Let’s begin by discussing the difference between tapers and fades, as they are closely related. They are the cousin of a buzz cut, but far more stylized!
Both—both fades and tapers gradually change the length of the hair on the sides, back, and maybe even the front of your hairline.
Traditional fade—the shortest hair is short but fairly even all around your head, with the hair on top being longer. The contrast is stark but consistent.
Traditional taper—a traditional taper has a more gradual (and traditional) decrease in hair length from the bottom of the fade to the top of the fade.
Taper fades—this look is bold and stylized. Your hair gradually fades, but all edges are cut to create a distinct head and face-framing shape.
As far as where on your head the fade begins, you must choose from low, mid, or high.
Low, mid, or high—this refers to where on your head hair length is shorter and longer. The shape of your head and face will determine which look is most flattering.
Low curly fades—ideal for round and square faces. However, it may not look best if you have coarse curls.
Mid fades—if you have an oval or diamond shape, a mid-length fade will likely look best on you.
High fades—this style works for all face shapes but isn’t as flattering if your hair is naturally fine or beginning to thin. It looks especially good if you have long curls, kinky hair, or tight curls.
You’ll still rock your kink, coils, or curls on top, but your faded and tapered areas will be so short that they look straight and lay flat, leaving you with less hair to manage.
For the curly-haired gents out there, a taper fade:
For straight-haired gents, any combination of a taper and fade personalize your look and minimizes receding hairlines. If your straight (or curly) hair is mid-length or long, tapers and fades allow for a variety of styling options.
Take inspiration from athletes, actors, and men’s magazines and head online to explore options that might work for you. Trust your gut in determining what styles you like and trust your barber to deliver a similar look that flatters and frames your face, while working with your hair texture and length.
Be sure to bring screenshots of photos with you to the barbershop or arrive a bit early to browse hairstyles in the shop books.
Not afraid of taking a risk? If you have a trusted barber, let them choose your taper fade!
Personalizing your new look has everything to do with the artistry of your barber. From how they shape your hairline to where your neckline begins and working your look in with your facial hair.
If it won’t be problematic at work, you can even have lines or designs drawn onto the sides and back of your head. Not to worry if you try something new and it’s not quite right for you. It can either be reshaped on the spot, or it will fill back in within 3 weeks or so.
Even if you are skilled with clippers, this style isn’t one that is easy to do on your own head. It may even be a bit risky to attempt on friends and family.
Trimming the top maybe, and the hairline edges if you are comfortable—but not the sides and back. That is unless you want to transition back to all one length on all sides.
Again, barbers are artists, so let them do their thing!
While some hairstyles can grow without looking too unkempt, you can’t skip the barbershop with tapers and fades as they are less of a haircut and more of a stylized design. So, go into your new hairstyle with the understanding that it will be a time commitment.
That being said, maintenance is fast and easy so you should be able to pop in and out of the barbershop fairly quickly. Every time you clean up the edges, you can experiment with different ways to frame your face. Be sure to take photos of your favorites so you can ask for them again.
Time between trips to the barbershop is likely to be:
Yes! Curly hair is fragile hair, so it must be protected with product. First and foremost, use naturally derived curly hair products. Even with short hair, standard products will dry and damage textured hair.
Also:
The tips above will work for both soft and bouncy curls and tight coils alike! Uncle Jimmy is here with everything you need to keep your curly taper fade looking its best.
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]]>We are all for embracing nature, but manscaping can boost your confidence and elevate your look. There’s no reason to go completely bare (unless you want to) but trimming can make a world of difference!
Eyebrows—bushy brows can be a sexy and defining feature, but the bushier they are the more important it is to trim and shape. If your brows aren’t bushy but you have a unibrow, have it waxed or plucked away.
Ear hair—you may not be able to see it, but others may find ear hair to be distracting. Have ear hair removed in a spa or barbershop or with a clean and disinfected at-home ear hair trimmer.
Nose hair—if your nose hair grows beyond your nose, it needs to be trimmed. Look for a dual-purpose ear and nose hair trimmer and be sure to clean and disinfect it after every use.
Back hair—your back is a tough place to manscape solo. If your partner is up for it, and you aren’t shy about it, have them help. Otherwise, go to a spa. From a trim to completely smooth, do what feels right for you.
Beard—we know how primal it can feel to let your beard grow, but even if you are going for a somewhat unkempt look, facial hair should be trimmed and shaped. This keeps your beard healthy and flatters your face.
Shaggy hair—we know your schedule gets busy, but you need to have your hair (and beard) trimmed and shaped every 4 to 6 weeks. Even if you are growing it out, it needs a trim to stay healthy.
Below the belt—this area is sensitive, so use trimmers and clippers designed specifically for manscaping your nether regions.
At the very least, the right grooming tools will simplify your grooming routine. They may even speed up the grooming process and deliver better results.
Using a dull razor—razors must be sharp for a clean and smooth shave. This means they need to be replaced every 5 to 7 shaves, or after shaving a large area such as your back.
Using a cheap razor—we’re all for being frugal but spending a few more dollars on your razor can make shaving more comfortable by minimizing nicks and razor burn.
Using dirty shaving tools—be sure to clean the hair out of your razor after you shave and to clean and disinfect your electric tools and other grooming tools as directed.
Dirty hair styling tools—whether you use a hairbrush, comb, beard brush, or beard comb, they need to be cleaned every 2 to 3 weeks. Remove the excess hair, clean them with shampoo or a mild cleanser, and let them air dry.
This will be a forever topic of debate, but you should shave with the grain on the first pass. This will comfortably remove longer hair. On your second pass, you can shave against the grain.
For areas of the face or body where hair grows in multiple directions, shave in the direction of most of the hair growth.
Even if your face doesn’t “feel” dirty, you need to wash your face to remove bacteria and acne-causing oil, sweat, and daily toxins. Also, to remove your daily skincare products. For a facial-hair-friendly face wash, use Uncle Jimmy Hair, Beard and Body Wash. It won’t clog your pores and won’t dry out your skin or hair.
Make no mistake, we must all strive to age with grace. That being said, there’s no shame in investing in anti-aging skincare products. This can include AM and PM skincare serums and moisturizers for your face and eye area.
