John Swartz, on how to go from clean cut to bushy beard without raising any eyebrows at work.
So, you want to grow a beard. There’s nothing to it but to do it, right? Well, that all depends on whether or not you can grow a beard but also on your lifestyle and whether or not you can get away with having one.
In my experience, the hardest part of beard growing is that middle stage when you’re between rugged stubble and full beard — especially at work. And what if you want to go big? The trick is to ease your co-workers and supervisors into the beard’s “bigness.”
The best way to do this is through good timing at the start and proper grooming throughout the process. Here I’ll take you all the way from babyface to Grizzly Adams (OK, maybe not THAT far) and what you need to do to make the process as easy as possible.
1. Start the stubble
When it comes to the workplace, the more time you have between your last shave and your next face-to-face the better. Obviously a week-long vacation is the perfect time to start a beard, but you may not want to wait that long. Many men can get away with skipping a day of shaving in the office (and you know it if you can’t). I’ve found the best day for that final shave is the day before a long break — Thursday morning before a Monday-off three-day weekend. You’ll show up to work on Friday with day-old stubble, but it shouldn’t show too greatly. Come Tuesday morning, you’ll have five days of growth. That should be enough for your facial hair to look more beard and less hangover.
2. Shape the beard
In the first few weeks, this upkeep is crucial. You must maintain proper beard lines across your cheeks and neckline. In this stage, the outline of your beard is very visible. It’s important to keep clean lines, especially if your beard grows low on your neck or high on your cheekbones. It may be worth it here to shave your beard’s outline daily during these few weeks. By now people will definitely begin to notice your beard, and you’re likely to start fielding comments and questions about it. If you keep it well shaped, it should be well received.
3. Control the poof
After your beard has a handful of weeks under its belt, you’re likely to see it starting to poof out from your cheeks long before you see any real extension from your chin. This is where your choice of products comes into play. I’m personally a fan of the Beardition line. Specifically here, you might choose the beard oil. Add a few drops to your palm, rub your hands together and then rub it into your beard finishing with a few downward strokes. Another tactic you can use to detract from your beard’s expansion is to let your hair grow out a tad during this phase.
4. Now you’re the beard guy
There are “men with beards” and then there is “the guy with the beard.” If you’re going for a beard that stands out among the rest, this is the stage where you’re going to start seeing that distinction. As you start to maintain a beard that is full, thick and extends several inches below your chin, you’re going to want your beard to be comfortable for you as well as anyone who touches it (that special lady perhaps?). Again, proper selection of products here is key. There are countless made-just-for-beards products out there. Again, I’m partial to the Beardition line and I also use their beard shampoo and conditioner in the shower and apply a dab of oil after. Do this and anyone with the courage to ask to touch your beard (and you’ll be surprised at how often you get this request) will be amazingly surprised at how soft it is. But more importantly, it will be soft for you and comfortable to wear.
So now you have a step-by-step process on how to go from a clean shave to bushy beard without raising too many eyebrows in the workplace. Are you the guy with the big beard? I’d love to see photos.
$16 for two ounces? Holy sh*t. Luckily my beard doesn’t need oil, but at that price I’ll pass seeing if there would be a benefit.
Use Abraham’s Beard Shampoo. @ http://www.abshampoo.com This is an all natural face wash specifically formulated for men who want to grow facial hair or that already have facial hair. Made out of all natural products and always tested on men, not animals, Abraham’s Beard shampoo is formulated to seep through the facial hair and clean the skin under it, which helps with fighting dandruff, acne, in grown hairs and Irritation due to facial hair. Abraham’s lightly conditions, and leaves your beard clean and moist; This makes it naturally healthy to use on your head as well.Abraham’s Beard Shampoo is Paraben… Read more »
Great article. Bow ties also go great with beards. My coworkers say they love the look. I don’t think they’re just saying that…or are they?
They’re not!
I’m occasionally bearded, and enjoy it when I do, as does my partner. My problem: beard dandruff. When it shows up, that’s when I usually go back to being bare.
So…dandruff shampoo? This oil you write of? Conditioner?
What products are you currently using? The problem with using “normal” soap or shampoo on your beard is that it is often too harsh for what’s under your beard … your face (which can be way more sensitive than your scalp). I would suggest against using standard dandruff shampoo. Having a beard and washing it with normal soap and not using conditioner or not using something to replace the natural moisture removed from your beard through a washing can cause your skin to dry out — thus, the beard dandruff. It’s almost like the dry and unconditioned beard pulls more… Read more »
My husband was getting that beard dandruff, and we didn’t know that product existed.
He switched to using California Baby Seriously Sensitive for his face and beard (I’ve long sworn by this product – it’s incredible for your skin) and it’s cleared up. When he stops using it, like on vacation, he gets all itchy again.
I’m glad you were able to find a solution. No man who wants a beard should have anything stand in his way … certainly not his own comfort!
I love this!
Maybe because I love beards (my husband has a really serious beard), but this is really fun and awesomely informative.
Thanks for reading! I’ve had my beard this bushy for months, and I’m still surprised at a few coworkers who are just now starting to notice. I used to live and work on the East Coast in a relatively conservative office. I was the only one in my department (of about 30) with a beard, and only one of two in the entire company with one. I really had to ease them into it. Now I’m on the West Coast, and people here take more freedom with their self expression — so I’ve really enjoyed letting my beard get pretty… Read more »