W
hat is it that gets her going? The big full on ‘forest bear look’ she can run her fingers through or the ever classic ‘not shaved this morning look’ of designer stubble? Caressing a clean-shaven face is appealing to many women, but beards are in fashion these days, thanks to celebrities such as Jake Gyllenhaal and Chris Hemsworth.
There are women out there who just can not resist a bit of facial hair fondling. If you are thinking of following the trend (growing a beard not the fondling), you need to train those beardy follicles to get the beard to be proud of.
Whether you opt for Ryan Gosling’s stache/beard combo or stick with a barely-there stubble, you will need to treat your facial hair right for the best effect and for that you need to make use of beard balms and beard waxes.
What Does Beard Wax/Balm Do?
Both beard balm and beard wax are popular among men. Most beardies use the terms interchangeably, but the truth is that there are subtle differences. Here is what you should know when comparing beard wax vs. beard balm.
Beard Wax
Beard wax is an amazing grooming aid and works to protect your beard, much like a hair mousse or spray. It allows beards to be waxed and sculptured into styles that will hold the course of the day, especially if you opt for a stronghold beard wax. With different scents and natural ingredients such as coconut oil, beeswax and shea nut butter, not only does it smell good under your nose but your precious bristles will be softened and nurtured into the bargain.
Beard Balm
For extra conditioning worthy of the celebrity look, beard balm, the lovechild of beard wax and beard oil, is just the ticket, especially for the shorter look. It provides a medium hold for style and comes in a range of subtle fragrances from the oils used.
What to Use in Different Situations?
Knowing your balm from your wax will help you decided the most suitable product for your beardy locks.
Beard Balm for a Healthier Looking Beard
If your aim is to improve the touchy feely softness of your beard, use a good quality beard balm. It has the perfect ingredients for the job, carrier oils. These oils, such as argan or jojoba leave your beard soft, shiny and looking healthy. And it helps combat beard dandruff – which is a bonus. Argan and jojoba have similar properties to natural sebum produced by your own skin and apart from being extremely beneficial have fewer chances of causing any allergic reactions.
Along with carrier oils, there are essential oils added to beard balm. They bring the delicate aromas noticeable in the high quality balms. It is this cologne that ladies find so hard to resist. But beware, in their raw state, they are too harsh for sensitive skin so stick to using them in the balm, no matter what effect they have on the girls.
Butters are another key ingredient. Shea, coconut or any other, allow an even coating over all the hairs and protect against beard dandruff too. It’s the natural beeswax that makes styling your beard in your own unique way a piece of cake. For less than 4 inches of growth, it holds remarkably well over long periods of time too.
Things to Remember When Looking for the Best Beard Balm
- Pay attention to the ingredient profile. You will be applying it daily for best effects, so check it does not contain ingredients you are allergic to.
- Check the container material. It is better to avoid a beard balm in a plastic container and opt for one in glass or aluminum, as you might have to heat up the balm if it is in a solid form.
- Consider the container size. Most of these products are available in 30ml and 60ml containers, but you can also find heavy duty beard balms up to 120ml. There are budget 10ml bottles, but that is going to last no longer than a couple of weeks, when a 30ml bottle may serve you well up to a month or more. Consider your daily usage and compare it to the price to make a good decision.
Beard Wax for a Great Hold
The ingredients you find in a beard balm are usually found in a beard wax as well, but it all comes down to the ratio of ingredients. For a stellar beard, use wax, especially if you’re interested in a great hold only. It contains a much higher percentage of the beeswax which means a firmer hold for your beardy arrangement.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that not all beard waxes are going to have shea butter included in the ingredient list. Cheaper brands replace it with lanolin, which is a waxy substance used to give the wax its stickiness. It serves more as an additional holding agent.
Things to Remember When Looking for the Best Beard Wax
- Know about the variety you want. You can find many sub-varieties of beard wax, which include soy free, organic, tinted, vegan, petrochemical-free, and so many more. All these varieties have their own set of benefits for your beard or your lifestyle. An organic wax, for instance, prevents unkempt hair but also strengthens your hair follicles. Know the types before making a choice.
