Beards - are they back for good?

For years full beards were lost in the grooming wilderness, associated with unkempt drifters, extreme nature lovers and elderly uncles. These stereotypes have since been dispelled, with a new generation embracing facial hair with a sense of chic that has made facial fuzz fashionable once more. But with a great beard come great responsibility – they don’t look after themselves – and no-one is better placed to advise and offer expert services to help maintain fantastic face foliage than professional barbers and men’s hairdressers. Daniel Rymer, a men’s grooming specialist working at Bespo’ke Male Grooming in Bristol, is a big believer in the power of the beard not just as a style statement but as a contributor to an overall healthy skin regime. Daniel is often asked for advice by his bearded clients. Daniel says: “Beards don’t have to be high maintenance. Rather than shaving every day, dealing with the irritation that razors and shave creams cause, I’m encouraging the growth of a beard which needs a painless trim once or twice a week. “When my clients are asking for advice on trimming their beards I always recommend they invest in a high-quality beard trimmer. Sometimes I advise a client to try using clippers that are designed for cutting hair if they have a particularly coarse beard, using the defined length settings to ensure every hair is the same length.” Jon Bourne of Barbertown in Worcester has also seen a growth in the number of bearded clients. “I think social media has helped the trend,” says Jon. “With all the pages and accounts dedicated to growing and looking after beards, younger guys are now sporting them.” Growing trend Barbertown is well placed to take advantage of the trend, with a raft of services aimed at the bearded client. “We offer shaping, trimming, shaving and moustache trims. We also advise on how to grow a beard and look after it,” he adds. A lot of clients aren’t aware of the need to keep a beard clean, in the same way they would their hair. “It’s important to regularly shampoo a beard and condition it,” says Jon. “The conditioner should be left in to absorb for a few minutes, or clients can even use a leave-in conditioner. This will help to keep it in great condition and soft. We also advise clients to invest in a beard comb and comb regularly, and finally to use a good quality beard oil. A beard oil – one that is light and easily absorbed – will keep a beard looking healthy and prevent your skin under the beard from drying out and creating beard dandruff.” Package deal At his London barbershop, Miguel Gutierrez – also known as the Nomad Barber – ensures beard care is part of the overall package he offers clients. Says Miguel: “My beard trims in the shop are like any other service. I always try to pamper the client a little bit, so the beard trims are finished with a hot towel, face massage and oil application.” At his award-winning unisex London salon, Jamie Stevens is very aware of the trend towards facial hair on his male clients, and his team are equipped to look after and advise on it. “With a lot of our male clientele having groomed stubble, we help maintain the shape and style at any length and trim them as regularly, if not more so than their haircuts. This is offered complimentary with cuts or separately for anyone looking for their beard to be maintained. As a salon, we’re very much about equipping our clientele with as much information as we can. We advise our bearded clients to wash and condition their beard the same way they would their hair, as this will tame it. “We also suggest combing it down to keep it in order and maintain some uniformity to it.” Michael Francos at D&J Ambrose also believes unisex hairdressers need to embrace the beard trend. Says Michael: “There has definitely been a growth of clients with facial hair. As the beard movement has now gone mainstream, clients feel comfortable to wear a beard or stubble. As I have a big male clientele I trim and shape beards within my haircut appointments.” Beards look set to continue to grow in popularity well into 2015 – how prepared is your team to tackle a trim or advise on aftercare? [Hair: Daniel Rymer, Photograph: Lel Burnett]