To keep things super simple, you can use a naturally derived beard oil or beard balm as your morning and evening whole-face moisturizer. Otherwise, layer your facial products on before your beard products.
The only thing that damages the skin more than the sun is smoking. But you aren’t alone if the only time you consider sunscreen is when you are on vacation or will be in direct sunlight all day long.
At the very least, apply a broad-spectrum facial sunscreen in the morning as a proactive approach to fine lines and wrinkles. If you use an anti-aging skincare moisturizer, it may have UV protection built in. Otherwise, apply skincare products in this order:
Even if a spa manicure and pedicure aren’t your vibe, don’t forget your hands and feet. That is unless your feet have calluses, then you may want to consider the occasional pedicure.
Dandruff is typically easy to treat, so there’s no reason to ignore it. Even an over-the-counter shampoo can work wonders. Just be mindful that over-the-counter products should be applied to the scalp as the dandruff chemicals dry and damage your hair. Always follow up with a rinse-out or leave-in conditioner.
If over-the-counter products don’t work, head to the dermatologist, as it may not be dandruff.
We hear you, when you find what works you may not want to switch things up. That being said, never stop exploring new products. Particularly ones that are formulated with natural ingredients and designed to address your individual, seasonal, and evolving grooming needs.
Where some men’s grooming routines are too minimal, there is such a thing as too much.
Check back to the Uncle Jimmy blog again soon for additional men’s grooming tips!
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]]>Cleansing includes shampooing your hair, washing your face, and washing your body. For your convenience, Uncle Jimmy created a noncomedogenic Hair, Beard, and Body Wash that is gentle enough to use from head to toe.
Shampoo your hair 1 to 2 times per week, closer to every 10 days if you have curly or kinky hair. Shampooing more often can strip your hair of its natural protective barrier, which can lead to dry, brittle, and damaged hair. Always condition after you shampoo. Uncle Jimmy’s Leave-In Hair and Beard Conditioner speeds up your shower so that you don’t have to wait to rinse it out.
If you get sweaty and need to cleanse your hair or scalp more frequently, use conditioner to “co-wash”. Conditioner will cleanse your hair and scalp without drying it out.
You need to wash your face every morning and evening. Also, after swimming and working out. This will remove daily oil, sweat, and environmental toxins. If you have facial hair, it will also wash away bacteria-causing food particles.
Shower at least once a day and after you swim or work out.
It might look like little more than water, but toner is designed to rebalance your skin’s pH. Toner is a step that most men skip, and that not all men require.
You may require toner twice per day after you cleanse your face if your skin is consistently:
Your dermatologist can also advise on whether toner may be helpful.
After you cleanse your hair, beard, or body you must always follow up with products that nourish and moisturize.
Facial serum is an essential part of antiaging routines. They are antioxidant-rich formulas designed to nourish your skin. They should be applied after toner and before moisturizer or beard oil or balm. You can begin using serum at any age, but it’s a must when fine lines begin to show.
Hair serum can be used as a proactive or reactive approach to keeping your hair thick and full. Contrary to its name, hair serum is designed to nourish your scalp. Healthy hair requires healthy hair follicles, so massage hair serum in at least a few days per week.
Some men skip body lotion, or only apply it in the winter months when the air is dry—or any time their skin is ashy. Ideally, you should apply body lotion after every shower to lock in moisture. This doesn’t just keep your skin from drying out but is essential for head-to-toe antiaging. Body lotion also helps to keep your tattoos looking their best!
Ensure the lotion you use is noncomedogenic so that it won’t clog your pores, which contributes to back and body acne.
Uncle Jimmy Body Lotion is naturally derived. It has a mild and masculine aroma that won’t compete with your cologne of choice. It’s formulated with shea butter, coconut oil, black seed oil, and honey for all-day hydration.
While it may be tempting, don’t apply your body lotion to your face—even if it’s noncomedogenic. The skin on your face is more sensitive than the skin on your body, so you must use products designed for the face or beard.
If you prefer, you can apply Beard Oil or Beard Balm to your face instead of facial moisturizer. However, you may want to personalize your skincare routine with a condition-specific facial moisturizer.
The only thing that ages your skin faster than the sun is smoking. Even if you don’t spend extended periods of time in the sun, you are exposed to UV rays every time you walk out the door—and even when you are sitting by a window.
You are also exposed to ultraviolet lighting and the blue lights of electronic devices. Applying a broad-spectrum facial moisturizer daily will minimize the damage done to your skin. Your PM facial moisturizer will repair some of this damage.
When you’ll be outside for extended periods of time wear sunglasses, a hat, UV clothing, and whole-body UV protection. Reapply sunscreen every 4 hours, and ensure it is sweat and waterproof.
We mentioned shampooing and conditioning earlier, now it’s time to style your hair.
Keep things simple by selecting naturally-derived products designed for your hair type and level of hold. If you like to mix things up you may need more than one hair styling product.
Uncle Jimmy has you covered with Styling Cream, Curl Cream, Molding Putty, and a product for your Locs.
As mentioned above, you must wash your face and facial hair every morning and evening—and after swimming and working out.
Shave as many times a week as you require to maintain the style you desire. Always use a clean and sharp blade or a clean electric razor.
Shave Gel is ideal for a clean shave and shaving large surface areas. Shave Cream is ideal for sensitive skin and cleaning up edges.
You may also want to personalize your grooming routine to include skin, hair, and condition-specific needs.
At the very least, you should exfoliate your face and body 1 to 3 times per week. This is as simple as using a body lotion on your body and a granular or gentle chemical exfoliator on your face.
While the goal is to slough away dead skin, always scrub gently. Apply moisturizer to protect your skin after you exfoliate.
Monthly grooming should include:
The grooming steps above may sound like a lot, but unless it’s time to shave, they take 5 minutes or less per morning and evening. Your barber and dermatologist can help you personalize and perfect your routine.
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]]>In this blog post, we’ll cover why exfoliating is important for men, how to exfoliate, and what to avoid when exfoliating. We’ll also provide tips for exfoliating your body.
Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This helps to reveal a brighter, more even complexion. It also reduces clogged pores. If you are acne-prone, removing the dead skin cells that clog your pores can minimize face and whole-body breakouts. It can also minimize post-shave ingrown hairs.
