Month: September 2020

Stubble Styles and How to Rock Them

Let’s be honest, there isn’t a single man out there who hasn’t tried to rock the stubble. Hell, I’m sure there are plenty of women too, but that’s a whole different topic. The year 2015 saw the rise of the beard in popular contemporary grooming, with popular figures like Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Fidel Castro (sorry not sorry) all wearing hair on their faces.

But how does one achieve such splendiferous facial fur I hear you ask? Well to be honest we’re not going to look at the really long stuff, just in case be spill over into the realms of science. Instead we’re going to concentrate on succulent stubble, how to grow it, and why it’s the new trend taking over the hipster beard.

The Classic Look

Gone are the days when to look classy, you had to walk around with a face so clean-shaven, you had to take off ten layers of skin as well as your hair. My grandfather shaves twice a day which; given my awfully sensitive skin, just sounds like a physiological impossibility. Let’s hazard a guess that it’d probably be too much effort for most men too.

Thankfully it seems that stubble is acceptable these days, so don’t panic shave if you’ve got an interview lined up, or you’re meeting your girlfriend’s parents. Stubble is in – the public loves it, but more importantly so do the chicks. Anyway, if you want some classic examples of well-groomed stubble go check out pics of David Beckham or Gerrard Butler. We’re here to talk styles and grooming.

Styles of Stubble

Gone are the days when to look classy, you had to walk around with a face so clean-shaven, you had to take off ten layers of skin as well as your hair. My grandfather shaves twice a day which; given my awfully sensitive skin, just sounds like a physiological impossibility. Let’s hazard a guess that it’d probably be too much effort for most men too.

Thankfully it seems that stubble is acceptable these days, so don’t panic shave if you’ve got an interview lined up, or you’re meeting your girlfriend’s parents. Stubble is in – the public loves it, but more importantly so do the chicks. Anyway, if you want some classic examples of well-groomed stubble go check out pics of David Beckham or Gerrard Butler. We’re here to talk styles and grooming.

Grooming Those Goatees

Ok so we’re not talking about goatees but that alliteration though am I right? Anyway, here are some things to consider when it comes to growing and maintaining some healthy hairs.

First off you need to ask yourself if the stubble look is for you. Is your face ugly? If it is then just whack a beard straight over that thing. But if the answer is no then yeah you might be worthy of the stubbz. You should grow stubble if shaving regularly causes the skin to flare up if you need a boost of manliness, or at the request of your sassy but totally smart girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband.

Obviously if you just physically can’t grow a beard, don’t attempt it at home – get down to the doctor for a nice big needle full of hormones. If you’re not prepared to maintain the stubble then stop right there, because you’ll not enjoy the maintenance it requires. Also, remember that sassy yet smart girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband? If they don’t like the rugged look and feel, then probably best not to anger the powers that be.

OK, So What Do I Need to Do?

Shaping up your stubble requires precision. It is a craft, and with and piece of craftsmanship you’ll be needing the right tools. What does an aspiring stubblenter or stubbletrician need in their toolkit then? Well, you’re going to need an exfoliating face scrub, some shaving gel, and a decent razor; preferably a wet-shaving blade and an electric razor.

I can’t stress enough that you can’t skimp on these pieces of kit – they can make or break a shave and when it comes to stubble, there is no surrender.

The exfoliating wash is the first step in the shaving process and as such it lays the foundation for the real craftsmanship. Think of it as the sanding down a piece of wood before you carve it up into a series of flourishes and intricate detail. Buy a high quality scrub and make sure you exfoliate that face good; removing dead skin and lifting your hair for a smooth glide.

Next you’ll be taking that shaving cream bottle in front of you. No not that one, the other one. The expensive one you just paid an absolute bomb for. So take the shaving cream/foam/gel and apply to the area you’ll be shaving. Make sure it’s absorbed in; preferably for around 30 seconds, before diving into the action. This helps to soften the hairs and open the follicles, to give much smoother shaving experience.

