Parade Day weekend has flown past us in a flurry of alcohol and shamrocks, and spring is in the air. Oh, who am I kidding? We’ve got at least another month of winter up here in Bing. Due to Binghamton’s yearly chilling embrace, I thought I’d share a bit of information that my housemate shared with me.
Something a majority of us guys hold dear is in danger during the wintry weather — and ladies, if you’re not trying to become the main attraction for a Coney Island sideshow or trying to seriously break some gender roles then this column may not be for you. Feel free to share the information with your guy friends, though.
Funnily enough, what is at stake for us men are our beards — just the thing we want to keep around and in the best condition during the colder portion of the year. Fortunately, prepping your facial hair for snowy season is a relatively easy and inexpensive thing to do.
The first step to taking care of your beard is admitting that you may actually have to care of your beard. It’s not something that really crosses many guys’ minds and, with everything else our college years throw at us, who really wants something else to worry about on top of all the schoolwork, meetings and bars that need attending to?
I’ll admit that even I am having trouble starting a beard-care regimen, but, as a man who plans to keep his facial hair around for a little bit, it’s something I’m seriously considering doing. The financial burden’s not very fun to bear, but there are various levels to which you can take your manscaping endeavors.
If you’re just worried about the harsh, dry air during these windy, winter days, you may want to look into holding daily oiling sessions for your shaggy stubble. A combination of tea tree oil and coconut milk will help keep your beard softer and tamer than it normally is while also protecting the skin hidden underneath.
It’s as easy as mixing the oils in a bowl, getting yourself a fine brush similar to what the barber brushes your neck with when you get a haircut (though a toothbrush makes a nice replacement) and applying it lightly to your face. For those with more scruff than most, you may need to take extra measures if you want to keep everything under control.
Conditioning your beard as you shower can work wonders, but try to shy away from shampooing it, as many shampoos contain damaging silicones. Your experience may vary, so don’t be terribly afraid to experiment. All-natural pastes and smoothing creams can come in handy as well for those really bad days.
When things are just too damn unruly or your neck beard is a little too thick for your liking, trimming becomes inevitable. Electric clippers and trimmers can be quite the godsend for times like these, but if you aren’t sporting the most impressive facial hair, you can probably get away with just your average razor. A good shaving cream or lather is also important. No one enjoys a dry shave.
If you’re struggling for stubble in the first place, you may want to change up your diet or add some pills to your daily intake which contain riboflavin and/or niacin vitamins. Good rest and keeping a clean face are important as well.
So, to veterans and aspiring whisker-wearers alike, I hope you got something out of this article and keep that beard looking good. There are plenty more tips and advice out there on the Internet, so start doing your research if you want facial hair as famous as Einstein’s or Nietzsche’s in the future.