Barbering is more than following trends and cutting hair. Sure, a significant part of the craft is taming unruly locks and styling hair into fresh new looks, but it isn’t limited to the hair on top of the head. Facial hair is equally important and can be just as impactful to a client’s overall look.
Whether you’re a seasoned beard pro or just starting your facial hair journey, there are many related skills to master. Beard care is far more complicated and nuanced than most people realize, with techniques that can be challenging but incredibly rewarding to learn.
Here, we’re discussing the business of beards and giving those magnificent chin hairs the spotlight they deserve. From bushy beasts to sculpted and trimmed, we appreciate beards of all varieties. Read on to learn how to care for them properly, enhance their appearance, and more!
Your Guide to Barbering Better Beards
Facial hair can add an extra layer of complexity and visual intrigue to your aesthetic. It’s masculine yet can be as wild or refined as you please. There is practically unlimited potential that accompanies growing a beard, giving you the opportunity to create a distinct look that complements your personality and overall appearance.
When there’s room for improvement or a customer has a particular look they’re trying to achieve, it’s important for barbers to have the skills and tools at their disposal to make those beard dreams a reality.
Solutions for a Patchy Beard
There are few things more frustrating than a patchy beard. Whatever the cause of the problem—things like genetics and lifestyle can be factors—the reality of living with a patchy beard can be more than a little annoying. Thankfully, there are ways to combat this issue.
Aside from simply letting the beard grow (sometimes, this is the most effective solution), lifestyle changes (including diet and exercise), hair-loss drugs, micro-needling, beard oil, and certain styling techniques (such as dying and proper trimming) can all help hide or correct a patchy beard.
As a barber, you should familiarize yourself with all of these beard patch solutions so you can best help your clients achieve the look they desire!
Beard Extensions
Longer beards make a statement that many men relate to. While some may be able to achieve this look naturally in a reasonable amount of time, others may struggle to reach the length they desire in a healthy and timely way. For those in the latter category, beard extensions are worth consideration.
The most common type of beard extensions is known as weft extensions. They are constructed around a single strip of material onto which hair is either glued or sewn. They come in a variety of lengths and styles and are extremely versatile. Once they are applied, they can be treated almost exactly like a real beard.
Extensions are typically bonded, woven (or braided), or clipped to your preexisting facial hair. The process is relatively simple, and the results speak for themselves. If you choose to remove the extensions, you don’t have to worry about damaging your natural hair—the removal is quick, easy, and harmless.
Caring for Your Skin
The hair itself may steal the spotlight when it comes to beards, but it is the skin beneath that makes all the difference. If your skin is unhealthy, your beard will suffer, which is why caring for your skin is essential if you want to rock a healthy, good-looking beard.
This is where beard oils, balms, and other such beard-care products shine. Not only do they give your beard that voluminous, healthy, envy-worthy aesthetic, but they also moisturize and nourish the skin it grows from. As a barber, be prepared to talk to your clients about the benefits of a skincare routine, as well as the products you recommend to take their beard to the next level.
Beard Styling is Everything
A beard can speak volumes of personality, individual style, and who someone is as a person. It’s as much an art as it is a science. That being said, styling and trimming a beard properly can enhance its overall aesthetic and health.
From complementing a client’s facial shape to ensuring the beard is trimmed evenly, a skilled barber should be able to work with a customer’s natural facial hair to elevate their look and improve the health of their beard. It takes practice to identify the right look for a given situation, but with enough time and commitment, you can craft pristine beards time and time again.
Caring for beards is an integral part of becoming a well-rounded barber. While there are many facets of this craft that must be mastered to become truly adept at beard care, starting with the skills above will give you a strong foundation on which to build.
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