Fall is just about here and with No Shave November around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to maintain your beard and facial hair. There’s no doubt that maintaining your grooming habits during the changing seasons can be difficult, and may even require some tweaking to get the best look possible.
To ensure you’re crafting the perfect look, be sure to try out these four tips to give you the crispy autumn beard look you’re going for.
No matter how quickly your facial hair replenishes itself, you should constantly be on top of how long your beard is getting and when it’s time to tame it. There should always be preparation in your mind and a continual timeline of anticipation to decide on how close you are to your next shave. It usually takes about a month to grow a full beard, however, if you’re beard falls more along the stubble line, it’s best to touch it up every one to three days.
What many people forget is that your beard preparation, while it grows, is equally important as the actual grooming itself. Particularly with your skin, it’s essential that you take care of the skin on your face in order to avoid acne and ingrown hairs. Start with asking your barber about what skin type you are (dry, oily, sensitive) and experiment with facial serums that can add moisture to your face and give you a smooth feeling that’s ideal for shaving.
Once your beard starts filling in, it will be time to start introducing new products into your regime to give you a healthy-looking beard and avoid any snarls or split ends that may pop up. Grooming oil and balms are the perfect supplements you can add straight to your beard to moisturize and add volume.
Once your beard is grown to your liking, you have to remember to upkeep it to looking sharp and nurtured. If you’ve prepared thoroughly, your face should be the perfect canvas to craft the ideal look. Depending on how long your beard is and what your plan is for trimming, be sure you have the proper tools you need to do it. Whether that be an electric razor for a larger-scale shave or a convenient cartridge razor intended for shorter beards, you want to ensure you’re using the right product to get the look you’re going for.
As for the shave itself, be conscious about how you shave and take care while you do so. Shaving with the grain of hair is always best, so be sure to lather with shaving cream to avoid cutting yourself. If you give the electric razor a chance, be sure to lubricate the razor before you apply to your face and always keep your face moist to maintain the ultimate surface to craft your look.
The art of matching your beard to your face is definitely difficult, but it can be done with a little creativity. Of course, doing so will differ from person to person based on face shape, amount of facial hair, and even the color of your hair, but the ultimate goal is to tailor your beard to make your face look as oval as possible.
For people with more rectangular jawlines, features such as chin straps and a mustache that breaks your face up vertically are your best option. On the other hand, those with sharp jawlines and more defined cheekbones, try and place more focus on your chin to give you a style that pops out.
The only way to decide on what looks best on your face is to simply experiment. It doesn’t hurt to try out a new style and ask for opinions, especially during November, so try out something new and be free to express yourself.
Believe it or not, your lifestyle choices and how you take care of your body have an effect on how you grow your facial hair and how healthy you can keep your hair follicles. Beard growth stems from testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), meaning the higher levels of these hormones in your body, the fuller your beard will grow in. This means adding foods higher in protein and nutrients to your diet can significantly help boost hair growth. Try adding sweet potatoes, eggs, and spinach into your rotation for the extra kick of biotin, keratin, and DHT.
Exercising regularly can increase your hormones as well, helping not only your body grow and develop but help the growth of facial hair. Resistance training and focusing on muscle groups help stimulate DHT and raise your internal levels of hormones. If you find yourself not regularly working out and are looking for a new habit during the fall to improve your wellbeing, start heading to the gym to give you a lean look and an even better beard!
]]>Green Marketing or Green washing is a common practice in today's skincare industry. Words such as "natural" and "organic" are often used to sell products that still contain harmful preservatives and toxins. Information about this issue is more readily available in women's skincare and less so in Men's. Leaving many people at a disadvantage for purchasing healthy skincare. What worries me is seeing all of these so called “natural” brands take advantage of a growing trend and demand for natural skincare. I view this predicament both as a maker and consumer. I am often surprised by how clever brands can be with manipulating their wording to seem natural while their ingredients are full of harmful preservatives and chemicals. I won’t name any particular brands but there is another Brooklyn based skincare brand that labels itself as "natural" apothecary. However most of their products contain a preservative named phenoxyethanol that is used and touted as “ derived from green tea”. phenoxyethanol is linked to cancers, organ, liver and kidney damage and skin and lung irritation. Read more about it on the campaign for safe cosmetics, where you can find more information regarding risks associated with its use.
Its almost near impossible to find certain products that don't contain a harmful preservative or other things such as sulfates, petroleum and even Formaldehyde and this is just listing a few. Yes, you read that correctly some common " natural" products contain formaldehyde, the same product used to preserve and embalm corpses. Yuck.
Another trend I am noticing is brands that claim to be "environmentally conscious" yet still choose to use plastic for all of their containers. Recycled or not, plastic is terrible for the environment and can be avoided with some dedication. Glass, metal and paper are all viable options and can be used in place of plastic. Even claims of using recycled plastic is still BS if you ask me. If being environmentally conscious is trendy, why not take it to the next level and use aluminum tins to house your pomades or come up with a better solution? Like a wax coated paper tube?
The bottom line is recycled plastic uses a ton of energy. It has to be cleaned, sorted, recycled, and remelted. Yes, your not creating more plastic but you are still using a ton of energy to use a resource that is polluting our oceans and world.
One of my favorite Zero waste companies Meow Meow Tweet uses paper tubes for their oil based products and glass and metal for anything containing liquid. Its honestly quite simple to do this, yes it poses some logistics challenges but its impressive that this company has managed to pave the way in many ways for coming up with non- plastic solutions for their product packaging. granted some minimal amounts of plastic are unavoidable but they are dedicated to being zero waste and using companies such as tetracycle to help discard and dispose of anything plastic that they use.
How Green washing affects all of us
Green washing puts everyone at a disadvantage. Think of it like cheating, if everyone is being dishonest than companies that truly are making an effort to offer natural skincare get lost in a sea of trends. As a consumer it becomes difficult to differentiate when your buying products labeled as safe and natural. I often think of my son who is only 2 years old. I am extremely careful and weary of any product I put on his skin. Conditions such as Asthma have been linked to things like scented diaper wipes so I make a concerted effort to only use the purest products on him. I cannot believe the amount of baby products that are labeld as natural but are loaded with harmful ingredients, even the products that are often featured in magazines still contain fragrances and fillers. So how do we safeguard ourselves against Green washing?
