Most beard balm complaints (greasy, heavy, "did nothing") come down to using too much, using it dry, or never getting it to the skin. Here's the whole technique in four steps.
The four steps
- 1. Start small. A fingertip scrape for a short beard, a thumbnail for a long one. You can always add; you can't subtract.
- 2. Melt it completely. Rub it between your palms until it's an oil, not a paste. Cold balm sits on top of hair in clumps.
- 3. Work against the grain first. Up and sideways, fingers to the skin. The skin is where itch and flakes start, and it's the stop most people skip.
- 4. Style with the grain. Palms down the beard, then comb or brush if that's your thing.
When
Right after a shower is prime time: hair is clean, pores are warm, and the balm spreads best. Daily during the itchy first months of a new beard; every day or two after that, your beard will tell you.
Troubleshooting
- Feels greasy? Halve the amount. Then halve it again.
- Still itchy underneath? You're not reaching skin, go back to step 3 (and read the itch page).
- No hold? Use slightly more and press the shape in with palms while it's warm.
Ten scents, tallow-based, made by hand in small batches in Wakarusa, Indiana. Pick one.