Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 6: Cleansing and Preparing
• Method 2 of 6: Electric Trimmer
• Method 3 of 6: Maintaining the trimmer
• Method 4 of 6: Scissoring
• Method 5 of 6: Optional: A short, crisp beard
• Method 6 of 6: Beard Styles and Varieties
• Tips
• Warnings

A well-shaved beard can be a great addition to your look. The possibilities for styling "hairstyles" are almost endless, so this article will only provide you with basic techniques and ideas.

Steps

Method 1 of 6: Cleansing and Preparing

1. 1 Rinse your beard thoroughly. It is very important to start working with a clean, dry beard. Because the hair on your face becomes as oily as it does on your scalp. Get yourself a clean haircut.
   • Wash your beard with shampoo, you can do this over the sink or in the shower, then pat dry with a towel. Try to avoid shampoos that dry out your skin.
2. 2 Comb your beard. This will help straighten your hair and remove tangles, making it easier to cut.
   • Run the comb in the direction of hair growth, on one side of the face, along the jaw. Start at the ears and work your way up to the chin.
   • Do not scratch your beard against hair growth, you need to comb it evenly. You can fluff it later with your hands.
3. 3 Start cutting in front of a large mirror. Make sure you have everything you need close at hand: scissors or trimmer, comb, towel, and other items and tools that you intend to use. You may need a spare battery for your trimmer.
   • If you have a polygonal or triple mirror, this will be very useful, you will be able to see hard-to-see areas of the face.
4. 4 Prepare a spot where the trimmed hairs will fall. If you will be cutting your beard in the bathroom, plug the drain off to prevent hair from getting in. Otherwise, cleaning up the blockage will not bring you as much pleasant sensation as it does to your household, especially if you leave a mess behind you.
   • Prepare a small trash can for excess hair.
   • Alternatively, you can also put a newspaper or towel in the bathtub or washbasin.
   • If you have a portable mirror, trim your beard outside. Then the hair will simply be blown away by the wind.

Method 2 of 6: Electric Trimmer

1. 1 Select an attachment. Most modern devices are equipped with replaceable plastic attachments. They provide an even haircut, and also allow you to choose the length of the hair - no one wants to cut the excess.
   • If you are not sure which of the two attachments you have selected will work, use the one that leaves the longer length. Then you can always shorten it. And if you cut too much at once, you will have to wait for the hair to grow back.
   • Carefully read the instructions for your trimmer type of attachments, as well as the description of the speed settings of the trimmer.
   • If you want to shave your beard completely, work without attachments.
2. 2 Turn on the trimmer and with gentle but firm strokes, work on both sides of your face. Shave your hair along its length with long stitches
   • Maintain a symmetrical cut on both sides of the face, always starting from the ear and down.
   • The attachment protects your skin from irritation or too much hair cutting.
3. 3 Shave your mustache and chin. Start under the nose and move to the corners of the lips, then to the chin. Pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas under your nose.
   • Keep your mouth closed to keep hair out of it.
   • Depending on the length of your beard, you may decide to trim your mustache with scissors.
4. 4 Finish trimming with bare blades. Remove the brush head and shave off any remaining stubble on your neck. Focus on the jaw line.
   • A foam safety razor can be used if desired. It's a matter of style. Some people like a clear line between a thick beard and a smooth neck, while others allow a little stubble on the neck.

Method 3 of 6: Maintaining the trimmer

1. 1 Clean the trimmer. Usually, the kit comes with a set in which there is a special brush. After each shave, remove hair from the device and the brush head. This will prevent hair build-up, clogging of the trimmer insides, or even damage to the trimmer motor.
   • If there is no brush in the set, you can use an unnecessary toothbrush.
2. 2 Be careful not to dull the trimmer blades. The trimmer sets also contain mineral oil bubbles. After brushing, remember to lubricate the blades by dripping a little on them and turning the trimmer on for 20 seconds. This will allow the oil to spread throughout the blades and keep them smooth and sharp.
   • If the trimmer was not specially supplied with oil - contact the manufacturer before replacing it with another handy, not every oil is suitable for this trimmer and will provide their normal performance.
3. 3 Be prepared for various problems. A trimmer, which is regularly and properly maintained, is unlikely to present many problems, however, like any electrical appliance, a shaving machine can fail. Here are the main issues with troubleshooting tips:
   • "The typewriter buzzes a lot." Many trimmers have a voltage regulator on the side of the body. Try to adjust it to normalize the noise using the included tool or an ordinary screwdriver by unscrewing it in one direction and the other. It's safe if you've done everything right.
   • "The machine cuts badly." Your trimmer may not be sharp enough or the internal motor is losing power. Make sure the blades are clean and sharp. It can also be a result of motor wear. It may be time to change your trimmer. You can consult the manufacturer, also check the warranty period and conditions for the provision of warranty repairs.
     • Increased hair stiffness can be another reason. Brush any remaining hairs from the blades and try again with more frequent, shorter strokes.
   • "The battery runs out quickly." Battery capacity decreases over time. Most manufacturers can replace it for you - contact your dealer for more details.
   • "My trimmer blades are crooked." This is possible if the blades have popped out of the mount. Reduction is generally not a difficult process, but it will depend on the make and model of your trimmer. Most manufacturers have an online manual for this step, and you can always find user advice on DIY sites.

