beard advice

dnjan · Oct 26, 2007

Having had a handlebar moustache for most of my life, I recently decided to add a beard (van dyke style). My problem is that while the curl at the end of the moustache is desirable (and took a bit of training plus frequent waxing to achieve), I would like the beard to be straight (and eventually come to a point). But one side has decided that it prefers to curl.

Advice on straightening it (or at least procedures for training it to be straight)?

eightbore · Oct 26, 2007

This may sound strange, but I have been known to blow dry my beard after applying a certain amount of gel or hair spray. Hair is hair and can be straightened out given enough encouragement.

Best,

eightbore

dhermann1 · Oct 26, 2007

Sounds cool, but you'll need a monocle to complete the look. Then you can be a spokesmodel guy for Esquire!

cowboy76 · Oct 26, 2007

Just my personal opionion,...beards in the 1930s and 40s were not the norm,...now I'm not sure if you're into vintage living as much as I, but to be accurate,..I'd just shave the beard. I'm curious as to what look you're going for though,..(pics??) as I'm unfamiliar with it.

dnjan · Oct 26, 2007

eightbore said:
This may sound strange, but I have been known to blow dry my beard after applying a certain amount of gel or hair spray. Hair is hair and can be straightened out given enough encouragement.

Best,

eightbore

Is that something that lasts for a few shower/shave cycles, or do you need to do blow-dry your beard every time?

dnjan · Oct 26, 2007

cowboy76 said:
Just my personal opionion,...beards in the 1930s and 40s were not the norm,...now I'm not sure if you're into vintage living as much as I, but to be accurate,..I'd just shave the beard. I'm curious as to what look you're going for though,..(pics??) as I'm unfamiliar with it.

If you want to place it into a specific period, it is probably closer to the 1730's than the 1930's. I'm not as much into historical accuracy as I am in trying to make that face you see on the left look a bit longer and thinner. I just posted my question to this group because there seem to be experts here that cover an amazingly wide range of appearance-related issues.

cowboy76 · Oct 26, 2007

dnjan said:
If you want to place it into a specific period, it is probably closer to the 1730's than the 1930's. I'm not as much into historical accuracy as I am in trying to make that face you see on the left look a bit longer and thinner. I just posted my question to this group because there seem to be experts here that cover an amazingly wide range of appearance-related issues.

Oh ok,..very cool,...sounds interesting!

matt · Oct 27, 2007

Dnjan,

I also would like to know how to keep my beard from curling. Please post anything you can find on the Van Dyke style. Also, how did you train your handlebar? I have been tempted to try a different style for the old stash. How do you think it would look on a baby faced younger guy? I hope it'd look half as good as yours. You wear it well.

Matt

dnjan · Oct 28, 2007

Thanks! I originally started waxing because one side went horzontal and one side went down. I started when I was about 23 years old.
I used Clubman moustache wax to train my moustache. I normally wax, but can go 4 or 5 days without and still retain the basic shape.

Mid-fogey · Oct 28, 2007

I think you look...

...smashing the way you are. If the beard won't behave without too much trouble, you can always default back to the handlebar.

I wouldn't worry about "elongating" my face if I were you. My impression is that your face type is one that goes with a wider variety of hats.

dnjan · Oct 29, 2007

For now, the beard is working well with my D'Artagnan (3-musketeers) Halloween costume. I'll probably give it another inch of growth before I finally decide its fate.

Feng_Li · Oct 29, 2007

I trim mine when it starts to curl.

Hans · Nov 14, 2007

Let's begin,on my end,by stating that i've been wearing a beard wince September 1,1970.I started with a spade beard,conecting mustache,and ear lobe length sideburns.On 9/1/72,I grew the sideburns along the jaw line and into the beard.it's been this way since that time.
Don't try to rush the shape and style of beard that you might OR might not want.let it grow,for about a month to six weeks,and see how it develops.It's possible that a Van Dyke might be not only NOt feasible,but also NOT the kind of beard you wish to grow.
We see many film stars appearing in the swashbucklers of the 30s and 40s who are wearing trim pointed beards that grow on the chin.(Errol Flynn in "Eilzabeth and Essex",Basil Rathbone in 'The Adventures of Robin Hood').But,these were obviously costumes beards,woven on net,in particular shapes.
The film and stage star Monty Wooley("Man Who Came to Dinner")was one of the few actors of that period who wore his own beard.It was full,lush,well-groomed,and lent him an air of distinction and elegance.It enhanced his appearance.
Find yourself an old fashioned barber,get his opinion,and have hims style your beard after a period of several weeks.
Another thought.If the sides of your beard are growing asymetrically,there might be an excellent reason.It's quite possible that the sides of your face are asymetrical,as well.Happens to all of us.

dnjan · Nov 14, 2007

Actually, the facial hair assymetry is why I started waxing my moustache back in the late '70's. One side grew out and one side grew down. Now both sides curl.

