By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Whether you have shaving fatigue or want to see if you can grow a full beard in a month, No-Shave November or “Movember” is the perfect opportunity to give it a try. But you don’t need to let it grow wild and unkempt – with the right tools and products; you will look gorgeous all month.
What’s No Shave November?
‘Movember’ or ‘No-Shave November’ asks men worldwide not to shave for a month to raise awareness for prostate cancer, men’s mental health, and well-being. It is also the chance to show off your facial hair and test if you look good in a mustache, goatee, or ducktail.
Beard (Face) Wash
It is vital to keep your beard clean, but it is essential to ensure that the skin beneath is clean and hydrated. The logical choice would be to use your shampoo for your beard (I mean, it’s hair, right?), but that’s not the best way to go as it can strip both beard and skin of essential oils. So wash your beard with your face wash instead to make sure you don’t strip the skin.
Beard Brush
Brushing or combing your beard regularly makes it appear neater and more styled. It also stimulates hair follicles and distributes lotions and oils more evenly into the beard. Use a wooden comb to avoid static and a boar bristle brush if you’re a pro.
Beard Lotion
Remember that thing about not drying out the skin beneath the beard? Using a lotion on your beard will hydrate your beard and the skin, so it doesn’t dry out because, yes, there is such a thing as beard dandruff.
Beard Oil
Beard oil is a great way to nourish the beard deeply and naturally moisturize the skin. It also works as a great final styling product which adds shine and makes the beard appear smoother and more groomed.
Beard Wax
If you want to tame unruly hairs and frizz, beard wax is the way to go. A wax lets you style your beard in a little more detail as you would your hair. Like with the oil, the wax will make the beard look smoother and well-groomed.
Beard Roller
A beard roller or derma roller is an effective way to stimulate hair growth if you feel you need to fill out gaps in your beard. A derma roller creates micro punctures in the skin, which causes the blood to rush to the area, boosting hair growth and activating dormant follicles. A couple of minutes a couple of times a week does the trick.
Beard Trim
Once you have reached your beard goal, it’s time to trim it in shape. Use a trimmer to cut length, frizzy, flyaway hairs and create a defined neckline. It is also a good idea to trim around the lips so your lips aren’t covered by beard. If you’re in doubt, have a pro barber help you shape up your beard.