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beard life

Love the Special Power of Changing Up Your Beard

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Your beard gives you a special power. It’s the power to change your appearance in a big way. This can lead to new discoveries and personal development for you as well as various effects on others.

You experienced this when you grew your beard for the first time. Keep in mind that you can multiply this power by changing up your beard whenever you like.

An underappreciated aspect of the Joy of Beard is the option to change up your beard in a variety of ways. This can bring about unexpected positive results. You should consider trying it, even if you are skeptical.

A man’s ability to grow a beard is a special gift, a privilege you might say. Boys cannot grow a beard. They can only dream of someday becoming a man who grows his beard. But not all men are even blessed with the ability to grow a beard. It really is a gift.

Those who are fortunate to be enabled for beard growing should embrace and even love the privilege. They should grow their beards with wholehearted joy.

The power of changing up your beard. Big beard: Barry. Photo 1.
The power of changing up your beard. Short beard: Barry. Photo 2.

Above: Barry with a big beard looks completely different from Barry with a short beard. Click or tap on either image to view larger.

The power to change your appearance

When you first grew a beard and abandoned the tedious task of shaving, you revealed your true face. You may have settled on a particular beard style and have stayed with it. If you’re happy with your beard as it is, you may believe that there is no need to even think about changing it. That’s an understandable position to take. But consider stretching out of your comfort zone to try something different with your beard. You may unexpectedly find that you like the new state of your beard even better. This could happen even when trying out a beard style that you may not care for. This happened to me. That’s a story for another post.

Keep in mind that changing up your beard does not mean that you are permanently giving up your current beard style. You can always go back. But it can happen that you decide to stay with the new beard for a long run.

Some ways to change up your beard:

  • Grow your beard bigger and longer. Perhaps even go for a “yeard”, that is, letting your beard grow without trimming for a full year.
  • Reduce your beard to a shorter one or even a stubble beard.
  • Do the unthinkable and shave off your beard just for the pleasure of re-growing it.
  • Color your beard.
  • Switch beard style types:
    • Go from a goatee to a full beard or do the opposite.
    • Try out an uncommon beard style such as a chin curtain.
    • Create your own beard design.

You have the power. Use it!

The power of changing up your beard. Big beard at work: Barry. Photo 3.
Big beard Barry at work! Click on image to view larger.

The power to change your self-image and attitude

Changing up your beard changes how you see yourself. A change to your beard may surprise you. The new look may please you way more than you could have expected. Then it happens.

When you look in the mirror and the way your beard looks makes you happy, that is a most awesome feeling. There is true power in that.

Loving the way your beard looks is not a matter of vanity. It’s recognition of the joy that comes from the gift of being able to grow a beard and the many options that it brings. You know it when you look at your beard in the mirror and cannot keep from smiling!

The power of beard happiness strengthens your confidence and instills a positive attitude. You can be inspired to achieve more, to achieve greatness. You can be inspired to help others and do other things that make you a better man.

Changing up your beard can lead you to the power of “beard happiness”. Trying out different changes to your beard can lead you to the beard that makes you feel that happiness and power. You don’t have to make a permanent change. You may end up returning to the way you originally had your beard. But you’ll go back there with a new appreciation. Or you may find a beard style that you like much better and never go back to your original beard style.

The power of changing up your beard. Short beard: Barry. Note the perfectly shaped neckline. Photo 5.
Short beard Barry out on a casual hike on a nature trail. Take note of his perfectly shaped neckline. Click on image to view larger.

Beard power from the heart

A friend recently shared how he feels about changing up one’s beard:

Growing your beard and changing up your beard whenever you like demonstrates pride in who you are. It reflects what’s in your heart.

First, it’s a gift to yourself to grow and change up your beard. It’s fulfilling the promise of the gift of beard that you’ve been given. What you do with your beard shows how you care for yourself and seek change and improvement.

