Tanupreet KaurDecember 24, 2024

Winter is here, and while you get busy overhauling your wardrobe, don’t forget your beard. It might be battling its own winter blues. The cold air can dry it out, make it itchy, and even lead to dreaded beardruff (yes, that’s a thing). The cold, harsh truth? The beard, which was once soft, starts turning brittle and unruly. And, that’s your beard’s SOS call to give it the TLC it deserves during the chilly months to stay soft, healthy, and stylish. Don’t worry - it isn’t that difficult though. You just need to set some do’s and don’ts to make sure your beard is fully winter-ready. 6 Do’s of Winter Beard Grooming Let’s start with what you should do to keep your beard “A Game” on in winters and see how just little extra attention can make a big difference. 1. Master The Art of Beard Layering Think of layering your beard just as you wear multiple layers of clothes to shield your body from the cold. Likewise, your beard needs layers of protection to stay healthy and soft. Start with massaging beard oil into your beard as the foundation of your beard care. It does wonders when it comes to moisturizing both your beard and the skin beneath, especially the ones having jojoba oil, argan oil, or sweet almond oil in it. Bread oil mimics your skin’s natural oils and penetrates deeply to hydrate your beard from root to tip. After applying beard oil, follow it up with a beard balm. It usually contains natural ingredients like beeswax or shea butter, forming a protective layer to lock in moisture and shield your beard. It also helps with styling and taming stray hairs. For polished look, use a beard serum. This step is often overlooked, but a lightweight serum adds shine, smoothness, and prevents split ends. Together, these 3 layers work like a warm, cozy outfit for your beard. 2. Pamper Your Beard with Masks Masks are known to deeply nourish and hydrate your beard, repairing the damage caused by dry air and cold weather. The ones having shea butter, avocado oil, vitamin E, or aloe vera as their ingredients are especially beneficial. If you enjoy DIY, making your own mask at home is also possible. Mix coconut oil and honey equally, and let the coconut oil penetrate deeply to hydrate, while honey locks in that moisture naturally. After you wash off the mask, to seal in the moisture you can apply beard oil. This is the easiest and most affordable winter hack to keep your beard softer, healthier, and more manageable. Pro Tip: Use a warm towel to open up your pores before applying the mask, for better absorption of all the goodness. 3. Eat Right for Healthy Beard You don’t realize, but what you eat decides the health of your facial hair. Including foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E helps to promote hair growth, strengthening the hair follicles. While Vitamin A repairs dry and damaged hair, Vitamin E improves blood circulation to hair follicles, encouraging growth. Zinc is another essential nutrient present in oysters, nuts, and seeds. It supports tissue repair and prevents hair shedding. Also, omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon and walnuts keep your beard hydrated from within, making it look fuller and shinier. For a balanced beard-friendly diet, include spinach, eggs, citrus fruits, almonds, and fatty fish. These foods ensure your beard remains stronger and sharper, even in the harshest weather. Read More: Tips To Keep Your Beard Healthy During Winters 4. Invest in the Right Beard Grooming Tools Using the right grooming tools can make or break your bearded look. Opt for grooming essentials like a wooden comb that is gentle on your hair and doesn’t generate static as plastic combs do. A Wooden beard comb also helps to distribute natural oils evenly. You can also pair it with a natural bristle brush. It is ideal for exfoliating the skin underneath your beard, stimulating blood flow. Regular brushing trains your beard to grow in the desired direction, reducing the chance of stray or unruly hairs. Investing in tools like high-quality trimmer is the cherry on the top. As they not only provides the ease of trimming with precision but also keeps your beard sleek and chic. These tools also make sure that you don’t damage your beard in the grooming process. Pro Tip: Always clean your grooming tools after every use and store properly so that they can last longer. 