Here are some tips for spotting harmful ingredients on label
- If its hard to pronounce, do some research.
- Ingredients should not sound science based
- Use the skin deep cosmetic database to identify culprits. You can look up any questionable ingredient and get information regarding safety and toxicity.
- My general rule of thumb is 10 ingredients or less. Most company's that intend to offer truly natural skincare will stick to simplicity and purity.
- Be wary of any preservative, even the " natural" ones are still harmful.
- When in doubt use Google and do your own independent research
There is no such thing as a perfect company but we strive to be the best version of ourselves. We were green before it was trendy because its the backbone of our business. We wanted to offer men an option that hadn't yet been presented. cool looking products that were safe and natural. Our products have never contained any synthetic chemicals, preservatives or fillers. We strive to use minimal plastic and are constantly sourcing other alternative options like paper and glass. We re-use all of our packaging materials and even recycle our plastic bags. We do this because we truly love to do it!
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Finally new products, packaging and a new us! It took nearly a year to complete this rebrand and a lot of love, patience and hard work was put into it. I had to pull favors from my lovely partner who shot all of our photography and to our family friend who did all the editing. The packaging was designed and conceptualized by the extremely talented Joshua Minnich who I randomly found through Instagram while scrolling through feeds and boy am I so happy I did.
It was refreshing to meet a designer who right away understood the brand and which direction it wanted to go. Our older packaging represented who we were in 2012 and since then we have grown as a company. My whole vision for the brand changed with the birth of my son when suddenly all of the important loves of my life came into clear view.
This rebrand represents a new us in a big way, we thought hard about the products we wanted to keep and the new products we wanted to offer our customers. I know some of you may have questions and please do not hesitate to ask us anything. We can be reached at info@brooklyngrooming.com.
Please check out our last chance items and save 30% with the code " lastchance"
Here are some questions I have received thus far:
Q: Are the pomades going away?
A: Yes, the current formulation we have been making for the last 8 years is now a last chance item until supplies run out. We have now streamlined the products to be multi- use.The Grooming balms can all be used as a pomade, but please note the formula will be less waxy and the hold slightly lighter. Some new benefits are it will be easier to wash out with shampoo and all of the ingredients nourish and support the hair, scalp and skin.
Q: I love the aftershaves, are they being discontinued?
A: Yes, for now until we run out we will be discontinuing our Anchor aftershave. I will be adding a new toner/ aftershave to the line eventually and please rest assured we still have plenty in stock, so grab them while they last.
Q: I have been a customer for a while, is there anything specific I should know about the new products?
A: Yes! All of our products have been formulated to be multi-use, meaning instead of purchasing a separate beard oil, facial serum and hair oil you can purchase a " Grooming oil" saving you time and money for your daily grooming regimen.
Q: Whats the deal with the new stuff?
A: We are making more efforts to make our line unisex, we would love for everyone to enjoy our products. The new Blue Velvet Facial Serum is a product that you and yours can share. I share mine with my partner and its so nice to have one product line our cabinets that we can both use. I wanted to offer more products that promote healing such as our Pilgrim's Recovery oil which is a natural sports liniment that smells like a walk in the woods and not a cough drop. We also wanted to bring back some customer favorites like our Machine oil Flask. We take every suggestion, criticism and request seriously and appreciate any feedback sent our way. Our goal is to offer you products that you will fall in love with and enjoy using.
We'd like to take this opportunity to give a big thanks to all of our wonderful customers and Stockists who have made it possible for us to continue doing business. Without your support we would not be here so THANK YOU!
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NOTHING! Our formula has remained the same through our new rebrand. It was time to give our line some love and a packaging makeover was past due.
Our supremely hydrating unixex Grooming balm is a concentrated blend of highly nutritive and reparative organic plant oils and butters.
-Tame and smooth flyaway's
-Condition and heal dry skin
-Ideal for all types
-Rinses out easily with soap and water
-Relieves Beardruff
-Made with non synthetic, organic and plant based ingredients.
*Cannabis Sativa (Hempseed) Oil,*Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Oil, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, *Argania Spinsosa (Argan) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, and (Tocopherol) Vitamin E.
*= organic **vitamin e from Non-GMO Soy sources.
For any questions, please say Hello!
info@brooklyngrooming.com]]>To avoid this undesirable outcome, you can seek shelter in a deep dark cave. Or you can re-moisturize your skin. If you prefer the latter route, Brooklyn Grooming has the perfect solution. It’s called Pilgrim’s Facial Serum. This hand-crafted formula effectively restores skin moisture, preserving its natural elasticity and smoothness.
Pilgrim’s Facial Serum achieves this extraordinary feat thanks to its unique ability to penetrate skin with natural, nutritive oils. These oils, which include jojoba and argan, deliver needed nutrients to pores. The nutrients, in turn, stimulate the generation of new, healthy skin. Basically, they’re superfoods for the skin.
How is our facial serum different from the others? Many of the alternatives simply cover the face, without going much deeper. Pilgrim’s Facial Serum, on the other hand, utilizes the penetrating power of microscopic molecules. These tiny particles can penetrate deeper to deliver much-needed nutrients and moisture to the skin. Instant summer skin boost!
Would you like to learn more about Pilgrim’s Facial Serum or other premium organic grooming products? Please contact Brooklyn Grooming for additional information and answers to all your questions.
]]>To make your beard look its best, you’ll want to do more than just refuse to shave.
The guys with amazing beards don’t just stop shaving one day and hope for the best.
Instead, they’re prepared for the patience and maintenance it takes to grow a beard that will be the envy of men everywhere.
One of the first obstacles you’ll have to persevere is the itchiness of growing a beard. The itching can be intense, but if you can make it through that stage you’ll be well on your way. A pro tip is that you should start using beard oil as soon as your beard starts growing out, it moisturizes your skin and helps with the itch.
As you start seeing real growth around month 3, it’s time to call in the professionals. Go to a barber you trust and get a good trim to help even out any patchy spots and put you on a path for growing a full, even beard in the months to come.