Second, your beard and its changing form is an expression of love to share with others by letting them see it. They can see the change in the beard and the change in you. Giving to others, sharing with others enhances yourself and helps others. It’s a circle of virtue.

Your beard is part of who you are and what you can accomplish.

We really mean it when we say that the beard is a gift. It is. And it is up to you to make the most of your gift of beard by using it to enhance yourself and accomplish more. Your beard in all its forms strengthens you by lifting your spirit and hopes, leading you to achieve more for yourself and others.

The power of changing up your beard. Short beard: Scott.
The power of changing up your beard. Bigger beard: Scott.
The power of changing up your beard. Even Bigger beard: Scott.

Above: Scott appears with three beard sizes: short, bigger, and even bigger. Big difference! Click or tap on any image to view larger.

How often should you change up your beard?

Change up your beard whenever you feel like it. It could be frequently. It could be rarely. Just be open to trying it when the time feels right. You never know where it will lead you. Follow your heart. Do your best always. Love the special power of changing up your beard.

Enjoy and treasure the whole beard experience.

The power of changing up your beard. Behold his even bigger beard: Scott.
Scott changed up his short beard and achieved this clearly majestic beard! Click on image to view larger.
beard care and grooming

Look younger while sporting a beard

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Most men like to look younger. Some will even admit it. However, too many guys automatically believe that looking younger means shaving off their beards. Stop! Don’t do that! Instead, follow these steps to look younger while still sporting your prized facial hair.

Step 1: Get your rest

The first step to looking younger is making sure that you are getting a good night’s sleep, every night. Depriving your body of proper rest can lead to many health problems. One of the first negative effects of insufficient sleep is on your looks. Having bags under your eyes can make you look older. And a great cure for that is…SLEEP.

Step 2: Prep your face

The next step to looking younger is always keeping up on general maintenance. Washing your face every day and exfoliating once a week is a good place to start. It is good to rid your skin of excess oils that could lead to breakouts and scarring, which could diminish your youthful look. It’s important to know your skin type for this step! Skin types, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, are:

  1. Sensitive skin may sting or burn after product use
  2. Normal skin is clear and not sensitive
  3. Dry skin is flaky, itchy or rough
  4. Oily skin is shiny and greasy
  5. Combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others

Each skin type presents its own need. For oily skin you should use a cleanser that cleans deep. But for dry or sensitive skin you want to use a gentle cleanser.

Step 3: Trim and shape

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Big or small: keep your beard looking sharp for a younger appearance.

After washing your face, your hair follicles are at their prime for trimming and shaping. That said, trimming with clippers or scissors generally works better when your beard and mustache are dry. When your beard is well trimmed and shaped, it’s bound to make heads turn your way. Plenty of young guys keep their beards in top form. This should remain a priority as you get older. You want to make sure that your beard looks sharp and well-groomed.

Keeping all your edges crisp and clean is key to a sharp-looking beard. The easiest way to get this look is by using the right tools. Do your research and make sure you are using the proper accessories when it comes to maintaining your facial hair. Brands like Harry’s offer many different shaving products and solutions you can use to clean up your beard’s edges and turn your trimming process into perfection. Pro Tip: Don’t forget your eyebrows. Trim your eyebrows to keep them in check as well. The neater your eyebrows and beard are, the younger you look.

Step 4: Add some beard oil

We know that as we age, our bodies change. With that said, our facial hair changes too, which can make us look older. Facial hair not only changes in color, but it can also change in texture. The older we get, the more coarse our beards may become. However, beard oil can help with this. Adding a little beard oil every day will help to moisturize and protect your beard!

Step 5: Moisturize your face

Adding a light lotion to your face can reduce the effects of the environment on your skin. Using the correct moisturizer for your skin type can make a world of difference. For example, if you normally have dry skin, use a heavier daily moisturizer. For added defense, try a face moisturizer that contains sun protection (SPF). This will help limit the effects of sun exposure. However, be sure not to add face moisturizer to the areas that already have beard oil on them.

