Groom & Grow Your Beard Naturally
Now that "No-Shave November" is looming, many are planning to honor the month with a nice face-sweater (pictured). Maybe you're following in the footsteps of 19th century mountaineers, poets, and philosophers like John Muir, Walt Whitman, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, bearding their way into American history; or taking after modern day facial-hair heroes like Jack Passion, the world champion, with a billowing fire-red beard.
Beards, indeed are a privilege, and with privilege comes responsibility. Before growing out your "Grizzly Adams," you ought to check out these modern beard products, designed for the environmentally conscious beard grower — because you're worth it!
Beard Oils Brooklyn Grooming boasts a fine line of vegan beard beautifying products from their Fort Greene collection, namely their moisturizing and soothing beard oil. After all, beards can itch and tingle and, like your scalp, develop dandruff over time. This oil consists of hempseed and organic sesame, and is subtly scented like a passing breath.
Or, if your natural musk is not enough and you'd prefer a mildly scented beard, slap on some Beard Tamer conditioning oil, made by Queen Bee Trading. This concoction consists of oils of avocado, jojoba, and almond and has a rich scent of sandalwood, white cedar, basil, and black pepper.
Beard Wax There comes a time when beard bristles grow rebellious. Wax helps keep your beard in check. There are plenty of beard waxes out there, but then there's Honest Amish Original Beard Wax, handmade and blended with beeswax, fruit and nut butters, and botanicals.
Beard Balm Brooklyn Grooming also carries their Classic Beard Balm to pair with their beard oil. Working like a wax, but softer and less authoritative, this beard balm gives your cheek fur a peaceful easy feeling, while putting you in control of its style.
Beard Soap Yes, absolutely: There are soaps specifically designed for beards. After all beards, which are proven breeding grounds for yeast, need frequent scrubbing and care. Honest Amish has an entire line of beard soaps consisting of natural oils, kaolin clay, and botanicals like lavender and anise.
Remember: Beards, of course, have their drawbacks: They itch, they hurt, and sometimes hinder relationships. Not all of us can grow beards (Note: The author still maintains his boyish good looks). But in the words of Shakespeare: "He that hath a beard is more than youth, and he that hath no beard is less a man."
READ MORE:
Budweiser Wants You To Grow a Beard. Do it Anyway
How to Make Your Oktoberfest Uber-Green
--Photo Credit: Sierra Club
Scott Donahue is an editorial intern at Sierra. He was a freshman in Mr. Hancock's English class when he first read Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air. Now, he's currently working on a graduate thesis composed of travel essays. Topics include substitute teaching kindergartners in Nepal, drinking rice beer with a Tibetan porter, and running a marathon from Everest Base Camp.
