Despite what your mum might say, beards are still an incredibly popular trend. With the right look, a beard can amplify your masculinity and give you an edgier, more dramatic aesthetic.

Growing a beard is not about forgetting to shave for six months. A good beard has a lot more to it than just mere patience. The key to making your facial hair work is keeping it trimmed and well-maintained. Facial hair grows out at different rates, meaning the longer your facial hair grows, the more likely it is to look messy. Trimming not only keeps your facial hair looking neat but also defines the shape your beard takes. Whether you’re thinking about growing a full-fledged Ned Kelly or merely some Javier Bardem stubble, you will want to read on for our tips on trimming and maintaining your beard.

How to Do It With Scissors

If your beard is beginning to make its way into the longer territory, you will be wanting to think about shaping it with a pair of scissors. Now, it may be tempting to simply leave this job to your barber, but the fact is many men don’t go as often as they would like. Learning how to trim your beard with scissors is a must to keep you looking at your beardy best.

• Firstly, make sure your beard is clean, give it a wash with a little bit of shampoo. A clean beard will be easier to work with. Then run a comb through it, this will give you an idea of which parts are looking messy.
• The most important rule to remember about trimming your beard with scissors is to never take off too much too soon. You don’t want to be left a shadow of your former self because you went crazy with the scissors. Go easy, especially at the start. Starting around your chin, work freehand to trim away loose ends. Remember that symmetry is key if you trim one side take an equal amount from the opposite side. Continue working your way up from the bottom of your sideburns.
• If you are trimming a shorter beard with scissors, comb up against the grain. Carefully work your way up the sides, again remembering to pay attention to symmetry. With a scissor cut, you will need to use your judgment on length, so the second pair of eyes can be helpful.

How to Do It With Clippers

Clippers give you more control (and fewer nightmares of accidentally butchering your beard) than scissors. Modern electric beard trimmers even come with digital controls that let you select the exact length you would like.

• Comb your beard before you begin your trim. Unlike scissors, clippers allow you to define your beard boundaries and fade your neckline. If you opt for a defined cheek line, use a razor or the shortest setting on your clippers to shave this part of your face first. This will give you a better idea of the shape of your beard.
• Next, decide on how long the longest part of your beard will be. Begin trimming with this length guard comb or setting around your chin and jawline. Then move to the sides of your face and cheeks, most men will need to opt for a shorter guard comb or setting here for appropriate weighting. Finally, move on to your mustache.
• Depending on how quickly your mo’ grows, you may not need to trim it at all. Keep in mind that a tidy mustache should not grow all the way over your top lip.

How to Trim a Short Beard

A short beard is just that, a short beard, not stubble. In many workplaces, it’s the difference between being allowed facial hair or being reminded to shave. A short, unkempt beard will stand out far more than its longer brothers. Pay attention to the shape of your face; this will define the form of a short beard. Follow the jawline, and make sure that your beard hugs your face without hiding it. Short beards complement the rest of your face, but should not be its defining feature.

How to Trim a Long Beard

A longer beard takes center stage, but thankfully it forgives on any trimming blunders. Don’t get carried away with the trimming, or dictating the shape of your beard. At a longer length, your beard will tell you the way it wants to grow, take its advice and follow the shape of your beard’s densest parts. Trimming a long beard is about neatening and getting rid of any split ends.

How to Trim And Fade Your Neckline

Your beard’s neckline is more important than you might give it credit for. When looking at a bearded man in profile, a bad neckline is one of the first things many will notice. Be wary of shaving a hard shape into your neckline; you want to achieve a more natural faded look.

• Begin by imagining an arched line from ear to ear, the lowest point sitting just above your Adam’s apple. This is the line where your neck hair should stop.
• After defining the length of your chin and jawline, trim your neck to that length, now go one or two settings shorter with your clippers. Use this shorter length for the bottom half of your neck to that imaginary line you drew. This will give your neck a neat but natural-looking fade.
• Finally, remove any stray hairs below this line with a razor or the shortest setting on your clippers.