Our body naturally self-exfoliates, but oil, lotion, beard products, and skin care products can hinder self-exfoliation. Also, as we age, natural exfoliation slows.
With exfoliation, more is not better! Most men only need to exfoliate 1 to 3 times per week. If your skin is sensitive, or to keep things simple, aim for 1 or 2 times per week. If you wear thick sunscreen in the summer months, you may need to exfoliate 2 to 3 times per week.
Always exfoliate with warm water and experiment with different exfoliation products and tools to find what works for you.
When it comes to exfoliating before you shave, there are some important tips to keep in mind to ensure a smooth shaving experience.
Shaving exfoliates your skin, but exfoliating before you shave or clean up your edges:
To exfoliate before shaving, wet your face with warm water. Then, apply a granular exfoliator and scrub gently in a circular motion, taking special care around the chin and jawline. Rinse your face thoroughly and apply a good quality shaving cream or shaving gel before you shave.
After shaving, apply beard oil or moisturizer to soothe your skin. With this simple pre-shave routine, you'll be sure to have a smooth, irritation-free shave every time.
Always exfoliate directly before shaving, and at least a day or two after you shave. If you exfoliate sooner, it can damage and irritate your skin. Aim to exfoliate 1 to 3 days per week, from head to toe. Depending on your shave schedule, you may not exfoliate your body on the same day you shave.
Granular cleansers are too time-consuming to use from head to toe, so use a loofah or brush. You can also use an exfoliating body gel, that you apply to your loofah or brush. Be sure to rinse your skin thoroughly with warm water afterward.
Even if you don’t apply body lotion daily, be sure to apply lotion after you exfoliate. This will lock in moisture and nourish and protect your skin. With regular exfoliation, you’ll be sure to maintain healthy, vibrant skin.
Yes! Just like when shaving your face or cleaning up your edges, you should exfoliate before you manscape. Use a granular product and be very gentle.
For very sensitive areas, such as below the belt, consider applying oil after you exfoliate and before your shave cream. If you don’t have shave oil, you can use naturally derived beard oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil. This will further improve your comfort level, provide a smoother shave, and minimize post-shave irritation.
As always, apply oil or lotion after you shave.
Whether you use shave cream or gel may be a simple matter of preference. Uncle Jimmy Shave gel foams instead of lathers to improve visibility while shaving. For maximum visibility, a shave cream may be easier to use.
Since the body has more curves than your face and is more difficult to see while manscaping, a cream may be better. So, you may use both a cream and a gel depending on where you are shaving.
Exfoliating is an important, but often forgotten part of men’s grooming routines. Regular exfoliation leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth, and prevents acne, skin irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. With the right technique and products, exfoliating is fast and easy. By using gentle exfoliants, men can keep their skin healthy, youthful, and looking its best.
Uncle Jimmy has you covered with everything you need to cleanse and shave your hair, beard, and body. All you need to do is find an exfoliating product or tool that works for you!
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]]>After you wash your face each morning, evening, or after you work out—you must restore moisture to your beard and skin. Your product must also be nutrient-rich to keep your beard and skin healthy.
If you have a short beard or groomed scruff, you may only need to apply beard oil to nourish and moisturize. If you have a mid-length, long, or a curly, kinky, or unruly beard of any length—beard balm provides nutrients, moisture, and hold.
You can also apply both oil and balm. If you use both, always apply beard oil first. Wait a minute or so, and layer your balm on top.
Keep your skincare routine simple by applying oil or balm to your entire face. Or apply facial moisturizer and facial SPF before your beard grooming products. For your convenience, our beard balm is designed to be applied to the entire face!
If you are growing your beard out, there is no way around beard itch for the first 3 weeks or so. That being said, applying beard balm will help to minimize the itch. New growth itches because the sharp edges of your hair are poking through your hair follicles. Until they are long enough to lay flat, they will itch.
Ongoing beard itch is most often caused by dry skin or itchy and painful ingrown hairs, both of which can be managed by beard balm. However, using a sharp and clean razor is essential for keeping ingrown hairs to a minimum.
The white flakes you see in your beard are almost always patches of dry skin. If your skin is flaking, apply a granular exfoliator to remove the excess skin. Scrub gently so that you don’t irritate your skin further.
After you exfoliate, apply beard balm. If your beard is mid-length or long, use your fingertips to massage the balm directly on your skin. This will moisturize and soothe your skin beneath, minimizing flakes.
If flakes persist, or your skin is red, inflamed, or irritated—schedule an appointment with a dermatologist.
If your skin is sensitive, you may want to apply balm year-round. The shea butter in your balm moisturizes, nourishes, and provides an all-day protective layer.
Some men only use balm in the winter months when the air is dry or on days when they will be exposed to the elements. The protective layer provided by shea butter will also help to protect skin from wind and cold and dry air.
If you’ll be out for a long period of time, reapply your balm—or cover your face and beard.
All this talk about skin, but shea butter protects your facial hair too! Beard oil also protects your beard hair, but shea butter is thicker. Being thicker it provides a longer-lasting layer of protection.
If you will be out in the elements for an extended period of time, we suggest layering beard balm over beard oil.
If you’ll be swimming, wet your beard before hopping in the water. Then apply a light layer of oil or balm before diving in. This will minimize the amount of chlorine or salt water that finds its way to your beard. Shampoo your beard and hair after your swim.
Want to shape your mustache into handlebars or another fun shape? Or maybe you want to shape the tip of your beard to a point? Either way, you’ll need balm.
Avoid the temptation to use your hair mousse or gel on your facial hair. While both will effectively style your facial hair, they will irritate your skin. At the very least, they are likely to make your skin break out.
You’ve probably already noticed, but your beard hair may not be as easy to manage as the hair on your head. Hair follicles on the face are larger and flatter than those on your head. This results in hair that is thicker and coarser than the hair on your head. If you have curly hair, your beard hair may have a tighter curl pattern.
All of this results in hair that is harder to tame. Balm will help to tame your unruly beard hair. It will also minimize frizz.
In addition to beard hair being naturally thicker and coarser, it has more direct contact with the elements than the hair on your head. If you don’t moisturize and condition your beard, or if you use harsh beard care products your beard will dry out fast.