Check out the infographic from GentlemanHQ to see what each stage of beard growth holds for you through your first year of growing out a beard and then get started on a beard of your own.It’s like this. Razor burn typically results from one of several causes. Perhaps in your eagerness for aesthetic perfection, you went too far. You didn’t mean to remove that much skin. Or possibly, you simply selected the wrong shaving instrument. Or -- and this is the most likely cause -- you went with the wrong product. Yes, the wrong shaving oil can lead to razor burn.
Essentially, the burn condition is the result of dried-out skin. Drained of moisture, the epidermal layer becomes prone to tearing and abrasion. But, you protest, how could a shaving oil cause such an unwelcome state-of-affairs? Easily. Many shaving oils -- far too many in fact -- contain harmful, skin-drying chemicals. Once skin is robbed of moisture, it becomes leathery -- vulnerable to tearing and nicks.
Does this mean all shavers are doomed to endless burns? Not at all. The good news is, natural shaving oils are free of harmful, skin-drying chemicals. Instead of damaging agents, these products contain only pure, organic ingredients that leave skin well-lubricated and smooth.
Brooklyn Grooming natural shaving oils certainly demonstrate the difference that premium ingredients make. Infused with all-natural extracts, these organic lubricants leave skin moisturized, smooth, and mercifully burn-free.
Would you like to learn more about our natural beard oils or other premium organic grooming products? Please contact Brooklyn Grooming for additional information and answers to all your questions.
]]>Brooklyn Grooming
]]>1. Wake yourself up in a gentle rinse of warm water that will open up skin pores and soften the rough stubble of yesterday.
2. Place a small amount of shaving soap into a bowl, lightly dampen your brush in water, then swirl to create a creamy lather that will blanket your face in nourishing protection. This will impart the necessary hydration while it lubricates, promoting optimum razor passage, boosting the skin's post-shave recovery and refining its overall moisture quotient.
Brooklyn Grooming’s Commando shaving soap is made using a traditional handmade cold process method, and is a goldmine of natural, organic skin-enhancers.
3. With the brush, apply the lather in gentle, circular motions until the area to be shaved is covered in a generous layer. The importance of a quality shaving brush cannot be emphasized enough. The brush not only generates a thick, rich demulcent, but also smoothly exfoliates your skin, removing dead skin, and raising the hairs on your face in preparation for the shave. Badger hair has been used for more than two centuries to make the finest shaving brushes. The softest, highest quality degree of brush is the super badger brush.
Brooklyn Grooming’s first very first limited edition "Super Badger Hair" Shaving Brush is chosen by the more discerning wet shaver for its softness on the skin and water retention qualities.
4. When shaving, use slow strokes with precision, being careful not to press too deeply into your skin. You should shave in the same direction that your whiskers grow. If you miss a spot, no worries, just get it on the next stroke. Most people choose either a double edged safety razor or a straight razor to shave with.
5. Finally, rinse with cold water to close up the pores, then pat your face dry and apply after-shave, because even the best razors leave behind microscopic abrasions that need healing.
Brooklyn Grooming’s Anchor is a soothing after shave made with cooling cucumber extract and restorative aloe vera gel to give your face a truly satisfying treatment that will calm and temper the skin. There's also organic vegetable glycerin, a natural humectant, which draws and traps moisture from the air.
Don’t let the summer heat trap you into mundane routine. Refresh yourself with one that will leave your skin feeling nourished, clean, moisturized, and smoother than ever before. This summer, get wet & wet-shave.
]]>While you pack your bags for your quick trip, be sure not to leave behind any essential grooming items. Even the most relaxing vacation can be tainted by neglecting to remember even the smallest necessities. For your convenience, we’ve put together a short list of the major prerequisites you will need on any trip, near or far.
No matter where you go, traveling in style is essential. That goes for your tooth brush and bathroom toiletries as well. Brooklyn Grooming offers a variety of travel bags that will not only carry your combs, soaps, and serums but will carry your style. With its leather strap and leather base, Brooklyn Grooming’s beautifully hand-crafted
Dopp Kit not only gives a classy impression, but is the perfect bag to ensure you always remember to pack your basic grooming needs.
Though luxuriously capacious, The Dopp Kit holds no room for that nagging
“I think I left something behind” feeling.
Named for professionals who work away from the office, The Fieldman's Canvas Pouch was inspired by travel bags used by those who find themselves often away from home for work.
A classic design, a perfect carry all pouch finished with a zip closure, holding everything you need in one spacious main compartment.
A complement to comfort in every traveler's gear.
Between the low-humidity on airplanes, and the change in climate temperature and atmospheric pressure, traveling can prove to be a difficult challenge in keeping a clear complexion. Bringing the right serums and soaps, as well as staying hydrated is vitally important in ensuring our vacation is a relaxing one without any skin breakouts. You want to take a serum that is used most consistently in your regular grooming routine as well as one that is most reliable in all conditions. Our Pilgrim’s Facial Serum is a concentrated blend of highly nutritive, reparative and beautifying oils (including the great equalizer jojoba and miracle moisturize argan) that help restore and maintain balance to the delicate skin of the face.
Pilgrim’s Facial Serum is a botanical serum good for all skin types, even people with oily and problematic skin. The oils are light and absorb quickly, vanishing deep into the pores after only a couple minutes. It will enrich your skin with nutrients, safeguarding you from unwanted blemishes and breakouts.
While sightseeing on vacation, we are often walking a great deal more than we regularly experience, and this can lead to some uncomfortable situations. The combination of heat and friction can be severely painful to the sensitive skin of the groin and nether region. Avoid unnecessary suffering by applying our Pilgrim’s Machine Oil, a dermal lubrication derived from three essential oils-tea tree, lavender and cedarwood. These natural ingredients work together to create a healing foundation of relief that is effective, antibacterial, soothing, regenerating and anti-inflammatory.
Stored in a convenient stainless steel travel-sized metal flask, Pilgrim's can be easily packed in a suitcase to keep chafing at the bay when traveling. Whenever chafing strikes, Pilgrim's Machine Oil targets your problem areas to help you feel free and easy, like a well oiled machine.
