Well done, you’ve finally grown the beard of your dreams. It might still be in the weird growth stages, but it’s coming along nicely. The problem is… it looks messy with stray hairs all over.

Now is the time to start thinking about trimming and shaping it. Yes, even though you’re still in the awkward growth stage.

And yes, we know how daunting, annoying and counterintuitive it feels.

Trimming and shaping your beard from time to time is vital in keeping it looking top-notch. The beard is always a work in progress.

However, with these super easy-to-follow guides, you’ll learn step-by-step how to trim your neck, cheek line, and everything to perfection.

Word of advice, this is your ultimate beard grooming guide, so make sure to bookmark it.

When Is the Right Time 

If you are growing a beard for the first time, you must wonder about the best time to trim it. The rule of thumb is to start trimming when there is enough hair which is only possible if at least one month of growth.

At one month, the beard length is perfect so that you won’t be taking any length off than necessary but trimming it to define the shape. This is also the best time to try various short beard styles.

Tools You Will Need

You must invest in the right beard grooming tools to grow an impeccable beard. The following are must-haves to trim your beard the right way: 

• An electric trimmer.
• A beard comb.
• Beard scissors.
• Boar’s hair brush.
• A round brush.

Electric Trimmer

This is by far the essential beard-trimming tool. After a few weeks of growth, you will need a trimmer to set your neckline. You will need an electric trimmer to shape the cheek lines, trim the beard and perform routine maintenance.

Boar’s Hair Brush

Most men, especially first-time beard growers, overlook the importance of a boar’s brush. A boar’s beard brush helps distribute sebum, exfoliates the skin, and helps when it comes to styling the beard.

In addition, it also helps tame the beard, especially if you have naturally curly or wavy hair. Start using a boar’s hair brush on your beard at the one-month growth mark to keep your facial hair healthy and the skin underneath exfoliated.

But the thing is, a boar’s hair brush is expensive. The good news is that there are less expensive synthetic beard brushes you can go for that will perform okay, but you lose most benefits of a boar’s hair brush.

Beard Comb

You won’t need a beard comb in the first stages of beard growth. However, once your hair is over an inch and a half, you must invest in a quality beard comb. Combs help detangle the beard and remove knots.

Use the comb’s wide teeth to remove knots and tangles if you have a bushy beard. A comb will also come in handy when trimming the beard with scissors. A beard comb helps you cut just the right amount of hair for an even, uniform look.

Trimming Scissors

As your beard grows, you will have plenty of random stray hairs, some longer than others. This is where beard-trimming scissors come in.

Beard scissors help snip stray hairs for an even, uniform beard. They are also great for trimming a beardstache, a long goatee, or any mustache of any length and thickness.

Round Brush

Beard waves are familiar with three to six-inch beards. When used with a blow dryer, a round brush helps reduce the waviness and other indentations that may form in the beard.

A round brush will also come in handy when you want to add more shape to your facial hair if it’s straight or lacks volume.

How to Trim Properly

Step 1 – Wash

Before you start trimming, give your beard a good wash. Use a quality beard wash when showering. A beard wash helps soften a beard.

Step 2 – Comb or brush 

Comb or brush your facial hair when it’s still damp to remove tangles and make flyways easier to see. If your facial hair is short, a comb will do, but you’ll need a beard brush if it’s longer.

Step 3 – Trim away the flyaways

Before using the electric trimmer, remove the stray hairs that stick out from the bulk of your beard. After brushing your hair, the flyaways will be easier to see. You can use your beard trimmers to cut them, but a trimmer will do it faster.

Using a trimmer, use it without a guard to cut away the hairs that stick out without over-trimming the beard.

Step 4 – Trim the beard

Now is the time to bring out your electric trimmer. Use a trimmer with adjustable length guards to adjust the length as you go. If you are doing it for the first time, you need to determine what length you are going for and adjust the guards accordingly.

Hold the trimmer at a 90-degree angle and move it gently down your face in a straight line. Always go with the grain to avoid thinning your beard too much. Continue trimming until you get a uniform length.

Step 5 – Define the lines

Most men tend to forget the neckline when trimming the beard. Generally, your neckline should be slightly above Adam’s apple. Use a trimmer to etch a line that connects your ears or jaw on both sides. After that, shave everything else below that.

Step 6 – Trim the mustache

If you have a bushy beard, then it’s highly likely that your mustache is thick too. So, consider trimming the mustache using the same guard you used for the beard.

Step 7 – Style

Once you are satisfied with the length, brush the beard and apply beard oil or beard balm. If there are still any flyaways, use the trimmer or scissors to remove them. Style the beard to a shape that appeals to you.

How to Trim a Beard Neckline

Step 1 – Place two fingers above the Adam’s apple

This is the best way to determine how much hair you should trim away.

Step 2 – Draw an imaginary line from behind your ears

This line should curve down behind each ear, creating a “U” shape.

Step 3 – Shave everything below the line

Use a trimmer and shave everything below the imaginary line you just drew. Do not touch any hair above this line. The hair should wrap around the jawbone and underside of your chin.

Best Products to Use

When you start growing a beard, there are products you need to have in your beard grooming kit.

• Beard wash – a beard wash helps keep your beard and mustache clean and fresh. Never use hair shampoo on your beard since it can strip away natural oils from the beard leading to dryness. Beard wash moisturizes the beard and helps soften the facial hairs for easy trimming.
• Beard conditioner – beard conditioner should always follow a beard wash to lock in moisture and condition the beard.
• Beard oil – beard oil helps tame away flyaways, prevents hair breakage and itchiness, and leaves your beard smelling fantastic.
• Beard wax – beard wax is best when it comes to styling. Beard wax offers a stronger hold than beard balms and oil, ensuring your untamed hairs get under control.
• Beard balm – like hair pomade, beard balm helps style and shape the beard. Beard balms also have moisturizing properties, and their lightweight texture and dual action make them ideal for regular beard care.

Do’s and Don’ts

• Do use the right equipment when trimming your beard. Beard scissors and an electric trimmer will help define the contours when shaping your beard.
• Do trim your beard in stages, starting with the sideburns, moving down your neck and cheeks, and finishing with the mustache.
• Do focus on the shape rather than the size; you want your beard to look neat, so focus on that.
• Do use the right beard products like beard shampoo, beard wash, conditioner, and styling products like beard oil, balm, or wax.
• Don’t cut too much in one go; if unsure about the length, wait until the following day to do touch-ups.
• Don’t forget about symmetry when you are trimming your beard.
• Don’t trim your mustache too short.
• Lastly, don’t forget about the sideburns; keeping your sideburns too unruly will make your face appear wider than it is.

FAQ

Do you trim your beard dry or wet?

It’s advisable to trim your beard when it’s dry than when wet. Wet beard hairs tend to straighten out and appear longer than they are, so trimming when wet will cause them to shrink when dry, leading to an uneven beard.

How do you trim your beard for the first time?

Start trimming with the bigger guard, trimming away from your face before repeating with a smaller guard.

What length should I trim a beard?

The best length to trim your beard is 10mm.

Conclusion

Beard trimming is a huge part of beard grooming. Start trimming your beard at the one-month mark and ensure you have the right tools and products. Beard scissors, electric trimmers, a beard comb and a boar’s hair brush are must-haves.

As for the products, beard shampoo, conditioner and wash are necessary to keep the beard looking neat and clean.
As for styling, consider investing in beard oil, balm and wax.