A beard softening balm will soften naturally coarse beards, and soften and repair dry and brittle beards. If a softening balm doesn’t improve your beard health, talk to your barber. If the damage is too severe you may need to trim a significant amount of growth.
Hair also dries out as it begins to grey, so even if your facial hair is short—consider switching from oil to balm as you begin to grey. Or layering both oil and balm.
A beard growth oil or balm is designed to nourish your hair follicles. If your hair follicles don’t have the proper nutrients, your facial hair won’t grow as quickly as you want it to.
Even if your facial hair is at your desired length, you want it to continue to grow. As it grows, you or your barber will trim away the dead, damaged, and split ends—leaving you with healthy facial hair.
Uncle Jimmy has everything modern men need to perfect their daily grooming routine. Keep things even easier with our regimen bundles!
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]]>Before we dive into how to be proactive, it is important to understand what causes balding. Hereditary-patterned baldness is the most common cause. Contrary to its name, it is not just a genetic cause—but part of the natural aging process. Hair loss typically begins in the 20s and 30s as hormones begin to fluctuate and is likely to get progressively worse.
There are a variety of factors that can cause or accelerate balding, including:
Patterned baldness is gradual. By knowing what to look for, you will know when to kick things up a notch. By that, we mean scheduling an appointment with your dermatologist to create a strategic plan of action. Also, to ensure the condition is indeed patterned baldness, and not a scalp condition or medical condition.
Early signs of balding include:
We don’t often think about it, but our hair is alive. Anything that is living, needs to be nourished. If your diet is high in processed sugars and trans fat, you aren’t providing your hair (or body) with the nutrients it requires to thrive.
Yes, splurge on your favorite less-than-healthy foods, but aim to keep at least 90% of your nutritional intake healthy.
In terms of your hair, prioritize:
Also consider daily supplements that contain biotin, zinc, iron, vitamin C, vitamin D, omega fatty acids, and probiotics.
Stress can cause and accelerate hair loss, so take a proactive approach to stress management. A few tips include:
The overwhelming majority of haircare products are formulated with harsh chemicals. This is a common strategy for keeping profit margins high. While these products may effectively style your hair, with consistent use—they can damage your hair, scalp, and hair follicles. This can cause and accelerate hair loss.
Instead, utilize products formulated with hair-healthy natural ingredients including honey, black seed oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, and biotin.
How you treat your hair matters, especially once you begin balding.
These tips will help:
We spend most of our time thinking about our hair, but you must not forget your scalp. If your scalp and hair follicles aren’t healthy, your hair won’t be healthy either. Nourish your scalp, strengthen your hair, and stimulate new growth with a Hair and Scalp Serum.
Scalp treatment—after you shampoo, condition, and pat your hair dry, part your hair into at least 4 sections. Apply a few drops of serum to each part line, then use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp. Massage for 3 minutes to stimulate circulation. Repeat daily or every other day.
Daily hair treatment—add 4 to 10 drops of serum to your palms, depending on the length of your hair. Rub your palms together and evenly distribute the serum throughout your hair. Apply daily or a few days a week for moisture, sheen, and to strengthen your hair.
An exciting new advancement in hair loss is medical-grade red light therapy. This FDA-approved treatment irradiates photons into scalp tissues, encouraging new hair growth. It is a safe, non-invasive, and pain-free way to keep your existing hair healthy and minimize hair loss.
Studies find that with regular use, at least 39% of users experience hair growth. However, consistency is key—so you’ll need to use red light therapy on a weekly basis. Heading to an esthetician each week is time-consuming. For ease and convenience, consider an at-home red light comb or cap.
When your hair begins to thin, talk to your dermatologist about scalp microblading. This is the process of applying a semi-permanent dye to your scalp that is similar to a tattoo—but more natural in appearance.
Microblading is an effective way to “fill in” thinning areas by creating the illusion of more hair. It’s not the same thing as a block of ink, as the hair-like strokes mimic the look and color of your natural hair.
While most common in thinning areas, microblading can also be used to create a defined hairline. The ink is semi-permanent, so you only have to commit to a shape or color for 18 to 30 months. As if fades you can do touch-ups, or you can let if fade to rock your bald head with pride.
If you are searching for a Hair and Scalp Serum or a men’s grooming line that is formulated with natural ingredients—look no further than Uncle Jimmy. We have products for men with all hair textures and hairstyles, including straight, curly, and kinky hair.
Think you've got a fresh perspective that will challenge our readers to engage and educate themselves on how to attain a healthier self, beard, hair, and skin included? We're always looking for authors who can deliver quality articles and blog posts. Thousands of men and women will read your work, and you will level up in the process.
]]>We hear you! You are busy and you like to keep your grooming routine as fast and easy as possible. So, when you hear “all-in-one” it’s tempting. Unfortunately, all-in-one shampoos focus more on cleansing and less on conditioning. Without proper conditioning, your hair will rapidly become dry and damaged. If you keep your hair super short, this may not be an issue. If your hair is an inch or longer, you will begin to see and feel the damage.
So, use an all-in-one Hair, Beard and Body Wash and a dedicated rinse-out or leave-in conditioner.
Only if you want to use both. For example, you could use a rinse-out once a week or as-needed to deep condition and use a leave-in the rest of the week. To deep condition, leave your conditioner on for 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing it out.
Leave-ins are a proactive way to keep your hair healthy and they can also be used to repair and restore dry and damaged hair. If your hair is severely dry or damaged, you may need to trim it down to the new growth. Your hairstylist will advise you on your options.
Just be sure to condition your hair at least once per week, 2 to 7 days a week if you have curly or kinky hair.
Now let’s dive into how to use a leave-in product.
A leave-in conditioner keeps your morning routine as simple as possible. Shampoo and thoroughly rinse, then pat your hair dry and spray in your leave-in conditioner. A little bit goes a long way. Comb it through with your fingers, brush, or comb. This will condition, moisturize, and protect your hair. It also helps to keep your hair manageable, soft, and healthy.
For straight hair—feel free to apply daily or two or three times a week, even if you haven’t shampooed your hair.
For curly, kinky, dry, or damaged hair—use daily to nourish, hydrate, and protect. If you have mid-length to long hair, you can also use a leave-in to detangle.
Layer your styling products on afterward. Just remember, a little bit goes a long way.