You don’t have to wait until summer to escape away from the mundane. This year, let spring whisk you off on an adventure. But before heading off on your vacation, be sure to remember to pack Brooklyn Grooming essentials along with you!
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After being exposed to the harsh winds and bitter temperatures of winter, it is important to exfoliate the dead and dry skin on your face with a soap that will also protect the natural oils, leaving your facial hair looking and feeling ready for spring.
Brooklyn Grooming’s newly advanced Beard Soap recipe is a richly nutritious combination of Vermont family farmed goats milk, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and pure olive oil making it a goldmine of organic skin-enhancers that will scrub the beard without stripping away the natural oils allowing for a softer, cleaner result that won’t sacrifice the integrity of your skin.
Spring is an excellent opportunity to trade in the heavier scents of winter and experiment with lighter ones. Pure essential oils of Cedar and Spruce, impart our soap with a warm, fresh scent that is a complimentary blend, both subtle and distinctive, softly stirring the senses from slumber to refresh mind, body and spirit. The rousing aroma is an enlivening balance of earth, wood, and spring.
Though the winds of spring may not have the icy bite of the winter, they still have the gusto to whip across your face, irritating skin and damaging beard growth. It is helpful to keep applying oils all year round, as well as regular beard maintenance such as combing and trimming. Our hand-made iconic Beard Comb is made from natural cellulose acetate material, contains no plastic, and is a perfect tool for taming those wiry whiskers.
Alas, perhaps the most important key in maintaining healthy skin and hair is treating your body conscientiously by eating nutritious foods, exercising often, sleeping well, and staying hydrated. This spring, let your beard reflect nature’s season of restoration and growth, let your skin glow!
Our Limited Edition -Victorian Oddities card- is included on any of our Valentine's Day Sets!
5. After Shave Tonic by Crown Shaving Co, 6. Wood Beam Anchor Bracelet in Antique Brown 7.TVR Opt 504 Vintage JD Sunglasses 8. Mini Shampoo and Conditioner by Rudy’s Barbershop, 9. Field Notes Original Ruled Paper Memo Book
10. Rios Slim Straight by Freenote 11. Winston Woven Chestnut Watch by Komono 12. Musk Candle by C.O. Bigelow 13. Ezra Arthur No. 2 Wallet 14. Beard Oil Sampler Kit by Us
]]>Brooklyn Grooming Pilgrim’s Machine Oil from Brooklyn Grooming on Vimeo.
Unrefined (aka “virgin”) coconut oil, has a melting point of just 76 degrees F (24 C).
This means it can be liquid or solid depending on the season, climate and even the temperature of where its stored in your home.
Every fat and fatty acid has a range of temperatures varying from liquid to solid. As a general rule, saturated fats like coconut oils congeal at higher temperatures than unsaturated fats.
The development of coconut oil “grains” or crystals is determined by the melting point of the oil and the environment in which it is stored. We know this can be a little disconcerting at first but please remember your oil is perfectly good.
Pilgrim’s Classic Hair and Beard Tonic is enriched with nutrients of organic coconut, argan, jojoba and avocado oils, and will change consistency with colder weather. You might notice your oil has a different texture (don’t worry), your product hasn't gone bad and there is a simple way fix for this
1. Immerse the bottle in warm water for 5 minutes until normal consistency returns.
2. Have a radiator or other indirect heat source? Awesome! Simply place your bottle on top or in front of it for a few minutes and your Pilgrim's will return to a liquid state.
3. You can also warm the bottle with your hands although this might take a little longer.
And Finally, keep your Pilgrim’s Hair and Beard Tonic in a warm, dry area.
This prestigious annual awards highlights the companies, individuals, and top grooming products that are having an impact in the Men’s Grooming Industry
Your support for us makes all the difference. Please take a moment to vote for us today.
Thank you for reading and Thank you for voting!
]]>The natural boar bristles are perfect for keeping your beard looking neat and tidy. The bristles are uneven so you can reach from root to tip in a single stroke.
Brush features our signature “octopus" logo engraved on a natural beechwood handle
Lightweight for ease of use on-the-go, plus fits perfectly within the hand
Style your beard correctly and prevent hair from knotting with this iconic grooming accessory!
Beard brush measures approximately 5" x 1.75"
]]>It’s all about versatility with these pieces so it’s best to keep them quite simple. What is it we’re looking for then? For the casual outfits you want plain crew neck T Shirts and plain sweatshirts. For the smarter occasions we’re looking for plain shirts and smart knitwear. For your bottom half we need some denim that will be easily dressed up or down. So let’s get to it with our choice staples.
1.Dickies Crew Neck 3 Pack
It’s all about the versatility with the plain crew neck T Shirt. You can’t own enough of them, wear them as a bottom layer, top layer in the summer and as part of a mid-layer when worn with an undone oxford shirt. Dickies ensure you’ve always got one to hand with their three pack.
http://theidleman.com/brands/dickies/dickies-staple-t-shirt-3-pack-9893.html
2.G Star’s V-patch Sweatshirt
Dutch brand G Star is stepping up its game with this military style V-patch Sweatshirt. This is a comfortable item, that’s also quite easy to mix with colourful jeans be it red, green or white, just don’t be afraid to experiment. This is also a great transitional piece as we go from the colder months into Spring.
http://theidleman.com/brands/g-star/g-star-navy-r-sweatshirt.html
3. Nudie’s Thin Finns
A dark pair of jeans will ensure you can wear them as part of casual and smart/casual outfits. Nudie only use the highest quality and ethically sourced materials so you know they’ll hold their colour and shape for years.
http://theidleman.com/brands/nudie/nudie-dry-twill-thin-finn.html
4. Farah Vintage Oxford Shirt
It’s time to switch it to formal and Farah’s Oxford shirt is definitely an office classic. Oxford shirts are great pieces for when you’re heading out straight from work. Worn with a blazer and trousers they look smart and sophisticated. Wear undone with a crew neck underneath and a pair of jeans and you’re looking effortlessly cool. Farah’s delivers that classic style you should expect from this brand with a rich heritage.
