Just in case you decided to hop on the Movember bandwagon earlier this month, we hope you did it for the right reasons. And if indeed you did, we want to make sure you have the right tools to get through the rest of the month, because things are probably getting pretty scraggly serious right about now.

WHAT ON EARTH IS MOVEMBER?

A portmanteau of “moustache” and “November”, Movember was started by a bunch of Australians in the late 90s and early aughts. Men came together to grow out their beards over the month of November, in order to raise awareness (and funds) for various male-related diseases, primarily prostate cancer. Since then, a Movember Foundation has been set up, and the movement has spread to America, Asia, South Africa, and Europe. In 2012 alone, it raised $95 million!

So, if you’re growing a beard for Movember, be sure to let your friends know what it really is about. Alternatively, donate some money to the Foundation while you’re at it, and get your friends to do so as well. If not, growing that beard out would really just be… growing a beard out.

 

We understand that there are men who have beards and moustaches anyway (thanks, hipster trend!), and then there are men who grow them out only during Movember. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, we’ve lined up some tips for you to “survive” the month, or at least look dapper in spite of all that facial foliage.

WASH & MOISTURIZE

Just like the hair on your head, the hair on your face requires maintenance. It’s not as simple as washing your beard with whatever you use to wash your face. That can potentially dry the facial hair out, making it look limp, frizzy, or quite like a dead possum. You don’t want your beard to have a life of its own!

Try a moisturizing shampoo on your beard, and follow with a conditioner. Serums, which you can apply to your damp beard and leave in, are great because your tendrils have the time to absorb the goodness. If you’re looking for a more natural option, which can prevent breakouts around the beard, choose a jojoba or coconut based beard oil.

stubbleandstache_facemoisturizer_beardconditioner_900x900

Face Moisturizer & Beard Conditioner, Stubble & ‘Stache, USD34 from Birchbox.com

TRIM IT REGULARLY

Movember is not a beard length contest, and there are no rules against giving that scruff a good ol’ trimming. The easiest way to do this, of course, is to go to a barber with that kind of skill set. Otherwise, doing it yourself works too. Not only would regular trimming (twice a week for most men) help you look sharp, it’s actually good for the health of your hairs.

Unless you are a particularly hirsute gentleman, scissors would do the job. If you like the look of a full beard and wish to keep it till Christmas, gift yourself a good pair of barber scissors that will help you do a more professional job. For heavy-duty beards, a beard trimmer is a must-have.

Here’s a great guide by Baxter of California on how to do it right:

GIVE IT SOME STYLE

Last but not least, style. If you can afford to grow a long beard, the styles to choose from are endless. Braun (big surprise!) has a comprehensive set of infographics that show you what beard/moustache/goatee combination suits the different face shapes. When considering a beard style, think also about how it complements your existing haircut. 

beard styles

If beard oil or a moisturizing serum doesn’t tame that beard, there are no rules against using a styling product, and even a hairdryer. Unless you are going for the vaudeville look, get a styling cream like Layrite‘s Mustache Pomade that is high-hold but doesn’t get stiff. You don’t want your beard to look frozen.

It’s also very common for beards to grow in at different levels of fullness across the jawline. Sometimes these “bald spots” can get pretty obvious. Bosley Professional Strength makes a mean “Hair Thickening Fibers” product in different shades so you can “fill in” those thin areas and blend with a comb.

 

Older men whose beards come out much whiter than the hair on your head can also consider color treatments, which are often very easy to use. Here are some tips: always pick a shade lighter than the hair on your head, dye your beard before a shower, and leave the product in for less than the recommended time, never more. It’s much easier to add color than remove it!