Taming The Beast: 5 of the best beard maintenance products

From big and bushy to tight and trim, there’s about as many beard styles out there as there are men such as yourself willing to display them with pride. But one thing that doesn't change from person to person, face to face?, is the need to maintain that facial hair so it stays looking and feeling its best. While proper, regular trimming (more on that in a bit) to make sure you don't go all Tom Hanks in Cast Away is certainly key, that's just one of the key steps on your men's grooming mission.

Want to make sure you're not the guy walking around with a serious case of weird beard? Want to ditch the itch around your neck and jaw? We're here to help you make sure you make a strong facial statement day after day. Read on to learn more about why beard care is important and check out which beard products can level up your maintenance game.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Above The Collar - ATC 🧔🏽‍♂️ (@abovethecollar.au)

So, what's the big deal with beard grooming?

Beard growth isn't something you should take for granted, and unattended facial hair can lead to discomfort, frustration and a downright scraggly look. Here are a few reasons why it's important to take care of your beard.

All the trimmings. A properly trimmed beard can help show off that rock-solid jawline of yours (or help you camouflage one you might not love). It can also keep your fuller, longer beard looking better. After all, nobody thinks scraggly flyaways are the way to go, and removing split ends can keep your hair from becoming brittle and breaking.

Scratch that itch. Beard itch is a bit...you can guess the rest. Whether it hits while you're growing your fantastic facial fur or long after you've unlocked impressive length status, it's nobody's idea of fun. One of the best ways to treat beard itch is through proper beard grooming and maintenance.

Out with the old, in with the new. When you wield beard clippers and trimmers, you not only get rid of those aforementioned flyaways and split ends, but you also promote new, fuller growth of healthy facial hair. That means a stronger, bolder-looking beard.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Above The Collar - ATC 🧔🏽‍♂️ (@abovethecollar.au)

Make room for these 5 great beard grooming products

Ready to get real about your beard maintenance? These five essentials will make it easier for you to travel the path to grooming greatness.

As every man knows, to do a job right you need to make sure you have all the tools of the trade at your disposal. And when that job is beard maintenance, that means having a trusty pair of clippers or trimmers that's always ready for everything from a quick clean-up to a long styling session. 

One of many great options in the Silver Bullet arsenal, the Ceramic Pro 240 is a beard trimmer built for speed. With up to 240 minutes of use in each full charge, you can spend less time waiting to juice up and more time trimming and clipping those pesky stray hairs. We generally suggest using your beard shaver for a clean-up every week or two, though feel free to do some quick touch-ups if you see things getting a bit out of hand. 

Knowing how to use and apply beard oil is a vital part of beard maintenance – and also taking care of the skin hiding beneath your facial hair. For one, it can help provide key moisture that keeps skin healthy and means less dry, itchy flakiness and a better environment for growth.

SEB MAN's The Groom from Sebastian has become a fan favourite beard oil in Australia for its blend of jojoba, grape seed, argan and almond oils that bring that silky smooth shine to your beard and that softness to your skin. Its scent is just as suitable for the office as it is a night out on the town, and it works well with all hair types. As an added bonus, you can drop a bit of this beard oil into your other hair (the stuff atop your head) for some well-rounded grooming. 

Knowing how to grow a beard is one thing, but keeping it looking its best is another. Beard balms help you by performing many of the same jobs of beard conditioners – aka locking in moisture that keeps your beard looking healthy and adds soothing softness. You know, all that good stuff. It's great for those with the shorter stubbly beards all the way through to medium- and longer-length efforts. 

This balm from 18.21 Man Made can help you get a handle on your facial hair when it's a bit out of control and you don't want to (or just plain can't) take the beard trimmer to it right away. Just take a tiny dab of it out of the can and warm it up in your hands so it becomes easier to spread. Then apply it to your skin under your beard before starting on the hairs themselves, working from the bottom up. If you can, chuck it on after your shower, when your beard is its freshest. And don't forget to drink in that delicious smell. 

Beard wash or beard shampoo is an obvious – but no less important – part of any good beard maintenance routine. Much like shampoo for your head, beard shampoo keeps your beard clean without totally draining it of the healthy oils that keep it looking its’ lively, hydrated best.

Just a dab of this Proraso wash will do ya. It won't foam too much so it's easy to wash out, and it doesn't leave you with that gross greasy feeling. We recommend only washing your beard once or twice a week to ensure you don't strip out those luscious oils that keep it healthy. 

You might take the humble beard comb for granted, but it, and its’ cousin the beard brush, can make massive maintenance differences to the look and health of your facial hair. This dynamic duo plays several key roles, including helping you evenly distribute your beard maintenance oils and balms right through to supreme styling.

Looking to add a new weapon in the facial hair fight? Well it's high time to stand at attention and salute the wonderful Captain Fawcett, for he can lead you face-first to glory with the help of his stylish folding pocket comb. Whether you stash it in your bathroom drawer or cabinet for use with your favourite products or keep it in your pocket or bag for a quick reset while on the go, it's got a great blend of style and substance – just like you.

Want a good way to make sure you have all the beard grooming bases covered? If you're relatively new to the maintenance space, you might want to check out a beard grooming kit. These will often come with the beard washes, oils and balms you need, as well as top-notch beard brushes or beard combs. Check out The Ultimate Beard Kit from Stag Supply to see what we mean. 

You've gone through the effort of growing that beautiful beard – now it's time to maintain it. Check out Above the Collar today to find everything you need to put your best face forward.