2020 Beard Care Questions
October 23, 2020 8:56 AM Subscribe
My boyfriend has a beard, and I want to get him (some) beard related stuff for Christmas. I want to not buy crappy stuff. Can you help me?
I have snooped a bit and I know what he has already, to wit:
1. One of those wooden beard comb things
2. Pretty sure a beard brush but I am going to double check this weekend
3. Beard shampoo he uses "sometimes" but isn't convinced it's better than just regular shampoo
The thing for me is that as the weather changes he gets beard dandruff and it bothers him, so I'd like to help. He's not one of these guys working on a ZZ Top beard, he just has a pretty close clipped full beard situation going on. I've been perusing some stuff on Amazon but while I'm very up on my own hair care I don't know what would be an ideal product or range of products to buy.
Cost isn't a huge object, but my appetite for this kind of personal care spending is a little higher than his, so ideally reasonably priced products that he will continue to use after whatever I get him runs out is going to be ideal. Products with names like ARCTIC BEAR KILLER BALM or whatever will be roundly mocked, but if they are good, probably are fine. Smaller sizes of product (that can be upgraded to larger sizes if it's a good fit) would be fantastic, but it's not a requirement.
The last beard product related thread is a few years old so I am sure there are new things out there!
I have snooped a bit and I know what he has already, to wit:
1. One of those wooden beard comb things
2. Pretty sure a beard brush but I am going to double check this weekend
3. Beard shampoo he uses "sometimes" but isn't convinced it's better than just regular shampoo
The thing for me is that as the weather changes he gets beard dandruff and it bothers him, so I'd like to help. He's not one of these guys working on a ZZ Top beard, he just has a pretty close clipped full beard situation going on. I've been perusing some stuff on Amazon but while I'm very up on my own hair care I don't know what would be an ideal product or range of products to buy.
Cost isn't a huge object, but my appetite for this kind of personal care spending is a little higher than his, so ideally reasonably priced products that he will continue to use after whatever I get him runs out is going to be ideal. Products with names like ARCTIC BEAR KILLER BALM or whatever will be roundly mocked, but if they are good, probably are fine. Smaller sizes of product (that can be upgraded to larger sizes if it's a good fit) would be fantastic, but it's not a requirement.
The last beard product related thread is a few years old so I am sure there are new things out there!
I'm not sure if he'd use them but imo any beard haver should have and use a nice pair of scissors, something that cost at least $15 or so, though a quick skim shows you can also spend $45 if you want.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:14 AM on October 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:14 AM on October 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
i havent shaved since march so i have some opinions on this. i have gotten things from a couple of different sources after much research and agree with you its sort of a wasteland out there.
I do think you want to convince him hes wrong about bearch shampoos - i use one daily (because of working out) and i think its important to use a product thats intended to be used daily on facial hair - its less harsh and seems logical to me, but its also easier on my end as a bald, because i dont have a second/separate shampoo for non-beard hair.
beardbrand is a big player in online beard stuff, i dont care a ton for their content but have their oil and mustache wax - i also got a boars hair brush from them which is a solid investment.
Can You Handlebar is my go-to for beard shampoo (which i use daily), and i also have/use their lotion (it is very minty) and "dry balm" with the brush applicator, which i quite like (although i dont use it daily).
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:38 AM on October 23, 2020
I do think you want to convince him hes wrong about bearch shampoos - i use one daily (because of working out) and i think its important to use a product thats intended to be used daily on facial hair - its less harsh and seems logical to me, but its also easier on my end as a bald, because i dont have a second/separate shampoo for non-beard hair.
beardbrand is a big player in online beard stuff, i dont care a ton for their content but have their oil and mustache wax - i also got a boars hair brush from them which is a solid investment.
Can You Handlebar is my go-to for beard shampoo (which i use daily), and i also have/use their lotion (it is very minty) and "dry balm" with the brush applicator, which i quite like (although i dont use it daily).
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:38 AM on October 23, 2020
I bought this beard oil for my beard wearing brother. He likes it a lot.
posted by kathrynm at 10:34 AM on October 23, 2020
posted by kathrynm at 10:34 AM on October 23, 2020
Seconding beard oil. Although I've had a beard for decades I've always kept it fairly short, and never felt a need to condition it. BUT...this year I've been growing it out and I've found that beard oil makes a big difference. Not only dos it make my beard softer, it also helps keep the skin underneath from itching/flaking. I haven't tried beard wax so I can't make any recommendations there.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:40 AM on October 23, 2020
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:40 AM on October 23, 2020
Best answer: Honest Amish is a brand of beard-care products that has been around a long time, smell good, are somewhat widely available, and avoid the manly-bro kind of vibe a lot of beard-care companies affect. I could say most of the same things about Cremo.
Beard shampoo is definitely better than regular shampoo, especially for people whose facial hair is a lot coarser/drier than their scalp hair. For a beard that long, I'd probably just use a little oil every now and again to help with the dandruff, and not bother with balms/butters, which seem like they're more for longer beards.
