Tonx writes:

I’ve had one for awhile (considering losing it). What is odd to me is that I never really learned how to maintain it. I have a beard trimmer and all that but if there are any standard conventions of beard maintenance I’m not sure I’ve been aprised of them. The water down here in L.A. is making my hair and beard a bit crunky and I wonder if I need some product as-yet-unknown to me.

There’s a lot of talk about the need for special beard shampoos and cleansers, but unless your facial skin is especially sensitive, using your regular hair shampoo to warsh up that beard is just fine.

Think about it: Half the shampoo that runs out of your hair when you rinse is going all over your face anyway. If you haven’t gotten a rash yet, then you’re probably fine; You can try washing just a portion of your bread first to see if the underlying skin has any reaction if you’re nervous.

I’d avoid the conditioner, however: Your face should be producing enough oils naturally, even if you’re washing them out occasionally with shampoo.

The real secret to having a beard is a frustrating realization that having a beard actually means a need to shave more often, as a day or two’s worth of scruff around a beard doesn’t look rugged—it looks sloppy.

So keep it trimmed, don’t chew on it, and give it a light combing every so often before you wash, to stimulate the skin underneath.

Oh, and consider trimming your mustache directly under your nose and at the line where it stops on your cheeks. It may seem unnecessary, but it can go a long way towards making your beard look neat.

That’s my advice, but I have a couple questions for everybody, myself: Mustache wax—can it ever look good? And is there an electric razor out there than can be used to shave down to the skin that can also be used as a decent beard trimmer? My little Remmington set is not getting the job done.

Bonus Link: Goatee.org