Is Your Beard Right For Your Face Shape?

Properly trimmed and shaped facial hair can go a long way to enhance desirable facial features or take emphasis off weaknesses. How to choose the right beard  for your face shape will depend on a few factors. While each face will have its own special considerations such as size of mouth, nose, and jawline, there are some general rules on how to choose the right beard shape for your face.

The Round Face
When shaping the beard for a round face, go a bit longer at the chin to add length and make the face appear less round. Avoid bushy sideburns and keep the sides of the beard short. In lieu of a full beard, a goatee is often a good option for a round face.

The Long Face
Exactly opposite of the round face, the long face requires a beard which is fuller at the sides and shorter at the chin. The goal here is to add width to the sides and make the face appear less long. Make sure to avoid abrupt changes in length so the shaping is not obvious.

The Square FaceSimilar to shaping a beard for a round face, the beard for a square face should be shorter at the sides and longer at the chin to add length to the face. Once again, a goatee is also a good option for men with square faces.

The Large Face
Since the face is large, any small facial hair or beard will appear out of proportion and make the face appear bigger. Keep the beard fuller and the mustache larger.

The Small Face
Small faces require small facial hair. Larger, fuller styles will make the face get lost and appear out of proportion.

The Oval Face
The oval face shape is considered the ideal shape and requires no special shaping to balance facial features. Do whatever you like and you'll look great.

Why you need a regular Barber

Unfortunately, many men today are missing out on the benefits of having a regular barber. Modern men just end up going to the closest unisex salon or barbershop to get their hair cut. And each time they get they go, they end up with a different stylist and are forced to explain over and over again how they’d like it done. But “a little off the sides” means one thing to one barber and another thing to another barber. Stylists also have the tendency to try to correct what they see as mistakes that a previous barber/stylist made. Consequently, a man who goes to a unisex chain salon walks out with a completely different haircut at each visit. Not a good thing if you’re trying to maintain a consistent image.

Every man needs a reliable, skilled barber in his life. Having a regular barber will ensure that you get a consistent, sharp haircut everytime. You can get a trim before a big interview without gambling on whether or not you’ll come out looking like you were attacked by Edward Scissorhands.

Good barbers have a memory like an elephant. As you visit a first rate barber regularly, he’ll become familiar with the many contours of your head and the complexities of your hair and will know how to cut and style your hair just the way you like it. You’ll be able to walk in and simply ask for “the usual.” Plus, your barber can become a good friend, someone you can be comfortable shooting the breeze with and look forward to seeing every week.

Common Hair Myths

For years we have been taught old wive's tales about our hair. We all have heard them. Here are a few of the most common myths about men's hair.

Myth: Shaving will make my beard grow faster.
Fact: Your body does not know that your beard is shaved or long and full. Hair is basically protein and keratin and has no blood supply. Men often believe that shaving causes the beard  to grow faster and thicker, but facial hair typically grows thicker and faster as you age.

Myth: Growing my hair longer will hide my baldness.
Fact: Actually, growing your hair longer makes the thinning and baldness appear much more noticeable. If you can see scalp on the top, cut the sides short enough so you can see an equal amount of scalp. This will help take the emphasis off of the thinning area.

Myth: Baldness comes from my mother's side of the family.
Fact: Hair loss is entirely genetic and can come from either side of the family.

Myth: Wearing tight hats can make me bald.
Fact: The hat would have to be so tight that it cut off the circulation to the hair follicles. If that were the case, the hat would be too tight for you to wear comfortably. Wearing a tight hat can,however, cause hair breakage and damage.

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Hair Habits You Should Stop...NOW

1. Scratching
Hair Care Stylist PSA: PLEASE do not scratch your scalp! If you suffer from itchy scalp, first identify your problem. If your scalp is itching, the PH levels of it could be off balance. Pure peppermint oil is a great treatment for that. The causes of itchy scalp vary from lack of moisture on one hand, and over moisturizing on the other, both of which you can change. If you suffer from itchy scalp because of a medical condition, ie. psoriasis or eczema, you should consult your physician immediately.

2. Using Products That Are Too Thick

Using thick products on your scalp can cause build up & fungal dandruff. Thick products can also weigh you hair down and can remain in your hair until…whenever if you’re not thoroughly cleansing your scalp when you wash. Also, being a product collector is not necessary. Find a few products that work well for you and stick with them. Remember… less is more healthy.

3. No Shampoo/Co-Washing

Co-Washing, which is using conditioner only in your hair cleansing process, can be great to do while in between shampoos. It eliminates the need to comb your hair so often and leaves your hair soft and amazingly just the right texture. I definitely recommend it. BUT, with time, our hair accumulates dirt from outside and build-up from products. Too much dirt or build-up can lead to an offensive smell, breakage, and/or malassezia (a fungal-type dandruff that develops in the presence of lipids, oils, waxes, etc.).