If he decides to use balm/butter (pricey, but a little goes a long way), my favorites are Detroit Grooming Co. in the contains-beeswax division, and Fresh Beards in the non-beeswax one (though I find their marketing is a little ARCTIC BEAR KILLER BALM).
Source: a lady in a Zoom meeting this week said I looked like Gandalf. Then she was like 'Oh, I probably shouldn't've said that,' and I was like 'Hey, I'd much rather hear Gandalf than Duck Dynasty or ZZ Top.'
posted by box at 10:46 AM on October 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
Beard shampoo is definitely better than regular shampoo, especially for people whose facial hair is a lot coarser/drier than their scalp hair. For a beard that long, I'd probably just use a little oil every now and again to help with the dandruff, and not bother with balms/butters, which seem like they're more for longer beards.
If he decides to use balm/butter (pricey, but a little goes a long way), my favorites are Detroit Grooming Co. in the contains-beeswax division, and Fresh Beards in the non-beeswax one (though I find their marketing is a little ARCTIC BEAR KILLER BALM).
Source: a lady in a Zoom meeting this week said I looked like Gandalf. Then she was like 'Oh, I probably shouldn't've said that,' and I was like 'Hey, I'd much rather hear Gandalf than Duck Dynasty or ZZ Top.'
posted by box at 10:46 AM on October 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
Get pure Shea Oil and get a range of Oud oils in different strengths. A bottle of argan oil goes a long way, too.
posted by parmanparman at 11:22 AM on October 23, 2020
posted by parmanparman at 11:22 AM on October 23, 2020
Seconding decent scissors. (Intro; examples at Ontaki; Bossman; Suovorna)
Jack Black: Beard Oil, Three for the Beard Oil Sampler Set, Beard Grooming Kit.
Kiehl's Beard Oil.
Crew: Beard Balm, Beard Serum.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:32 AM on October 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
Jack Black: Beard Oil, Three for the Beard Oil Sampler Set, Beard Grooming Kit.
Kiehl's Beard Oil.
Crew: Beard Balm, Beard Serum.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:32 AM on October 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
I have a short clipped beard, and I find that Aleppo soap works really, really well. With shampoos, I would occasionally get zits under there, but with the Aleppo (or Marseille) soap, that's not a problem. And it's handy that it's just soap you're already using in the shower, and it's not this whole other product.
Aleppo discussion on the blue here.
And buying from this store is a good news story -- Syrian refugees moved to Calgary, rebuilt their generational soap business there, and are doing quite well. I've only had excellent service and products.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:33 AM on October 23, 2020 [3 favorites]
Aleppo discussion on the blue here.
And buying from this store is a good news story -- Syrian refugees moved to Calgary, rebuilt their generational soap business there, and are doing quite well. I've only had excellent service and products.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:33 AM on October 23, 2020 [3 favorites]
Was going to recommend Honest Amish. I have a thick beard that gets itchy by day two unless I daily shampoo, and with good beard balm I can go a couple days between beard washes and it's resplendent once you emulsify the product and rub it in.
posted by Happydaz at 12:10 PM on October 23, 2020
posted by Happydaz at 12:10 PM on October 23, 2020
Mr. hurdy gurdy girl enjoys Proraso Beard Oil. He says it’s his favourite of all the ones he has tried. Bonus: it’s quite widely available, at least here in Canada. You can get it at the local chain drugstore and it’s quite reasonable considering it’s imported from Italy. He has the original scent, which is nice.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:25 PM on October 23, 2020
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:25 PM on October 23, 2020
Best answer: Beard Brand utility balm. This stuff is the goods, and Four Vices smells of coffee, tobacco, hops, and cannabis. Spiced citrus also a winner.
BB has lots of quality beard products, but this utility balm is my goto. A moisturized, healthy beard that smells like sexy magic is a gift for both of you. BB has Lots of other grooming supplies as well.
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 9:11 PM on October 23, 2020
BB has lots of quality beard products, but this utility balm is my goto. A moisturized, healthy beard that smells like sexy magic is a gift for both of you. BB has Lots of other grooming supplies as well.
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 9:11 PM on October 23, 2020
Best answer: I’ve had a beard for 20 years and have also struggled with beard dandruff. What fixed it was a good solid beard brush and some beard oil. I’ll brush my beard pretty vigorously with the brush in the shower, which helps to scrub off all the dead skin under the beard then wash my face (I’ve never gone in for beard shampoo and don’t really see the need). Once out of the shower, a small bit of beard oil helps keep the skin moisturizer and cuts down on the dandruff. Once I started that, it pretty instantly cut down on the dandruff and made my beard softer.
posted by fso at 7:15 AM on October 24, 2020
posted by fso at 7:15 AM on October 24, 2020
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posted by terrapin at 9:13 AM on October 23, 2020 [2 favorites]