Fact: Facial hair gets men laid.
A 2017 study in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior found that majorities of men and women around the world were more sexually attracted to guys with beards and facial hair. That’s because we’re evolutionarily hard-wired to see facial hair as a sign of masculinity and sexual potency.
Fact: A badly groomed beard can cock-block you.
People can spot the difference between nicely maintained facial hair and unkempt hair that makes you look like a half-transformed werewolf. Grooming facial hair should be easy but with so much conflicting advice, simple grooming can seem as wild and tangled as any beard. Well, worry not! We’re here to straighten everything out with clearcut grooming tips that’ll leave you looking and feeling fresh while potential mates ask for your phone number.
(Also, while we’ll primarily focus on facial hair, we also have some tips for manscaping below the neck too.)
Surefire grooming tips for beard and facial hair
1. Begin with a fresh, clean razor
It may seem like a no-brainer, but some guys go months without ever cleaning or replacing their razors — yikes! —causing the blades to dull and carry bacteria.
Disposable razors tend to become dull after 5 to 10 shaves. But there’s an easy way to keep blades sharp and clean. Simply rinse the blade after every use. Gently tap the razor against the sink to knock off stray hairs and then rinse it again.
When you’re done shaving, put a bit of anti-bacterial soap on the razor, and rinse it off under tap water. Afterward, shake off any excess water and gently pat the razor dry with a clean towel — since water corrodes metal blades. Then, let it air dry or blow it dry with a hair dryer.
2. Shower before shaving
Experts agree that the best time to shave is right after a hot shower. The water and heat help open pores and soften facial and body hair, helping make it easier to cut while avoiding painful ingrown hairs. If you don’t have time to shower, soak your facial hair for two minutes beforehand with a hot towel or by splashing hot water on it.
Afterward, make sure to dry your facial hair so that it’s damp rather than dripping wet. This will ensure a smooth shave without wet clumps collecting on your razor or electric shaver.
3. Use beard oil for healthier facial hair
Because of its many benefits, beard oil is a must-have for all types of facial hair. It’s inexpensive, easy to use, helps avoid irritation and cuts, works with razors or electric shavers, and leaves your beard feeling hydrated, soft, and smooth with a healthy shine.
Guys with shorter beards and mustaches only need to rub about 1 to 3 drops of beard oil into their facial hair. Guys with longer beards, and men who live in drier climates, may need 4 or more drops, depending on their beard’s length.
Simply put the oil drops into the palm of one hand and spread it onto your palms and fingers. Then, rub it into the hair on your cheeks, mustache, and chin, using your fingers to work it deep. Massage it into each area twice over to ensure that it gets into the hair and skin underneath.
You can also evenly distribute the oil by running a beard comb down and up through your facial hair. This also slightly exfoliates the skin, stimulating beard follicles and blood flow to promote healthy growth.
You want to use enough beard oil to make your facial hair shine and feel soft, but not oily. Too much oil can clog a razor or electric shaver, causing a difficult shave.
Some beard oils contain sulfates, phthalates, and other chemicals that can dry and damage hair. To avoid this, we suggest Ride Beard Oil. It’s made from high-quality natural nut and seed oils that are nutrient-rich in vitamin E and leave a nice, woodsy sandalwood scent.
Transgender men may also want to try Buck Angel’s T-Oil, a hand-crafted blend for trans men’s beards that makes a great pre-shave treatment.
(Note: Beard oil is different from beard balm, which works as a post-shave leave-in conditioner that softens beards. Beard oil is also different from beard wax, which helps shape facial hair by holding it in place.)
4. Get intimate with a warm shaving cream
If you’re using a razor, a good shaving cream is essential. It lubricates the face, helping the blade glide smoothly while reducing redness and razor burn.
Similar to beard oil, shaving cream is inexpensive. We prefer Ride Razor Shave, a non-foaming shave cream that lathers well in your hand (without a bowl and brush). It also works on all body hair, providing a smooth, intimate shave without irritating sensitive skin.
Even a dime-sized portion is enough for a good shave. Just add a small amount to the palm of your hand and work it into a warm lather with your fingers before applying it to your face.
5. When it comes to shaving, go with the grain (at first)
Before shaving, take a second to run your fingers along your face and you’ll find that facial hair grows in different directions depending on its location. It typically grows downward on the front of the face, upwards below the chin, and sideways under the jaw.
This is important to know because, for your first pass at shaving, you’ll want to want to shave in the direction of your hair’s growth, moving the blade slowly, smoothly, and gently across your face. After shaving one area, rinse excess hair and oil from the blade with warm water, and then continue.
If a freshly shaved area is still stubbly, simply reapply the shaving cream and then try shaving in the direction of the grain again. But for a closer shave, move your blade gently against the grain without applying too much pressure. This should help you avoid any additional friction, which can cause irritation, razor burn, or redness, especially if you don’t shave that often.
6. Finish with a cold water rinse and disinfectant
After you’re finished shaving with a razor, splash cold water on your face. It constricts capillaries, reducing any inflammation or bleeding. It also leaves the face feeling cool and refreshed.
Some guys like to use an antiseptic aftershave to help remove any excess bacteria, but the alcohol in aftershaves can irritate sensitive skin. We suggest using a tea tree spray or antiseptic cream with moisturizer to leave your face feeling tingly and fresh without drying it out.
What about manscaping?
Some gents like to shave below the neck, completely removing the hair on their arms, armpits, chest, back, legs, crotch, and/or butt. Other fellas prefer a trim to avoid the prickly and irritating regrowth that occurs after shaving.
Either way, we suggest avoiding depilatory creams (which can burn sensitive skin, especially on the genitals and inner buttocks). Instead, start with an electric body groomer, one that uses a rounded tooth guard to avoid snagging any skin. A good friend can also help trim any hard-to-reach hair on your backside.
After trimming, just shower to rinse off any excess hair clippings. If you want a smooth finish, use a razor and all-over-body shaving cream, either during a hot shower or after you’re done drying off from one.
We generally suggest trimming your crotch, balls, and buttcheeks rather than using a razor blade on these sensitive areas. But if you prefer a shave, we suggest pre-trimming the areas before showering, and then crouching down in a hot shower and going over the trimmed areas gently with a razor blade, pulling any hanging skin taut so that the blade has a smooth surface to glide over.
When showering off for a date or hookup, we suggest Buck Angel’s T-Wash , an all-over body and hair cleanser that’s 100% vegan-friendly, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic. It’s formulated with natural sea salt, coconut oil derivatives, and botanical extracts, and is infused with a masculine scent of sandalwood, musk, and black pepper to give yourself an alluring smell that any mate will crave.
With a little time and care, these beard and body grooming tips will not only keep your hair healthy but also keep you looking your best so you can catch people’s eyes. Believe us, they’ll notice and reward you for the effort.
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