Method 4 of 6: Scissoring

1. 1 Use clean, sharp scissors, preferably designed specifically for trimming your beard. Scissors are a very good tool for trimming beards, although they require some skill, such as sharpening.
   • Make sure the scissors are not rusty or damaged - otherwise your hair can catch on the flaws and pull out, and this is by no means pleasant and even painful.
   • Do not use garden or kitchen scissors unless you want to hurt yourself. They are too big and awkward to use.
2. 2 Use a comb to help you adjust the length so you don't cut too short. Try to imitate the work of hairdressers - how they collect hair in a strand, hold it, and cut off excess.
   • Comb your hair from ear to chin, leaving the length you want to cut.
   • Cut off as much as you left on the other side of the comb
   • Be extremely careful. Start small. You will always have time to cut off, but it is unlikely to correct the mistake if you cut too much.
3. 3 Work on both sides of the face, keeping symmetry, until you reach the desired length.
   • Comb your beard to make sure everything is trimmed straight.
4. 4 Treat the chin and mustache in the same way using a comb. Cut straight along the upper lip line.
5. 5 The final step is straight edges. Use scissors to trim the excess hair off your neck with extreme care, cutting as close to your skin as possible.
   • Better to use an electric trimmer for this action.
   • If you're not sure, you can simply lather and shave your neck with a safety razor to remove all hair. It is much easier than removing the last hairs with a pair of scissors.

Method 5 of 6: Optional: A short, crisp beard

1. 1 Choose a style with crisp lines. Many beard styles create contrasts of crisp, sharp lines where hair and skin have a clear border. Even if you're not aiming to surprise those around you, you still want to maintain smooth skin where stubble isn't planned. This process can be as simple as removing unwanted neck hair, but painstaking if you want perfectly straight and symmetrical temples. In any case, think over a plan of action in advance - you need to shave from top to bottom, significant mistakes can change your style completely.
   • There is no definite correct beard shape. You choose it yourself. However, the most common styles involve a close shave of the neck below the chin and the top of the cheeks to prevent an overgrown look. Decide what's best for you.
2. 2 Get a razor. In the distant past, shaving required a perfectly straight and sharp razor. Today, almost every supermarket has a huge selection of safety plastic razors. Whichever you choose to maintain clean lines is up to you, safety razors are cheap, lightweight, and comfortable to use, but some prefer the elegance and precision of a classic razor. For more information, see our article "How to shave"
3. 3 Prepare your beard for shaving. Your goal (especially in the areas around where you want to have defined skin / hair boundaries) is warm and damp hair, which will make the job much easier. This step allows for some deviations. Here are some common methods:
   • Splash some hot water on your face. If you have a soft beard (or are just brave), no other preparation is required, although you may still need to repeat the steps to keep your beard warm and moist while you shave.
   • Use hot water and foam. This is the most common way. Splash hot water on your face as above, then beat the shaving cream or oil into a lather and work on the areas you want to shave. If you have time, wait a minute or two with the lather on your face for an even more comfortable shave.
   • Use a hot towel. If you have time, this method can be very relaxing.Wrap a warm, damp towel around your head so that it covers your beard. Let cool. Remove the towel, apply lather, and shave.
   • Many people like to shower before (or during) shaving, as this is a constant stream of warm water. If you like the idea, look for a small mirror for the shower for a more precise shave.
4. 4 Slide your razor about a couple of centimeters from your beard line. Be forethought - this gives you room to maneuver if you make a sweeping move.
   • If you've used lather and can't see where to shave, it's okay to rub it off a little with your finger. Even a very thin layer of foam will give a good effect.
5. 5 Shave your desired beard line. Use different directions of the razor stroke, of course, try not to hurt yourself, try to shave against hair growth - the stitches along the beard can be long, and when you shave perpendicular to it, it should be short and precise stitches to accurately adjust the beard line.
6. 6 Repeat everything on the other side of your face. A mirror and a good light source are essential - you need to be able to see all parts of your face if you want a perfectly symmetrical beard.
7. 7 Remove the remaining foam and rinse your face with cold water. The cold water tightens the skin, which helps stop any small cuts from bleeding. Our How to Shave Your Face guide contains further instructions on how to treat razor cuts.
   • When you wash and dry your face, you can see any small inaccuracies and areas that you missed. Typically, minor adjustments can be made without reapplying the foam.