In addition to your preference or need for beard oil or beard balm, you should also condition your beard. If you prefer groomed scruff or short facial hair, you may be able to get away without conditioning—unless you have curly or kinky hair.
Washing your face and beard every morning and evening can dry out your beard hair. By using a gentle face wash and conditioner layered under your oil or balm you can keep your beard soft, healthy, and manageable. Just make sure that the products you use are designed for both your face and beard. All Uncle Jimmy products are non-comedogenic—including our all-in-one Hair, Beard and Body Wash. It won’t strip your hair or clog your pores, and it is safe for sensitive skin.
Keep your twists and locs looking their best by spraying conditioner on 2 to 4 days per week. You might alternate with oil or apply both at the same time as advised by your hairstylist.
This will keep both your exposed hair and the hair within your loc or twist healthy. It will also help to tame frizz and flyaways.
If you have curly or kinky hair you should only use a shampoo every 7 to 10 days. This can be problematic if you are an athlete or someone who works out regularly—so co-wash instead.
Co-washing is the process of using conditioner to cleanse your hair and scalp instead of shampoo. Use just like shampoo, applying it once or twice to “wash”, then leaving it on after you pop out of the shower.
Both chlorine and salt water can damage your hair. A leave-in conditioner can minimize damage. If you have curly or kinky hair and you swim often, consider wearing a swim cap so that your hair doesn’t get wet.
If your dermatologist has prescribed a medicated shampoo for dandruff, fungus, psoriasis, hair loss, or inflammation—use as directed and condition daily. While medicated shampoos treat your scalp and hair condition, they can rapidly dry and damage your hair. Applying a daily leave-in conditioner before you shampoo and daily even when you don’t shampoo can protect your hair.
The same is true for over-the-counter medicated shampoos, such as dandruff shampoos. They will treat your flakes, but will strip, dry, and damage your hair in the process. On that same note, if an over-the-counter product isn’t resolving your flakes, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist as it may not be dandruff.
Uncle Jimmy has carefully formulated our collection to create simple and effective products that keep your hair, beard, and skin looking their best. Our products are formulated with natural ingredients including black seed oil, avocado, honey, and sweet almond oil. They are noncomedogenic and safe for all hair textures and types.
You can purchase our products individually or as part of a pre-designed daily grooming regimen.
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]]>The first thing you must decide is whether you require a barber, hair stylist, or specialty stylist. While each is trained and certified, they have distinctly different skill sets. While you can find some professionals that can provide multiple services, like every industry—we all have areas of specialty.
Barber—these are professionals who are trained to cut short hairstyles. While they may use scissors, they are experts with clippers and fades. They may offer services such as dying your grey, but they probably don’t offer bleaching, highlights, or bold hair coloring. However, someone else in the shop may offer color and bleaching. Many barbers also trim and shape beards, full-beard shaving, and hair removal for ears, nose, and brows.
Hair Stylist—these are professionals who are trained in scissor cutting for longer and fuller men’s hairstyles. They may use clippers, but they probably aren’t as skilled as a barber. Many stylists are also trained colorists who can offer bleaching, highlights, and bold hair colors. They may be able to trim and shape your beard, but they probably don’t offer full shaves. However, someone else in the salon may offer shaving, hair removal, and waxing.
Specialist—there are countless specialties to choose from, including professionals who are trained in braids, dreads, curly hair, black hair, Asian hair, and more. If you require a specialty stylist, you may require a second professional for your beard and other grooming needs.
With men across all demographics prioritizing their grooming, many hair salons now have barbers, and many barbershops offer a wide range of men’s grooming services.
Even if you prefer a crew cut that’s an inch or longer on top, you will need it to fade attractively from top to bottom. A skilled barber can deliver a range of fades that is both gradual and flattering.
You don’t necessarily have to know what type of fade to ask for, but here’s a quick guide for communicating what you want. Or you can share a photo of what you are looking for and your barber will confirm if it’s a flattering style.
In addition to fades, look for a barber that can deliver the edge shape and in-fade lines and designs you crave.
Now let’s dive into how to select a barbershop or hair salon.
Whether you are new to the area, are ready to switch up your style, or your current barber or stylist isn’t cutting it—ask for referrals. But don’t just ask anyone.
Once you have a few referrals, head to their website and social media. What you are looking for are photos that highlight the quality of their shave and cuts. Look for both the social media profiles of the salon or barbershop, and the individual stylists or barber.
Unfortunately, not every hair professional has an online portfolio. In that case, pay a bit more attention to their online reviews. In addition to the quality of their hair services, explore the range of add-on services they provide.
You may not find one place that does it all, but the more services they provide the better!
Make no mistake, quality is worth a drive, but convenience may be your priority. This might mean close to home, work, the gym, or other places you frequent each week. Especially since your hair needs to be trimmed and beards reshaped every 6 to 8 weeks. If your hair is mid-length or long, you can stretch this out a bit—but it may begin to look shaggy.
Now it’s time to give a barber or stylist a try. If you are switching up your style, bring an image or two, or arrive early to browse through hair books. This will help you to better communicate what you need. To ensure the best service, share your individual hair and skincare needs. For example, if your hair is beginning to thin, if your skin is sensitive, or if you are prone to ingrown hairs.
Your barber or stylist will talk you through the type of products they are using, especially if you are trying a new style. Or if you have an area of opportunity, such as dry or damaged hair. At the very least, they will suggest a product or two when you pay. Remember that, first and foremost, these products are upsells.
While they may have stunning packaging and smell great, salon products may not be your best option.
Many salon products are:
Instead, we invite you to consider the personalized head-to-toe grooming regimens from Uncle Jimmy. Our products are formulated with natural ingredients that won’t damage or dry your hair, beard, or skin. This includes Black Seed Oil, Avocado, And Honey. We invite you to shop now!
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]]>Stop worrying about lotion being only for the ladies. In fact, impressing partners of any gender is one reason to apply lotion. It’s easy to forget, but our skin is an organ—our body’s largest organ at that.
When speaking in terms of head-to-toe application, you should apply lotion after every shower or bath. After you bathe, a layer of moisture is stripped away. Applying lotion rehydrates and protects your skin. Body lotion is designed to be applied from the neck down. Use facial products from the neck up, which we discuss in greater detail further down in this article.
