HOW TO TRIM AND EDGE YOUR BEARD AT HOME
HOW TO TRIM AND EDGE YOUR BEARD AT HOME
Whether you do all your beard maintenance at home, or you’re just looking to clean up your beard in between visits to the barbershop, we’ve got the tips and tricks you need from expert barbers who make up the Gillette Barber Council. Follow these easy steps to get your beard trimmed and keep your edges precise.
Step 1 - Apply a hot towel
Not only does a hot towel feel soothing on your skin, but it also opens the pores to help your razor give you a nice, close shave.
Step 2 - Take down the length of your beard
Before you get into the shaping process, cut your beard down to the desired length. To do this, start with a longer comb attachment than you think you need on your beard trimmer/styler and move to a shorter attachment on your next pass until you reach the right length. If you go too short right off the bat, there’s no undo button.
Faheem, a member of our Barber Council, advises:
Faheem, a member of our Barber Council, advises:
“If your hair is long, it’s important to use proper trimmers to cut it down before shaving. A razor won’t cut longer hair or whiskers properly, so using a trimmer will avoid an uneven or awkward cut.”
– Faheem Alexander | @fahdabarber1
“If your hair is long, it’s important to use proper trimmers to cut it down before shaving. A razor won’t cut longer hair or whiskers properly, so using a trimmer will avoid an uneven or awkward cut.”
– Faheem Alexander | @fahdabarber1
Step 3 - Define your lines
Now it’s time to set your shape. Take two fingers and place them above your Adam’s apple to determine where to set your beard line. Imagine a U-shape that connects to the back of each ear, and meets in the middle at the base of the U. On the trimmer’s shortest setting, shave any hair below that line to keep strays off your neck.
Josh, a member of our Barber Council, advises:
Josh, a member of our Barber Council, advises:
“I determine where a client’s beard should stop based on the structure of their throat. If they have a double chin, I like to shape it up at the Adams apple or if they have sharp jaw, then I cut to the jawline.”
– Josh Pereira | @iamjoshpereira
“I determine where a client’s beard should stop based on the structure of their throat. If they have a double chin, I like to shape it up at the Adams apple or if they have sharp jaw, then I cut to the jawline.”
– Josh Pereira | @iamjoshpereira
Step 4 - Apply shave gel
Once you’ve established the shape of your beard, it’s time to start cleaning up your neck and cheeks. Start by applying a shave gel above and below your beard. Shave gel will help soften your hair and prevent irritation while you shave.
Step 5 - Shave it down
Using your razor, give yourself a clean shave below your neck line and above your cheeks. Make sure you avoid getting too close the edges of your beard.
Step 6 - Align your edges
Using the precision trimmer on the back of your blade, shave above and below your beard, right to the edges. The precision trimmer gives you more control, especially around those hard to reach places.
Faheem’s go-to razor is SkinGuard:
Faheem’s go-to razor is SkinGuard:
“My go-to razor is Gillette SkinGuard which is designed for sensitive skin. When using the razor on your cheeks remember to set your guide slightly above the middle of your cheeks. This guide will allow you to have a nice full beard. It is always safer to start at a higher point than lower when lining your beard with a razor.”
– Faheem Alexander | @fahdabarber1
“My go-to razor is Gillette SkinGuard which is designed for sensitive skin. When using the razor on your cheeks remember to set your guide slightly above the middle of your cheeks. This guide will allow you to have a nice full beard. It is always safer to start at a higher point than lower when lining your beard with a razor.”
– Faheem Alexander | @fahdabarber1
Step 7 - Rinse with cold water
Once you’re done with your shave, splash cold water on your face to close your pores back up. Cold water will also help your skin recover if you typically experience sensitivity or razor burn after a shave.
You’ve nailed your style, and now it’s time to show it off. Next time you have a few weeks between barber visits, rest assured that you can keep your style exactly how you want it and might even impress your barber when you’re back in the chair.
Check out some tips from
professional barbers.
@onthemark1
Expert tips from the Gillette Barber Council
@onthemark1
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