Beard Care Basics: Neckline, Oil, Washing, and Brushing

A good beard takes a few habits. These are the ones that matter most.

1. Set the neckline correctly

The most common mistake is trimming the neckline too high, which makes a beard look like a double chin.

• Put two fingers flat above your Adam’s apple.
• The top of your upper finger marks the neckline.
• Shave below that line, curving up toward each ear in a soft U.

2. Oil or balm

The skin under a beard gets dry and flaky, and the hair itself is coarse.

• Beard oil hydrates the skin and softens the hair. Use 3 to 5 drops on a towel-dried beard each morning and work it down to the skin.
• Beard balm has beeswax and shea butter. It adds light hold and tames flyaways.

3. Wash gently

Don’t use bar soap or regular shampoo. They strip the oils and leave hair brittle. Wash 2 to 3 times a week with a sulfate-free beard wash, and just rinse with warm water on other days.

4. Brush or comb

A boar bristle brush works well on short to medium beards. It spreads oil and trains the hair to lie down. A wide-tooth wooden comb is better for long beards because it untangles without breaking hairs.

5. Get it shaped

Home upkeep covers the daily work. A barber can clean up the cheek lines, even out asymmetry, and trim the mustache. Our Haircut & Beard is $50, and a beard on its own is $30. Both include a hot towel on the face.