How To Grow A Great Beard | Eric Bandholz Beard Growing Tips | Menfluential 2018

Have you ever grown a beard?

As in a thick one… 

Without shaving for weeks?

Maybe it’s not your thing.

Or it seems like a hassle.

But…

What if I tell you beards are awesome?

You might be thinking “What does Antonio know about beards?”

True – you don’t see me with a scruff or five o’clock shadow.

So don’t take it from me.

I’ll let my friend and beard specialist Eric Bandholz tell you that.

Check out Eric’s 3 tips on growing men’s beards (and you may just feel like trying it after).

Click Here To Watch The Video – How To Grow A Great Beard

Click Here To Watch The Video – Eric Bandholz On Men’s Beards

Eric Bandholz: An Advocate Of Men’s Beards

Who exactly is Eric Bandholz? He’s the guy behind Beardbrand, a company that specializes in men’s beards, beard care, and beard maintenance.

Eric is proof of how beards can look fantastic. He even competed in a regional Beard & Mustache Championships back in 2012 (yes, those kinds of contests do exist).

You can say that became one of his turning points. It gave him the drive to leave his old job in the corporate world…and launch a business around men’s facial hair.

Fast-forward a few years and now Eric runs Beardbrand full-time plus the Beardbrand YouTube channel. Both serve as platforms for beard enthusiasts and beard-growing beginners alike. Thanks to them beards are becoming popular again. More and more guys are using facial hair to boost their image and confidence.

So…want to try a beard for yourself? Have you felt like growing your facial hair but aren’t sure how to go about it? Still unconvinced that beards can be stylish? In any case – I suggest you visit Beardbrand.com and watch their videos.

You might be inspired by the way different guys grow their beards, have their hair styled, and look amazing afterward. You’ll get a chance to learn more about beard types, beard care, and self-improvement for bearded men.

Now for Eric’s fundamental beard tips for anyone starting out…

Growing A Beard: Tip #1 – Give It Time

It’s really the first and foremost step. The good news is you’re simply required to NOT shave. That means one less “chore” for you to worry about.

The bad news is waiting…and waiting even more. Does anyone like to wait? No. But growing a beard takes time and patience. There’s no shortcut to it.

Eric mentions it’ll take roughly 30 days before your beard kicks in. In fact, facial hair grows 1/2 an inch per month on average. So if you’re aiming for a 6-inch beard…it’s likely going to take a whole year.

Do men really commit that long? Yes – Eric’s signature Bandholz beard (which includes a full-on mustache) is over actually 7 inches! It’s not a look for everyone, but it does show that good things come to those who wait.

It’s important to know that the hairs grow at different rates. You’ll notice more thickness on certain spots earlier on because of this. But don’t be alarmed or tempted to even them out. It’s all part of the process.

Also, note that your beard-to-be can feel itchy in the first 1-2 weeks. It’s the reason why many guys stop and go back to shaving. But if you’re determined…you’ll man up and tolerate the discomfort (with the help of beard oil or a similar product). After that period the beard becomes softer, more manageable, and far less itchy.

Tip #2 – Groom The Beard

One of Eric’s motivations with Beardbrand is to abolish the stigma of beards and bearded men. Not all guys who have beards are “lazy” or “unkempt.”

There are guys who grow beards and take good care of them. Well-groomed beards – if you read up on the science of facial hair – can actually make men look mature.

Beards are pretty much the second batch of hair on the opposite end of the face. If you groom them just as well as you do your hair…you’ll come across as more mature, more responsible…and more powerful.

Here are some basic grooming products Eric recommends for first-timers:

• Beard Oil: It helps deal with flakes or itchiness in your beard; keeps your facial hair moisturized and smelling great
• Soft Goat Scruff Softener: It makes the stubble softer (as well as more kissable for your partner) during the early “stubble” phase of your beard
• Boar Bristle Brush/Beard Comb: Use this to undo any tangles on your beard before leaving the house

As for trimming your beard, there’s only one major rule you should follow – do NOT trim too close to the area between your chin and neck. The beard’s overall structure needs a good base. If you leave all the hair on that region too short, it can look a little odd or incomplete.

As shown in the image above, Eric has one simple hack you can use when trimming your beard. Form an L-shape with your thumb and index finger (where the thumb makes contact with the neck right beneath your head). Anything below the thumb can be trimmed if you want, while anything above should stay put.

Tip #3 – Enhance The Good Parts Of Your Beard

The truth? There’s virtually no right or wrong way to grow a beard.

There are different styles of beards you can experiment with. You can choose to go big and wild like Santa Claus (without the white color) or you can try a neat version with shorter hairs and straight lines.

So Eric’s last tip is for you to figure out which portions of your facial hair are strong points – and capitalize on them.

Maybe your mustache grows nice and thick. Or a goatee goes perfectly with your jawline. Or distinct sideburns can complement your hairstyle. So you’ll want to check for the “lush” areas of your facial hair early on. That’ll help you decide which beard style to go for.

Remember that it’s no big deal if you attempt Style X and then realize it doesn’t work. Why? There’s a good chance you’ll easily find a Style Y or Z to switch to. It can be a matter of trimming here and there…before you’ll end up with something more suitable.

That’s the advantage of checking out the Beardbrand channel on YouTube – where you’re exposed to countless possible beard styles. So don’t feel intimidated by the process. Start growing your beard, learn from Beardbrand, be adventurous…and have fun!

Like Eric, do you want to build a business around your passion? Do you want to create your own podcast or grow a social media channel? Are you looking for ideas and inspirations? If yes…then you’ll love to be part of Menfluential 2018.

Click HERE to Learn More about MENFLUENTIAL 2018 

Formerly known as StyleCon, it’s a 2-day conference that will take place in Atlanta, Georgia in February 2018. You’ll be spending time with guys like Aaron Marino, Barron Cuadro, Sven Raphael Schneider, and many of today’s stylish men and digital influencers. It’s a life-changing event – so don’t miss out.

Click HERE to Grab Tickets for MENFLUENTIAL 2018 (Limited Tickets Available)