10 Beard Mistakes That Lead to Bad Beards

Whether you've just grown your first beard or you're a bit of a pro, you've likely made a few beard mistakes. We've all seen bad beards – the patchy kind, the bushy kind, the kind with yesterday's dinner in it. (We call the last one beard sauce-ry around here.)

While we're firm supporters of all things facial hair, sometimes these beard grooming mistakes make us cringe. From full beards to the classic mustache, surely growing a beard is hard to screw up. And yet, we see the same beard mistakes again and again.

Let's be honest: nobody teaches you how to grow a beard. Thankfully, we've compiled the worst beard mistakes to avoid. 

Bad Beard Mistakes You Want to Avoid

1. Not Applying Beard Oil

"I don't need beard oil," says every man with a dry, flaky beard. Beard oil doesn't just make your hair look nice. It nourishes and softens your bristles, moisturizing the underlying skin. It's the secret to avoiding "bad beard" status.

But it's not just about using any old beard oil. You want the good stuff. Look for beard oils containing jojoba oil, argan oil, and several essential oils. You'll also want to use it at least every couple of days, gently massaging it deep into your beard for best results.

Keep your beard healthy and hydrated – avoid this beard grooming mistake.

2. Getting the Neckline Wrong

Most bad beards are awful because of their neckline. People either neglect their neckline entirely or trim it too close to the jaw. 

Where should your neckline be? The line usually runs from just above the Adam's apple around your neck to in line with the corner of your jaw. Get it right, and your beard will have a much fuller appearance. 

3. Growing a Patchy Beard

Patchy beards are another bad beard. If you aren't blessed in the follicle department, it's best to work with what you've got. Either keep it short to minimize the noticeable patches or go for something more like a goatee. 

The other option is to try a hair growth serum like Minoxidil, which can stimulate hair growth in some cases. However, results vary, and it may take several months to see improvements. Patience and consistency are key, but if it doesn't work for you, embracing a shorter style or a goatee can still offer a polished look.

4. The Wrong Beard for Your Face Shape

Every face shape has a beard that suits it and those that don't. People decry the goatee or mutton chops. However, these "bad beards" are usually only bad because they don't suit the face shape. 

Follow these tips:

• Oval: Full beard or stubble suits most styles.
• Round: Goatee or boxed beard to add definition.
• Square: Rounded or short beard to soften the jawline.
• Rectangular: Fuller beard with short sides for balance.
• Diamond: Chinstrap or full beard to widen the jaw.
• Heart: Goatee or boxed beard to balance chin and forehead.

5. Using a Plastic Comb

This classic beard grooming mistake does more harm than you think. Men often buy cheap combs, thinking it doesn't matter – it does! Plastic combs contain teeth that are sharp, damaging your beard and skin. The static may even leave the beard frizzier than you started.

The solution? Try a sandalwood beard comb that is perfect for distributing your beard oil throughout your hair. Another popular option is a boar bristle beard brush (try saying that after a few drinks). 

6. Washing Your Beard with Soap 

Your beard and the underlying skin are more sensitive than you'd imagine. Rubbing harsh soaps into your face is a surefire way to get dry, itchy skin. 

We recommend using a specially formulated beard shampoo that won't irritate or dry out your skin. Consider that the skin on your face is much thinner than elsewhere, and you can see the potential problems you'll be avoiding. 

7. Picking at Your Beard

We all absentmindedly pick at our beards from time to time. Who doesn't love to give it a good stroke? It makes us look gentlemanly. But if you pick at your beard too much, you can damage the underlying follicles, leading to patchiness.

While a gentle stroke is harmless, constant picking can lead to irritation and breakage. To avoid this, keep your hands busy with something else when you're tempted. Incorporating beard oil into your routine can also help keep your beard soft and less tempting to fidget with.

8. Ignoring the Mustache

Your mustache is just as much a part of your beard as everywhere else. Yet, it doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves. People with just a mustache are equally culpable, leaving their upper lip fuzz without any special care. 

It's got to change! Your mustache should receive a good wash, beard oil, and even special mustache wax. Containing beeswax, argan oil, jojoba oil, and more, a reliable mustache wax helps provide structure to your upper lip. 

9. Not Defining Your Top Line

We've talked about the neckline, but what about the top line? It runs along the upper length of your beard. Depending on the beard style, it can be low or high. 

We advise keeping the line relatively high if you have a full beard. There's a tendency among men to take it lower and lower, relegating your beard to little more than a chin strap. The top line should be as natural as possible, removing only those rogue hairs that grow higher on the cheek.

10. Forgetting to Trim

The worst beard mistake – the one that is the ultimate bad beard – is the poorly groomed beard. Scraggly, scruffy, and containing most of your lunch, these poor beards should be donated to a better home. (We should really run a TV advert raising awareness about beards in need.)

Neglecting to trim your beard is a cardinal mistake. Establish a beard grooming routine and stick to it. Even a badly groomed beard is better than no grooming at all!