Also apply hand lotion daily, as hand sanitizer and washing your hands dries out your skin.
Many men avoid body lotions because they don’t like the sweet aroma. Or they like the aroma, but it overpowers their cologne. Not to worry, as highly fragranced lotions are far from your only option. In fact, the chemicals in highly fragranced lotions often dry out your skin.
Choose a lotion that is formulated with natural ingredients. Uncle Jimmy has you covered! Our Men’s Body Lotion is formulated with Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Black Seed Oil, and Honey. It has a mild aroma that won’t overpower your cologne.
Now, let’s dive into a few tips to ensure you are applying your body lotion the right way.
One of the reasons you may avoid applying body lotion is that most of it gets trapped in your body hair. Then it transfers onto your clothing. You can avoid this mess by choosing a formula that is creamy, but oil-based. The Coconut Oil and Black Seed Oil in our Body Lotion ensure that it is thin enough to pass through your hair to your skin. The Shea Butter is thick enough to provide intense moisture, but the oil makes it easy to apply.
For super-hairy areas, apply the lotion to your fingertips instead of your palms.
Struggle with blackne or pimples on your butt? You aren’t alone! Reach out to your dermatologist as they may prescribe or suggest a topical product to keep acne to a minimum.
Then, select a non-comedogenic body lotion. This means it is a product that won’t clog your pores. When your pores are clogged, it increases the likelihood of blackheads and breakouts.
One way to keep your skin looking its best is to exfoliate. This will slough away dead skin that can clog your pores leading to acne and premature aging.
We understand that you may prefer to keep your skincare routine as simple as possible. So, we suggest applying your Body Wash to a washcloth, loofah, or shower puff. This will provide daily gentle exfoliation. Avoid the temptation to scrub too hard.
If you prefer, you can also use a granular body exfoliator once a week. You exfoliate your face while shaving, but consider investing in a granular facial exfoliator for the skin above your facial hair. Again, be gentle.
Some men only apply body lotion in the winter months when the air is cooler and dryer, but you should apply lotion year-round. Even if your goal isn’t silky soft skin, you should want your skin to be healthy. Lotion protects your skin from harsh weather, nourishes it with antiaging antioxidants, and keeps it hydrated. When it’s extremely cold, dry, windy, or hot—lotion isn’t enough.
While they look similar, their functions are completely different. Lotion is designed to nourish and hydrate, while sunscreen is designed to filter UV rays. Clothing provides a bit of UV protection, but you must protect exposed areas. Or invest in UV clothing and swimwear.
Apply your body lotion first, wait 5 minutes and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 50. Use a waterproof formula if you will be swimming, playing water sports, or if you’ll be super sweaty. Reapply waterproof formulas every 2 hours and regular sunscreen every 4 hours.
Don’t apply body sunscreen to your face as it is likely to clog your pores and irritate your skin. Instead, invest in SPF 50 facial sunscreen.
Our face is where we begin to show the signs of aging first. This is due to the combination of our faces being constantly exposed and our daily facial expressions. As a proactive approach, many men invest in AM and PM facial serums and facial moisturizers.
To keep things simple, you can apply your Beard Oil and Beard Balm to your full face. Balm is typically used only for mid-length to long beards or curly and kinky beards of every length. However, it can be used year-round as a facial moisturizer or any time your skin is extra dry.
If you don’t mind a multi-step skincare routine, apply your serum first, followed by your moisturizer, and oil or balm.
Keep your lips kissable by applying a daily lip balm. You may require a thicker formula in the winter. Try to keep licking your lips to a minimum as it dries out your lips. You’ll lick your lips less if you have lip balm on.
An increasing number of men get pedicures, even if only a few times a year, to slough away rough areas. At the very least, apply lotion to your feet a few nights a week before you go to bed. Better yet, if you slip a pair of socks on so that the lotion stays put.
Now you know everything you need to know about applying body lotion!
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]]>Understanding what is causing your tangles is the first step. Whether your beard knots daily or on occasion, it is likely due to one or more of the causes below:
Now let’s dive into how to adjust your grooming routine to minimize and manage tangles and knots.
All beards must be cleansed morning and night, but especially long beards. Why? Even when eating with a fork or spoon, food particles, sauces, and beverages will get trapped in your beard. Especially when you eat handheld foods. If an excessive amount of food gets in your beard, maybe after eating a loaded hotdog, you should at least rinse your beard. Then wash your beard when you get home.
All beards should be washed every morning and evening. If you have wavy, curly, or kinky hair you must limit how often you shampoo the hair on your head, but regardless of your beard length, you must wash your beard each morning and evening. If you prefer you can co-wash with a beard conditioner in the morning. This will cleanse your skin underneath and wash away bacteria-causing food particles and daily grime.
Regardless of your hair type, all men with mid-length and long beards must condition their beards daily. You can get away with conditioning shorter beards a few days a week as you are constantly trimming your beard down. But with long beards, you are only trimming the edges so you must apply a leave-in conditioner or beard softener daily to keep it soft, healthy, and shiny. Brush through before applying beard oil or beard balm.
When it comes to combs and brushes, most men use whatever is most comfortable and easiest to use. If you use a comb to style the hair on your head, you likely use it on your beard too. Continue to use your comb on your mustache and to detangle your knots, but a beard brush is a must for mid-length and longer beards.
A beard brush makes it easier and more comfortable to comb through your entire beard. This is essential for minimizing knots. Select a brush that is stiff but flexible, such as horsehair or boar bristle. The stiff brush will also exfoliate your skin, improve facial circulation, remove flakey skin from your beard, and evenly distribute your products. It will also distribute more of your skin’s natural protective barrier sebum from root to tip.
Always brush with the grain of your hair, especially if your beard is long, wavy, curly, or kinky. The longer your beard, the longer the bristles of your brush should be. Ensure your brush bristles make contact with your skin, but don’t press too hard against your face or it may lead to irritation.
If you are trying to grow your beard, you may be tempted to skip trimming it. However, you must trim your beard every 6 to 8 weeks to minimize split ends. If split ends aren’t trimmed, they will travel up the length of your beard. This will increase knots and leave your beard looking less than its best. Even with proper conditioning, split ends are inevitable.
