A quick Google search on your face shape will result in images of men sporting that perfect beard you have always aimed for. But how do you achieve the look? Since we are entering into the cold clutches of winter, I have some suggestions on what tools you can use and how to have a happy and a healthy beard. 

Tools

It goes without saying that a good trimmer is a must but if you take your grooming seriously, you might need more than just one. I went through several models of trimmers that are available in the market, from the mean looking Moser beard trimmer to Philips and along the way making a pit stop at a trimmer by Nova. If I'm being honest, the Moser beard trimmer was a huge let down. It pulled at my beard;I tried oiling it but it just did not seem like a good fit.  However, Philips’s  BT1215 is a great trimmer, extremely lightweight with four adjustment heads and a good battery life. This paired with a Nova trimmer for close precision for the finishing touches. It is always a good idea to keep a small pair of moustache scissors for last minute adjustments. 

Train your beard

Just like your hair, your beard needs regular trimming too. It is important to scape your beard and most importantly train it like it is your dragon. Make it a habit to comb your beard. This will untangle knots and will help it grow in one direction. To be able to beardscape, you should identify the weak points on your face. 

Some of the questions you must ask yourself are: Do I want a stronger jawline? Do I want to cover an awkward bald patch under the long beard? Do I want my cheekbones to pop out? A good starting point would be to run your fingers through your beard and understand your underlying bone structure.

Beardscaping

The majority of beard trimmers available in the market come with several adjustment heads. They ideally start from number 1 and can go up till 8. Use the diversity of it to your advantage. To sport a stronger jawline, use a number on the higher end. It will mow your beard but will not expose the skin under it. As you go higher on both sides of your face, you can use a number on the lower end to create a gradient look. Finish the look with the close precision adjustment.  A dense beard around the cheekbones can give an appearance of a puffy face. Beardscaping takes a while to understand but once you get a hang of it, you are on your way to rock a stylish beard. 

Healthy beard, happy beard!

Beards can be susceptible to dandruff and the skin under your facial hair can become dry since moisturising it can be a challenge. Beard oil comes very handy here. It moisturises the skin under, gives a nice shine to your beard and the pleasant fragrance is a bonus! If you are prone to breakouts, you could opt for non-comedogenic oils such as argan oil. There are some brands like Ustraa, The Man Company and Forest Essentials that have beard oils. If you feel you do not have a healthy beard or the growth is stunted, look into your diet. A good beard derives it nutrients from protein and fat and is also heavily reliant on Vitamins B5, B3 and B9.