20 men’s beard grooming kits and products that experts love

CNN —  

Growing and maintaining a beard is a lot like getting a new pet. First comes an adjustment period while you grow comfortable with each other, followed by a slight shift or two in your routine and finally a blissful coexistence when it’s impossible to imagine life without your furry friend.

The key to beard longevity is proper grooming and care. Trimming and shaping beards is an age-old art form. “No tools are a good replacement for an expert barber,” says Matty Conrad, founder of Victory Barber & Brand. “Learning some necessary skills and grooming techniques is always going to be paramount when deciding to grow a beard.”

Once you’re familiar with the basics, having the best tools and beard kits on hand at home is essential to keeping beards looking sharp. Nourishing products are also important for maintaining a happy and healthy face all around. We consulted grooming and skin care experts to find out their favorite tools of the trade.

John Masters Organics Exfoliating Face Cleanser ($29; amazon.com)

First things first: Prime the canvas for any beard with a top-notch cleanser. “In order to maintain healthy facial hair, you have to have a clean slate,” says Ryan Turner, a dermatologist in New York City. John Masters Organics Exfoliating Face Cleanser “includes plant and herbal extracts, essential oils and is great for getting rid of impurities,” he says. “Jojoba beads allow for gentle exfoliation without scratching the skin, and ginseng helps tone and brighten the skin.”

Proraso Beard Balm ($18; amazon.com)

The initial phases of beard growth can cause itching and irritation for some. A balm to soothe the skin while it becomes acquainted with its new canopy can work wonders. Proraso, an Italian brand founded in 1908, has been a go-to for generations of bearded gents.

Once stubble makes its way into a more bushy shape and texture, cutting it down to size is best achieved with adjustable clippers. “Clippers are perfect for cutting down the bulk of the beard because of their wide set teeth,” Conrad says. “The guards make sure that you can control the length precisely when using them right against the skin.”

BaBylissPro GoldFX Clipper ($219.99; amazon.com)

Conrad’s favorite high-end option is by BaBylissPro, a barber-grade favorite of many professionals. “The lithium ion battery provides plenty of power for cutting through a thick beard like a hot knife through butter,” he says.

Philips Norelco Series 5000 Beard and Stubble Trimmer ($49.95; amazon.com)

At a more modest price point, Conrad suggests Philips Norelco’s cordless and adjustable Series 5000. “This is a generally decent entry-level clipper that has guards and a dial that allow you to set a multitude of lengths, giving you a lot of control,” Conrad says. “It won’t make as smooth a result as a professional clipper, but it’ll do in a pinch.”

Remington Smart Beard Trimmer ($74.99; amazon.com)

When we tested the most popular beard trimmers on the market, the Remington Smart Beard Trimmer stood out to us, thanks to its amazing customizability, allowing you to change the guard’s height every 0.1 millimeters anywhere between 0.4 millimeters and 18 millimeters.

Wahl Lithium Ion Beard Trimmer ($78.49; amazon.com)

If you’re looking to shape precise lines into your facial hair, we loved the Wahl Lithium Ion Beard Trimmer, which gave us the best pure trim out of all the options we tested.

Electric trimmers are best for the more detailed work of attending to beard borders and outer contours. “These are designed for cutting edges and outlines,” Conrad notes. Don’t mistake them for clippers, though, as they aren’t meant to cut the bulk of a beard. “The teeth are quite narrow,” Conrad says, which means they’re meant for more precise detailing.

BaBylissPro GoldFX Outlining Trimmer ($174.99; amazon.com)

BaBylissPro is again Conrad’s favorite for a deluxe option. “This is what most barbers agree is the best trimmer on the market,” he says. “It cuts incredibly close and creates super-sharp lines. It’s the last trimmer you’ll ever need to purchase.”

Philips Norelco MG3750 Multigroom All-in-One Series 3000 ($19.95, originally $20.99; amazon.com)

For a more affordable tool, Conrad likes Phillips Norelco’s Multigroom trimmer. “You can’t beat the price point on this one, and it is surprisingly effective,” he says, noting some sacrifice in longevity with the compromise in price.

