Growing a beard for profit or pleasure

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8 Tips for Beard Growth

Thinking of growing a beard? Read these top 8 tips. Although the basics of beard growing are fairly simple (just stop shaving the hair off) in reality it is a more involving process. This guide will get you started growing and caring for your own beard.

As for the profit part - well - you will profit from the way people respond to you. You will profit from linking back to your inner man (I can't believe I just typed that!)

Tip #1 

Don't shave
Although it seems obvious, this is the big one. Some time during the second week your skin will feel itchy, uncomfortable and your friends will be teasing your down and out look. Don't give up and start shaving; it does get easier, the itching will stop, your friends will get over it and grow to love the new bearded you.

Tip #2 

Choose a style you can live with
Look in magazines and on beard websites to find a style that suits you. Load a picture of yourself, un-bearded, into a graphics or photograph program like Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro or GIMP and use the spray tool to add a beard style to your face.

Tip #3 

I can't grow a beard
Most men can grow a beard of sorts, but it is a sad fact that some of us really can't manage to produce more than a thin layer of fluff on the cheeks. A goatee, soul patch or mutton chops are good choices if you find that your cheek hair isn't growing as fast as your chin hair. Do a Google images search for more ideas. Check out Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction for inspiration.

Tip #4 

Let someone else style your beard, the first time
Don't touch your beard for at least 4 weeks, longer if your hair grows slowly. Look in the phone directory or online to find a barber or stylist who is willing to tackle a beard. Make sure they are experienced working with beards. Take along your ideas and pictures and be willing to listen to their opinion. Pay close attention to the way in which they style your beard, maybe next time you could do it yourself.

Tip #5 

Buy a good beard trimmer
Buying a good trimmer now will save you a lot of money in the long run. You can buy specialist beard trimmers but a good set of hair clippers will work just as well. You need to look out for adjustable length guides, these stop you cutting off more than you intended. Other features you may wish to go for are cordless and rechargeable trimmers; these allow you to trim your beard when you're away from the mains.

Tip #6 

Keep it clean
Don't let food gather in your beard. It sounds obvious, but it bears repeating, don't let food gather in your beard! Egg yolk, bread crumbs and soup will be attracted to your beard like moths to a flame. Wash your beard using a quality shampoo and condition using a quality conditioner. You can buy specialist beard products, but my experience is that hair products are cheaper and work well.

Tip #7 

Don't listen to other people
If you put on weight, change your hairstyle, buy new shoes, etc, most people will either say how nice your look or will keep their opinions to themselves. If you intend to grow a beard, don't expect people to be so kind. When it comes to facial hair, everyone has an opinion, and you're going to hear it whether you want to or not! Don't be disheartened when someone says that you look scruffy or unkempt. Don't be offended when someone asks if you put your head on upside down this morning. Don't become jaded when someone asks you if you've got something to hide. Jealousy is a terrible thing, and not everyone can grow beard.

Tip #8 

Enjoy your beard
Styling and grooming your own beard is a luxury that you should enjoy. Many bearded men, me included, have little hair up top and miss having something to style. Go crazy, try different styles, if it doesn't work, grow another. The best things in life are free, beards are better than free. Think off all the time you waste shaving every morning. A quick trim every 2 weeks and you're done. Watch the way people react to you in public, you'll soon notice a change.

Far from weird ... beard sites 

Check some of these sites for good hints on growing a fine beard.
All about beards
A very comprehensive site with lots of photo galleries (don't let your wife see you looking at these alone - may be hard to explain your sudden interest in hairy men!)
How to grow a beard
A short funny link. Give you some of the insults you might expect to hear from chin baldies.

Beard photos from Flickr 

2009-11-30 Late evening by iPhone 01 by congaman (Dave)

2009-11-30 Late even...

early merry christmas by congaman (Dave)

early merry christma...

2009-12-01 Early morning fright 03 by congaman (Dave)

2009-12-01 Early mor...

2009-12-01 Misty morning in Portland 02 by congaman (Dave)

2009-12-01 Misty mor...

2009-11-24 evening out 02 by congaman (Dave)

2009-11-24 evening o...

automatically generated by Flickr

"He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man"

Find beard trimmers on eBay 

I've always used Babybliss hair trimmers - don't be tricked into spending a HUGE amount on a set of special beard trimmers. The only advantage might be an attatchment to trim hard to reach places.

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Find beard trimmers on Amazon 

Panasonic ER430K Vacuum Nose/Ear Hair Trimmer, Gray

Amazon Price: $19.88 (as of 12/01/2009) Buy Now

MANGROOMER Essential Nose and Ear Hair Trimmer

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/01/2009) Buy Now

Let me know what you think about beards 

Please, don't hold back. If you don't like beards - let everyone know. If you do like or have a beard, tell people about it ;0)

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by potatoking

Hey, I'm a 37 year old primary school teacher living in Norfolk, UK.

I love reading, writing, walking the dogs, camping in the old camper van and a l... (more)

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