7 Mistakes I'd Avoid If I Started Growing My Beard Again

If I had to shave my beard off today and start growing it again tomorrow, there are a few things I'd do completely differently.

And some of them are probably the opposite of what you've been told online.

I've been growing facial hair for most of my life, and I've spent more than 14 years building Braw Beard, Scotland's original beard care brand.

During that time, I've made plenty of mistakes.

I've trimmed parts I wish I'd left alone. I've allowed other people's opinions to influence how I looked. And I've spent years learning how different grooming decisions affect the appearance of a long beard.

So, if you're starting your beard growing journey and your goal is a big, full beard, here are seven mistakes I'd avoid.

Some might save you months of unnecessary frustration.

1. Trimming Your Beard Because You Think It'll Grow Faster

This is one of the most common beard-growing myths I hear.

“If I keep trimming my beard, will it grow faster?”

No.

Beard hair grows from follicles beneath your skin.

Trimming the ends doesn't send a message to those follicles telling them to work harder.

You're simply removing length.

If your goal is to grow a long beard, continually cutting it shorter is going to slow your progress towards that particular goal.

Does That Mean You Should Never Trim Your Beard?

Not at all.

There's a difference between maintaining a shape and repeatedly removing the length you're trying to grow.

If you've got a few unruly hairs sticking out, there's nothing wrong with tidying them.

If your beard has become uneven, a small adjustment can improve its appearance.

But if you want a substantial beard, be clear with your barber about how much length you're willing to lose.

These days, I might visit my barber every two or three months.

Even then, it's usually a case of brushing the beard out, checking the shape and removing very small amounts where necessary.

I'm interested in seeing how long my beard can grow.

So I'm not going to keep chopping it back unnecessarily.

What I'd do differently: Let the beard develop for longer before making major trimming decisions.

Related reading: how often should you trim your beard

Related reading: Does Shaving Make Hair Grow Back Thicker?

2. Trimming the Sides Too Short

This is probably the mistake I'd most like to go back and change.

If you've seen my beard, you'll know it has a fairly distinctive shape.

It's almost like a shield.

The sides are narrower, the beard comes down towards a point, and it has become the shape people associate with me.

But that wasn't some carefully designed master plan.

It happened because of how I used to have my beard trimmed.

How My Beard Developed Its Shape

Years ago, my barber would regularly trim the sides while allowing the front to grow longer.

Over time, that created the shape I have today.

And I like it.

I'm comfortable with it.

It's become my look.

But looking back, I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I'd left the sides alone.

How wide could it have grown?

How bushy could it have become?

I'll never know exactly what that original growth would have looked like.

Why the Sides Matter for a Big Beard

If you want a wide, full beard, the hair growing along your cheeks and jaw contributes to the overall silhouette.

Regularly cutting those areas short limits how much width they can develop.

That might be exactly what you want if you're going for a narrow, pointed style.

But if your goal is a big, natural beard, don't automatically remove the sides because somebody tells you they need tidied.

What I'd do differently: Allow the sides to grow alongside the chin and front of the beard before deciding on a permanent shape.

You can always remove width later.

Growing it back takes time.

3. Shaving the Neckline Too High

This is another big one.

Especially if you eventually want a long beard.

When your beard is short, creating a sharp neckline can make it look neat and deliberate.

There's nothing inherently wrong with that.

But as your beard gets longer, the hair underneath your jaw and around your upper neck becomes increasingly important to its overall fullness.

Why Neck Hair Matters for Long Beards

Imagine looking at a long beard from the side.

The front is hanging down.

But underneath, the neck has been shaved right up towards the jawline.

Now there's less hair behind the outer beard.

Depending on your natural density, the result can look thinner or less substantial.

That underneath growth helps create the body of a large beard.

It's one of the things that can make a long beard look chunky rather than wispy.

The Barber Mistake I Made

In the early days, I let my neckline get trimmed far too high.

At the time, I thought it looked great.

It was sharp.

It was neat.

It looked freshly groomed.

But looking back at old photographs, I wish I'd allowed more of that underneath growth to remain.

Thankfully, hair grows back.

It wasn't a permanent mistake.

But it was unnecessary time spent regrowing something I'd already grown.

Where Should Your Neckline Be?