http://theidleman.com/farah-vintage-oxford-shirt-7435.html
5. Only & Sons Pique Crew Neck
Your knitwear is where you can bring some classic sophistication whilst layering in the transitional periods between winter and spring. Wear with an oxford shirt underneath to dress it up and keep warm or your plain crew neck to dress it down and stay cooler in the hotter months. If you’re on a tighter budget then Only & Sons provide the quality you want at the price you need.
http://theidleman.com/only-sons-pique-crew-neck-jumper-navy.html
Just because winter is a season of hibernation and dreary weather doesn’t mean your beard maintenance has to be! Keep your routine away from seeping into the humdrum of everyday work by choosing a beard soap that is light and gentle on the face. To awaken slumbering spirits and and freshen your morning step, lather your beard in the invigorating Beard Soap by Meow Meow Tweet a nourishing combination of shea-butter and essential oils that will leave your face feeling kissed by the earth.
You don’t have to merely endure winter! Stop letting the drab of bleak weather bring down the dapper in your beard! Rather, let yourself thrive in winter. Wave goodbye to the woes of winter and revitalize with a few tricks of the trade to let winter be your finest grooming season.
So, check it out: a quick beginners guide to growing a beard.
]]>So, check it out: a quick beginners guide to growing a beard.
Tip #1: Just grow it.
If that sounds like plain old common sense, that’s because it is. However, I consistently find that the first step is often the most difficult for beard-growing novices. And it’s especially true for guys who tend to grow patchier beards.
So, my first and simplest tip is just to let that bad boy grow. More importantly, be ready for an awkward phase. If you’ve ever shaved your head, you know that the time between being bald and having hair that actually looks like something is pretty friggin’ awkward. Your face is no different. The good news? There’s lots of stuff you can do in between, and there are plenty of styles for virtually any beard length.
If you’re one of those guys who can magically sprout of a full warrior’s beard overnight, then congratulations! You’re ready for my second tip.
Tip #2: After 2-3 weeks of growth, make the tough decisions.
Listen, not everyone can have a beard like Brian Wilson. I know I can’t. So, one of the tough realities of growing a beard is that, to some extent, you’ll be limited by genetics. If you’ve take a few weeks to let your beard grow, you should take an honest look and seriously ask yourself what kind of beard is possible for you.
What you want to be looking for is: (1) overall thickness, (2) significant bald patches, and (3) un-sprouted hair.
For thickness, take whatever you see at 2-3 weeks and multiply it by about two. Mots beards will appear much thicker with more volume (which just comes with time). Take note of any significant bald patches and decide if you can live with and/or if they’ll fit with your ideal beard. If you do have a few bald patches, it usually just means you won’t be able to sport super-full, super-clean cut styles; but there are still lots of messier styles you can rock (so don’t worry).
Then, for thinner areas, check to see if hair isn’t growing at all or if the hair is just having trouble sprouting from the follicle. Most of the time, if you can see the hair in the follicle, it means the hair is there but un-sprouted. For this kind of hair, you can sometimes encourage it to grow by using minoxidil, which promotes hair growth. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s something to try, and it works for a lot of guys.
In other words, be honest with yourself about the styles that will actually work with your beard. There’s nothing worse than seeing a guy with a wispy beard trying to sculpt a few strands of hair into a visage of Ulysses S. Grant.
Tip #3: Consider your context.
This tip is mostly theoretical, but it’s extremely important to think about as you start to grow your beard – especially if it’s your first one – and especially after you’ve figured out the styles available to you (tip #2).
Context is basically how your beard fits into your overall look. The same beard can look totally different in two different styles, so it stands to reason that when you begin to grow your beard, you can’t just think about your beard. You have to think about how it’ll jive with your image.
This is the example I usually like to use. Suppose you enjoy a long, wiry beard (a la ZZ Top). One way to wear that beard would be with long hair, leather, lots of accessories and an integrated mustache (a ‘stache that flows into your beard). That’d be a very rock-and-roll kind of style, and it would be awesome.
However, you could wear the same beard with a super clean haircut, a well-tailored jacket, and a bowtie. Kind of see what I’m getting at here? That same beard would look totally different in this context, and it would be equally as awesome.
The important thing in here is that, while you cannot totally control your beard, you can totally control the context in which your beard lives. So pay attention to it. Plan it. And then execute it!
Tip #4: Use the right tools for your beard.
I’ve had plenty of arguments about how you should shape your beard. As in the shaving community, the beard community sometimes seems to have a weird divide between “traditionalists” and non-traditionalists.
Traditionalists tend to use hand-crafted, homemade products and shape their beard with scissors. Non-traditionalists don’t mind using a good set of trimmers.
For my money, it doesn’t matter at all. Just choose the right tools for your particular beard or what is the most fun for you.
Here’s what each is good for. Scissors are usually best for longer beards; however, I always keep them handy for stray hairs. The important thing to understand about scissors, though, is that if you’re going to use them to regularly trim a full beard, you need to keep them sharp to avoid pulled hairs and split ends.
Trimmers, on the other hand, and great for shorter, uniform beards. They’re also great for styles that include a clean neckline.
You don’t have to choose one. I use both. Just make sure you understand the strengths and weaknesses to get the most utility out of your instruments.
Tip #5: Build a good kit.
You obviously need timmers and scissors in your beard grooming kit, but there are plenty of other things you should have if you’re going to seriously pursue the beardly arts. Here’s what you should have in your grooming kit.
Essentials
Optional
The most important thing to remember when building a beard grooming kit is to never, ever skimp on supplies. Seriously. When I buy stuff for my kits, I ask myself, “Could I pass this on to my kids?” If you can, that’s quality.
It’s also why I buy stuff from these guys at Brooklyn Grooming.
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We caught up with LJK to learn more about his barbering brand and personal grooming techniques. He took the time to answer some questions* during a recent seminar tour through Mexico.
A trained barber known for his nouvelle approach to classic shave techniques, LJK told us he regards the documenting of the evolution of men's grooming as a life mission.