Method 6 of 6: Beard Styles and Varieties

1. 1 Leave the sideburns. Awaken Abraham Lincoln in You! Shave off your mustache leaving everything else.
   • It is easier to do this with a trimmer. Use the instructions above to shave off your mustache with a trimmer.
   • You can shave off your mustache with a regular safety razor. If not, then achieve uniformly short hairs with a clipper.
2. 2 Conquer everyone with a goatee, this style is also called "anchor". To do this, shave off the sideburns and beard on the cheeks, leaving only the hair around the mouth.
   • Shave in an imaginary line running from the tips of your nose down past the corners of your mouth.
   • Experiment by shaving your hair under both the lower lip and chin to get what is called a fu-manchu style.
3. 3 Try the Mutton Chops style. This is the opposite of the goatee style. Leave long sideburns, but trim the mustache and hair around the lips and chin.
   • You can keep the mustache in addition to the sideburns, experiment with styles.
     
     
4. 4 Choose the style "five-o'clock shadow", in other words - "as if you had not shaved since yesterday evening." Remove the attachment and carefully shave off almost the entire length. It looks very courageous - a kind of light unshaven.
   • It looks especially elegant and expressive if you have dark hair combined with pale skin.
5. 5 Cultivate a soul path. Soul track - tiny, short beard under the lower lip. This style is especially loved by jazz musicians, complementing them with fashionable glasses. Maintain a perfect beard shape. It is sometimes shaped like a downward-facing triangle that extends from your lower lip to the fossa above your chin.
   • Try different lengths for this style. A short “path” may be subtle, while longer beard hairs will add a touch of mystery to your look.
6. 6 Amuse your friends with a pencil mustache. This style is associated with director John Waters. Shave off the beard all over your face, leaving only the mustache. Then give them the shortest length using the appropriate trimmer attachment. Then, using a safety razor, shave off the top of the mustache except for a thin strip just above the upper lip. Believe me, there will be no end to the girls!
7. 7 Experiment! Try different lengths in this style. Hair grows constantly anyway.
   • If you plan on shaving your beard completely, take the opportunity and try a style for at least an hour. Eat breakfast with a goatee, dine with a mustache - and maybe you'll love one of your new styles.

Tips

• Use scissors and a trimmer only on dry hair. Wet hair is longer, and therefore, as soon as it dries, it turns out that you cut off the excess.
• If you are just starting to grow a beard, then let your hair grow first. Start cutting at least a month later.
• Take care of your tools, keep your trimmer or scissors clean, and make sure they are not dull - it will last longer and be less troublesome.
• If you have an electric trimmer but don't come with attachments, use a comb to make adjustments, just like when shaving with scissors, trim off any hair that is left on the back of the comb.
• If the small outgrowths of hair that you cut have fallen into hard-to-reach places, then we can advise you to wrap your finger with toilet paper or a napkin, wet it a little with warm water and run your fingers around the taps and other parts of the washbasin - the hairs will stick and be removed.

Warnings

• Safety razors are ideal for clean lines and short beards. But it is not recommended to use them for trimming a thick beard. The process will take longer, you need to constantly rinse the razor, and sometimes deal with blockages, not to mention accidental cuts.
  • If you are going to significantly shorten your beard, stock up on a trimmer or suitable scissors. You can also use a razor (dangerous or safe), but you can also try other tools for shortening your beard.
• Do not use electrical appliances under the shower. Even if it is a cordless or waterproof trimmer, even then you are not protected from electric shock or electric shock.