If your objective is to keep your beard looking great, your beard will need to be reshaped every 6 to 8 weeks anyway. Even if the shape looks great, the split ends will start to look scraggly and unkempt if you don’t prioritize trimming. Not a lot needs to be trimmed. If it’s easier head to the barbershop for your trim and reshape.
There are a few things you can do at night to minimize morning tangles. We already discussed applying beard oil or beard balm after you wash your face in the morning and evening. This will ensure that your beard is moisturized when you head to bed.
Upgrading to a silk pillowcase—hear me out! Even organic cotton and bamboo will zap the moisture from your skin, the hair on your head, and your beard. Upgrade to silk and moisture stays put.
Sleep on your stomach—if silk’s not your thing, at least try to sleep on your stomach. This will minimize contact with moisture-zapping fibers and decrease the friction that contributes to morning knots.
Braid your beard—if you are rocking a beard that is long enough to braid, braid it while you sleep. This will minimize knots and has the added bonus of providing straight-haired gents with a bit more texture and volume.
Now it’s time to detangle! Follow the steps below:
Uncle Jimmy has everything you need to simplify your daily grooming routine! This includes step-by-step regimens for your hair, beard, and body. Our products are formulated with natural ingredients that won’t strip your skin or hair. We invite you to browse our products now!
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]]>Ladies often turn to threading and waxing for their eyebrows, but that look is typically a bit too refined for most men. That being said, if you have a unibrow it may be faster and easier to wax the space between your brows. You can find at home wax strips or head to a salon. Yes, the first time will hurt!
Whatever your brow needs are, avoid the temptation to shave. Just like your mustache and beard, if you shave your eyebrows the hair will grow back increasingly coarse. So, invest in a pair of tweezers to trim away stray hairs. If your eyebrows are curly, bushy, or long, use brow or grooming scissors to trim.
Even if you have little to no ear hair now, you are likely to grow more as you age. While you can have your ear hair waxed, do not wax your ear hair at home. Any wax left behind can damage your eardrum, which isn’t worth the risk.
Use a mirror to trim or tweeze excess ear hair, or ask your partner to assist. Always use sharp and blunt scissors and never trim deep into the ear canal.
If it’s easier, use an ear and nose clipper. Be sure to clean and sanitize between use.
Ever wondered why we have hair in our noses? It serves the vital purpose of minimizing the amount of dust, dirt, and bacteria that enter our nose. So, you need your nose hairs!
While you need your nose hair, if it grows to a length that it visibly extends beyond your nose—it’s ok to trim it. Trim with sharp and blunt scissors, but do not wax or tweeze. Waxing and tweezing your nose increases the likelihood of infection as the hair follicles differ from our exterior hair follicles.
Also, feel free to use an ear and nose clipper. Be sure to clean and sanitize between use.
Whatever method you use, only trim the hairs that are sticking out, not your deeper nose hairs.
If you prefer a clean and smooth armpit, go ahead and use a facial razor to shave. Lather up first with your preferred Shaving Cream or Shaving Gel.
The first time you shave your armpits you will need to rinse your razor several times. You may need to switch your razorblade after your first shave. After that, shave again in a few quick passes once or twice per week. It may be easier to trim long hair with electric clippers first, then shave. You can shave your armpits both with and against the grain.
If you don’t want to go completely bare, simply trim your armpit hair with an electric trimmer.
Accentuate your chest muscles by trimming or removing your hair. Use electric clippers with your preferred guard to get your chest hair to your desired length. Or invest in a body groomer, which has a variety of different guards designed for each region you are trimming or shaving.
If you prefer a smooth and clean finish, consider waxing or hair removal cream. If you only have a small patch of hair you can use at-home wax strips. Trim with an electric razor first. If you have a lot of hair to remove, go to the salon for professional waxing.
Shave on occasion or if in a pinch, but waxing removes the hair from the root so that it doesn’t grow back as coarse. To minimize irritation when shaving anywhere on your body, apply a naturally derived pre-shave oil first to soften and prepare your skin. If you accidentally cut yourself while shaving anywhere on your body, cleanse, apply pressure, and add a topical ointment such as Aquaphor.
Or use hair removal cream for your chest, back, arms, and legs. Use as directed and do a patch test first to ensure it doesn’t irritate your skin.
You may only want to remove your back hair in the summer months or before heading on vacation. Back hair is something many men are self-conscious about but be sure to get your partner’s input—as they may find your extra layer of hair masculine and sexy!
Removing back hair is similar to the process of removing hair from your chest. However, there is an added challenge as it’s difficult to see or reach your back. So, ask a friend or your partner to help.
Waxing at the salon is expensive but will give you a smooth and clean finish. Feel free to trim with clippers or a body groomer but avoid the temptation to shave to minimize coarse hair.
You can also use a men’s hair removal cream.
An increasing number of men are removing their arm and leg hair. This includes models, bodybuilders, swimmers, and everyday men. You may also want to remove arm and/or leg hair only on special occasions such as a beach vacation.
Professional waxing and creams are the easiest for your arm hair. Shaving, waxing, and creams are easiest for leg hair. However, waxing is time-consuming at home and expensive at the salon. Shaving takes time, so a hair removal cream may be faster and easier to use.
It may not be something you talk about with your friends, but over 50% of men trim or shave their hair down there. When we say “down there” we mean everywhere down there.
It’s ideal to shower before any of the manscaping we’ve covered, but essential before manscaping below the belt. Your shower will wash away sweat and bacteria and soften your skin.
Apply a light layer of pre-shave oil before you begin. If you don’t have a designated pre-shave oil, use your Uncle Jimmy Beard Oil. This will help to minimize irritation. Reapply post-shave to minimize razor bumps, and ingrown hairs.
Instead of clippers, we suggest using a body groomer with attachments designed for your nether regions. Yes, you can find an attachment to trim the hair from your balls and shaft. Always sanitize your body groomer and attachments before use.
For a clean shave on hair that is an inch or longer, trim with your body groomer first. Then pull your skin taught and use a clean and sharp razor to slowly and carefully manscape.
If you accidentally cut yourself, cleanse, apply pressure, and add a topical ointment such as Aquaphor.
If any of the manscaping tips above seem too complicated, head to the salon to have a professional work their magic!