Add these five steps to your regular grooming routine and you will look younger before you know it. With the proper care, you can keep your beard and still look younger! Now please share any other tips that work for you in the comments below!

beard care and grooming

Add some new zing to your look and your beard for spring

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It’s time for spring — north of the equator, that is — and it brings longer days, warmer weather, and maybe a new beard style! One of the great things about having a beard is the ability to change it up whenever you like. Maybe you’ve kept your face nice and toasty with a big beard all winter but are now ready to trim it down or switch to a different style for a lighter look. Below, we’ve come up with a list of ways in which you can do a little spring cleaning to freshen up your facial hair style as well as other aspects of your grooming program.

Consider new beard ideas for spring

If you’re the kind of man who likes to keep his beard the same all year long, that’s great!  We salute you.  However, springtime represents a time for renewal and fresh starts.  Changing up your beard can transform you with a fresh new look. So if you’re game for a beard change, there’s no time like the present.

While we always strongly advocate for the full beard for those who are capable of growing the full beard, you can still change up your full beard while keeping your full beard.  If your full beard is still wild and woolly from the winter growth season, lightening it up with a trim down to a shorter length can give you a sharp new look for spring.

beard for spring image 2
Trimming your full beard short can give you a lighter feeling and a sharp new look for spring.

If you feel like making an even bigger change to your beard, consider switching to another style such as a goatee and mustache combo. Or go for the similar yet bolder extended goatee.   Maybe now would be a good time to have fun with a temporary switch to the chin curtain.  Check out our beard style guide and select a style that you’d like to try.  Or be creative and design your own unique beard style.

Develop a skincare routine

A great beard needs a solid foundation. And a healthy beard comes from healthy skin. Harsh winter weather may have left your skin feeling dry and flaky, which does not provide the greatest grounds for growing and maintaining facial hair. The good news is that this can be quickly corrected with the proper skincare routine. The first step is determining your skin type. The American Academy of Dermatology lists skin types as follows:

  1. Sensitive skin may sting or burn after product use
  2. Normal skin is clear and not sensitive
  3. Dry skin is flaky, itchy or rough
  4. Oily skin is shiny and greasy
  5. Combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others

Knowing your skin type will give you a better idea of which products you should use. Always use skin care products that are gentle on your skin that will maintain your face and scalp as clean and healthy places for hair to grow.  If you are in doubt about your skin type and which products would be best for you, it’s a good idea to check with a medical professional.

Maintain your mane

In addition to a facial hair change-up, many men welcome the warmer weather with a new hairstyle. Whether you opt for a shorter cut or a new hairstyle altogether, there are plenty of products out there to assist you in maintaining the hair on your head. Like skin, hair types vary depending on the individual and this determines factors such as how often you should wash your hair and which products you should use. For some men, growing hair on the face comes much easier than growing hair on the top of the head. If you’re in this boat, there’s no need to worry! Something as simple as switching up your hairstyle is a quick fix and will give you the confidence you need to look and feel your best. Following a diet full of foods that are rich in nutrients and vitamins is a great way to support healthy hair growth as well.

Invest in the proper tools

You can do everything right when it comes to the beard-growing process, but if you don’t have the proper tools to maintain your beard, you won’t look your best. Investing in a quality beard trimmer is key to keeping your facial hair looking its best at all times. While there are plenty of beard trimmers on the market from which to choose, when selecting a beard trimmer you should shop around and make your purchase based on the features that will best suit you and your facial hair.

The same goes for choosing a proper razor. If your new beard style is one that means you’ll be doing a lot of shaving, like with the goatee or chin curtain, you’ll need a quality razor. If you don’t want to bother with getting razors at the store, you might consider getting razors via subscription. Many companies now offer a basic plan in which you can tailor products and tools to fit your needs. This allows you to try out their products and then decide what’s best based on your shaving needs.

Overall, it’s pretty easy to create your new look for spring. Shedding your cold-weather style for a fresh look will leave you looking and feeling great just in time for the new season.