- Check the holding strengths against the length of your beard. From light and medium to strong and even extra strong, waxes come in different strengths. For more permanent and long-lasting effects, you should be going for a wax offering strong hold. If the texture of your hair is rather rough, you will need stronger waxes.
- Check the quality of the ingredients. Put your money on waxes made from organic or natural materials to get a lustrous beard and avoid allergies and other side effects.
- Consider the scent of the wax. It makes great sense especially if you’re sensitive. You will be smelling it all day after all. It is possible to find scent-free waxes easily enough if scents are migraine or seizure triggers.
When it comes down to it, if you’re looking for a perfect grooming aid, a beard wax should be your choice. It controls rugged whiskers and makes your beard look complete. Beard balm is much lighter and serves more as a product for moisturizing and conditioning. So, select what your beard needs at the moment!
Both of these beard-care products will help you take good care of your facial hair. The length of your beard as well as your personal preferences will help select the right product for you. Once you have made the purchase, here is how to use beard balm and wax.
How Do You Use Beard Wax/Balm?
Both of these beard-care products will help you take good care of your facial hair. The length of your beard as well as your personal preferences will help select the right product for you. Once you have made the purchase, here is how to use beard balm and wax.
How to Use Beard Balm
- Apply it right after a shower. Your bristles will already be softened. Regard it as you would a hair conditioner. Usually you don’t need a lot.
- Use a couple of pea-sized amounts, rub it a little on your fingers, and apply directly to your beard. For an even spread, use a beard comb as well.
- If after application, your beard looks or feels dry. You may want to take some more and apply until your beard feels soft to touch.
- Do not take a lot of it at first or you may end up making your beard look greasy, and that’s real turn off.
How to Apply Beard Wax
- Take a little amount on your fingers and put it on your palm. Rub your palms gently until the wax has melted completely.
- Now, apply directly to your beard thoroughly. For even distribution, you can again make use of a beard comb. A boar hair bristle brush is also a good choice because it traps the oil in your beard. They are expensive but worth the investment if you are serious about keeping your beard in top shape.
- While applying the wax, give shape to your beard in whatever way you want.
- Keep using more wax until you have achieved the desired style. Stop only when you have get the style and your beard still looks smooth. You’ll know when enough is enough.
Removing Beard Wax
You usually do not need to worry about removing a beard balm because it serves more as a leave-in conditioner, but beard wax has to be removed daily and properly. Not doing so will result in clumping and the dreaded beard dandruff. Not nice.
- Take a good quality wax conditioner or opt for beard wash to get rid of beard wax.
- Apply the beard wash directly into your beard and massage gently. Be sure to coat the hair follicles evenly.
- Leave the beard wash in place for a few minutes and then comb out the wax using a wooden comb.
Now, use warm water to rinse your beard.
Does Beard Balm/Wax Stimulate More Hair Growth?
Yes, they can, but it all comes down to the types of ingredients each of these products contains. A beard balm is more likely to help promote beard growth because it contains pure argan oil and unrefined jojoba oil. These oils naturally moisturize the skin underneath your beard.
By massaging the balm gently, you can also help get rid of unwanted skin cells that hamper the growth of your beard. Some of these products may also contain vitamin E and other antioxidants that strengthen your beard and prevent oxidative damage to skin cells. All this will help stimulate hair growth.
While a beard wax can also help with hair growth depending on the ingredients, it is more for use as a personal grooming product than anything else. So, if your main aim is to promote facial hair growth, a hair balm is the better choice.
How Often Should You Apply the Beard Balm/Wax?
If your beard balm contains natural ingredients, most oils, and you use sparingly, it is okay to use it a couple of times a day. You can go for a morning and night application, especially if you’re using the balm to promote facial hair growth. You should be very careful when using beard waxes.
