If you've ever looked at beard oil and beard balm and thought, aren't these basically the same thing?, you're not alone.
And full disclosure: I don't have a beard. 😂
I started making beard balm because a male friend with a long beard told me I needed to make it and assured me it would sell. Since he had considerably more beard experience than I did, I listened.
But before I made it, I wanted to understand what beard balm actually does and why someone would choose it instead of, or along with, beard oil.
Turns out, they serve different purposes.
What does beard oil do?
Beard oil primarily helps condition the skin underneath the beard while also softening the beard hair.
That matters because the skin underneath a beard can become dry or uncomfortable, especially as the beard gets longer.
For a shorter beard or someone whose biggest concern is softness and conditioning, beard oil may be all he needs.
What does beard balm do?
Beard balm also helps condition the beard, but its thicker texture gives the hair a little more control.
Think less hair gel and more please stop sticking out in completely random directions.
It's especially useful for longer or fuller beards that need a little help looking neat and staying where they're supposed to.
Does he need both?
Not necessarily.
I'm not going to tell you he needs another product just because I happen to sell one.
If beard oil keeps his skin comfortable and his beard soft and he's happy with it, great.
But if his beard is longer, dry, unruly or could use a little control, adding balm may make sense.
How do you use beard oil and balm together?
If he's using both, keep it simple:
- Apply beard oil first and work it through the beard and into the skin underneath.
- Give it a moment to absorb.
- Use a small amount of beard balm and work it through the beard.
- Shape or comb the beard as usual.
No complicated routine required.
Meet Maverick and Outlaw
Of course, once I decided to make beard balm, I had to make it smell good.
That part I actually know something about.
Maverick is neroli and cedarwood.
He's the gentleman. Clean, polished and masculine with a warm woody finish.
Outlaw combines soft suede fragrance with warm fireside smoke.
He's the bad boy. Darker, rugged and a little more seductive, with warmth and smoke without smelling like someone tossed a jacket directly into a campfire.
Basically, I made the gentleman and the guy your mother warned you about.
I'll let you decide which one sounds familiar. 😂
Ready to choose?
Shop Made for ME Beard Oil and the new Beard Balm in Maverick and Outlaw.