Just like history, fashion always repeats itself and the resurgence of the popularity of facial hair is just the most recent iteration of a cycle that has taken place for centuries. In the past beards have been seen as a sign of intelligence, wealth and a much admired status symbol, and at times they’ve also been considered the mark of a villain. Beards were particularly popular amongst the wealthy for several centuries until the advent of World War one, when it was discovered that a full resplendent beard interfered with the effectiveness of gas-masks so the trend for a respectable gentleman turned once again to that clean-cut look. For the most professional assistance visit www.blackmenbeards.com.
If you’re like me and have the kind of face that only a mother could love then you’re probably just considering letting your beard grow as much as possible, but as well as hiding your face, a beard can also draw attention to some of your least favorite features, so think about what sort of beard would really suit you.
If you have a rounder face and perhaps more chins than you’re entirely happy with you can obscure the jaw line with a beard that stretches below it. A goatee with sharp edges will also make your face look more angular if you want to exaggerate your cheekbones and that’s usually the fastest growing part of your facial hair too. Shorter hair at the sides with a longer growth around the chin will stretch your face out and give you a more streamlined look.
If you have a longer and thinner face then a thicker growth at the sides with a well-trimmed beard around the mouth and chin will round your overall appearance off and give your face a more pleasing proportional shape. If you are slim or underweight you may have sunken cheeks, in which case leave the hairs at the side of beard to grow longer, which will also help to even the shape of your face up.
Maintaining Your Beard to Keep it in Great Condition
Once your stubble has finally grown into the beginnings of a real beard you’ll need to perform a small amount of maintenance on it at least once or twice a week if you want to keep a tidy professional looking beard suitable for work or the office. Once you’re in the habit of not shaving the speed with which a beard can become scruffy and unkempt looking is surprisingly fast, so follow these tips for a well-groomed and tidy beard.
If you’ve decided to trim your beard below the jawline, you’ll need to keep your neck free from bristles at least every 3-4 days to keep things tidy. If your beard grows particularly quickly you may even have to shave your neck every day. Use a razor to maintain the edge of your beard at the jawline and rinse it using warm water, if you perform this task regularly the added growth should come off with only one pass of the razor, if you leave it too long the task will require far more work. The skin of the neck can also bunch up so lift your head up and stretch out the skin if necessary to ensure that you are shaving over the actual surface of the skin. Fading the length of stubble on your chin by using a closer setting with clippers further down your neck can work well for a great professional looking beard, although this will require some trial and error before you achieve the look you are after.