I started the day I felt I had much more to learn and much more to do to keep writing the history of the barber shop. I'm still on tour and as long as I feel a hunger for the knowledge of old and new concepts I'll keep doing it ... I hope not to stop until my health no longer allows me to.
Ever curious about the motivations behind men's individual grooming habits, we asked LJK what drove him toward the cultivation of his look and his rather impressive pelt of mandibular topiary. Like all passionate bearders, from Samson to Santa, LJK's fair facial fuzz has special meaning to him.
My beard is the fight against a bad period in my life. I started to grow it because some bad things happened to me; and when I recovered I felt full of faith. On the other hand, I didn't realize I was finding myself and my personal branding in the process. Actually, my beard is my complete aesthetic, representing what I want to reach as professional master barber and educator. So there is no point to shave it now.
Naturally, we wanted to know what about Brooklyn Grooming had drawn him to us in the first place.
I really count on quality info for customers. Unfortunately many brands have a presence in the market because of an instant business plan instead of a real project respecting their values. I want customers to know that BG is one of those brands who loves what barber shop means and doesn't look for simply aesthetics. The more information and transparency a brand gives, the more we can trust it.
And LJK's favorites from our line?
I can't live without the Red Hook Facial Serum and the Red Hook Beard Balm. I remember I was very excited about the Facial Serum because my issue was oily skin after application, but it is just brilliant how this product is absorbed without any shiny or oily effect. On the other hand the Beard Balm, thanks to the inclusion of beeswax, allows me to control my beard and at the same time gives it the moisturizing I need.
We're thrilled to welcome LJK to the Brooklyn Grooming Collective as Brand Ambassador, and glad to know he's as excited as we are to spread the love and knowledge of our products and philosophy.
Welcome aboard, LJK!
*Since LJK is a non-native English speaker, the above quotations have been edited for clarity. But don't worry, grooming is universal.*
Thus, it was only a matter of time before we would find ourselves branching out into the massive marketplace of Soap Commerce. Ladies and Gentlemen, that time has come.
A Match Made in Brooklyn
We've teamed up with Brooklyn-based small-batch soap company MMT to create a perfect shaving soap just for you, the Brooklyn Groomers of the world.
There really was no question as to whose soap-manufacturing expertise we would call upon when we were ready. MMT was our obvious choice because their core values emulate our very own business practices and the integrity of our company culture. To both MMT & BG, of utmost importance is an emphasis on natural authenticity. We each produce hand-made goods from small batches; we rely on the local sourcing of raw materials whenever possible; we share a devotion to ecological healthfulness and sustainability; and we understand that the greatest joys on a given day are often also the simplest.
I caught up with Tara Pelletier of MMT to dish about the joint effort, and she had this to say:
"[Brooklyn Grooming] has the same ideals that we have in terms of quality of ingredients and how things are made. We're also both pretty supportive of one another. Even with similar businesses, we share information and promote one another."
So What's the Soap Like?
The starting point of the collaboration was a conceptual discussion between Tara and BG founder Mckenzie Santiago. Tara remembers it this way:
"We were going for something that captured the freshness of MMT's signature scent profiles and the depth and complexity of the woodsy BG profiles. McKenzie is also a fan of our Black Walnut Sage soap, so we started there and dug into that scent with some warmer, earthier essential oils, like virginia cedarwood and vetiver."
The fragrance that resulted is a gentle nod to nature's harmonious chaos, with whispers of earth, wood, flower and herb.
A pleasant aroma (or a pleasantly absent one) in a soap is nothing to scoff at, but the almost magical lather generated by this divine little disc is what will really sell you on the shave.
It's simple enough: in a shaving mug or coffee cup, with just enough (i.e. not too much) water to dampen the soap disc, whisk a shave brush until a light froth clings to its bristles. It won't be sudsy and wet like many shave soaps; instead, the lather gels by forming a paper-thin, remarkably dense layer of stubble-lubricant to encourage smooth razor passage and provide a nutritive moisture shield against the damaging effects shaving can cause to the skin.
For all our chatter about beards, mustaches and other assorted situations involving the cultivation of man fur, it was time we admitted---to you and to ourselves---that most men still shave. And many of them do so daily. It's those marble-mugged devotees of the daily grind to whom we dedicate this shaving soap.
We hope, in addition to its wholesome and hygienic utility, that it will refresh and reinvigorate your daily shave, elevating it perhaps from tired routine to simple, everyday joy.
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By Emma L. Parkes
When you've spent time growing a striking gathering of facial hair, you will soon realize how important grooming is in your weekly routine. Gone are the days when you could quickly navigate snowy foam and a razor around your face and be done; you're a beard man now, a species of male that oozes pride at their rather fetching growth. Years ago, a beard could just be left to grow, but today things are different (unless you’re going for the low maintenance, shaggy sort of look) and a little bit of beard upkeep takes some effort to get it how you want it to be.
You might be new to the beard game and wondering how on earth it can be kept dapper when the hairs are becoming so unkempt and straggly. It presents a challenge; we understand. So this week we're looking at how to trim your beard with scissors; a perfectly good way to get everything looking orderly and spruce. They provide precision, and are really reliable for trimming the old mustache or any areas that might be a little hard to reach. So follow our instructions, and prepare to be wowed at the splendour of your impeccably trimmed hair...
1) Choose a pair of scissors wisely. The one's that you use to cut open the chicken bag from the store or cut up your mail, will not work; they are big and clumsy, and you could end up with a mass of tissue on your face. Barber's scissors work wonders; make sure they are sharp and clean, and without rust or anything else that might pull at your hair.
2) A comb is essential. It prevents you from cutting hair too short, and is pretty much your beard-cutting guide - a PA for the beard trim, if you will. Before you get going, comb through your beard so everything is at maximum height and facing the same direction.
3) Begin the trim. When you begin, start at your ear and have the length of hair you want to cut on the outside of the comb. Go easy at the first go while you're still new at the trimming; you don't want to risk having to shave it all off if it goes wrong. Trim the hair that is on the outside of the combs teeth. Gradually work towards your jaw line.
