fall atop the upper lip.
6. A beard comb: While a beard comb is good for distributing nourishing oils and conditioners, it’s equally helpful for styling the beard back into place, post-trim. You will also use it to comb mustache hairs down over the lip prior to trimming.
7. A beard brush: Before trimming, run the brush against the grain of your beard hairs, to make them easier to trim, and to highlight any inconsistencies in length. (And use this brush every night in your clean beard to distribute oils, detangle, and improve overall luster.)
How to Trim Your Beard
Here are the core steps to trimming your beard. If you want to maintain any certain length, do this general routine once every seven to 10 days, and if you really need help, a tutorial online with step-by-step directions will do the trick.
1. Wash and dry your beard: Always work with a fresh, clean canvas. You can use your regular facial cleanser for short styles, but consider upgrading to a designated beard wash once that mane grows long.
2. Brush it out: Run the brush against the grain of your beard, so that the hairs stand up and out.