It depends on your beard length and the style you're trying to achieve.

For a short beard, a defined neckline can be useful.

For a long beard, you may want to retain much more of the natural growth beneath your jaw.

The key is to avoid automatically shaving everything high up towards the jawline without considering the finished beard you're trying to grow.

What I'd do differently: Keep more of the underneath growth and let it contribute to the overall density of the beard.

4. Letting a Barber Decide What My Beard Should Look Like

A good barber is worth their weight in gold.

But you still need to communicate what you're trying to achieve.

I've had barbers over the years who did an excellent job making my beard look sharp.

The problem wasn't necessarily their technique.

It was that I didn't always explain my long-term goal.

A barber might naturally want you to leave looking:

• neat;
• symmetrical;
• sharply lined;
• freshly trimmed.

And that's completely understandable.

But if you're trying to grow the biggest beard you can, a sharp finish isn't always the priority.

Tell Your Barber Your Actual Goal

Instead of sitting down and saying:

“Just tidy it up.”

Be more specific.

Try:

“I'm growing this out. Please keep as much length as possible, leave the sides to develop and don't take the neckline too high.”

That gives the barber something useful to work with.

And if you're not comfortable with how much they're planning to remove, say so.

It's your beard.

You can always take more off later.

You can't stick it back on.

What I'd do differently: Explain the long-term goal before anyone picks up the scissors or clippers.

5. Thinking Beard-Care Products Will Make It Grow Faster

I've been making beard care products since 2012.

And I'll happily tell you that beard oil isn't some magic growth serum.

That's not its job.

Your natural beard growth is influenced by things including genetics, age and the characteristics of your hair follicles.

Cosmetic beard products don't override all of that.

What Beard Oil Actually Does

I use beard oil to condition the facial hair and moisturise the skin underneath.

A good beard oil can help your beard feel:

• softer;
• more manageable;
• less rough;
• easier to comb.

That's particularly useful as the beard becomes longer.

You're maintaining the hair you've spent months or years growing.

And that's important.

What About Beard Wash?

Keeping your beard and the skin underneath clean is another part of a sensible routine.

Sweat, dirt, dead skin and grooming products can accumulate throughout the day.

A gentle cleanser can help remove that build-up.

But cleaning your beard doesn't force the follicles to produce hair faster.

And ordinary dry skin doesn't physically block every new beard hair from emerging.

Good beard care is about hygiene, conditioning and comfort.

It doesn't need miraculous growth claims to be worthwhile.

What I'd Do Differently

I'd establish a simple routine early:

1. Wash the beard according to my lifestyle and skin.

2. Apply beard oil to the hair and skin.

3. Comb gently when there's enough length.

4. Use beard balm or butter if I need additional styling control.

Then I'd stop worrying about finding a magic growth product.

Related reading: how to grow a beard faster

6. Neglecting My General Health While Focusing on Products

Your beard grows from living follicles.

The hair you can see outside your skin is already formed.

That's why I always encourage people to think about their general health as well as what they're applying to their beard.

You don't need a special beard-growing diet.

But your body does need adequate nutrition to function properly.

Eat Properly

A balanced diet that provides sufficient protein, energy, vitamins and minerals supports normal bodily functions, including hair production.

That might include:

• fish;
• eggs;
• meat;
• beans;
• nuts;
• seeds;
• vegetables;
• fruit;
• whole grains.

Don't expect one particular food to make your beard grow twice as fast.

And don't assume taking more vitamins is beneficial if you're already getting enough.

If you're concerned about a genuine deficiency, seek medical advice rather than blindly buying supplements.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water is important for your overall health.

But drinking extra water beyond your needs isn't a proven method of accelerating beard growth.

The goal is to look after yourself.

Not to search for a biological shortcut.

Look After Your Body

I've spent much of my life involved in sport.

Boxing, mountain biking, the gym and various other activities.

My fitness and eating habits have changed over the years, just like anybody else's.

But I always feel better when I'm looking after myself.

And that's a worthwhile goal regardless of what your beard is doing.

What I'd do differently: Concentrate on a sustainable, healthy lifestyle rather than expecting grooming products to compensate for everything else.

7. Letting Other People's Opinions Influence My Beard

This is the biggest lesson, and it isn't really about grooming.

