By Rita Okoye

Now that you’ve just successfully grown a full beard the next step in the process is to keep it well groomed.

There are a lot of reasons why you need to do these beard grooming tips.

The best is hygiene, the last thing you want is an ungroomed, unkempt, itchy and smelly beard that’s all over the place.

This will turn off any woman – a good enough reason why you should groom the beard regularly.

Having a beard is a symbol as masculinity and not everyone is genetically blessed to grow one but if you are beard grooming is an essential if you want to look great and stand out.

A lot of celebrities who were once sported the clean look now have full beards.

Here are 8 tips on how to groom your beard and stand out among the heard of men.

Keep it Clean and Moisturized

Keeping the beard clean prevents itchiness and keeps it soft. This is an essential step especially when you’re in the process of growing one. If you don’t wash and condition it, chances are it will get dry and wiry – this leads to the feeling of itchiness which leads to men giving up and shaving it all off.

After washing, dry using a clean towel. If possible use a clean towel as old towel can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

Avoid blow drying it as heat from a dryer can dry out facial hair making it frizzy.

Lastly, comb the beard with a wide tooth comb – this will remove any tangles and set things in order.

Have a Style in Mind

Let’s be honest not everybody can grow a full beard. Facial hair will vary depending on the shape of your face and genetics – whether you’re naturally hairy or not. Remember that in essence growing a beard is a fashion statement. The last thing you want is a beard style that will not fit the shape of your face.

Have a Workable Routine

Having a well-groomed beard takes time and effort, time in which some men do not have. So before growing a one make sure to commit yourself to a certain time frame each day or weekend for proper beard maintenance.

Learn How to Use a Beard Trimmer

A beard trimmer is a great tool for sculpting your beard but you have to use it properly to maximize it. Before running the trimmer make sure to comb the beard in a downward motion.

After trimming make sure to comb down again to keep it neat.

Avoid Trimming a Wet Beard

A wet beard is typically longer and if you try to trim it wet, you may end up cutting more off than you would like. Before trimming make sure the beard is dry so you’ll be accurate in terms of how much facial hair you need to cut off.

Healthy Diet = Healthy Skin = Great Looking Beard

Nutrition plays an important role in how fast your beard grows and how great it looks. Experts say that a healthy skin will translate to a health hair so a diet rich in Omega-3 and vitamins (particularly vitamin A) is a great step in the right direction. Also avoid drinking too much alcohol as this causes dehydration.

Comb It Well

For guys with a full beard, comb that beautiful piece of facial hair before you go out. You will need a wide tooth comb, a narrow tooth comb and a finally a beard brush.

The same reason why you comb the hair on your head, you want to remove any tangles and make sure you don’t look like you just got out of bed.

Do this after showering or washing your beard that way it still has some moisture and you can style it better.

Don’t Forget the Beard Oil

One of the biggest complaints of men growing a full on beard is that its itchy as heck. That’s because your beard is sucking all the nutrients from your face making it very dry and flaky.