5. Use Silk Pillowcase for Happy Beard Making a switch to a silk pillowcase during winter is a small change with a big impact. Unlike cotton pillowcases, silk ones help your beard to retain mositure. While sleeping, when you toss and turn, cotton pillowcases usually create friction, leading to split ends and breakage. Whereas, silk’s silky smooth surface minimizes this friction, leaving your beard softer. It is also hypoallergenic, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin. It reduces irritation and ensures your beard stays healthy and itch-free. 6. Protect Your Beard from the Damage We often forget to apply suncreen in winter, don’t we? But UV rays, they’re there year-round. Even in winters, they can harm your beard and the skin underneath which leads to dryness and discoloration. Using an SPF is a winter must to protect your beard from sun damage. You can also wear a scarf or hat to guard up your beard more smartly from both the sun and harsh winds. Pairing SPF with a moisturizing beard balm or oil is a power move to prevent dryness throughout the colder months. Check Out: Lightweight Sunscreen Gel 5 Don’ts of Winter Beard Grooming Equally important as knowing what to do is knowing what not to do. Avoid these common winter beard mistakes to keep your beard healthy and stylish all winter long. 1. Say No to Alcohol-Based Products Alcohol-based grooming products might seem effective at first because they dry quickly and leave your beard feeling clean, but they’re one behind beard damage. Alcohol strips your beard and skin of their natural oils, leading to dryness, flakiness, and itchiness. This can worsen during winter when the air is already dry. Prolonged use of alcohol-based products can make your beard brittle, causing split ends and hair breakage. Over time, this leads to thinning and uneven growth. Always check the ingredient label before purchasing grooming products. If alcohol (especially ethanol or isopropyl alcohol) is one of the first ingredients listed, it’s best to avoid it. Explore: Alcohol-free Beard Care Essentials 2. Avoid Hot Showers Nothing feels better than a hot shower on a cold winter morning, but it’s one of the worst things you can do for your beard. Hot water strips away the natural sebum from your beard and skin, leaving them dehydrated and prone to damage. Without it, your beard becomes coarse, dry, and more susceptible beard dandruff. Hot showers can also cause the skin under your beard to become dry and irritated, leading to flakiness. This can further affect the healthy growth of your beard. Try finishing your showers with splashing cold water on your beard. It helps seal the hair cuticles, giving your beard a shinier and smoother appearance. 3. Ditch Regular Shampoo Using regular shampoo on your beard might seem harmless, but it can do more harm than good. These products are formulated for your scalp, not the delicate hair on your face.They contain harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which are too strong for your facial hair and the sensitive skin underneath. Over time, this can lead to beardruff and patchy growth. Instead, invest in a beard-specific shampoo and conditioner. These products are formulated to cleanse gently while preserving moisture and promoting a healthy beard. 4. Stop Touching Your Beard It’s tempting to stroke, play with, or adjust your beard throughout the day. But, every time you touch your beard, you transfer dirt, bacteria, and oils from your hands to your facial hair. This can clog the pores on the skin underneath, leading to breakouts, irritation, and even infections. Touching your beard frequently also disrupts its natural oils, which can weaken the hair strands in the long run. Keep your hands off your beard as much as possible or use a wooden comb or natural bristle brush to style your beard and detangle knots. Still if you need to adjust your beard with your hands, make sure they are properly clean. 5. Avoid Heavy Beard Products Thick, heavy beard products may seem like a good idea during winter because they promise extra hold or hydration. However, these products can often weigh your beard down, making it look greasy, limp, and lifeless. They can also clog the pores on your skin, making your beard feel sticky and unmanageable. Go for lightweight products that provide just enough hold, like a perfectly fitted jacket - not too tight, not too loose. Natural ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, and argan oil offer the right balance of nourishment and hold. Your Beard is now Ready to Face the Chilly Winters! Winter doesn’t have to be a nightmare for your beard. By following these do’s and don’ts, you’ll keep it soft, healthy, and stylish all season long. Remember, a little effort goes a long way. With the right care, your beard will not only survive winter - it'll thrive. So, gear up, grab the right products, and let your beard take on winter in style. Whether you’re out in the snow or cozying up indoors, your beard will be the ultimate winter MVP!