Remember that there are all types of waxes, and some even contain chemicals. Those so-called ‘beard fixers’ can give you a strong hold for a short time but may end up drying out your beard and your skin. It is better to avoid these waxes. Instead, opt for beard waxes with natural ingredients.
1) Honest Amish Beard Wax
Crafted in the United States, this Honest Amish beard wax is a perfect choice for an improved beard control. Even a small amount of the wax is capable of giving you a good rouge hair control. It is a medium hold wax only, so you can expect light shaping. Therefore, it wouldn’t be wrong to suggest that it is more of a balm, also because of its ingredients that include a variety of organic oils and butters. Thanks to those ingredients, the wax works well for people who are still trying to grow a beard.
Unlike many other stronghold beard waxes, you do not have a hard time getting it out of your beard at the end of the day. Overall, it serves you well, but we believe it is better to use it when your beard is damp, as it ensures an even application. The availability of a recyclable 2oz tin is nice, but many people are of the view that the size could have been better.
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2) Smooth Viking Beard Balm & Conditioner
With ingredients like olive oil, safflower seed oil, carnauba wax, argan oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba seed oil, and more, this beard balm from Smooth Vikings is capable of nourishing your hair. Its regular use it supposed to strengthen the hair follicles and promote beard growth at the same time.
The use of the beeswax helps make styling easier and save you from dealing with an itchy and dry beard. Interestingly, the use of this balm promises a thicker looking beard, which is quite possible considering the number of oils it contains.
Just bear in mind that it is not a wax and may not be able to keep your beard in place for very long. But, as it is quite soft on your beard, you can go apply it twice a day for better control. The scent is not that strong, so keep it in mind if you’re looking for something stronger in this department.
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3) Prophet & Tools Beard Balm
If you’re a fan of Prophet and Tools beard oil, you are going to like Premium Beard Balm as well. With ingredients like vitamin E, argan, jojoba golden, castor, and sweet almond oils, the balm is quite soft on your beard and helps mold it in shape as well. The use of natural ingredients helps moisturize your beard and promote a healthy beard growth at the same time.
You will really like the fact that the Premium Beard Balm is suitable for all types and colors of beards. This crystal white balm has a fast melting action that we really appreciate. It is better than other yellow beard balms that can stain, dye, and damage your facial hair.
It is super simple to use and a small amount will work just fine. However, you should bear in mind that it is more of a combination of wax and oil, so you should not expect a very strong hold. Also, keep in mind that it has a distinctive ‘citrusy’ scent, which may or may not work for everyone. Moreover, even though it contains natural ingredients, the company suggests you do a small skin test before you use it. So, keep that in mind when giving it a shot!
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4) Rocky Mountain Cedarwood Beard Balm
With more than eight essential oils combined with other natural ingredients, the Cedarwood Beard Balm promises an easy application and super soft beard. It does contain the stylish agents, like the beeswax, but the concentration is on the lower side because you can stylize your beard but cannot get a super strong hold lasting the whole day.
A good thing is that it does not work like other beard balms that tend to dry out your beard after a few days of use. In fact, it will prevent beard flaking if you’re already dealing with the issue. Many people love it because of its light masculine scent, which is actually the result of cedar and eucalyptus.
Another good thing is the availability of an all-aluminum canister, which means you can put it anywhere without having to worry about damaging it. The only issue is that the size is not large at 2oz, but nevertheless, it is at par with other beard balms in this crowded category.
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5) Viking Revolution Beard Balm
This beard balm from Viking Revolution claims to tame the burliest of beards, and it seems to work actually. It softens up your beard, all thanks to the availability of ingredients like jojoba oil, argan oil, and mango butter. The presence of the beeswax means it will also help you with styling but do not set high hopes in this regard because it offers a light hold only. But again, what should you expect when you know you’re buying a beard balm and not a fully loaded beard wax?
It claims to help you with improved beard growth, and though we could not find much evidence to confirm that, it is true that it penetrates into the roots of your beard and makes it feel smoother. It melts well and is easy to apply, but keep in mind that it has a strong citrus smell that may be a bit too overwhelming for some. If you have no problem with that smell, you can certainly go ahead and give it a try.
