In a world where fashion trends, beauty, and hygiene are catered to women, it can be difficult for men to find a suitable product tailored to their unique needs. However, the landscape of men’s grooming is evolving rapidly, with a growing selection of products and routines designed for men’s hair, skin, and style preferences. But, many products sold as “for men” or “for women” contain the same product/ingredients for different pricing. As men's attitudes change towards beauty products, younger men are seemingly more comfortable talking about current trends, hair care, and other related beauty topics. In this era of breaking barriers, this guide has everything you need to enhance your routine and achieve your best look.  

Current Beard and Mustache Trends & How to Maintain Them:  

Some classic beard looks that are still trendy today include the full beard and short boxed beard. The “full beard” look is essentially growing out the mustache and beard area but keeping it neat on the shape and groomed on the sides. The “short boxed beard” consists of a shorter beard closer to the skin along with a trimmed neckline. Other looks that have been rising to popularity are the goatee, faded beards, and the anchor beard. These looks are popular among younger men.  

To keep up with beard maintenance, some key products every guy should have are trimmers, beard oil, beard wash, brush, and some type of styling pomade or wax. Before trimming the beard, a salon tip is to either steam or wrap a damp heated towel over the beard. This will open the follicles and soften the cuticle layer of the hair shaft. Therefore, facilitating the trimming process. But before trimming, it's important to brush the beard fully through and make sure the beard area is moisturized or lubricated. If the beard is long enough, try using a comb to guide the trimming. Do this by brushing halfway through and trimming along the comb for a seamless silhouette. 

A step that is very overlooked in beard maintenance is washing the beard. This crucial step allows the beard to be grime-free, promotes healthy hair growth, and prevents dryness, irritation, flakes, and in-grown hairs. After washing, it's recommended to apply beard oil. Some benefits of beard oil are reducing beard dandruff, keeping it moisturized, and making the beard look fuller. Then, if wanted, shape the beard with pomade or wax. Pomade for a softer and natural look; perfect for the flyways. Wax is more sticky compared to pomade so it's perfect for shaping mustaches and giving the beard a stiffer and neater look. For older men with grey hair, consider looking into our Silver Fox product line and read this article for more related tips.   

 Choosing the Right Shampoo for Different Men’s Hair Types  

Just like we all have different hair colors and textures, there is a shampoo out there for each type. For thin hair, it is best to go for a shampoo that is described “volumizing”. It is essentially a light formula that doesn't weigh down the hair follicles, providing a fuller look. A brand loved by all fine-haired people, is Ghost Shampoo. Products labeled as “nourishing” are meant for curly or thicker hair, as they need the moisture for curls and thicker hair shafts. For curly hair, consider using a salon-approved brand like Redken. For thick hair, a formula like Ouai would work best. These shampoos tend to be on the heavy and creamy side. Finally, there’s color-treated shampoos that will keep the color locked inside the cuticle, while cleaning the hair. An affordable option would be Heritage Color Care. On the other hand, a product that is pricier but worth the money is, RedKen’s Color Extend Magnetics. A major worry for most males, is the inevitable fate of male pattern baldness. This is hereditary but can happen to anyone. To maximize the life of your hair make sure to manage stress levels, eat a protein based diet, and consume daily vitamins such as vitamin A, B, C, D, and E, zin and iron.  

Essentials for Sensitive Skin 
 

• Challenges of Sensitive Skin 
   

Having sensitive skin can be uncomfortable for even the toughest men, so understanding what works uniquely for your skin is important. Skin disorders, excessive exposure to natural elements, and overt dryness can cause sensitive skin. The best way to combat this is by being attentive. Checking labels for harmful chemicals is one good way to avoid irritation. The shorter the ingredient list the better, so be sure to avoid lengthy ingredient list, especially with chemicals like ethylene glycol monobutyl acetate, sodium hypochlorite, and trisodium phosphate. 
 
Fabric can also be considered an irritant for sensitive skin, especially considering how fast fashion has encouraged the use of harmful plastics in fabric. Even raw wool can inflame sensitive skin, so sticking to materials like linen and cotton will be your best bet.  
 

• Sensitive Skin-Friendly Grooming Routine 

 
For men with sensitive skin, overcomplicating your skincare routine can lead to more harm than good.  It’s best to keep things simple with a gentle cleanser that has hydrating properties, like the Versed Skin Hydrating Cleanser. Keeping the skin hydrated is an effective way to mitigate irritation, however, moisturizers with fragrance can dry out and agitate sensitive skin, so make sure to use fragrance-free products, especially moisturizers. If you need extra pointers on a solid skincare routine with a side of relaxation, you can read our Ultimate Guide to an At-Home Spa Day for Men. 
 
Beard maintenance should follow swiftly after skincare. Once your skin is prepped and properly hydrated, go in with a quality aftershave to prevent ingrown hairs. Finding a fragrance-free aftershave isn’t always easy, so we recommend Harry’s Post Shave Balm to soothe your freshly shaved skin. If you want to make sure your beard is extra soft and taken care of, try finishing off your routine with some shea butter. Shea butter is safe for all skin types and anti-inflammatory, so finishing off your routine with this butter will add a soothing finish  
 
 

@thebryandeane HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR BEARD Part 1: 8 Steps for a well-kept beard! #beard #taperfade #4chair #fyp #mensgrooming #beardcare #blackmensbeard #blackmenhair ♬ original sound - wisdm.mari