This one is for the lads with beards, or ladies with significant others that have beards. Since about August, I’ve grown out my beard and I have to say I had no idea what kind of work it takes to maintain it. While I’m pleased with the results, keeping in accordance with my work’s policies on beards has been a bit of a pain. As I’ve gone through the different stages, I’ve come across a few pitfalls that the unwary could fall into regarding keeping your beard work appropriate. Here are a few:

1.) Keeping the rest of your face clean - This may not apply so much if you have a full on Santa Claus beard, but to someone like me who only has a short, not full facial beard, this can be a big problem. What I’m talking about here is keeping the areas not covered by the beard clean shaven. This could include your neck, parts of your cheeks, even your mustache if you don’t have one. It’s all too easy let these places go under the “cover” of your beard. Make sure you keep up on them, or else you’ll look scruffy even if your beard itself is trimmed.

2.) Keeping your beard trimmed and/or manicured - This is a big one. One loose hair here, one loose hair there, it’s all too easy to shove these aside until one day someone gives you some change as you walk down the street. I know it’s a pain as the hair gets everywhere, but trim over a sink or tub where you can easily wash it out. Also, suck it up and invest in an electric trimmer. I thought I could get away with clipping a stray hair here and there with scissors, and it just doesn’t work the same. I bought my trimmer for $50, and I couldn’t be happier.

3.) Allowing ample time to grow - This is a tough one. For instance, my company has a policy where you can have a beard, but you can’t look scruffy, etc. Now this is a problem if you are trying to grow one, because at least for the first week or two it’s going to look pretty bad (unless you grow hair like crazy, which some people do). The solution? I started growing my beard when I had a week off. Basically, you want to get it to a point where it looks like you have a beard, instead of like you just didn’t shave. The holidays are good for this, as are weddings, summer vacations, etc.

Overall, I love my beard, it’s great. I whole-heartedly endorse growing one. However, just be cognizant of your office policies and work conditions, so you don’t accidentally get yourself in trouble.