Keeping the neck and cheeks clean-shaven lends a lean, sophisticated look to an otherwise tufted face. A foil shaver or a simple razor are best “for getting hair right down to the skin and making sure there is no unsightly stubble, especially for guys with coarse hair,” Conrad says.

Braun Series 9 Electric Razor ($299.94; amazon.com)

An electric shaver can make quick and easy work of clearing up stubble, without the need for shave cream or brushes. For an investment piece that has countertop appeal, Conrad suggests the Braun Series 9. “This is definitely one of the most comfortable shavers on the planet,” he says. “The dock is perfect for keeping it clean and charged.”

Gillette Mach3 Men’s Razor ($6.95, originally $7.95; amazon.com)

A tried-and-true classic, standard razors are always an option too. “Gillette Mach 3 is still my favorite for the day to day,” Conrad says.

Bevel Safety Razor ($49.95; amazon.com)

Some classic tools never go out of style. “If you are feeling nostalgic, you really can’t beat a classic safety razor,” Conrad says. When we tested men’s razors, our favorite safety razor was the Bevel, thanks to its easy-to-hold handle.

Gillette SkinGuard Razor ($9, originally $9.99; amazon.com)

Our winner for best overall men’s razor, the Gillette SkinGuard gives a close shave without irritating your skin.

Caring for a healthy beard entails tending to the hair itself and the skin underneath. “Hair that grows from your face is more coarse and has different needs” than the hair on your head, Conrad says. “There is usually a lot less natural oil production on the face than on the scalp, which can leave beards and skin feeling dry and itchy.” A good cleanser needs to gently detoxify while generously moisturizing both beard and skin, Conrad says.

Victory Barber & Brand Hair and Beard Wash ($20; amazon.com)

Victory Barber & Brand’s Hair and Beard Wash can actually be used on both the face and head, as it’s formulated with activated charcoal to detoxify skin and baobab oil to condition hair.

Victory Barber & Brand Beard Oil ($20; amazon.com)

Beard oil keeps both hair and skin moisturized and smelling fresh. A good beard oil “should penetrate into the skin and hair without leaving a shiny finish or a greasy residue,” Conrad says.

Victory Barber & Brand’s Beard Oil is made with organic, microfine nourishing oils and includes essential oils with aromatherapeutic benefits, Conrad says. It’s also highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way.

Jack Black Beard Grooming Set ($35; nordstrom.com)

Turner likes Jack Black’s beard oil for its nourishing blend of natural ingredients, including kalahari melon oil and marula oil, which are rich in fatty acids. “Brown algae and carrot extract help protect against the damaging effects of free radicals,” he adds. Jack Black’s Beard Grooming Set also includes moisturizing cleanser and conditioner.

SheaMoisture Complete Beard Kit ($39.99; amazon.com)

Shea butter and essential oils are the powerhouse ingredients included in SheaMoisture’s Complete Beard Kit, which comes with cleanser, conditioning oil, detangler and a soothing balm.

Zeus 100% Boar Bristle Beard Brush ($14.95; amazon.com)

A beard brush to tame the mane is also in order. “I always advocate for a brush rather than a comb, because it puts less tension on the hair,” Conrad says. “It can help smooth out the shape without making the beard puff out.” He notes that natural bristles are better than synthetics, as they help spread natural oils and beard oil through the beard. Zeus makes a top-rated and affordable option.

Every Man Jack Beard Set ($25; everymanjack.com)

With a beard comb, nourishing oil and beard butter, this set — according to one Underscored editor — is particularly nice because it doesn’t “leave you smelling like a coniferous mess, since every other company thinks all men want to smell like a forest.”

Zeus Deluxe Beard Grooming Kit ($63.95, originally $68; amazon.com)

Zeus is also a go-to for beard shampoo, conditioner and oil. Zeus Deluxe Beard Grooming Kits are available in sandalwood, verbena lime or vanilla rum scents to keep your nose smiling.

King C. Gillette Complete Men’s Beard Care Kit ($58.71, originally $71.49; amazon.com)

Gillette’s King C. Gillette line, named for the company’s founder, offers refined beard care products from the brand trusted with men’s grooming for more than a century. The Complete Men’s Beard Kit includes a double-sided safety razor, shave gel, beard and face wash, balm and oil.