So, with that in mind, here are our eight top picks for taking care of your wintery facial hair (and some visuals of beards that have faced the worst conditions on screen...) You won’t necessarily need all of these products, although beard oil is essential for all beards, but we’ve described under each one how to use them and what issues they will help the most.
This product developed through intensive research into the skin and the way it holds moisture. Following this research, the hydrator uses hyaluronic acid, a molecule your skin naturally produces, to lock in moisture and repair hair folicles without leaving the skin oily. This product is perfect for stubble, but also works great on a shorter beard. It's also an excellent answer to dry, flaky skin.
In terms of using it, the best time is just when you’re fresh out the shower. The steam and heat will have opened up those pores and folicles helping the hydrator soak right in. You’ll only need a small amount, rub it through your fingers then into the depths of your beard right down to the skin underneath.
Kit Harrington as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones
As the title hints, this oil is perfect for those guys who work outdoors or ‘graft’ daily. The properties of this freshly cut timber scented oil protect the hair and deeply moisturise the skin to create a barrier between your beloved beard and the elements. Not to mention the fact that the scent alone will make you feel warmer.
When you use this oil, be careful not to over do it, two drops is our guideline amount but you may need a little more for a bigger beard. It’s not a case of lathering it on, it’s the way you go through your entire beardcare regime. Rub a small amount of oil through your hands then straight into the hair, making sure you get the more dense hairs under the top layer and those under your chin. Let it soak in for ten minutes, if you have the time, before you style with a balm, butter or wax.
Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant
A sweetly scented beard butter with the power to hold stray hairs in shape and protect each hair from becoming bristly and fragile in the wind. This beard butter will coat the hairs in moisture, so while the beard oil helps the skin adjust and moisturises the hair, the butter will lock it all in and keep your beard in the style you want.
For application, scoop the amount out you feel is necessary for your beard, it’s not a science so you’ll need to try it out and find what works for you. As a starting point, if your beard is thick and long, and needs a good bit of taming, scoop out a generous amount and rub into your finger tips. You’ll use this product much like those you would use for your hair.
Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars
The classic brand for the modern gentleman. This moisturiser is essential in any kit for winter. Again, this product is all about the moisture and locking it right in. This one suits any legnth, and is good for your skin as well as your beard. If you have an itchy beard or struggle with ingrown hairs, then this is an essential as the cold weather can make it worse.
Use this as you would any facial moisturiser, but give your beard hairs a bit more love. This is a great one to put on in the evening after you’ve washed your face, you’ll wake up to silky smooth facial fluff.
Jamie Foxx as Django in Django Unchained
Washing your beard is a must, particularly if it’s above two inches long. Having a dirty beard is not great, throughout the day it faces all the elements and will become greasy. If you allow your beard to become dirty, then it will affect it’s appearance, growth and may cause outbreaks of spots or dandruff (yes, you can get this on your beard too).
We recommend washing your beard three times a week, and conditioning it once a week. Again though, it’s not a science. It all depends on your skin and hair length/ thickness, so just try it out and find what works for you. Use warm water to soak the beard and wash similarly to how you would wash the hair on your head. We tend to wash our beards out of the shower, as there is a tendency to have the water running hotter than is healthy for the more sensitive skin and hair on your face.
Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead
An essential throughout the year for styling and grooming. This brush is tough enough to exfoliate the skin underneath but it’s thinner bristles will ensure that the hair doesn’t snap or is pulled out when you reach any knots.
Brush it gently and daily. If you’ve got dry skin or itchy skin, try to resist the urge to scrub at the skin, it won’t do it any favours. Also, just a tip for keeping it clean, try to use it after washing your face or beard and don’t use after beard oil. If you use it when your face isn’t clean, you’ll trap excess oils in the bristles and cause outbreaks of spots.
Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid in Harry Potter
The saviour of all those itches and ingrowns, this is a nice natural way of relieving your skin without squeezing or scratching. This product will also do wonders for your skin.
This scrub should only be used once every three days, over exfoliating your skin can scratch away the protective surface leaving it even more exposed to the elements. Just use a small amount and lightly scrub into your face, it will leave you with soft skin and a beard ready for some beard oil.
Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn in Lord of the Rings
A fairly self explanatory addition to this kit, keep it all together in this tool bag for all your beard grooming products. You won’t be using some of these products everyday, and it’s easy for them to get lost in the bathroom cabinet chaos…
Mark Hamill as (older) Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars
So, there it is, our beard kit full of essentials for the the cold front. We are here to answer any of your facial hair questions, particularly if we’ve not mentioned the issue that you’re struggling with. Get in touch via facebook, twitter or throughtheguys@thebrotique.co.uk - or if you’re in Edinburgh come by and see us on Queen Street!
Here’s some more of our grooming and style blogs for you to check out - An Introduction to Hudson & Armitage Beard Oil or The Brotique Men's Style Guide for Winter
Buying Christmas beard gifts for the man in your life can be tricky no matter if they are your brother, boyfriend or dad, even the bearded ones.
However, if the guy has a beard, you can be certain that some beard care items and or some form of facial hair item will be loved and cherished way beyond Christmas time.