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6) Seven Portions Beard Wax
If you’re looking for a wax that will help nourish your beard and style it as well, this product may work just right for you. Those who have tried it love it more for the way it smells. The scent is just outstanding, but again, you may have different preferences, so how good the scent is usually varies from person to person.
Will it keep your beard moisturized? Yes, it will. But, wait, isn’t it a wax? It certainly is, but we believe it leans more towards the balm than the wax, which is why it offers a light to medium hold. That means you may have to look for a better product if your goal is to find something that keeps your beard in place all day long.
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7) Urban Nomads Beard Balm/Wax
If an itchy beard is making living difficult for you, you may want to try this all-natural beard balm. With essential oils, such as sesame seed oil, citric fruits oil, and bergamot oil, you can use this offering from Urban Nomads as a beard balm, beard softener, beard conditioner, and of course, a styling wax.
As long as conditioning your beard matters, this product is surely going to help. When you want to use it to create trending beard styles, you may have to look for something else. It is still much better than many other beard wax-balm combo but is still not as strong as you would want your wax to be. But again, many waxes that offer a strong hold can damage your hair as well, and you won’t have to worry about it when using this Best Beard Balm.
Speaking of hold, you may not have many issues if you have a short bear of about 3 inches. Moreover, it is likely to work just fine to keep those “twangers” down and give you a more refined look. The scent (vanilla) is quite impressive and the application is easy too.
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8) The Ladies Man Badass Beard Wax
It wouldn’t be right to call it a wax, especially if you’re after a stronghold wax. It is medium, natural hold at best. You may want to put your money on it if you need something that would deep condition and add a fuller appearance to your beard. The sweet citrus smell also goes in its favor. The scent strength is quite light though, so again, it may or may not work great for some.
You will like how easily the wax melts on skin contact, and that makes it extremely easy to apply it evenly throughout your beard. Another good thing is that it adds a bit of weight to your beard and gives it a fuller look. Some people are of the view that you should mix it with your mustache wax to make styling easier for your beard. You can surely give it a try!
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9) Grave Before Shave Beard Balm
With an impressive ingredient profile that includes apricot oil, tea tree oil, vitamin E, sweet almond oil, and even aloe vera, the Grave Before Shave is one reasonably good choice for anyone looking for a good beard balm. It is a nice smelling balm and most men will wear it without having to worry about the scent. They say it smells like a cigar, but you’re more likely to get a gingerbread scent. It is nothing strong and overwhelming, which works for many people.
The ingredient profile is impressive, but it is geared towards people interested in promoting hair growth. It moisturizes your beard and prevents issues like itching and dandruff. You cannot rely on it for stylish though. It is not bad, but you’re going to notice the hold lasting no longer than 4-5 hours. Don’t touch it and it may last longer, but do not expect anything out of the ordinary. After all, we’re not talking about a beard wax here!
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10) Bossman Relaxing Beard Balm
Quite like other popular beard balms, it contains essential oils like sunflower seed oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, geranium oil, and lavender oil. There are ingredients too, such as the Beeswax, shea butter, mango seed butter, and cocoa seed butter. The combination of these natural ingredients means that the balm can thicken, nourish, and strengthen your beard.
Regular use will help make your beard more manageable, but do not expect it as a hardcore styling product, especially for a more mature beard. It does help tame the ‘fly-aways’ for a tidier look. You will get good results for shorter beards because it helps prevent the dry, wirey feeling associated with small beards. The scent is its highlight because you get a blend of vanilla oils and sandalwood. That warm and intoxicating scent will get noticed for sure.
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CONCLUSION.
Both beard balms and waxes can help shape your beard, moisturize it, and prevent dandruff. What works best for you depends on your unique needs. Waxes work great for styling, but balms are great for a healthy beard. Be sure to check the ingredients and the size of the tin and compare it with the length of your beard to select the best grooming product for you.