4. Product Grouping/Hair Typing
You are a special, one of a kind type of person. No one else is made like you, nor are you like anyone else. To think a product will work for you like it does for someone else is silly.  A lot of people have several different textures of hair on their head.  Find what works for you and stick with it. What works for you may change as the seasons change, and as your hair grows, or even when you cut it. However, this is why it’s important for you to bond with and get to know your hair, or find a regular barber/stylist to work with that can help you understand and get acquainted with it.

5. Using Products w Alcohol
Using products with alcohol will dry your hair out. Period. The other ingredients mixed in will make you think that it’s nice in the moment, but the feeling is only temporary and you will need to continually apply the product to maintain those results. There are plenty of products that do not contain alcohol though, try those!

Tips For Healthy and Natural Facial Hair

Consider it a right of passage into beardhood. No pain, no gain, right? But you can have a little help on your side. Even long-time beard keepers experience itching, scratching or dry skin.
The trick is - whether you are a newbie or a veteran - to respect the beard. Treat it at least as importantly as you would the hair on your head. So there are a few of steps involved here.

First - when you shower wash your facial hair - treat it nicely, lather it up, massage, get the oils and dirt trapped below and rinse it out.

Second - when you get out of the shower use a comb with narrow teeth and brush your beard hair downwards while it is still wet. Make sure to clear out tangles, and groom it nicely.

Thirdly - apply an oil or a conditioner - if you have something especially formulated for beards, all the more better, and work it evenly into your facial hair. This will also help moisterize your skin under the beard. Remember, ladies do not like rough feeling facial hair.

Fourth - resist the urge to scratch your beard like it's the world's most itchiest place. Learn to ignore or use a soft cloth to take care of your itch instead of digging your nails into it. Your hands carry nasty germs on them.

Fifth - relax - your beard can grow naturally and easily, you don't need to look after it every second. Every other day is a good schedule. Don't over-brush, don't over do it. Take it easy.

Scalp Care for Bald Men

Bald men need to take special care of their scalp. Whether bald by choice (from shaving) or simply as a result of thinning hair. Bald scalps are susceptible to sun damage, windburn, allergens, acne, irritants, chemicals in the air and water, extreme temperatures, and other events that often have no effect on men who aren’t bald. In addition, bald men who shave need to be concerned about razor rash, razor burn, razor bumps, nicks and cuts on the head, and other discomforts. Here’s everything you need to know about basic scalp care for bald men.

Keep it clean
Scalps can get dirty, just like your hair once did. When they’re dirty, bald scalps build up excess oil that can lead to blemishes, pimples, and other skin issues. Wash your scalp every day and apply a gentle moisturizer if your skin seems dry.
Ward off acne
Did you suffer from acne as a teenager? You may find yourself plagued by it again, but this time on your bald scalp. Acne results when follicles are clogged with oil and dirt. This leads to inflammation, which results in pus-filled pimples that are commonly known as acne. Treat acne flare-ups with an over-the-counter acne medication, and exfoliate the skin on your bald scalp regularly to keep it clean.
Stop rashes before they start
The skin on your scalp is delicate and can be easily irritated. It may react adversely to certain shampoos or fragranced soaps, wool hats, perspiration, and other things. Be mindful if your scalp itches: Apply an over-the-counter cortisone cream when rashes or redness occurs, and consult a doctor if the rash is persistent, spreads, or bleeds. Meanwhile, wear fleece or cotton hats instead of wool, breathable baseball caps instead of tight-fitting spandex, use shampoo or soap specially formulated for sensitive skin, and don’t scratch!
Shave smart
If you shave your hair off, you are at risk of developing razor rash, razor bumps, razor burn, and possibly a head full of nicks and cuts. I recommend using the Wahl 5 Star Shaver or the Andis Profoil Shaver. But if you prefer the razor, follow these smart shaving tips:

• Make sure you don’t shave your scalp too often, or too carelessly.
• Be sure hair is at least one-quarter inch long so that it’s not too short to shave.
• Wet hair with hot water, lather generously with shaving cream, and keep moist. A long hot shower is the best way to prepare your scalp for a shave.
• Use only a clean, new blade every time you shave.
• Shave with the hair grain, NEVER AGAINST IT.
• Exfoliate and moisturize scalp skin daily.
• Care for raw skin on the scalp with an aftershave moisturizing solution like aloe vera.
• If skin seems dry or flaky, use a moisturizing cream formulated for sensitive skin.

Stay out of the sun
Bald scalps are extremely vulnerable to the sun’s damaging UV rays. In fact, many types of skin cancer can quickly develop on bald scalps, so it is critical that you protect your bald scalp from the sun. Apply sunscreen to your scalp every day — several times each day during the summer months. Wear a hat to fully protect your delicate scalp skin from the sun’s rays. Treat sunburn promptly with aloe vera gel, and make sure you see your dermatologist at least once a year to check your scalp for moles, growths, and other skin changes that could lead to skin cancer.
When you follow just a few simple rules, scalp care for bald men is easy — easier, perhaps, than caring for a head full of hair!