Upon embarking on your beard growth journey, the first thing that you will observe is the disparity between your beard hair and the hair on your head. Whether you have a straight beard or a curly beard, we recommend that you let it grow to its full glory and see which style it naturally furnishes.
You can either have a curly beard, a straight beard, or a beard bearing attributes of both. In this article, we will explore each type in detail with a view of highlighting their pros and cons and thereby enabling you to make sound decisions regarding which beard suits you the best.
Does Beard Texture Matter?
The texture of facial hair is generally a measure of the diameter of each shaft of the hair. If your beard hairs are very broad in diameter, it is considered coarse and conversely, if they are very thin in diameter, they are considered fine. Facial hair that falls somewhere in between the two is considered medium.
The texture of your hair is affected by different reasons starting from genetics, hormones, and even your ethnicity. We will discuss these factors in detail.
Factors That Affect the Texture of Your Facial Hairs
Genetics
Your genetic makeup affects the specific hair type that you are going to carry. It has a direct bearing on the texture of your beard. There is a reason all Vikings are associated with a strong, hefty beard. If you have a natural proclivity for coarse and heavy beards, chances are that it has been delineated to you through your forefathers.
Ethnicities
When it comes to beard textures, ethnicity plays a crucial role that warrants due mention. It is observed that individuals with ethnicities linked to martial heritage and residing in tough geographical conditions, such as Iceland, the Caucasus, Russia, Turks, etc., typically have bold and strong beards. Therefore, your ethnicity can have a significant impact on the texture of your beard."
Testosterone
Testosterone is one of the most important hormones in the male human body, the amount of which will determine how fuller or thinner your beard will be. But it is to be remembered that testosterone is only a major factor when an individual is suffering from acute deficiency or below-average levels of testosterone.
There’s a steroid in testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This staff has specific control over how hair grows all over you. How much or little DHT you have inside you is programmed into your genetic makeup. What’s also programmed is how your skin and follicles respond to DHT’s effects. So, if your genetic makeup entails furnishing a thin beard in response to DHTs stimulus, then you will likely have thinner hair despite having normal levels of testosterone.
As a guideline, the following should be remembered:
- If you have above-average testosterone levels, your beard grows thicker.
- If you have below-average testosterone levels, your beard grows thinner and more sparse.
- If you have the average level of testosterone, your beard grows just fine.
- If you have very low testosterone levels, you don’t grow proper facial hair at all.
Straight Beard: Pros, Cons, and Tips on How to Groom it
Pros
- Neat Appearance: A straight beard gives a more polished and well-groomed appearance than a curly beard.
- Easy to Maintain: Straight hair is generally easier to maintain than curly hair. Deep application of beard oil and beard balm is convenient. Requires less frequency of beard maintenance sessions.
- Can Grow Longer: Straight hair can grow longer before looking unruly, allowing for more styling options. Straight beards are usually about three times as long as an equally timed curly beard.
- Easy to Style: It is comparatively easier to style and with more options that can be chosen in consonance with your facial expressions. A straight beard is typically easier to style and shape, as the hair is more cooperative and doesn't have the same tendency to curl or kink.
- Less Frizz: Straight hair is less prone to frizz, and usually has fewer entanglements and scrubs compared to curly beard hair, making it easier to manage in humid weather.
- Viking friendly: If upon embarking on your beard growth journey, you had a strong Viking beard in your mind and naturally you have straight beard hairs then you have more chances of furnishing this type of beard. Straight beard hairs being easy to maintain can stimulate exponential growth and density with the right beard care routine. Although limitations of genetics will come into play.
Cons
Cons of having a straight beard:
- Less Volume: Straight hair lacks the natural volume that curly hair has, making a straight beard appear less full or thick. Although this can vary from person to person and beard growth tends to improve for many with the right beard care routine.
- Can Look Flat: Without the texture and movement of curls, a straight beard can appear flat and lifeless.
- Prone to Split Ends: Straight hairs are more prone to split ends, which can make the beard look unhealthy or unkempt. If your hairs get regular split ends then you will need to trim them regularly which can become inconvenient.
- Can Be Prone to Dryness: Straight hair can be prone to dryness, which can make the beard look dull or brittle.
- Limited Styling Options: A straight beard may be limited in terms of styling options compared to a curly beard, which can be shaped and styled in a variety of ways.
Caring for a Straight Beard
Use a Beard Brush Instead of a Comb
Generally, a beard brush works better than a comb or normal brush to give your beard a fuller, thicker look. It also exposes the split ends and irregular growth of hair which can then be groomed by trimming.
Use Beard Oil
Nourishment and hydration are essential for the growth of your beard. The void of lacking volume for most aspiring Vikings with straight beard hair can be offset by regular application of beard oil which nourishes your beard, contributes to the distribution of natural oils, mitigates dryness, and promotes blood flow thereby stimulating growth.
Regularly Trim your Beard
As we are aware, the rate of beard hair growth is not uniform which requires chronological trimming in consonance with the duration of hair growth. This is especially true if you have a beard with split ends plus irregular hair growth. Hence regular trimming is imperative to enable healthy beard growth.
Use Beard Wash and Conditioner
Washing your beard with a beard wash should be an important part of your beard grooming regimen. Its regular application is more emphatic if the nature of your job involves regular exposure to dust and dirt, which in turn gets trapped in your hair. But even if you work in an office, you still need to ensure regular washing of your beard to give it a hygienic look. So make sure to condition your beard as well with a reliable beard conditioner.
Application of Beard Balm
Beard balm is a beard styling product. Beard balms offer a relatively strong hold on your beard hair while providing hydration and care. Its regular application improves your overall facial outlook and gives a hygienic appearance. You can add this practice to your beard care regime to invigorate your overall Viking outlook.