Finally, you’ll want to take your weapon of choice and begin shaping the stubble. This is where the real skill comes in, so enjoy and savour the movement. It’s really important to shave in the direction the hair is growing, as this’ll reduce any tugging and pulling that can lead to rashes and nasty stuff.

At the shaving stage it’s pretty key to take your time, don’t rush. We all know you want to show off your new-found facial fur but just hold on for a second. Keep track of how much hair you’re taking off too, because you don’t want to remove too much stubble and be left with a chin strap – they were only cool in the 90s.

So you’ve finished and it’s all looking great. What happens though when that luscious shape starts to grow wild and unruly, like a navy dockyard after all the bars have thrown out for the night? Well, we recommend using that electric razor we told you to buy. Electric razors are great tools for maintaining your stubble at a set length; especially as most electric shavers will come with a gradable clipper head.

Whilst the major work comes in the first three steps of grooming, this final stage is essentially the bread and butter for sustaining stubble. Keeping that beard in trim (no pun intended) will be what makes it appear well tended, whilst avoiding the potential for looking scruffy and uncouth.

Without further ado, let’s jump into the top 5 styles of stubble; shedding some light on their origin and what’s required in their upkeep.

1. The Traditional

The traditional is that classic David Beckham look. Yes someone else invented it before him, but he wears it really well. It’s a 50/50 combo made up with equal parts of grooming and pouting.

Be warned though that whilst it is the stubble in it’s simplest and most sublime form, it does require a fair amount of grooming to maintain. You might want to invest in a pair of tweezers, and some signature Beckham boxers.

2. The Shaped

The shaped beard is a little thicker than the traditional. It looks great with long or short hair, but take note you’ll be doing a lot of trimming. Invest in that electric razor already and make sure you find a grade that suits the contours of your face.

You’ll also want to get comfortable with shaving around that Adam’s apple, as you’ll be doing this a lot. The shaped stubble variety requires you to remove any stray neck hairs, so as to draw more attention to your wonderfully styled face.

3. The Heavyweight

This one is borderline beard territory, so be prepared to monitor that length at all times. I mean get the ruler out when taking trips to the bathroom, or when sat at the desk when no one is looking etc.

The heavyweight takes between 4 and 6 weeks to germinate typically. It also requires the same level of maintenance as the traditional and shaped combined – making it one of the more fussy furs to maintain. The fact it also borderlines on beard is near-sacrilege, but it does look pretty tight so we’ll give it a pass.

Properly groomed the heavyweight stubble is a real winner. Again, it looks great with both long and short hair, and can even add a whole hunk of masculinity to your head once fully bloomed.

4. The Subtle

Simplicity is beauty. Not sure who said that but whatever, it sounds deep. Australian actor Chris Hemsworth rocks the subtle stubble, showing that even Hollywood stars don’t have to hire a beard stylist to look good.

The subtle is all about that electric razor – putting to good use the lower grade trim settings. Use that low grade to make you look pure high grade. Plus the subtle is much more satisfying to stroke than something bushier and itchier.

5. The ‘V’

This one takes a moderate amount of maintenance but it’s my go to stubble. The ‘V’ requires a level of prepping to make sure you don’t get a scruffy and uneven finish, but it’s worth the hassle. Exfoliate to the max before shaping this bad boy, and leave for 2-3 days before doing it again.

With this one there are two key factors: paying attention to how fast your hair is growing, and pruning with precision. The faster the hair growth the more frequently you’ll need to shave it; making this one a potential source of pain for people with more tender skin. Precision trimming here, however, will leave you looking like a Gibson Flying-V.

Extra Bits

So we’ve laid down some top tips for keeping your stubble looking trim, stylish and rockin’. How about keeping that stubble healthy? I’m sure if you’ve read this far you probably know about hair oil. It can be a useful tool when it comes to ensuring your stubble is smooth and touchable.

