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The hardest part is over with.

For weeks, you’ve been patiently – or impatiently – waiting for your beard to arrive.

Now that it’s here, you’re realizing that it’s a little too “here.”

In other words, it could use some trimming.

If this is your first beard, trimming is going to be completely foreign to you. But rest easy, for it’s not nearly as complicated as it sounds.

To make the trimming process go as smoothly as possible, here are some tips for how to trim a beard for the first time.

What Kind of Trimmer Should You Use?

Before embarking on this quest, you must first choose your weapon.

This isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly, for there are certain kinds of trimmers you’ll want to look for.

One of the most important traits a beard trimmer can have is a compact size. This makes the device perfect for travel and on-the-fly use.

It’s also important to have length guard of varying size. This allows you to customize the amount of hair that the trimmer is going to take off.

For instance, just before you walk into an important interview, you may want to have a small trim. On the other hand, you want to have a larger trim if you notice that you’re looking a little rough around the edges.

Now that you’ve found your beard trimmer, you’re probably wondering how to trim your beard. Just make sure you’re going with the grain. Otherwise, you risk taking off more hair than you might want.

If you’re looking for some precision trimming or are just a tradition kind of guy, there’s always scissors. Scissors won’t be as simple as an electric trimmer, but they’ll get the job done if you’re skilled and patient enough.

Scissors can also serve as a great follow-up to the work done by an electric trimmer. If there are any stray hairs sticking out, send in the scissors.

It won’t be long before you have assembled an accessory kit that perfectly complements your grooming routine. When you are clipping and trimming with precision you will feel like a professional in no time!

Should You Be Using Other Grooming Products?

Despite what you might think, there’s more to successful trimming than the act itself. That’s only half the battle.

There are actually a number of other beard grooming products that can give the trim the extra help it needs.

Here are just a few of the grooming products you need.

Before you ever use a trimmer, you should first make sure that your beard is as clean and healthy as possible. This will make the hair far softer and more conducive to trimming.

When going about washing your beard, splashing water on it just won’t do. It takes a bit more effort than that.

One of the best ways to thoroughly clean your beard is beard balm. Not only will the balm moisturize the beard and prepare it for trimming, but it will also reduce itchiness and dandruff.

Applying beard balm is easy. All you have to do is scoop out a quarter-sized amount, rub it between your palms to heat it up, then polish your beard in a downward motion.

To better spread the balm, you might want to consider using a comb or brush, but more about that later.

You might also consider using a beard oil, which is a lot like a beard balm, except it’s a bit lighter on the holding power. On the other hand, its hydration effects are more immediate than a balm’s.

After you’ve thoroughly cleaned your beard, you’ll want to break out the beard comb. A beard comb will serve your trim in two major ways.

First, it will help straighten out the hair, so the trimmer won’t run into any entanglements. Second, you can use the comb to hold up the exact amount of hair you want to trim, then run the trimmer against the comb. This allows for a more precise cut.

If you’re thinking about using the comb you already have, that won’t work. A beard comb is distinct from a regular comb, due to the positioning of its bristles, which is designed to better tackle the unique layout of your beard’s hair follicles.

And like the trimmer itself, the beard comb is small enough to keep in your pocket at all times. The two never need to part.

An electric trim clipper is the best beard shaping tool but should be used with caution. As a rookie, it is important not to go full-on with the beard trimmer at the beginning. You should let the beard grow out naturally in places.

As you feel the natural shape of the beard grows around your chin you will be able to see where it is important to trim to make your beard even. This way you will also be able to understand the importance of your beard and shaving with the grain. As a result, you will achieve a category of beards identified as grain beards.

With a beard trimmer in your hand your grooming routine will be elevated to another level. An electric trimmer will allow you to craft with precision. It won’t take long before you have developed your own style!

Beard oil is an essential accessory to make your facial hair silky smooth and healthy. As your beard develops you will need to learn how to take care of each strand of hair. Beard oil aims to help with conditioning, styling, and growth.

To prevent your beard hair from becoming dry and nasty apply oil regularly during your grooming routine. Oil works well in tandem with balm and a comb to keep your new beard looking luscious.

Oil may seem like an extravagant accessory at the moment. But when you emerge from your teenage years it will be a pleasant treat for your beard hair.

It may seem early but in the long term, you are going to want a beard kit. A full beard moisturizer kit will be essential when you are thinking about shaping and trimming a longer beard.

Alongside your combs, trimmers, and oils you should make sure you have the best beard scissors available. Once you have developed a 3 month beard you will be well versed in the grooming routine that suits your beard and chin.

A great beard kit will be stocked with Beard Brush, Comb, Beard Oil Leave-in Conditioner, and Barber Scissors. You will begin to feel like a pro when you line all the kit up on your bathroom shelf. That is where the real beard care begins.

Does It Matter How Long Your Beard Is?

If you’re curious how to trim a medium beard or how to trim a long beard, the basics are going to remain the same. However, if you’re dealing with a short beard, then you’re going to have to make some adjustments.

One of the most basic things to know is not to start trimming your beard too early. If you do, you risk creating ingrown hairs, the inflammation from which could result in poor beard growth.

At this early stage, you’re also going to have to be more careful with where you trim, because mistakes are going to show more than they will with a long beard.

Plus, you don’t know exactly how your beard is going to grow in yet. It’s best to wait a while before doing any major trimming, just to get a lay of the land. This doesn’t mean you can’t knock out a few strays, however.

Once you’ve developed something like a 4-week beard, then you can definitely take your trimmer to the beard and smooth it out.

More so than length, the type of hair you have might change your approach. For instance, if you have curly beard hair, then you might have to take an extra step to straighten it out as much as possible before trimming.

As far as how often to trim a beard, that’s going to depend entirely on how long you’d like your beard to be. If you want to keep it around the same length, making a trim part of your daily routine is the way to go.

Now You Know How To Trim A Beard For The First Time

Any job that requires electric tools and doesn’t come with a redo option can seem intimidating.

But when you break it down, learning how to trim a beard for the first time isn’t nearly as complicated as it sounds.

All you have to do is find a trimmer that is worthy of your beard, then make use of some tangential grooming products. A beard comb and beard balm will not only make your job easier, but it will result in a more luscious beard.

Taking care of your facial hair also means taking care of the skin beneath. There are various grooming products that will come in handy as you become more comfortable with your beard care routine.

As you trim for the first time you will want to prevent itchiness and ingrown hairs. Your life will be much easier if you become familiar with all these grooming techniques early on.

Because beards come in many shapes and sizes, so should the approach to trimming a beard. However, the basics are always going to stay the same, even if the unique nature of your beard requires some special attention.

Do you have other ideas about how to trim a beard for the first time?

Let us know in the comments below!