4) Cut evenly. Trim the right and left side of your face, cutting evenly until you have reached the desired look. Trim your mustache and your chin afterwards, combing hair straight down. When you feel like you have finished these areas, comb through the beard again to make sure you have got an even trim of hair.
5) Be careful of your neck. Your neck is a tricky one when it comes to a cut. Ideally, using the scissors, trim as close as possible to your neck without the risk of cutting. If you have an electric trimmer, you may prefer using this for the neck hair, or as another resort, lather and shave your neck with a normal razor to remove the hair, which may be easier than doing it with scissors.
The next time you need a beard trim, reach for this handy little guide; we promise you’ll thank us. Beware of chopping off too much; we don’t want to hear any disastrous beard stories. Think of the regrowth time if anything went amiss, and trim with care.
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Emma L. Parkes
Beards can be pretty legendary things; they can simply linger on the intermediate stage of not quite a full on beard, more of a stubbly ambivalent affair, or grow into an accumulation of some magnificent full-on facial beauty. We love them either way; a beard is a beard, all things considered. They can be short, long, frizzy or coiled. Deep burgundy or a profound russet with lingering hints of silver. Each to their own, an individual ‘beard brand’ if you will.
A year ago, amidst a hot and sticky summer, my partner decided to grow a beard. It had always been a subject of amusement that his face showed evidence of stubble even after he had just shaved, so he surrendered to the evolution of his facial hair, and the journey began. It wasn’t without its impediments and a few setbacks; I’m not going to lie. It itched and it irritated, hairs growing a few minor millimetres per day to see new light of day. And for me…it was a new experience. Suddenly my smooth man’s face was enclosed by a wall of hair, a blurry coffee haze that I had to battle through. And a kiss came with new sensations that I compared to that of a bristly broom.
And yet, three weeks down the line, we both adored it. I finally understand the beard obsession that had seized half a dozen girls in our college dorms a few years ago, as they became enamoured by the mature student with the mysterious dusky beard. It had fazed me at the time, and I allowed them to salivate over their cereal bowls pre-lecture. But now it all made sense to me. This beard was epic by all proportions, a heroic accolade to its predecessors.
Just like a man gives devotion towards the care of a new pricey pair of trainers or the latest Xbox game, the beard suddenly became mollycoddled; pampered like us ladies spoil ourselves with a facemask or new branded face cream, he treated the beard with the attention it deserved. He obtained a comb like this beauty which kept everything looking smart and sharp all day. It became a little scratchy and dry too, and brittle around the edges, and that's where Beard Oil became his new best friend; giving it a little moisture, and a bit of daily love. After a morning shower, he took to using Beard Balm, softening it between his fingers and ensuring that the little fly away hairs were kept stylish. I was impressed and a little bemused that the bathroom was used for longer than his usual few minutes.
One year later, and he's got his beauty routine perfected down to a tee.
And the beard? Yes, it’s still here. It got cut earlier in the year, but soon grew back. I missed it, and so did he. It is an Epic Beard, after all.
Do you have an impressive beard? Share it with us over on Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #EpicBeard.
]]>Every week or so I take a disposable razor and line up my beard, trimming the hairs that have gotten too long and shaving the ones that have crept up my face and down my neck.
]]>Every week or so I take a disposable razor and line up my beard, trimming the hairs that have gotten too long and shaving the ones that have crept up my face and down my neck.
I expect if you're reading this, you probably do some version or other of a similar routine. Perhaps yours is much more stringent, perhaps more lax. Maybe you shave daily. Maybe never.
Or perhaps you're here because you're looking to get a grooming regimen going.
If that's the case, spend a little time perusing our blog for suggestions and ideas: some practical, some existential (all fascinating).
My question to you today though, Brooklyn Groomers, is why do we do it?
What is it in me that makes me take the time to apply cosmetics when I scarcely take the time to make my bed or even call my family? Why do you do it? What, if anything, are you seeking to accomplish? To prove?
I imagine our answers would be as varied as our grooming routines themselves.
And that's why I find Men's Grooming such an interesting topic for exploration.
Part of the Brooklyn Grooming mantra, and one idea that founder Mckenzie Santiago returns to time after time, is that our products and brand are not intended to boost your vanity or pride, or to augment your no-doubt already-thriving ego. Instead, one of Mckenzie's goals has been to provide a line of products that you can use to take care of your body in a healthy, nutritive way to make you feel good about how you present yourself to the world.
But what you do with your products, be they Brooklyn Grooming's or not, and what role they play in your life, is strictly up to you.
Before I take a hiatus from the Brooklyn Grooming Blog, I want to leave you with a final bit of grooming advice.
Though we do not seek to promote vanity, your sense of self and where you belong in this world are of utmost importance. Some believe that personality itself is simply the performance of our own personal identities.
I believe that the jokes we make, the sides we argue and the points we seek to prove through spirited conversation are our efforts to carve out a niche---to leave a mark---to shout from that proverbial rooftop, "this is who I am!"
The face we show the world, the care we take in its presentation, is an extension of that primal urge to matter.
What does it say to the stranger on the street when he casually notices that my beard is a shimmery, soft tuft of fur to be envied? What do people believe about me when I enter a room having obviously taken a few moments to make sure my hair is my version of "presentable"?
That I give a shit about how I'm perceived? That I'm focused on my hygiene? That I am someone who takes preparation seriously? I hope so.
More importantly than how you're perceived by others is how you perceive yourself.
If you're wearing a beard as a mask or if you're trying somehow to achieve a level of beauty in order to fill a void within yourself, perhaps you're approaching the idea of men's grooming all wrong.
So I say love the canvas you are. Decorate it to show the world outside the beauty that you recognize within. (One thing I love about Brooklyn Grooming is that all our products are natural and organic: I believe their use is a way to promote the appreciation of true, natural beauty.)
Love yourself, not because of the way you look but because of who you are.
Beauty does not lead to happiness. It's happiness that is the foundation of beauty.
HAPPY Grooming...
Love,
Sloan
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Before they've even had the chance to apply our products to their hair or skin (or any place else) most of our new customers are initially impressed by the obvious care that has gone into the shipping and delivery of our products from our little studio in Brooklyn to you.