Curly Beard: Pros, Cons, and Tips on How to Groom it
Pros
- Unique Appearance: A curly beard can set you apart from the crowd and make you stand out with a unique and distinct look.
- Natural Volume: Curly hair has more natural volume, which means that a curly beard can look fuller and more voluminous than straight hair.
- Low Maintenance: Curly hair doesn't require as much maintenance as straight hair, making it easier to maintain and style.
- Good for Skin: The curls can help to trap moisture, keeping the skin underneath the beard healthy and hydrated.
- Versatility: A curly beard can be styled in a variety of ways, giving you the flexibility to experiment with different looks.
Cons
- Tangles and Knots: Curly beard hair are more prone to tangling and knotting, which can be very irritating to untangle and can result in hair breakage.
- Frizz: Curly hair can also be prone to frizz, which can make the beard look messy and difficult to manage.
- Dryness: While the curls can trap moisture, curly hair can also be prone to dryness and require more moisturization.
- Difficulty in Grooming: Styling a curly beard can be more challenging than a straight one. Curly hair may require specialized grooming tools and techniques to keep it looking neat and tidy.
- Maintenance: Maintaining a curly beard requires more effort than a straight beard. You may need to trim it more often and use specialized products to keep it healthy and looking its best.
- Fewer Styling Options: With a curly beard, you have fewer styling options that are difficult to discern and will entail regular visits to the barber shop for better professional styling options.
- Lack of Desired Length: Curly beard although, heavy in volume lacks the desired length which makes it less fulfilling.
Caring for a Curly Beard
Use a Beard Brush
Regular use of a beard brush gives your beard a fuller, thicker look and helps maintain your curly beard. Its bristles lift your hair away from the skin, remove unnecessary entanglements, and give a heftier appearance to your beard.
Use beard Oil
Regular application of beard oil can contribute to moisturizing and softening up of curly beard making it easy to manage and promoting growth. By regular application of beard oil, the likely problem of beardruff and itchiness can also be mitigated.
Trim Your Beard Regularly
As we have already highlighted that the rate of beard hair growth is not uniform. If you have an unkempt curly beard it adds to the problem and hence, to get a more hygienic and well-kept look, trimming becomes necessary. Hence regular trimming is ostensibly relevant to maintain a curly beard.
Use Beard Wash and Conditioner
Irrespective of the type of beard you carry regular washing and conditioning is very important. A curly beard is more likely to catch dust and scrub which will make it difficult to manage. Vikings were famous for regular care of their as the hallmark of their personality. Hence it is important to regularly wash and condition your beard with reliable beard grooming products.
Application of Beard Balm
Beard balm contributes to making your beard hair softer, easier to harness, and style in the manner that best suits your facial expressions. It also comes with the added advantage of providing protection against the itchiness associated with dandruff or dryness.
What Are Popular Beard Styles for These Facial Hairs?
Beard Styles for Straight Beards
The Viking Beard: Viking beard styles are the biggest, burliest beards of them all. This style is characterized by thick, characterized by a full, thick beard that covers the entire face. Pioneered by the fierce Scandinavian warriors of the late 8th – 11th centuries. Originally, this was more of a function of necessity than fashion. This type of beard provided a way for seafaring Norsemen to keep their faces warm in bitterly cold weather.
The Corporate Beard: This style is characterized by a shorter, well-groomed beard style that is suitable for a professional setting. It is typically maintained at a uniform length and can be styled in various shapes, like a goatee, chinstrap, or circled beard.
The Full Beard: The full beard is a classic style that works well with straight hair. It is maintained at a longer length and can be styled in various ways, such as a long and pointed beard, a square or round-shaped beard, or even a beard with an undercut.
The Beardstache: The beard stache is a hybrid beard style that is characterized by combining a mustache with a short, well-groomed beard. It is a versatile style that can be adapted to suit various face shapes and hair types.
The Extended Goatee: This is a stylish and trendy beard style that features a goatee that extends along the jawline to form a distinctive “T” shape. It is a good option for men with a patchy beard, as it provides coverage while still looking sharp.
The Garibaldi: The Garibaldi beard is a full and rounded style that is ideal for men who want a more tough and masculine look. It is characterized by a full beard that is rounded at the bottom and kept at a medium length.
Your beard choice will most likely depend on your facial expressions, the type of beard hair, your overall stature, and the nature of your environment. It is important to be open to trying new styles and evolving with experience. When settled you can choose whichever style vibes the most with your personality and environment.
Beard Styles for Curly Beards
Short and Tapered: A short and tapered beard can work well with curly hair, giving it a neat and tidy appearance.
Full and Round: A full and round beard can accentuate the natural volume of curly hair, creating a bold and striking look.
Long and Layered: A long and layered beard can be styled in a way that showcases the curls, creating a dramatic and eye-catching effect.
Van Dyke: The Van Dyke beard style, which consists of a mustache and goatee, can look great with curly hair, adding a touch of urban life and class.
Ultimately, the best beard style for curly hair depends on the individual's personal style and preferences, as well as the shape of their face and the density of their hair. It's important to experiment with different styles to find the one that works best for you.
Maintaining Your Beard: Why It's Crucial, Regardless of the Style You Choose
To summarize, men can enjoy a multitude of benefits from keeping a well-maintained beard, regardless of its type. Apart from enhancing physical attractiveness and offering protection against harmful UV rays, a beard can boost self-confidence, and make a man feel more masculine and powerful.
For Vikings, beard-keeping was more than just a fashion statement, it was a representation of masculinity, wisdom, and power, and it signalled a man's social status, leadership abilities, and connection to the gods. Therefore, embracing the Viking way of life by growing and maintaining a beard, regardless of the type, can be a rewarding experience that comes with numerous benefits.