When I started Braw Beard, I wasn't comfortable being the centre of attention.

I was a fairly quiet, shy guy.

I'd created a beard oil because I wanted something that worked for my own facial hair.

I never originally planned to become the face of a beard-care brand.

But as Braw Beard grew, I became more visible.

And that meant people started having opinions.

About the business.

About me.

About my beard.

Some were positive.

Some weren't.

I Used to Take Negative Comments Personally

When you're not used to being in the public eye, negative comments can get under your skin.

I considered changing the shape of my beard to make other people happy.

Not because I wanted a different beard.

Because I thought it might stop the criticism.

That's a terrible reason to change your appearance.

You Cannot Please Everybody

This is something I've learned over the years.

No matter what you do, somebody won't like it.

Grow a long beard?

Someone thinks you should trim it.

Trim it?

Someone thinks you should grow it.

Shave it?

Someone thinks you looked better with a beard.

You can't win that game.

And you shouldn't be trying to.

Grow Your Beard for Yourself

If you want a big beard, grow one.

If you want a short beard, keep it short.

If you want to shave, shave.

Beards aren't for everybody.

They shouldn't be.

The world would be pretty boring if we all looked the same.

The important thing is that you're making the decision because it's what you want.

Not because you're trying to match somebody else's idea of what you should look like.

What I'd do differently: Stop allowing other people's opinions to influence my appearance much earlier.

How I'd Grow a Long Beard From Scratch Today

If I had to start again tomorrow, I'd keep the process fairly simple.

Months 1-3: Let It Develop

I'd avoid major trimming decisions.

I'd keep the beard clean, look after the skin underneath and give the facial hair a chance to establish itself.

I wouldn't panic about uneven growth or compare it with somebody else's three-month beard.

Related reading: three-month beard growth

Months 3-6: Preserve the Shape I'm Trying to Grow

I'd pay particular attention to the sides and underneath growth.

If my goal was a large, full beard, I'd avoid automatically trimming those areas short.

I'd start using a comb and brush as the beard developed enough length to need them.

Months 6-12: Maintain Rather Than Constantly Redesign

I'd let the length develop.

I'd tidy individual problem areas where necessary but avoid repeatedly cutting away months of progress.

I'd also take photographs so I could compare actual changes over time.

After 12 Months: Decide What I Really Want

By this stage, I'd have a much better understanding of my beard's natural:

• density;
• shape;
• curl;
• growth pattern;
• length;
• styling requirements.

Then I'd decide whether to keep growing or settle into a particular shape.

The important thing is that I wouldn't rush into permanent-looking style decisions during the early stages.

What If You've Already Made These Mistakes?

Don't worry about it.

I've made them too.

If you've trimmed your sides too short, let them grow.

If you've shaved your neckline too high, give it time to fill back in.

If you've over-trimmed the front, stop taking length off for a while.

If you've been comparing yourself with other men, start measuring your progress against your own previous photographs instead.

Most ordinary beard-grooming mistakes are temporary.

Hair grows.

Styles change.

You learn.

That's part of the experience.

The Biggest Thing I've Learned About Growing a Beard

It's not a secret ingredient.

It's not a special comb.

And it's definitely not some miracle serum.

It's understanding what you want and giving yourself enough time to achieve it.

When I first started growing my beard, I didn't have the knowledge I have today.

I made decisions based on what looked good that particular afternoon.

I didn't always consider what those decisions would mean six months or a year later.

Now I do.

And if you're starting your beard-growing journey, hopefully you can learn from some of those mistakes rather than repeating them.

Final Thoughts

If I shaved my beard off tomorrow and started again, I'd do three things differently above everything else.

I'd let the sides grow.

I'd keep more of the underneath growth.

And I'd stop worrying about what other people thought.

The rest is straightforward.

Keep it clean.

Condition the hair.

Look after yourself.

Don't repeatedly remove the length you're trying to grow.

And give it time.

A good beard doesn't happen overnight.

But the process becomes much more enjoyable when you stop fighting against it.

Grow the beard you want.

Enjoy the journey.

Feel the difference and join the #Brawtherhood

Scottish beard care.
Born in Scotland, enjoyed Worldwide.

P.S. Use code – brawblog – at www.brawbeard.com for 10% off

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