Tanupreet KaurNovember 11, 2024

Beard has become a trending way to express yourself. But beyond aesthetics, how healthy is it to grow one? Dave Harvey, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, explains, “It's good protection against wind, chafing, and traumatic injury. It's also a trend, so we see a lot of men with some form of facial hair.” Word! Let's dig a little deeper and see to what extent your beard can be healthy for you! Guardian Angel Against Scorching Summers & Freezing Winters A beard is a natural barrier against harmful UV rays, blocking up to 95% of the radiation. Significantly, reducing the risk of sunburn, skin damage, or even skin cancer, especially for those with sensitive skin, according to a study by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology’s study. While some sneaky rays might slip through, your beard scatters them, minimizing their impact. Pro Tip: Don’t toss your sunscreen just yet! Your beard is there, but it’s not invincible. Interestingly, when the days get colder, your beard transforms into the coziest scarf you never knew you had. It brings you warmth by blocking cold, harsh winds and it traps the air closest to your skin, that warmthful one, as your personal insulator. Additionally, it retains moisture on your face by using the natural sebum oil produced by your sebaceous glands, keeping your skin hydrated when winter tries to suck it dry. Whether it is summer or winter, your beard helps you look younger and glowing than your peers - all year round! Read More: 7 Scientifically-Backed Reasons Why You Should Grow A Beard Natural Filter Keeping Unwanted Guests Away Your beard also serves as a natural filter, capturing dust and allergens before they can enter your respiratory system. According to The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, this filtering effect reduces the likelihood of allergies and asthma triggers. Woohoo! Did you know that? Even, the density and length of your beard also matter - the longer and thicker it is, the more effective your natural filtration system becomes. It’s like upgrading from a basic air purifier to a top-of-the-line model! Saving Time Today, Tomorrow And For Life Did you know that the average man spends about 140 days shaving till turning 50ish? Whereas, maintaining a beard typically requires only about 35 days of care. This means you save approximately 105 days - equivalent to 6,300 hours - over a lifetime! Imagine all the hobbies or self-care routines you could indulge in with that extra time. Rizzing Up Overall Personality Sassy Beards aren’t just practical, they also enhance your attractiveness. Interestingly, both women and men perceive bearded men as more masculine, according to research by Evolution and Human Behaviour. It is basically a walking, talking (well, not literally) advertisement of your manliness. Read More: How To Grow Beard Fast? 7 Healthy Ways To Grow And Maintain Your Beard 1. Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water offers many benefits, one of which is supporting beard growth and improving its health. 2. Eat healthy: The easiest way to have a healthy beard is to keep track of your diet because what you intake, shows up on your face. Load up on proteins and vitamins to feed follicles. 3. Exercise regularly: Hit the gym or exercise daily because every rep pumps blood to your face, stimulating healthy beard growth. 4. Chill with beard: Stressing too much leads to hair loss, affecting your beard growth too. Take a deep breath, meditate, or do whatever keeps you at peace and sanity. 5. Pamper your beard: Treat your beard like royalty. Instead of using just any product, go for beard-specific products and experience the difference for yourself. 6. Pro beard styling: Trim your beard when it calls for it, because giving it a slight trim doesn’t do any harm rather removes split ends, supports beard growth, and gives symmetry to your beard. After trimming, use a beard styling pen for those crisp, clean lines, perfect edges with sleek look. 7. Easy beard regimen: You can just start with 2 beard care essentials, beard activator and beard oil. These are enough if you are just a beginner. They promote better, healthier, and fuller beard growth on the basic concept of stimulating and nourishing the hair follicles. The Beard Activator boosts beard growth, improves blood circulation, increases the collagen supply and ultimately leads to healthy beard growth with its micro-needles. On the other hand, beard growth oil for men repairs damaged hair follicles and promotes new and fast hair growth. Besides, they make it easy to manage your beard and enhance your overall bearded look. Read More: How To Trim Your Beard With A Trimmer At Home? Pro Tip: Stop touching, picking, and scratching your beard whenever you like or disinfect your hands before doing so. The Beard-dict: Healthy Or Not? Growing a healthy beard is not less than adopting a pet - you have to love, care for and pay attention to it. Remember, with a healthy beard comes great responsibility. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle stubble or full-on bearded look - your beard, your rules. Understanding both, the benefits and responsibilities associated with facial hair is crucial. So, how healthy your beard will be depends on you more than anything else because it is not just a beard - it is the lifestyle you’re choosing for yourself!

