How To Use Beard Balm Properly (And Get The Best Results)

June 8, 2026

How To Use Beard Balm Properly (And Get The Best Results)

One of the most common beard care questions I see is:

"How do I actually use beard balm?"

Many men buy a tin of beard balm, scoop some out, rub it into their beard and hope for the best.

While there's no single "correct" way to use beard balm, there are definitely methods that will help you get better results.

Whether you're trying to tame flyaway hairs, add shape to your beard or simply improve your beard care routine, this guide will show you exactly how I use beard balm after more than a decade of growing and maintaining a long beard.

What Is Beard Balm?

Before we talk about application, it's important to understand what beard balm is designed to do.

Beard balm is primarily a styling product.

Unlike beard oil, which focuses mainly on conditioning the hair and moisturising the skin underneath, beard balm adds:

• Light hold
• Shape
• Control
• Styling assistance
• Additional conditioning

Most quality beard balms contain ingredients such as:

• Beeswax
• Shea butter
• Mango butter
• Cocoa butter
• Natural carrier oils

These ingredients help tame wispy hairs while keeping the beard healthy and manageable.

Beard Balm vs Beard Butter

This is where things can get confusing.

When I first created Braw Beard Butter back in 2014, "beard butter" wasn't really a thing.

At the time, most beard balms were very waxy and heavy.

I wanted something softer and easier to work with, so I called it beard butter.

Today, many beard butters are much softer than traditional balms.

Braw Beard Butter sits somewhere between a balm and a butter, offering:

• Conditioning
• Light hold
• Easy application
• Beard control

Ultimately, the application process remains very similar.

Step 1: Scoop Out A Small Amount

One of the biggest mistakes people make is using too much.

You don't need a huge scoop.

For most beards, a pea-sized amount is enough to start with.

You can always add more if needed.

It's far easier to add product than it is to remove excess product once it's already in your beard.

Step 2: Warm It In Your Hands

Place the balm between your palms and rub your hands together.

As it warms up, the balm will melt into a light oil.

This makes it much easier to distribute evenly throughout your beard.

If your balm contains natural butters, you may occasionally notice a slightly grainy texture.

This is completely normal and often occurs during the cooling process of natural ingredients.

Once warmed properly, it melts down and performs exactly as intended.

Step 3: Work It Into The Skin

This is a step many people skip.

Don't just coat the outside of your beard.

Work the balm down into the skin underneath.

A quality balm can help:

• Moisturise the skin
• Reduce beard itch
• Minimise irritation
• Support overall beard comfort

Once you've covered the skin, work the remaining product through the beard hair itself.

Aim for even coverage from root to tip.

Step 4: Comb Through The Beard

Once the balm has been applied, use a wide-tooth beard comb.

Combing helps:

• Distribute the product evenly
• Remove tangles
• Reduce knots
• Improve beard shape

For longer beards, start combing at the bottom first.

This is an important technique many men overlook.

Instead of forcing a comb through the entire beard at once:

1. Start at the tips
2. Remove small tangles
3. Gradually work higher
4. Comb the full beard once detangled

This reduces unnecessary pulling and helps prevent breakage.

Step 5: Brush For Shape And Volume

After combing, use a beard brush.

A quality beard brush helps:

• Distribute product further
• Add volume
• Improve shape
• Train beard hairs
• Create a fuller appearance

One tip many people miss is brushing upward from underneath the beard.

This helps straighten hidden hairs underneath and creates a denser, fuller-looking beard.

Don't neglect the underside of your beard.

That's often where much of the volume comes from.

Related reading:
Why you need a beard brush

Should You Use Beard Oil Before Beard Balm?

In my opinion: yes.

My personal routine is:

1. Beard wash
2. Towel dry
3. Beard oil
4. Comb
5. Beard balm
6. Brush

The reason is simple.

Beard oil is designed to reach the skin and condition the beard from the foundation upward.

Beard balm is thicker and slightly more wax-like.

Applying beard oil first helps ensure the skin underneath receives maximum benefit before the styling product is added on top.

Some people prefer the reverse order, but oil first has worked consistently for me for years.

Related reading:
Beard oil vs beard balm

What Does Beard Balm Actually Do?

Beard balm helps:

• Tame flyaway hairs
• Reduce frizz
• Add shape
• Create a neater appearance
• Provide light hold
• Support moustache training
• Protect against harsh weather

It won't turn your beard into concrete.

Strong winds will still move it around.

But it can make a noticeable difference in how tidy and controlled your beard looks throughout the day.