5 Beard Trimming Tips to Help You Master the Art of Beardcraft

Put down the trimmer. Forget the shortcuts. Mastering the art of beardcraft means learning the basics, from what tools to use to pick a style that suits your face. 

Let's not waste any time.

Grab yourself a mirror, some scissors, and a cup of coffee as we share our best beard trimming tips.

5 Beard Trimming Tips

1. Use the scissors, Luke!

Relying on a pair of stainless-steel scissors is all you need for trimming your beard or mustache. Avoid barber's scissors that go up to 7 inches. You'll only need a 3–4-inch length – sometimes even smaller is more precise. 

Look after them, and sharpen them when dull. 

Alongside your scissors, you'll need a sandalwood comb and boar bristle beard brush. The sandalwood comb is ideal for your mustache, while the boar bristle brush helps you untangle and unknot your beard. Being made of hair, it effortlessly glides through your beard without pulling on the hair. 

2. Fit your face

The most common beard blunder is choosing a beard that doesn't fit your face. While men with oval-shaped faces can get away with pretty much any style, the rest of us need to be a little more selective. Here's an overview of the best beards for each face shape:

• Oblong face. You'll want to widen your face with mutton chops or a broader full beard.
• Rectangular face. The full beard, chin curtain, and extended goatee all soften your face's extreme right angles.
• Round face. Create a focal point using a goatee or soul patch, or reshape the contours using a chin strap.
• Square face. Avoid full beards. Instead, a balbo or goatee and mustache are your best option.
• Diamond face. The full beard, balbo, and goatee all work well with this face shape.
• Inverted triangle. Choose either a chin curtain or extended goatee to balance out your face.
• Triangle face. A balbo, goatee, or chin strap and mustache are all viable options.

3. Oil that beard, brother!

Using beard oil isn't just about smelling nice; it's about nourishing and hydrating your beard. Showering and using beard shampoo will strip away some of your beard's natural oils. That leaves your beard dry and brittle. 

By rubbing a little beard oil into your beard hair, you soften the hairs and keep them healthy. That'll make trimming easier going forwards. 

You'll want to ensure your beard oil contains the right ingredients. Look for base oils like coconut oil, argan oil, castor oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter.

4. Wash and condition before you trim

Too many men dive into trimming their beards without giving them a little TLC. Considering beards are a magnet for dirt and grime, you'll want to clear out much of the dirt. That means using a specially-formulated beard shampoo. 

Never use regular hair shampoo – it'll strip your beard of all its natural oils. Beard shampoos are designed to clean your beard without disrupting the natural oil balance. Finish up with a healthy dose of conditioner to further soften your beard before you start trimming. 

5. Measure with your comb

A sandalwood comb isn't just useful for combing; it can also help ensure an even trim. Guide the comb through your beard or mustache until you've reached the desired length; trim the hairs poking through the teeth. Doing so guarantees an even line – that's particularly helpful when trimming your mustache.

Final thoughts

Those are our top beard trimming tips – the secrets we use to ensure our beards are always in tip-top condition. We hope you've learned a thing or two, and we look forward to hearing about your experiences.

Think we've missed something? Let us know your best beards tips in the comments below. Remember, sharing is caring.