Priyank SharmaAugust 21, 2024

Having a beard or going straight clean-shaven is totally a personal choice and there’s no convincing one in favour of either one of them. But the beard trend definitely seems to have lingered on. Zoomers, majorly, prefer to keep beards and even a lot of millennials have followed suit. And it isn’t just about the look anymore. You may have your own personal reason, right from making yourself more appealing to the ladies, going for that mature look, donning your raw masculine side for everyone’s benefit to simply giving an illusion of a stronger and more well-defined jawline. Whatever the reason, more and more guys are relentlessly levelling up their beard game now – trying different beard styles, exploring beard essentials like beard oils, beard wax, beard combs, popping pills for improving the health of their hair follicles, and so on. But what’s the point of it all? Is it anything beyond just a vanity optic? Interestingly, both scientific and social research shows a beard contributes in more ways than you can superficially imagine. Let’s go about understanding each one of them strand by strand. The Mind Game Behind Growing A Beard A well-groomed beard can enhance your facial symmetry, making you look more attractive, while also hiding any shortfalls like a rounded jawline or marks on the skin. All this contributes to a guy’s self-esteem, which is directly linked to his confidence. A study published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology found that a man with a beard is perceived to be more dominant and attractive than his clean-shaven counterparts. Think of growing a beard as an Instagram filter. Worried about a weak chin? There's a beard for that! Feeling too baby-faced for that big promotion? Beard it up! It's amazing how some strategic styling of facial hair can transform your appearance. Whether it's a neatly trimmed goatee or a wizard-worthy long beard, it's like wearing your personality on your face - think of it as arts and crafts, but manlier. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, science suggests that a bit of stubble might tip the scales in your favor. A 2013 study in Evolution & Human Behavior found that women rated men with heavy stubble as most attractive for both one-time flings and happily after love stories. So, here’s the sign to put down that razor, your face (and possibly your love life) will thank you! Experience The Therapeutic Essence Of Grooming Your Beard From untangling your beard with the comb to trimming it off and everything in between, is the art of single-tasking that you practice unknowingly. That relishing feeling when your beard smoothes out at the end when you follow your daily grooming ritual. It not only rejuvenates your beard but also massages away all your stress and relieves your anxiety. In a world, where people brag about multi-tasking. The way you move up on the ladder of beard grooming is nature's very own stress-buster, right at your fingertips. Many beard care products are infused with essential oils like lavender to soothe known for their calming properties. As if each scent is inviting you to immerse yourself in the mini-aromatherapy session. In our super-duper fast lives of digital screens, the space beard grooming offers you can be the “digital detox” you need every day. Besides screen-free time, you actively engage and bring back your focus into the present moment which helps to reset your thoughts in the mind. How Beards Become Your Cold Weather BFF Who would mind wearing a custom-fitted scarf in the chilly winter days? It is none other than your beard! It gives warmth to your skin, keeping your face warmer than the frosty air around you. In the winter, your beard plays a clever game of hide-and-seek with notorious dryness. It hydrates your skin by holding onto the natural oils. This god-gifted moisturizer keeps your skin happy, even when the weather outside is frightful. A Beardy Tale of Culture and Faith Back in the old days, beards were a strong symbol of power and masculinity. They were known to have divine authority during Egyptian Civilization. But in Greece, a full-fledged beard is used to signify how intellectual a person was. The curled beards were all about the rage in Mesopotamia. These ancient theories of beards weren't just fashion statements; they had some or the other meanings associated with them. Coming back from the time machine to today, it all started with the trend of keeping ‘hipster beard’. The real boom came into action in 2020. From celebrities to not-so-famous personalities, everyone channeled their inner beard stylist. From meticulously groomed 'corporate beards' to ‘wild and free beards', most of the men try to stand out from the crowd by exploring and trying new beard styles. It has become an expression rather than looking wise anymore. And yes, sometimes hiding a double chin on Zoom calls. But throughout all this, one thing remained constant with beards - its spiritual significance. As we see many Muslim men grow beards as a sign of devotion. The uncut beard of Sikhs represents one of the five articles of faith, accepting God's will. Particularly in Judaism, long beards are seen as fulfilling biblical commandments. These faith-based beards serve as living reminders of spiritual commitments. Beard is not just a mere fashion trend From the grand aura of ancient times to the office boardrooms of today, growing and grooming a beard serves as the standard men have set to create narratives they like to flex. In short, the beard has its unique complexity of identity, masculinity, and rebellion. It personifies the manifestation of our inner worlds and communicates our aspirations. Growing a beard and grooming it, continues to be a fascinating exploration which has its own roots and depths - probably having no end.