How to Style a Beard

What Does Styling a Beard Involve?

Trimming and shaping set the outline of a beard. Styling is what you do each day to make that outline look its best. It covers washing, drying, brushing, applying products and training the hair to sit in the direction you want. Without regular styling even a well cut beard can look flat, frizzy or untidy within a few hours.

Learning how to style a beard does not require a long routine. Most men need five minutes or less once they know which products suit their beard length and hair type. At Broadway Barbers in Chesham we finish every beard trim with a quick styling routine so customers can see the result. The same approach works well at home.

What Tools and Products Do You Need to Style a Beard?

How Do You Style a Beard Step by Step?

1. 1
   Start with a clean beard

   Wash two or three times a week with a beard wash. On other days simply rinse with warm water to refresh the hair without stripping its natural oils.

2. 2
   Towel dry gently

   Pat the beard with a towel rather than rubbing, which causes frizz and split ends. Leave it slightly damp for product.

3. 3
   Apply beard oil

   Rub three to five drops between your palms and work it into the skin first, then through the length of the beard.

4. 4
   Blow dry for longer beards

   On a low heat setting, dry the beard while brushing downward and slightly outward. This adds shape and controls curls.

5. 5
   Brush into shape

   Use a boar bristle brush to direct the hair in the shape you want. Brush the sides down and back and the chin down and slightly forward.

6. 6
   Add balm for hold

   Warm a small amount of balm in your hands and work it through the beard. Brush again to distribute it evenly.

7. 7
   Detail with wax

   Use a tiny amount of wax to tame flyaways or style the moustache tips. Twist and set with your fingertips.

8. 8
   Final check

   Look at your beard from the front and both sides. Comb any stray hairs back into place and wipe away excess product.

Which Products Suit Which Beard Length?

Using the wrong product for your beard length is one of the most common styling problems. The table below gives a simple starting point.

If your beard is coarse or curly, lean toward balm even at shorter lengths because the butters help the hair lie flatter. If your beard is fine or straight, oil alone may be enough and heavier products can weigh it down.

How Long Does a Daily Beard Styling Routine Take?

A styling routine should fit easily into your morning. The chart below shows how long each stage typically takes for a medium length beard.

Consistency matters more than time. Brushing the beard in the same direction every day trains the hair over several weeks so it naturally holds the shape with less product.

A good cut makes daily styling far easier. See our Beard Trim Prices for professional beard trims and shape ups at Broadway Barbers.

What Are the Most Common Beard Styling Mistakes?

Balm is the product most men apply incorrectly. Our guide on How to Use Beard Balm explains how much to use and how to warm it properly so it spreads evenly.

What Beard Styles Can You Try?

Popular styles in our Chesham shop include the short boxed beard, the medium full beard, the faded beard and the classic stubble. Longer styles such as the Garibaldi or a squared off full beard need more daily styling but give a strong, distinctive look. The right choice depends on your face shape, your hair density and how much time you want to spend each morning.

Seasons change styling needs as well. In winter, central heating and cold air dry the hair and skin, so most men benefit from a little extra oil and a richer balm. In summer, heat and humidity can make longer beards frizz or feel heavy, so a lighter oil and a quick rinse after exercise help keep things fresh. Swimming in chlorinated pools also dries facial hair, so rinse with clean water afterwards and reapply oil.

Your hair type also shapes your routine. Curly and coily beards hold moisture less easily and respond well to a leave in conditioner or richer balm, applied while the beard is still slightly damp. Straight beards often show every stray hair, so a brush and a touch of wax around the edges does most of the work. If your beard has areas that grow in different directions, brushing those areas first each morning trains them to follow the rest of the beard.

If you are thinking about trying something new, our guide on Which Beard Style Suits You will help you choose. For product routines, read How to Use Beard Oil and How to Use Beard Balm to get the most from your beard care.

When Should You See a Barber About Styling?

If your beard never seems to sit right however much product you use, the issue is usually the cut rather than the styling. A barber can reshape the beard so it works with your natural growth pattern and show you how to style it at the end of the appointment.

At Broadway Barbers our senior barbers Dan, Harry, Ann and Catherine each have their own Booksy profile, so you can choose your barber and book a time that suits you. We are open every day including Sundays, with late opening until 8pm on Thursdays.

For more expert beard advice, visit the Beard Grooming Hub, which brings together every Broadway Barbers guide on trimming, growing and caring for your beard.