Chicago weather is brutal on beards. From the biting winter winds off Lake Michigan to the humidity of summer, your facial hair takes a beating year-round. Our barbers at Traditions Pilsen share the professional secrets to keeping your beard healthy, shaped, and looking sharp no matter the season.
The Foundation: Washing Your Beard
First things first—your beard needs to be clean. But here's where most guys go wrong: they use regular shampoo or body wash. Your facial hair is different from the hair on your head, and it needs different care.
Invest in a quality beard wash or beard shampoo. These are formulated to clean your beard without stripping away the natural oils that keep it soft and healthy. Wash your beard 2-3 times per week—any more than that and you risk drying it out.
Pro tip: When you wash your beard, massage the product into the skin underneath. This helps prevent the dreaded beard dandruff (beardruff) and promotes healthier growth.
Moisturizing: Beard Oil and Balm
If there's one product every bearded guy in Chicago should own, it's beard oil. The harsh winters here will dry out your facial hair fast, leading to brittleness, split ends, and that uncomfortable itchy feeling.
Beard Oil
Apply beard oil right after washing or showering when your hair is still slightly damp. A few drops are usually enough—rub it between your palms and work it through your beard, making sure to reach the skin beneath. Beard oil moisturizes both your hair and skin, keeping everything healthy.
Beard Balm
For longer beards or extra-cold days, add beard balm to your routine. Balms contain waxes that provide hold and protection from the elements. They're also great for shaping flyaways and giving your beard a polished look.
Brushing and Combing
Regular brushing isn't just about looking neat—it's about training your beard to grow in the direction you want and distributing oils evenly throughout.
- Boar bristle brush: Best for shorter beards. Helps distribute oils and exfoliates the skin.
- Wide-tooth comb: Better for longer beards. Detangles without pulling or breaking hairs.
Brush or comb your beard daily, ideally after applying oil or balm. Start from the bottom and work your way up, then smooth everything down into place.
Trimming at Home
Between barber visits, you'll need to maintain your beard's shape. Here are our tips for at-home trimming:
Invest in Good Tools
A quality beard trimmer with multiple guard lengths is essential. Sharp scissors are also helpful for stray hairs and detailing around the mustache.
Trim When Dry
Always trim your beard when it's dry. Wet hair stretches, so you'll end up cutting more than intended if you trim after a shower.
Less Is More
You can always take more off, but you can't put it back on. Start with a longer guard and work your way shorter gradually.
Don't Forget the Neckline
A clean neckline makes all the difference. The general rule: imagine a line from behind each ear that curves down to meet at a point just above your Adam's apple. Everything below that line gets trimmed or shaved.
Chicago-Specific Advice
Winter Care
When temperatures drop below freezing and the wind picks up, your beard becomes a battleground. Double up on beard oil during winter months. Consider a heavier balm for outdoor activities. And if you're going from heated indoors to frigid outdoors frequently, your beard will appreciate extra conditioning.
Summer Care
Humidity can make beards frizzy and unmanageable. Use a lighter touch with products in summer—you may need less oil since your skin produces more naturally. Keep your beard shorter if you want to stay cool, or embrace the natural wave that humidity brings.
When to See Your Barber
While at-home maintenance is important, nothing replaces professional shaping. We recommend seeing your barber for a beard trim every 2-4 weeks, depending on how fast your facial hair grows and how precise you want your shape.
A professional can:
- Create clean, defined lines
- Balance asymmetrical growth
- Shape your beard to complement your face
- Catch and fix problems before they get worse
- Give personalized advice for your specific beard
At Traditions Pilsen, beard work is one of our specialties. Whether you need a simple shape-up or a complete transformation, we've got you covered.
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