Style Overview
Beards are a versatile styling tool and a perfect way to express yourself, giving you the power to make statements both subtle and bold at the same time. But one of the biggest problems that beard-growers have is understanding how to change the direction of their beard hair and achieve the desired look.
Rather than growing the same beard style that you’ve had for years, you can spice things up by changing the direction of the facial hair. It’s an easy and effective way to give your face a completely different look. By learning a few styling tips, you can find the look that works best for you.
Determine Length
Before learning how to manipulate the direction of your beard, you’ll first need to determine the length of your facial hair. Depending on how long your hair is, the steps for changing its direction may vary.
If your facial hair is shorter, you’ll need one of the best clipper sets to trim it evenly. When you use these clippers, set different blades to different lengths and switch between them to create a natural look. It’s also a good idea to trim your beard with scissors instead of a clipper to create precise shapes and details.
On the other hand, if your beard is longer than 6-8 mm, then you may find it easier to comb it rather than trim it. By using a wide-toothed comb, gently comb your beard in the desired direction, starting from the chin and gradually moving up to the jawline. This will help create a softer, more subtle shape.
Choose Style
The next step is to decide on the beard style you want. Whether you’re opting for a full beard, stubble, or a soul patch, it’s important to decide on the shape and length of your facial hair before going ahead and changing its direction.
If you’re looking for a more natural look, you could opt for an unbounded style which utilizes the natural growth pattern of the facial hair. For a fullbeard look, it’s best to comb the beard down in one direction—for example, toward your chin. This will help you achieve a neat, clean look.
On the other hand, if you’re aiming for a more eccentric or statement-making style, you could experiment with different directions and use products such as wax or balm for extra hold. An undercut also works well for a more sharp look, as it exposes the chin and jawline for a unique look.
Techniques
Once you’ve chosen the style, the only thing left to do is to practice the techniques to achieve it. The most basic and most commonly used technique is to use the fingers to shape and direct the beard. Just be careful to not pull too hard on the beard, as this could lead to discomfort and pain. To avoid that, lightly move the hair and shape it gradually.
You can also use a beard brush to help you, as it has large, soft bristles which help distribute natural oils evenly. Additionally, with the same motion, a brush can also help you gently direct the hair in whichever direction you prefer, while still looking natural.
Other Methods
If you’re looking for an even more precise result, then you could try using clippers and scissors again. With this technique, you want to start off by creating an outline by using a shorter length on the clipper. Once this is done, you can then use scissors to blend the longer and shorter sections and craft your desired shape.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more modern solution, you could try using a beard trimmer or hair dryer and brush. By using the trimmer or dryer, you can create the basic shape and direction, while the brush will help you define it and make it look smooth.
Maintaining Direction
To help keep your beard in the chosen direction, you’ll need to use some specially-designed products, such as oils and waxes. These products help to create a stronger hold and also moisturize the beard, which prevents it from becoming brittle and breaking.
If you have a mustache, you can also use a mustache wax to train it and keep it in the desired shape. You can either use the wax alone or combine it with a styling product to help you achieve the look you want.
Caring for the Beard
Once you’ve achieved the shape you want, you still need to look after your beard in order to keep it looking presentable. This includes regularly washing and brushing it to make sure no food or other particles become trapped in it, leading to bacteria growth. You should also keep using oils and waxes to keep your hair nourished and strong.
Finally, even if you don’t want to change the direction of your beard too often, it’s still a good idea to trim it regularly. This will help prevent split ends and make sure your beard looks neat.
Grooming the Beard
Apart from the tools and techniques mentioned above, there are some additional tricks and tools which can help you to achieve the look you want. One of the most common being beard grooming scissors. Beard grooming scissors are specially designed to trim and shape beards with precision, allowing you to control the shape and length of each hair.
You can also use beard shaping tools, which are specifically designed to help you create the exact shape you desire. Just brush your beard with the tool, and the shape will be transferred into the facial hair. These tools are ideal for those looking for a more defined shape and look.
Conclusion
With the right tools and techniques, you can easily change the direction of your facial hair and achieve the desired look. Just remember to be patient, as it will take some time and practice to perfect it. Thinking about the style and length you want beforehand will also help make the whole process easier. Good luck!