As seen in the image above (courtesy of @vitalypecherski) of a recently shipped vegan Commando Pomade, Mckenzie takes the most extraordinary pains to ensure that the great care with which she has created our products is translated also into how you receive them.
One look at the little hot plates where Mckenzie actually cooks up our line of organic goods can be a dazzling shock and reminder---since it is so hard to imagine in our culture of Wal-Mart and drug store cosmetics---that something could actually be handmade. We've all seen the images of those conveyor belts traveling under machines that do everything from add ingredients to an enormous batch of product to squirt the final concoction into packages before sealing and drooping them into a huge bin of finished goods.
That isn't what happens here at Brooklyn Grooming. We wanted to remind you that we value quality and authenticity in our products, from the secret location where Mckenzie sources the organic essential oils and vegetable butters that go on to become our products to the precision we must employ to apply every single plastic seal and stickers designed by our graphics guru Alfie.
It's a homespun operation with a focus on artistry and detail because we understand that those things are sorely lacking in our mega-chain discount store culture. The death of the mom & pop shop hasn't meant the death of quality, handmade products.
We believe that there should be more to purchasing cosmetics than a simple cash transaction at a department store or national pharmacy chain. We believe in a personal connection between crafters and customers (especially since you're going to put this stuff on your face!) that is often overlooked in the bustle of modern society.
So we just wanted to remind you, even though we cannot shake your hand and say thank you, that the sentiment holds true: we want you to enjoy the benefits of our goods, and---just as importantly---receive them knowing they are made with heart and care, from our hands to yours.
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Greetings. First off, I'm in love with Fort Greene Shave Oil. I was wondering though if I could use Pilgrim's Classic Hair Tonic by itself. Can it give clean hair an oiled look? I'm looking for a little bit of hold and a shine.
Best,
Phil
]]>Dear Sloan,
Greetings. First off, I'm in love with Fort Greene Shave Oil. I was wondering though if I could use Pilgrim's Classic Hair Tonic by itself. Can it give clean hair an oiled look? I'm looking for a little bit of hold and a shine.
Best,
Phil
Hi Phil,
You're obviously a man of taste, as Fort Greene is my current favorite fragrance as well. I'm using the FG Facial Serum everyday, and it's truly improving my complexion by somehow evening out the color of my face. I suppose I'm losing the pink and red splotches I've had so long that I'd stopped even noticing them.
Anyway, let's talk about Pilgrim's Classic Hair Tonic. Designed as a primer to go between your hair and your styling products, its original purpose was to allow pomades, waxes and gels to cling more easily to your hair, thereby facilitating longer-lasting hairstyles that would not require mid-day maintenance.
But since our products are made simply, using only organic essential oils and elbow grease, it would never be out of the question to try them out for other purposes. Since lately I don't use pomade or hair-styling products myself, I've done just that with Pilgrim's.
My hair happens to run the gamut between oily and dry. Usually, it's dry because I've shampooed recently, the weather is particularly dry or I'm probably not maintaining the proper levels of hydration in my body. If its oily, then I've either overdone it on the pomade, or it's time for a shampoo.
My point here is that the key to proper hair care comes from being aware of your hair. Understanding the way your hair behaves and reacts to both the way you care for it and the elements is the only way you'll be able to give the hair what it needs.
Think of your hair as your pet: it can't talk to you, so you have to know it well enough to recognize what it's asking for.
When my hair is dry or unruly, I rinse it in the shower and then when it's half-dry, I rub 5 drops of Pilgrim's Classic Hair Tonic into my palms and comb it through my hair using my fingers. If it is particularly dry and feeling like its on the verge of damage, then I'll use an actual comb to ensure the tonic has been incorporated uniformly throughout my head.
The result is shine, body and a slight hold with natural movement that I prefer for my everyday look.
I've got a relatively thick head of wavy hair that tends toward dryness. So I have determined that 5 drops works for me. Make sure you use the product sparingly until you figure out exactly how much your hair needs based on your desired results.
Remember, a little goes a long way. Don't overdo it. You'll just waste perfectly good product.
Keep an eye out for other uses as well. For instance, I'm using the Tonic every time I go for a swim at my gym. It is incredible the way it completely repels the chlorine and protects my hair from the damage it would otherwise suffer. It's to the point now that if I forget my Pilgrim's at home, I don't go swimming.
Happy Grooming!
Let us know how it turns out!
sloan
Do YOU have something to #AskSloan? Email him at SLOAN@BROOKLYNGROOMING.COM or tweet him at @GawkyHeartthrob.
And don't forget to tweet us at @BKGrooming !
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At first i thought it was trash littered about the lawn: see what a dismal outlook a long winter can give you?
But now that the flowers are in bloom and the sun shines warmer, and it's even raining again on occasion, don't be fooled into laxing on your skincare regimen.
Since the air outside is a more comparable temperature to that of your actual skin, and a little humidity has returned to the atmosphere, we may be tempted to forget our skin and altogether stop moisturizing/ Don't fall prey to the habit of seasonal skin neglect!
At Brooklyn Grooming we offer the perfect way to maintain the moisture balance in your skin to keep it plump, healthy and youthful, just like we all want. Our Gentlemen's Facial Serum is an ultra-light-weight, breathable bulwark between your skin and the damaging elements. And the fact that it's a serum---not a cream or a salve--means the tiny molecular structure of this all-natural emollient will absorb into your thirsty, spring-happy pores, not suffocate the face like a mask.
And don't forget what's good for the skin is good for the hair!
When it comes to maintaining the moisture quotient of your mane of sexy top-locks, look no further than our brand-new Plgrim's Classic Hair Tonic. Designed to be a base-coat and barrier between your hair and your favorite styling products, Pilgrim's also works as a leave-in conditioner to prevent the new warmer weather and sun-drenching weekends in the park from drying out your hair and scalp. A few drops of Pilgrim's worked into the hair imparts a classic, subtly masculine fragrance and a necessary, beautifying luster that you'll wonder how you ever lived without.
Make sure that this extended wintry wait has been worthwhile: Make this spring the best one yet!
Happy Grooming, from your friends at BG!
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