Most beard oils are formulated to soften coarse, dry follicles – keeping the itchiness at bay. Great for you and anyone you might be cuddling up to.

It’s really important to have a little think about your borders. By borders I mean the bits around the edge of your stubble. Some styles of short stubble don’t need a whole lot of trimming, but those that do you’ll want to be extra careful.

When it comes to trimming those borders you’ll want to be very precise, otherwise, you could end up with an uneven and shaggy mess. All of our top 5 styles need that element of precision, so make sure your razor is nice and sharp to avoid unnecessary tuggage.

There are also a few key areas to think about when shaping the edges of your stubble. The first one to watch is the area of the cheekbones. You’ll want to get rid of any unruly stray hairs here for sure.

Heading down a little have a think about the cheeks themselves – if you’ve got high-growing hair here then give it a little trim. When doing this though don’t forget our next top tip; crop that hair in a line that is parallel to your jaw line. That way things will look neat and in proportion.

Conclusion

So hopefully you’ve got a whole chunk of hairy stuff to think about right now; all the way from styling to styles, to the kind of man-kit you need to keep that stubble looking fly. It’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s facial hair is different, as are the reasons for growing it. Embrace the stubble if you can grow it, but make sure that you take proper care.

Your facial hair can be like a beautifully carved oak throne. It could even be a striking iron throne, so sharp that it may as well be forged from the swords of a thousand warriors.

Just remember that no matter how much time and effort you put into your stubble, the whole point is that it needs to look perfectly unkempt. It’s a badge of honor displaying your manliness, yet also showing that you care about your appearance enough to spend time on it.

Categories: Beard Styles, Growing A Beard

The Yeard – Separating The Men From The Boys

Men are simply meant to have beards. Besides it being functional, it has also undeniably become very fashionable, especially in the past couple of years.

One of the latest and greatest trends in beard fashion is the one year beard, also known as the ‘Yeard’ and it’s this kind of look that separates really separates the men from the boys. Growing yourself a yeard isn’t necessarily difficult, but it does take a lot of patience and commitment. If you’re dedicated to the cause and use all the best tools available for grooming your yeard, like a quality beard oil and a beard balm, you are on the right path to creating a true masterpiece on your face.

However, the most important thing when growing out a yeard is – dedication. When you first start growing any type of beard, things tend to get itchy in the beginning. When we say itchy, we mean really itchy. On top of this, your hairs aren’t likely to grow thick all over your face to start with, which is something that can put a lot of yeard-growers off.

In this article, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about donning your very on yeard, from the initial growing process to the products you’ll need to keep your newly-acquired face mane under control.

Stages of Growing Out the Yeard

Firstly, the key point that you need to understand is that growing a yeard isn’t a one-step process. In fact, there are several key points that you need to carefully consider and bear in mind.

1. The Scruffy Stage

The first step in growing a yeard will be the scruffy stage. Although this can work in the favor of some men, unless you’re a lumberjack or a rural laborer you’re probably going to end up looking like a bit of a mess.

Perseverance, however, is the key. Stick it out through the scruffy stage and you’ll have a beautiful beard gracing the surface of your face before you know it. The first three months of growing out your yeard are usually the hardest, because that’s when it tends to get the patchiest. Sadly, not all of the hairs on your face will grow at the same pace, so you need to take a flexible approach and allow the slow-growers time to catch up. Don’t let this discourage you.

After about six weeks or so, you may notice you have some stray hairs frying out. This is crucial – resist the urge to trim. Although they might look messy, as your hairs get longer they’ll naturally be weighed-down. You’ve got gravity to thank for that one.

2. The Filler Stage

When this awkward period is finally over, you will notice how your patches are starting to fill in the longer your yeard gets, covering up all the problematic areas. The time frame for dudes generally varies for this stage, but it’s usually around 12-16 weeks in. You’ll know when you hit the filler stage because when you look in the mirror, they’ll be a beard worthy of Odin himself staring back at you.

