Hindsight is a great thing eh? There are plenty of things I wish I knew in the early days while I grew a beard. Like that old saying, "if I knew then what I know now I would be...", I'd probably have an even BIGGER beard! But hey, you learn as you go along don't you. Braw Beard started in 2012 and there weren't many beard care brands or much information out there, we had to learn the ropes as we progressed. But this journey built the brand as it stands today and I wouldn't change it for anything.
To give you a shortcut, let me share 5 things I wish I knew while I grew a beard.
1. It takes time.
When I was younger, I didn't understand patience as much as I do now. I wanted a big beard as fast as I could. I'd get frustrated when it looked like it wasn't growing (it was, just not quick enough haha). I know now that beard hair grows at roughly 1.25cm per month so it's a long journey. Just enjoy the ride.
The advice I give out now is, take a selfie at the end of every month and see the progression. You'll be impressed.
2. Visit a good beard barber for a tidy up.
I'm not convinced by the advice that trimming hair makes it grow faster, personally, I don't think it does, but that's just my opinion.
But what I do recommend is, visiting a good beard barber for a wee trim every few months (or more if you prefer). The barber will offer advice on shape and style to suit your face and growth rate. Beards can grow at an uneven rate on each side so a fresh tidy up may help you feel great and boost your confidence.
There are lots of great barbers out there who specialise in beards, Google is your friend to find your local one, check the reviews first. The barbers I recommend from personal use are Mohair, Orbit Smoke Barbers, Hoi Barbers and East Coast Inc.
3. Have a consistent beard care routine.
Before Braw, I never paid any attention to my beard, because I didn't know any better, I assumed it was meant to be scruffy and itchy. But since I made the first bottle of Braw Beard oil in 2012, I have used beard oil almost daily. I say almost because back then I was lazy with it.
Over the last few years though, I have used it EVERY morning without fail and I notice a huge difference. To read more about my daily beard care routine, check THIS ARTICLE or THIS VIDEO.
4. The beard community
If you are not involved in the beard community, I know, I know, it sounds like a strange cult but it's the very opposite. Throughout the world there are hundreds/thousands of beard clubs and communities ranging from Facebook groups to regional gatherings. Social media can be a toxic place these days but beard clubs are very welcoming and are a great place to meet likeminded friends. The Facebook groups are a great place to ask for advice on beard care and share some stories. Regional beard clubs are a great place to socialise and make new friends. The great majority of beard communities to exceptional work for local charities which is something special. We have our own community for Braw Beard customers called the Brawtherhood.
Search google for your local beard club and get in touch with them to get involved. Likewise, search Facebook for beard communities too and join.
5. Beard and moustache competitions.
Again, these are a great place to meet new friends and socialise. There are several beard competitions all over, the largest being The World Championships which is held every 2 years. We have our own in Scotland called the Braw Beard and Moustache Championships. These events are great fun for everyone (some allow under 18s, some don't so check first). If you want to compete for fun, you can, if you want to take it more serious, you can. Or if you want to just come along to watch and enjoy the spectacle, you can.
If you haven't made it to a beard and moustache competition yet, make sure to put it on your bucket list!
I hope you have enjoyed this article. It's some things that I wish I knew as I grew a beard early on, enjoy the process, do what I can to get the best realistic results and embrace the scene.
Thank you for reading.
JJ
Join the #Brawtherhood
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This is my second bottle of Braw Beard shampoo and clearly love it! Lathers up well in the beard no stinging in the eyes smells good and rinses out well. It’s a must to keep the face fur clean.
I was a bit skeptical at first as this wash doesn't lather up like other washes so I wasn't sure if I had worked it through all the hairs. But after a few tries I've got the right amount of lather and it feels nice no soft afterwards. The bottle is a good size and I only need a small amount each day, so it should last a few months.
You know the quality is there, but what about the scent? A mixed box is a great way to try different oils. And in some ways it's even better when you don't know what's coming 😀 Consistent quality oils, what more could you want.
The fresh scent that tingles makes my beard a go to place for noses on the hunt for good smells and good times ! Leaves the beard soft and glossy and Mrs S can’t stop touching it.
love this stuff, smells amazing and lasts all day long. Can't pick a favourite between this and keepin it peel. Really keeps the beard together when its windy
This is a Xmas gift from my fiancé, I've had it before and it smells phenomenal. The natural oil i have yet to sample but considering every oil I have tried is phenomenal I could bet my life this one will be the same. Thrilla in vanilla is braw!!
I'm generally a bit sceptical when I see reviews stating something along the lines of "I've tried every product out there and this is by far the best", it always seems a bit over exaggerated to me, however, I have tried a good few beard washes in the past and this one absolutely surpasses them all. Firstly, it leaves my beard softer and silkier than any other wash I've used before but the real cherry on top is i can literally feel how natural it is (ingredients wise), with other washes even if my beard felt softer it also felt like something had been stripped out my beard and I would try to use them sparingly, with this wash I would happily use it everyday, I still like a rest day here and there but have gone from washing approx once a week to 3-4 times a week and my beard feels so much healthier, softer and obviously cleaner for it