With the beard, the right side makes a strong curl towards the center, then back out around the 1/2-3/4" range. Left side makes a gentle curve towards the center. I figure I have another inch of growth before I make a serious decision. But things would definitely be easier if I could get rid of that curl on the right side.

I like the suggestion of the barber. Luckily, there are still a few of the old-fashioned types in the area.

Thanks!

oddlots · Dec 7, 2007

My beard curls in SEVERAL directions and I find that a combination of hairspray, American Crew Fiber, and Clubman's wax helps to keep it somewhat in shape.

My hair's very coarse, but doesn't have the quality of maintaining a natural shape that I've seen in others (unless you consider bushy and frizzed at the edges a shape), so I use the same techniques I (and I'd assume, you) use to train the handlebar.

dostacos · Dec 7, 2007

I have worn a full beard for over 25 years {goatee was done in the last 2 months and I am back to growing the beard}

1. my beard grows about the same speed on the cheeks and chin, so when I grew the side burns then added the chin I needed to trim the cheeks/sideburns to keep it looking good.

2. My beard tends to be curly and need to live with that, but I find that when the beard gets long the hair on the chin comes to a point, of course I want it longer and combed to the sides almost like a part so I would need to wax to keep it any where near what I want. which is why.....

3. I tend to keep it on the short side.

4. I suggest a good BEARD TRIMMER. This is a small electric shaver that has a trimmer clip that is adjustable for length, dial the length you want and it trims the beard to a uniform length. you can remove the clip and use it as a "O" blade to either trim the mustache so it does not hang over the lip {for those who DON'T have a nice handle bar 'stache} it also allows a nice even trim at the bottom edge of the beard or goatee.

Beard trimmers help for pencil thin mustaches, or the "frame" beards {the ones that run on the jaw line, and not the entire cheek} I am on my 3rd or 4th, 1 dropped and died, the others all have rechargeable batteries that do not last forever

as always, my opinion and 89 cents will get you a large coffee at 7/11....if you bring your own cup

dnjan · Dec 7, 2007

oddlots said:
My beard curls in SEVERAL directions and I find that a combination of hairspray, American Crew Fiber, and Clubman's wax helps to keep it somewhat in shape.

What is American Crew Fiber?

I tried a "hair relaxer", but it didn't help. I guess if I had a long, wavy beard the hair relaxer would make it tangle less, but as far as actually making it curl less - no.

I asked the person who cuts my hair, and was told that the chemicals in hair straighteners (used by people with very curly hair who want straight hair) are basically the same as the chemicals used for "Perms". So I think I will pick up a home perm kit, and experiment a bit.

BrotherBob · Dec 9, 2007

Pinaud Clubman...

...also makes a full line of classic scented after shave lotions.

I gotta get me some of this. Just because it will look cool next to the sink.

The "Special Reserve" after shave/cologne is $6.40 for the 8 oz. bottle. Now that's livin' high on the hog.

oddlots · Dec 12, 2007

dnjan said:
What is American Crew Fiber?

I tried a "hair relaxer", but it didn't help. I guess if I had a long, wavy beard the hair relaxer would make it tangle less, but as far as actually making it curl less - no.

I asked the person who cuts my hair, and was told that the chemicals in hair straighteners (used by people with very curly hair who want straight hair) are basically the same as the chemicals used for "Perms". So I think I will pick up a home perm kit, and experiment a bit.

American Crew Fiber is a styling paste. It's not strong and stiff like Clubman's wax or greasy like Murray's pomade. It won't hold wild styles (at least for me), but it does a decent job of keeping down the frizzy bits and helping to shape my beard into more of a refined shape. A little tub of it lasts FOREVER. It's not a beard/moustache specific product, but rather a general hair product.

I've had my hair (scalp not facial) straightened chemically before, and it works to an extent, but it can have a drying effect on the hair, leaving it straightened but frizzy. I actually got LESS frizz from it, but until the process was done it was more or less a crap shoot. I'd be inclined to have it done professionally, as the way the hair is combed and shaped during the processing is integral to the final result. Just like curl rods in a perm provide the ringlets, the hair is carefully combed into a sleeker style while the chemicals are on to remove the curl. It could very well work, but it's still a very strong chemical process.

Ethan Bentley · Mar 25, 2009

I've had my beard for about nine months and just getting it how I like it now.
The reactions are interesting but I think 90% of the comments have been positive.
Has anyone in the lounge been experimenting recently?

What reactions do you get with your beard?

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