3. The Trimming Stage

If you’ve made it to this point without touching the beard trimmer, take a bow. We at Beadicure commend you and your valiant efforts in refraining from the shave.

At this point, if your beard is looking nice and full, you may give it a little trim just to get it looking shapely, but be careful not to overdo it. One slip of a razor and you’ve lost months of hard, scruffy work. You’re probably also going to cry a bit too – I know I would.

Things to Bear in Mind

Don’t go into the yeard-grow process blind, because it’s not likely you’ll make it out the other end successfully. To improve your chances of success, there are some key things to bear in mind.

Everyone is Different

What is important to remember is that not everyone is the same. And while some will have a full and thick beard within a month, the same thing might take six months for someone else. Again, commitment, determination, and perseverance are essential to growing out the yeard you’ve always wanted.

The No-Shave Commitment is a Big One

Growing a full-on yeard will mean that you won’t be cutting, shaping or trimming your beard for an entire year. The reason for this is because the goal here is to see how long you can naturally grow your beard. The one mistake you should avoid, that many men have made, is trimming your yeard too soon. If you try to trim or shape your yeard sooner than you’re supposed to, it will make it harder for you to grow it out to the desired length.

Shaping Your Yeard is an Entirely Different Ball Game

Another important thing to remember is that men who shape a short beard will shape it differently than those shaping a long beard. So, in case you are growing out a yeard, you will need to wait until your beard is the length you want it to be before doing any actual trimming or shaping.

Grooming, Trimming, and Shaping

When it comes to grooming, trimming, and shaping, you’ve got options. Check ‘em out.

Invest in a Solid Beard Trimmer

You’ll know when it’s time to trim your yeard. When that point comes, however, you’re going to want to be prepared. To get your beard looking nice and neat, take a look at the Philips Norelco Multigroom. With chromium steel self-sharpening blades and a beard and hair comb with 18 different length settings, it will help you get that desired look you’ve been patiently waiting for the entire year.

Shaky Hands? Visit a Barber

Seriously – don’t risk it. If you don’t feel comfortable trimming your beard yourself, that’s completely understandable, because it’s a whole lot more stress than trimming a stubbly style. As a result, if you’re wary of slipping or tripping with your razor in-hand, you can always pay a visit to your barber and have them shape out your yeard. The absolute worst thing you can do is ruining the beard you’ve been growing out for so long by trying and failing to shape it by yourself.

Keep it in Tip Top Condition

Once you’ve begun shaping and trimming your yeard, the most important thing is to have it reshaped on regular basis. Bear in mind that shaping or trimming is not the same thing as grooming your beard.

In order to have and maintain a nice-looking beard, you will need to groom it at least once a day. This is most important while you are still in the process of growing your yeard out, and the best way to groom your beard is by using a strong boar bristle beard brush and natural beard oil that will give your facial hair all the necessary moisture and help it grow faster, thicker and longer.

Using a quality, natural beard oil daily will ensure that your facial hair will continue to grow and remain healthy. On top of that, it’s also excellent in taming flyaway hair, helping your beard look dope even before it becomes a full yeard.

Buy a Beard Shampoo

Although you have some choices in what products you use, a good beard shampoo is essential. By buying one, you’ll be able to ensure that you both keep your beard clean and the underlying skin healthy. In addition to reducing the chance of developing the dreaded beardruff, a quality beard shampoo will also help you to reduce any itchiness you might start to experience.

Growing a one year beard is a commitment, but the results are worth it. Making it through the first year is the hardest, but it’s incredibly rewarding, and by then your yeard will have become a part of your lifestyle and your overall image.

The Bottom Line

Again, the trick to achieving the perfect yeard is:

1. Lots and lots of patience (we mean it) – let’s be honest, a year is a really long time to do anything and with a beard, it’s probably going to feel like you’ve been growing it for a lifetime. Focus not just on the outcome, but each step in the process and you’ll make it to the end without any problems.

