Speaking of beards...

[Don C]

Never could grow one. Too many gaps.

[Buzz]

Have had a 'stache forever, and periodically add the goatee to the mix. Every couple of years have done the beard thing for a few weeks, but never let it get long enough that the regular shampoo and creme rinse wasn't sufficient. Now that it's almost four months into the grand experiment, it's too tough to manage without serious extracurricular help. Beard butter, balm, oil, creme, etc., are all turning out to be very short term solutions.... despite what the "beard guy" sites say.

Doc, no problem w/ the skin underneath, but the beard hair is definitely a beast of its own compared to the head hair. Maybe a change of venue might help? We're getting Island Fever.... this pandemic thing has kept us away from Hawaii for the longest time since we've been married; last trip was Dec '19 to Kauai, right before Covid took hold. The thought of flying is still too daunting, but keep thinking the island mist might keep the beard hydrated, and controllable. Tough call, but in the meantime, there's gotta be something on the Mainland that won't dry out. Valvoline? LiquiMoly? STP? Marvel Mystery Oil?
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[RgrF]

Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

[Tiangou]

Buzz wrote:
Doc, no problem w/ the skin underneath, but the beard hair is definitely a beast of its own compared to the head hair.

Have you tried conditioning it in the shower and then brushing/combing it when you leave the shower?

...Why do you think the beard needs hydrating?

[davemchine]

I’ve had my beard for 22 years. My children have never seen me without a beard and I think they would freak out if they did. This is the first year I’ve had some trouble with my beard feeling coarse. Normally all I do is shampoo my beard but this year I started putting on beard oil a few times a week and now my beard is no longer coarse. Not sure if it was the oil or just a temporary problem. The oil does make it look nice.

[Michael]

Sounds like lots of us are bearded. Mine's 45 years old and I don't do anything except cut it when it gets unwieldy. My wife likes it because she thinks it makes me look her age since my beard is largely white. But my hair has virtually no gray at 68 years old. Every time I mention cutting it my dear wife comments that I'd then look 50 and she'd look like a cougar. I think not but I defer to her concerns.

[cbelt3]

My beard gave me serious problems with my cat allergy. Because my daughter's kitten decided I was another cat, and would happily groom my face. And then the cat allergy would kick in and I'd get all itchy and wheezy.

I'm also unable to grow a decent beard after two events... the first beard in college succumbed to a flaming shot (burning beards HURT), and the second beard succumbed to second and third degree burns after a car radiator erupted in my face.

Any beard I grow now makes me look like a grumpy street dude... patchy and grey and irritable.

[wave rider]

No beard currently, shaving to give my N95s a good seal.

I miss the beard, it was a great comfort in cold weather.

[Acer]

When it gets long enough that it needs specific care, that's my cue it's time to cut it short again. I keep mine at Biden levels.

[Buzz]

Tiangou wrote:
[quote=Buzz]
Doc, no problem w/ the skin underneath, but the beard hair is definitely a beast of its own compared to the head hair.

Have you tried conditioning it in the shower and then brushing/combing it when you leave the shower?

...Why do you think the beard needs hydrating?
Shower conditioning is definitely a must. Then some sort beard butter/creme after the beard has a few minutes of drying time. I have a pretty good assortment of brushes & combs to aid in grooming, but as noted, a couple of hours later the beard is begging for more hydration. The right side is better behaved than the left, because I can only sleep on my left side, or back (~70% back).

I've been throwing various moisturizing oils/butters at it during the day to try to tame it, but still only temporary relief (jojoba, cocoa, coconut, argan, etc.). I did try gluing it in place a couple of times with my head hair mousse, which sorta worked, but washing it out and/or making mid-day adjustments was troublesome, and then left it in greater-than-usual need of proper hydration. ~Thirty years ago, which was the last time I let the beard get anywhere near this fluffy (but I kept it trimmed), it didn't require much maintenance, but that was in my early 40's, vs. not 40's now, and I'm guessing one's body chemistry may have changed.

mcdave- That.... for two hours at a time.

Michael- If somehow mine makes it til the end of '22, I'm thinking of dyeing it white for its last hurrah.

belty- Some people have all the fun and excitement. All I've got is a spot (smaller than a dime) in my lower left sideburn where some sort of weird growth was removed three times, and the third time was the charm.... no more growth, but no more hair growth there either. I'm saving my '65 Mustang radiator stories for another time; no facial hair involved.
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