Trim beard 101: Your guide to shaping a beard for any beard style
Whether it’s a carefully clipped goatee or a thick full beard, facial hair is a brilliant and bold statement. However, whatever your chosen beard shape, upkeep is important. The moment you neglect your beard’s neckline is the moment your beard can become a savage and wild mess. Beards deserve attention and with a little bit of regular shaping, a beard can go from unruly mess to refined masterpiece.
Beard cutting styles differ from person to person, but by using these beard trimming tips, you’ll learn the best way to trim a beard, so you can figure out what works for you.
Trimming and shaping a beard – properly
Trimming gives the beard its shape, and if you don’t give your beard a shape up, it’s just facial shrubbery rather than topiary. When giving your beard a shape up, aim for an even length all over, and a defined beard neckline and beard cheek line, as well as smooth moustache and lip line. Here’s the best way to trim your beard, from the initial trim right up to moustache control.
Step 1: The all-over trim for beards
Wash and dry your beard. Then, the best way to trim your beard is to start with the longest hair length and bring it down gradually. Set your beard trimmer to its longest setting and trim your beard all over. Go against the direction of hair growth to remove some bulk from the hair. Repeat using shorter trim settings until you’re happy with the length. A shaver like the Philips Beardtrimmer Series 7000is great for gradually trimming away thanks to its three-length stubble comb.
Step 2: Define your beard’s neckline
For the perfect beard neckline, put a finger horizontally just above your Adam’s apple and trim a vertical strip below this line. Work outwards under your jawline to one side, then return to the centre and work your way to the other side. You can skip this step if you’re only sporting stubble – but if you’re trimming a full beard, the neckline matters.
Step 3: After you trim a beard, follow up with a shave
Now is the time to show no mercy! Shave off the trimmed hairs and any loose whiskers located below your new beard neckline and use your electric shaver or beard trimmer without the comb to clear away any remaining stray hairs.
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What you need
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Beardtrimmer series 5000 Beard trimmer
BT5502/15
One pass even trim
The even and precise trim you want when creating your 3-day stubble, short or long beard look. Our innovative Lift & Trim PRO system lifts the hairs up to the level of the double-sharpened blades for a one pass even trim.
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Step 4: Choose your beard cheek line
If you’re happy with a natural beard cheek line, then leave it as is. For a sharper and more defined look, go for a straight or slightly rounded line to the bottom of your sideburns. The lower your cheek line, the more length you’ll give to your face.
Step 5: After your beard, shape up your moustache
It’s not just about shaping a beard – your moustache deserves attention too. You can trim your moustache to the same length as your beard or allow it to remain slightly longer to take a bit more prominence on your face. For a nice and clean lip line, close your mouth and smile. Keep your moustache clean and trim the bottom (without the trimmer comb) to create a clear 1mm line above your lips and get rid of any hairs that cross that border.
Knowing how to trim your beard properly is somewhat of a life skill, so it’s important to take the time to find the beard cutting style that suits you. Follow these beard trimming tips as part of your regular routine, and you’ll soon discover what works best for you.
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