2. Perseverance and commitment – There will be times when you are going to get frustrated and want to quit and shave it all off. There will be problems you are going to have to solve. Stick out with it and don’t let it discourage you – with perseverance, you’ll get through it.

3. Quality grooming – Using quality grooming products will definitely make it a lot easier. A good beard balm and oil go a long way in helping you get that perfect, masculine one year beard look.

So there you have it – everything you need to know about nailing that yeard look that many men yearn for. If you’ve got any tips we haven’t mentioned, share them with your fellow bearded bros in the comments box below and as always, keep it real.

Categories: Growing A Beard

Beard Quotes to Live By – Our 4 Favorites For Your Enjoyment

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite beard quotes. Whether you’re looking for some inspiration or some laughs, these beard quotes are definitely worth a read!

“I’m a pretty clean eater, so my beard probably just smells like the blood of my enemies, as usual.” – Eric Hendrixson

In 2002, Eric Hendrixson was cut off in traffic by a brand-new Mercedes SLK. It’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever destroyed and it makes him smile to this day. He quit teaching in 2005 to pursue writing full-time and in 2007, he was disqualified from a martial arts tournament for ‘excessive violence towards a midget.

That’s pretty much all you need to know to get a picture of the kind of dude he is. He’s sarcastic, hilarious, and writes really cruel reviews of other novelists. These are also hilarious.

By now, however, he’s probably getting fed up of the metallic smell of his enemies’ blood invading his nostrils. It might be time for him to get some beard shampoo and oil and if you’re annoyed by the problem too, you should do the same.

“A goatee is to beards what diamonds are to ornaments.” – Pawan Mishra (Coinman: An Untold Conspiracy)

An elaboration of the old adage ‘go hard or go home’, Pawan Mishra’s quote above is saying that a solid goatee really is the cherry on top of any perfect beard. A lot of dudes, however, have trouble growing in the hair around the chin and mouth area, especially under the bottom lip.

If you whack a goatee in there, however, you can actually style it so it looks like the gaps are intentional. Either that or leave them untouched for an extended period, eat loads of vitamins, and hope that the hair will eventually fill out.

I’ve got a gap at the top of my left cheek which wouldn’t be an issue if I had a shorter beard. With it at its current length though, it looks a bit weird. It’s taking forever to get those last few hairs to grow into a place to form the last piece of the puzzle, but it’ll get there.

“A beard well lathered is half-shaven.” – Oprah Winfrey (What I Know For Sure)

Look at you, Oprah – getting in there with the beard quotes. In our posts here, we almost always urge the modern male to keep his beard in good check. Why? Your opinion might be different, but beards that aren’t properly kept look scruffy. One of the exceptions is No-Shave November, of course, where it’s totally cool to not touch a trimmer for several weeks. I’ve been doing it this year and I’ve gotta admit, I’m starting to look like Grizzly Adams’ homeless Uncle. Who knows, maybe you can pull it off. All I know is that it’s not a good look on me.

“Any man can start a beard. A true man never finishes one.” – Anonymous 

Did you know that men in the British military aren’t allowed to grow beards? Strangely enough, this stems back to the times of Alexander the Great, who made his soldiers cut their beards off before battle. The reasoning behind this was that if an enemy grabs you by your face mane, it’s going to hurt a hell of a lot.

You’re also going to be pretty screwed because, y’know, he’s got you by the beard. In the times of Alexander the Great, you’d be looking at a sword so you might have had a chance, but modern day? Barrel of a gun.

Personally, I’d class a lot of dudes in the army as real men. Sadly, they’ve been robbed of their beard-growing rights, as have many other men across industries on a global basis. We only have to take a look at the winner of Sweden’s most beautiful beard, though, Memo Göcek, to see that it can be done. Memo won the Swedish beard championships and has no intention of stopping his grow. You go, man.

Categories: Beard Fun