I t's a growing trend - the beard has made a comeback. Our favourite celebrities are sporting the look: Brad Pitt, Gerard Butler, Chris Pine and even Canada's own Ryan Reynolds. It's not the five-o'clock shadow of the last decade, but a full-grown thick growth. Like the man-bun - you either love it, or you hate it.
The shape of success
Beards are not a new look, no self-respecting 20th century lumberjack would be without his beard. There have been many famous bearded men that would be unrecognizable without their facial enhancement: Colonel Saunders and Santa Claus for example, music legends ZZ Top and 1970's television star, Grizzly Adams. Personally, I love a man with facial hair as long as it's clean and neat. As my grandfather always said, "With beard comes huge responsibility." Or maybe it was my grandmother who said that. Either way, it's so true, an unkempt beard can be unsightly and unsanitary. So the question remains; to beard or not to beard? And if you decide 'to beard' is for you... what now?
grooming tools for daily upkeep: combs, brushes, scissors for trimming and even beard softeners. The packaging is hip and masculine, and have alluring scents like musk, leather and sandalwood, but the option of smelling like coffee and dark chocolate are also available.
Once your beard has started to sprout it's time to decide what 'shape' suits your face. This is when you should seek the advice of a professional barber.
Sculptured or pirate (arrr..)
Committed to the cause
The latest beard trend is a well-defined, sculptured look. A professional barber can personalize your beard with careful trimming and 'lining' with a razor. The advantage is that if you don't like the results it will grow in. The beard shape can camouflage scars or change the appearance of facial features. If you prefer the natural look, you can opt for the 'Duck Dynasty' approach or go crazy with the pirate look.
Once you've started the growing process it's vital to have patience. For most men it really won't grow overnight. It can take careful tending and grooming for months to achieve the beard of your dreams. Give it time.
Matchy-matchy?
Some men may find their beard comes in a completely different hue than they expected. Too dark, too light, ginger, or the dreaded salt and pepper? It's OK not to match your facial hair with the hair on your head, and it's completely acceptable to colour your beard. There are no rules.
Are you beard-worthy?
Maintenance
The first thing you need to know is - are you capable of growing a full beard? Does your facial hair grow in patches resembling a bad lawn? Or maybe it just doesn't grow at all. Some beards just are not meant to be.
Work with your professional barber to decide how often you should schedule visits to maintain the shape of your beard. It's different for each individual - just as it is for hair cuts. If you're one of the lucky men who grows a fabulous beard in record-time, celebrate it! For the rest of you, the five o'clock shadow is still a great look.
Hipster chic
There are amazing products on the market specifically made for beards. Beard shampoos and gel washes, manly-scented oils, waxes and balms. You can also purchase specialty
Summer 2017 pei-living.ca
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