Whisker strategy help

[FJC1]

I've sported a circle beard/mustache-with-attached-goatee for many many years, but I think it needs some work.

So far, I keep it trimmed very short - twice a week or so I buzz it with some Wahl trimmers. Guide on it says "III" (not sure if that means 3 - seems way shorter than my other Wahl trimmer combs marked '3'). I don't use a single product on it - it gets washed along with my face with Irish Spring bar soap.

I'd like to get a thicker, more full look. It's not patchy - just so short that you can easily see skin. What's the right strategy? Grow it out longer, comb it and use some oil on it? It's a salt/pepper look at this point.

Here it is from an old picture - bit rough around the edges as I hadn't cleaned up the sides in a few days here.

 

[nortac]

Trim twice a week !? How do you expect it to change/improve? I'd say stop trimming it, let it grow out a bit longer and a bit wider. You shouldn't need beard oils until it gets very much longer, YMMV.

 

[FJC1]

Trim twice a week !? How do you expect it to change/improve? I'd say stop trimming it, let it grow out a bit longer and a bit wider. You shouldn't need beard oils until it gets very much longer, YMMV.

No no no - I *was* always trimming it twice a week in the past. I now want it to look better/ fuller, so have stopped trimming it. However, I know from past experience that it will get wild. Just wondering how best to tame it once it does.

 

[troy]

I would leave it a little wider and possibly a little farther back under the chin towards the neck. Then trim out around the soul patch. I used to do this with the small cutter on the back of my trimmer, now I use a half DE shavette. Once it gets a little longer trim with scissors to a slight point and leave it a little longer in the front. I never used any product other than shampoo, conditioner makes it to fluffy and wild looking. Hope this helps.

 

[FJC1]

I would leave it a little wider and possibly a little farther back under the chin towards the neck. Then trim out around the soul patch. I used to do this with the small cutter on the back of my trimmer, now I use a half DE shavette. Once it gets a little longer trim with scissors to a slight point and leave it a little longer in the front. I never used any product other than shampoo, conditioner makes it to fluffy and wild looking. Hope this helps.

thanks, I'll give this a try!

 

[beardedshave15]

Once it gets longer , use a beard balm that contains Shea Butter followed by a soft boar bristle beard brush. The balm will keep the "wild" hairs in place and the brush will feed the balm to your roots more evenly.

 

[FJC1]

Good advice, everyone. I'm letting it grow out more and more, and also I've shaped it to be more circular rather than straight vertical edges. Looking better already, IMO. I definitely need to find some beard balm and get a brush or comb, though, as the wild hairs are getting more unruly.

 

[FJC1]

Ok, 10 days later, here's where we are. I've not trimmed it at all (other than a little on the mustache to keep it out of my mouth), and I've let it grow out on the sides in more of a circle shape rather than verticle sides. No beard balm/oil so far. I've ordered a small boar brush and some of the Amish Beard Balm to use in it. Around the beard you can see the results of my second-ever DE shave.

 

[TXDE]

It's looking good and gaining character. Stay the course.