[ad_1]
Long hair, don’t care, right gentlemen?
Happy November, which means participating in No Shave November for some wanting to let their beards and mustaches grow long and free, perhaps in preparation for Santa Clause should yours grow white as snow, too.
The tradition of not trimming nor shaving in November started back in 2003 in Australia, as a way to bring attention to and raise money for men’s health causes and cancer research, the thought being that you can donate the money you would have spent at the barber to your charity of choice. Then, in 2009 the No Shave November group took form in 2009, two years after the passing of Matthew Hill who struggled with colorectal cancer during the month of November.
What are the rules? Let the official No Shave November site explain the hairy details.
“The rules of No-Shave November are simple: put down your razor for 30 days and donate your monthly hair-maintenance expenses to the cause. Strict dress-code at work? Don’t worry about it! We encourage participation of any kind ; grooming and trimming are perfectly acceptable,” reads the site.
Some of us may have also heard of this monthly tradition referred to as “Movember,” and you are sort of correct. Movember is actually an independent charity group of it’s own, which still does honor men’s health with causes dedicated to mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
In honor of the month-long hair holiday, we wanted to know: how should we be keeping up with our beards and ‘staches while we let them grow wild and free? Chris Brownless, owner of Northwest Barber Co and Uppercut Deluxe ambassador and education manager, knows how, and graciously spoke with the Post to share his top tips for hair maintenance.
How should you prepare your face for No Shave November?
So, you decided to grow out your facial hair, huh?
“No Shave November has been a topic of discussion in my barbershop with customers gearing up to take part, and of course they’re asking for advice,” said Brownless to The Post. “Preparing your face for the month is really important if you ‘re planning on changing your shaving routine, especially if you’re stopping completely when you shave frequently. Gaining an understanding of how your skin is going to react to this change is the key, so here are some helpful tips.”
Brownless suggests a good skincare routine to prep, as well as throughout the month — and really forever — to maintain a healthy level of oils and protective skin biome, especially during a dry month like November.
Consider shopping these skincare products ASAP, for use all year round but especially when fostering a brand new beard or mustache.
Tips for hair growth during No Shave November
“Sadly there is no miracle cure for patches that don’t grow, but a good skin care routine and the right products will help maintain a good blood flow to the hair root and ensure the facial hair grows as strong as possible,” said Brownless , of those pre-beard patches and uneven areas.
This can be a hangup for some when deciding if they want to follow through with the beard life, as patches are a common issue for many. As Brownless said, there is no instant fix, aside from using a quality moisturizer to avoid flaky patches, as well as a good beard wash and oil to replenish healthy oils.
Tips to maintain a health beard or mustache during No Shave November?
Fast forward a few weeks and you hopefully have the luscious beard and mustache of your dreams — heck, you’re probably absentmindedly stroking it now, huh?
Now, the name of the game is maintenance, helping your new hair stay soft and clean, as a scraggly beard isn’t the goal. The first step is, you guessed it, proper washing.
“It’s important to keep the skin under the hair clean and moisturized, as the hair starts to grow and you lose sight of the skin it’s harder to spot any dry patches caused by lack of moisture or dirt/oil/product build up,” said Brownless. “Don’t be afraid to get right in there and give it a good scrub when you’re cleaning your face!”
Another lesser known tip from Brownless comes right after washing — drying! Making sure your beard is fully dry can lead to less irritation and dry, flaky spots, as opposed to leaving a damp beard to irritate the skin underneath. Try a microfiber beard towel or even a hairdryer on a low setting to get the job done.
“Lastly, keeping your facial hair combed and detangled is also important,” said Brownless. “The Uppercut Deluxe CT7 Flip Comb is perfect for this, and even fits in your pocket!”
The best beard oils, washes and more to shop now
1. Uppercut Deluxe Beard Oil, $18
Brownless of course stands by the Uppercut Deluxe line of products, especially the beard oil. For just $18, smell like patchouli and leather, while also hydrating your hair with a mixture of argan, jojoba, avocado and rosemary oils.
2. Jack Black Beard Oil, $26
You’ll be going back to black each and every time you shower once you try this oil from Jack Black. The coveted blue bottle contains Kalahari melon oil and vitamin E to promote moisture and prevent itchy dry spots.
3. Oars + Alps Beard Oil: Hydrating Citrus Grove, $20
A bearded-member of our Post team recommended this beard oil from Oars + Alps, as reflected by it’s nearly perfect 4.7-star rating. The oil comes in two scents, from a citrus grove to a cedarwood forrest, each made with alpine caribou moss , jojoba and argan oil.
4. Aesop Shine Hair and Beard Oil, $33
You’ll want to get this oil ASAP. The Aesop beard oil comes in a stylish tincture that will not only look great in your bathroom cabinet but also on your beard, conditioning it and adding shine with Borage seed, Jojoba seed and petitgrain oil.
5. Dr. Squatch Crushed Pine Beard Oil, $18
Another recommendation from the Post team is this seasonal scented oil from Dr. Squatch. It has almost 1,000 reviews, with a recent one reading, “Would suggest that everyone with a beard try this oil, the pine ingredients smell amazing.” Suggestion, taken .
6. Duke Cannon Best Damn Beard Wash, $15
We’ll let the name speak for itself here, alongside over 100 reviews and a 4.6-star rating. The wash uses plant-based ingredients to cleans the skin and moisturize the beard, maintaining natural oils, per Brownless’ recommendation.
7. Barrel & Oak Exfoliating All-In-One Scrub Bourbon Cedar, $16
Gentlemen know that the secret to soft skin and a supple bears is a good exfoliant. This one, sold at Gentlemen’s Hardware comes in a bourbon and cedar scent, perfect for November and beyond.
8. Uppercut Deluxe Beard Balm, $17
Another pick from Brownless is the Beard Balm, used to not only shape and tame your beard for a sleek look but also gently condition with a vitamin-infused oil.
9. The Art of Shaving Beard Prep Kit, $40
Get an all-in-one kit from The Art of Shaving, which includes a beard shampoo, conditioner and oil to yield clean and nourished hair. It also includes a travel bag and makes for a great gift, too.
10. Tame the Wild Premium Beard Straightener Kit, $38, original price: $44
If your beard gets to be too out of control, tame it with this kit. Found on Amazon, the Tame the Wild set comes with a beard straightener, orange walnut soap, beard balm, heat protectant spray and a wooden detangling comb, all packaged together in a sleek carrying case.
Check out New York Post Shopping for more content.
[ad_2]
Source link