How to Train Your Beard to Grow Down

I get asked about this often and having dealt with the wild, unruly twists and turns of a curly beard myself, over the years, I’ve learned the trials of managing a beard that prefers to do its own thing. If you're looking to tame your wild hairs and train your beard to grow downward for a neater, more attractive appearance, you're in the right place.

Here are three tried and tested tips that I've used to train my beard from wild to streamlined.

Tip 1: Using Heat from a Hairdryer

How It Works: Heat is often used in barbershops and online beard grooming tutorials. When applied, it softens the hair, making it more pliable and easier to shape. Using a hairdryer, you can effectively direct your beard hairs to settle straighter than natural, which is especially useful after a shower when your beard is still slightly damp.

Steps to Follow:

1. Wash your beard as usual and gently towel-dry it so that it remains slightly damp.
2. Apply a heat protectant to minimise heat damage.
3. Using a beard comb, gently comb your beard in a downward direction while applying warm air from the hairdryer. Keep the dryer at least a few inches away to avoid overheating.

The Risks: While this method is effective in the short term, frequent heat can lead to dryness and brittleness. To counteract this, always use a heat protectant before styling and keep the dryer on a moderate heat setting. Also, it's crucial not to overdo it—limit this technique to once or twice a week. Personally, I don’t use heat on my beard. A barber did it years ago to see what my beard would look like, I didn’t like the results so I have not done it since.

Tip 2: Using Braw Beard Butter and a Brush To Train Your Beard (my personal favourite technique)

How It Works: Braw Beard butter is a fantastic product packed with natural butters and oils that not only nourish the beard but also help weigh down those stubborn hairs, training them to grow in the desired direction.

Why It’s Effective: The combination of mango butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, avocado butter, shea butter, beeswax, and vitamin E in Braw Beard butter delivers essential nutrients and moisture to your beard. This rich mix helps soften the hair, making it easier to manage and style while the beeswax works on giving the hair some hold.

Steps to Follow:

1. Scoop a small amount of beard butter and warm it between your palms.
2. Work the butter through your dry beard, making sure to cover from root to tip.
3. Use a beard brush to evenly distribute the butter and style your beard downwards. Do this daily and the brushing helps train the hairs to grow in the direction you style them.

Benefits: Regular use of beard butter in conjunction with a beard brush not only trains your beard but also keeps it conditioned and healthy, reducing the risk of split ends and breakage.

Tip 3: Using a Hair Band to Tie the Hair

How It Works: Tying your beard is a simple method to train it to grow downwards, especially if you have a longer beard.

Steps to Follow:

1. Once your beard is conditioned with Braw Beard oil and brushed, gather it into a loose ponytail at the base of your neck.
2. Secure it with a soft hair band that won't tug or break the hair. Ensure it's not too tight to avoid discomfort and potential damage.

Why It’s Effective: This method physically restricts the beard hairs from curling upwards and outwards, gradually training them to point inward.

Considerations: Be cautious of pulling the hair too tightly, which can damage follicles which could cause the hair to fall out. Also, this is more suitable for beards of substantial length.

Naturally, the longer the beard hair, the easier it is to guide downwards. I had a wild beard in the early days of Braw Beard and over time I have trained my beard to point downwards. Training your beard to grow down takes patience and persistence. Remember, the key is consistency and care, allowing you to not only look your best but also feel confident in your beard's appearance. 

Thanks for reading.
JJ.