Beard Trimming Basics – Do You Need a Beard Trimmer?

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Beard trimmer vs. Beard scissors

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Beards are back in style – there’s no doubt about that. Whether it’s a short and neatly trimmed beard or a long and luxurious one, more and more men are letting their facial hair grow out these days. But if you’re thinking about joining the ranks of the bearded, there’s one important question you need to answer first: do you need a beard trimmer?

As a matter of fact, it all depends on the kind of beard you want to achieve. If you’re going for a short, well-groomed look, then you’ll definitely need a beard trimmer. But if you’re planning on growing out your beard to its full potential, then you might be able to get away with just using scissors. Of course, there are pros and cons to both approaches, so let’s take a closer look at each one.

Scissors vs. Beard Trimmer

As we mentioned before, whether or not you need a beard trimmer comes down to the kind of look you’re going for. Here’s a quick breakdown of the main differences between trimming your beard with scissors and using a beard trimmer:

Scissors:

  • Pro: Gives you more control over the shape of your beard
  • Pro: Can be less expensive than a beard trimmer
  • Con: Takes longer
  • Con: Requires more skill and practice
  • Can be difficult to get an even trim without experience
  • This can lead to accidentally cutting too much off if you’re not careful

Beard Trimmer:

  • Pro: Quick and easy
  • Pro: More consistent results
  • Con: More expensive than scissors
  • Less control over the shape of your beard (beyond choosing the length setting)

So, as you can see, there are some advantages and disadvantages to both methods. If you’re still not sure which one is right for you, the best way to decide is to experiment a bit and see what works best for your particular beard.

When Should You Start Trimming Your Beard?

Again, it all depends on the look you’re going for. If you want to keep your beard short and tidy, then you’ll need to start trimming it as soon as it starts to get a little unruly. On the other hand, if you’re OK with a longer beard, then you can let it grow out for a while before you start trimming it.

Is It Better to Trim Your Beard when It’s Wet or Dry?

Most experts recommend trimming your beard when it’s dry, as that allows you to get a more accurate sense of how long it actually is. Trimming wet hair can lead to accidental cuts, and it’s harder to see exactly how much you’re trimming off.

It’s much easier to style your beard when it’s dry because the water weight won’t pull it down and change its shape.

Do I Need a Separate Trimmer for My Beard and Body Hair?

Ideally, yes. Using the same trimmer for your beard and body hair can lead to infection, as bacteria can build up on the blades. Beard trimmers are also designed to be more gentle on facial hair, so using a body hair trimmer on your beard can cause irritation.

If you don’t want to invest in two separate trimmers, then make sure to thoroughly clean the blades after each use. You should also consider using a different attachment (if your trimmer has one) for your beard.

Will the Beard Trimmer Cut My Skin?

Beard trimmers are designed not to cut your skin, but it’s still possible to accidentally nick yourself while trimming. To avoid this, make sure the blades of your beard trimmer are clean and sharp. You should also be careful not to press too hard while you’re trimming.

If you are unsure of how to operate the trimmer, you could try using a beard guard which will help avoid any accidental cuts, until you are more familiar with the trimmer.

What Is the Best Beard Trimmer on The Market?

There are a lot of different beard trimmers on the market, so finding the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. We’ve put together a list of the best beard trimmers, based on our findings from expert reviews and user feedback.

My Top 3 Beard Trimmers

Bevel Beard Trimmer

Philips Norelco Multigroom Series 7000

Braun Beard Trimmer BT5265

Cordless

Dial

Runtime

8+hrs

5-hrs

5-hrs

Our Rating

Comment

A premium trimmer. Used by many barbers.

Too many accessories. Good starter trimmer due to the manual guards.

Comes with razor as a bonus. Easy dial for precision trimming.

Some of the things you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing a beard trimmer include:

  • The type of blades (e.g. steel, ceramic, etc.)
  • The length settings
  • Whether or not it has a beard guard
  • The battery life
  • Any additional features (e.g. vacuum function, etc.)

You can find our full list of the best beard trimmers here.

How Do I Trim My Beard?

Start with clean, dry hair. Wet hair is harder to work with and can lead to accidental cuts.

Comb your beard in the direction it grows to get rid of any knots or tangles.

Start by trimming the longer hairs first, then move on to the shorter hairs.

Use small, gradual cuts rather than big, drastic ones. You can always trim more later if you need to, but you can’t put it back once you’ve cut it off.

Pay attention to the direction of your beard growth when you’re trimming. You don’t want to accidentally cut your hair in the wrong direction and create a patchy beard.

Be extra careful around your neckline. This is a sensitive area, so you don’t want to accidentally cut yourself.

Use a mirror to check your progress as you go. This will help you make sure that you’re trimming evenly on both sides.

When you’re finished trimming, comb your beard again and see if there are any areas that need to be touched up.

Wash your beard with a gentle shampoo and conditioner to remove any loose hair.

Conclusion

Ultimately, whether or not you need a beard trimmer is up to you. If you want more control over the shape of your beard or you’re on a budget, then scissors are probably the way to go. But if you want an easier way to achieve consistent results with minimal effort, then a beard trimmer is probably what you’re looking for. Whatever route you decide to go, we wish you luck on your journey to bearded greatness!

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