By GearHungry Staff
Published 09:00 am
Beard Balm vs. Beard Wax
To shave or not to shave. That is the question of most men contemplating a razor each time a little extra fuzz appears on the face. If you’re a man who is sick of shaving several times a week, you may very well be considering letting the facial hair go for a while to see how you look with a beard. While the idea of no longer wasting precious time shaving is tempting, don’t kid yourself into thinking a beard is maintenance-free. Left unchecked, beards can become unruly, dry, and look nasty, with the skin under the beard flaking much like dandruff does on the top of your head. So, which is best for you: beard balm or beard wax?
If you want to rock a beard this season, you will need to dedicate time and attention to grooming your facial fuzz. Besides keeping your beard clean, you will also need to keep it trimmed, as an unruly, overgrown beard is not the look you want. Then there are the grooming products that keep your beard looking smooth and healthy. Such products include beard balm and beard wax. Before you ditch your razor, it’s good to know the purposes of these products and when you need to use them.
1. Why Beards Need Grooming
We often only give facial hair a passing thought but dedicate a lot of time to the perfect hairstyle. We also spend heaps on hair care products to give our locks a polished look and shine. Your beard needs just as much attention. Firstly, the skin under your beard can become very dry and flaky, affecting your beard’s overall look. Secondly, facial hair tends to be thicker and more difficult to control, so if you’re not prepared to invest in a few beard essentials, it’s probably best to stick to the safety razor.
Some of the first things you will need are beard combs and beard brushes. You’ll use these to smooth and style your beard. If you’re planning on growing a full beard, you’ll also need a beard trimmer. This device can be preset to a length you are comfortable with for a beard, and then it is a matter of simply maintaining this length weekly. These are just some of the basic tools you’ll need in your beard grooming kit.
2. Beard Balm vs. Beard Wax — What Is the Difference?
Like hair products, there are dozens of beard grooming and styling products, and if you’re a beard growing newbie, you may be looking at these products on the shelf wondering which ones to get. Regardless of the type of beard you want to grow or your facial hair’s thickness, beard oil is essential. In those first days and weeks of growing a beard, you are likely to experience some itchiness as your beard’s hairs will pull moisture from your face. Beard oil will add some much-needed moisture to your face as well as acting as a conditioner for your beard as it grows.
The next product you need on your list is beard balm. Beard balms have some great additional moisturizing ingredients for your facial skin and hair, but many also contain small quantities of beeswax, keeping stubborn beard hairs in place. Finally, we move on to beard and mustache wax. Quite often, beard wax has many of the same moisturizing ingredients as beard balm but with a higher wax concentration. The higher wax content offers stronger holding power to really keep your beard in place in much the same way wax keeps your hair in place.
3. Should I Use Beard Balm or Beard Wax?
You’re probably wondering if you need both a beard balm and a beard wax in your bathroom cabinet. It will mainly depend on the length of your beard and the occasion for which you are getting ready. If you keep your beard relatively short, you may only need a beard oil and a beard balm. Longer beards will benefit from the better control that a beard wax offers. Even if you have a shorter beard, keep a small jar of beard wax on hand if you find yourself attending an outdoor event on a windy day. These products do come down to personal preferences, so experiment with all of them and see what works for you.
4. Are Beards Still Hot?
A nicely groomed beard will always be a hot look, and more celebrities seem to be ditching their razors in favor of beard trimmers. However, forget the hermit looking beard as this is not such a good look. A well maintained and cared for beard can give the wearer a distinguished and debonair look, so give it a try and see how you look and feel.
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