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]]>Dental hygiene is something we are taught in school, but we must not let it fall by the wayside as adults. Not only will it keep your teeth and gums healthy but your breath fresh. Beyond your teeth, poor dental hygiene can cause bacteria to build up in your body, increasing the odds of countless health conditions. Last but certainly not least, you want to avoid implants, partials, and dentures for as long as possible.
Tired of tight, itchy, and ashy skin? Want to stave off fine lines and wrinkles for as long as possible? Then it’s time to add moisture to your daily routine. Your skin loses its natural moisture after you shower, so nourish and lock in moisture by applying body lotion.
The skin on your face is sensitive, so use products designed specifically for your face. If you have facial hair, apply beard oil or beard and skin balm after you wash your face in the morning and evening. This will restore moisture and provide a protective layer. If your skin is dry or you need extra protection (such as when it’s cold and dry) use balm. If you also use a facial serum and moisturizer, layer them on before your beard oil or balm.
The sun ages us faster than almost anything else, but the sun isn’t the only UV rays we are exposed to. Between the sun, fluorescent lightbulbs, and our constantly connected lifestyles—we are exposed to UV rays all day long. Protect your skin by layering a broad-spectrum sunscreen on after your moisturizer. Protect your eyes by wearing blue light filtering glasses and using the blue light filter on your electronic devices.
Yes, men of color need UV protection too! While you may not burn or develop fine lines and wrinkles as quickly as men with less melanin—the sun ages your skin too.
Grooming your facial hair requires washing your face and facial hair in the morning and evening, after swimming, when sweaty, and anytime food particles get trapped in your mustache or beard. Always follow up with beard oil or balm.
We suggest using Uncle Jimmy Hair, Beard and Body Wash, which is gentle enough to cleanse from head to toe without stripping the natural moisture from your skin or hair.
Trim and clean up your edges as needed and head to the barber every 6 to 8 weeks for a professional trim, shave, and shape.
Another reason to head to the barber every 6 to 8 weeks is to have your hair trimmed or restyled. Your barber wants you to look your best, so they will advise you on everything from beard care to hair care, grey hair, dry hair, thinning hair, and hair products.
Just keep in mind that their job is to upsell the products in their barbershop. For highly effective and budget-friendly premium products—browse the product line at Uncle Jimmy. Unlike most men’s grooming lines, we formulate our products with naturally-derived ingredients such as Black Seed Oil, Honey, and Shea Butter. We have options for every hair texture and type.
Don’t be shy! According to Men’s Health, 62% of men trim or shave below the belt and over 70% of men trim or shave their chest and/or back. If you prefer, you can head to a spa for your manscaping, or follow the at-home tips below:
No one enjoys looking at dry and cracked feet or being touched with scratchy hands! These tips will help:
The final tip for elevating and personalizing your grooming routine, is to find a cologne that makes you feel sexy! Head to your local department store to select a scent that you enjoy. However, you must not judge a cologne solely by how it smells straight out of the bottle.
Colognes will smell similar when applied, but they interact uniquely with your body chemistry, so don’t be shy to ask for samples to determine what smells best on you. Or to determine what your partner likes best.
Here’s to stepping out with confidence each and every day!
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]]>The neckbeard began in the early 2000s as an unkempt, casual cool, or outright “I don’t care” statement. A masculine way of allowing nature to take hold. However, unkempt neckbeards don’t work in many professional settings, even for those who primarily work from home.
Today’s neckbeards allow hair to grow past the jawline in a manner that is shaped, styled, and well-groomed. There’s nothing unkempt about the current trend.
There are several reasons to consider allowing your neck hair to grow. First and foremost, the style of facial hair you want to grow may include letting your neck hair grow. Men who live in cold climates may let their neck hair grow in the winter months for warmth. Men who have a narrow face may be partial to this style as it creates the illusion of a broader chin and a more balanced face. It’s also a style of choice for men who struggle with ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
If your facial hair is new, simply let it grow until it begins to fill in and take the shape you desire. If you already have a beard but have been rocking a clean-shaven neckline, there will be a bit of a transition phase. Your barber will advise on the best approach for both new beards and letting your neck hair become part of your current facial hair styling.
If your beard is short, there’s not much to worry about. If your beard is mid-length or long, the transition phase will be more noticeable. It may help to trim down your beard a bit to minimize the contrast between your super short neckline and longer facial hair.
Be patient with this process and you’ll have at least enough hair to fill in and start grooming your neck hair or new beard in about 3 weeks.
Below are 5 steps to keep your neckline in line.
While the goal is to let it grow, you still need to create a distinct shape so that your neck hairline looks intentional, not messy. Never hesitate to get your barber’s advice as to where to stop your hairline and how to angle it towards your jawline.
For most men, growth will stop about 2 finger-widths above their Adam’s apple. Then you will shave in a diagonal line, towards your ears.
In addition to determining the shape of your neckbeard, many men prefer to keep the hair underneath their jaw shorter than the rest of their beard. Again, your barber will help you determine a style, length, and fade that flatters the shape of your face.
Use shaving cream or shaving gel to create a clean shave line. Foam is too puffy to create a clean line, so cream or gel works better. Cream and gel are also easier to wipe clean if you don’t place them right the first time.
Since cleaning up your neck is more difficult to view than cleaning up around your mouth or the top of your beard, you may prefer using a straight razor instead of an electric razor or disposable blade. A straight razor allows you to shave a crisp cleanup of minimal growth in just a pass or two. If your neckbeard has overgrown, you may want to trim it down to stubble with an electric razor first. If your skin is sensitive, apply beard oil as a pre-shave oil.
Many men forget to give their neck hair as much attention as their goatee and front-facing facial hair, but the sides matter too! So, don’t just wash your face each morning and evening, but all of your facial hair. We suggest keeping things simple with Uncle Jimmy Hair, Beard and Body Wash. It’s designed to be gentle enough to cleanse without stripping your hair or face of its natural moisture.
After patting your beard dry, follow up with a naturally derived oil or balm, and be sure to use a beard softener or beard conditioner at least 2 days a week. Condition or soften daily if your hair looks or feels dry, brittle, dull, or wiry. This will repair damaged facial hair and keep healthy facial hair soft and conditioned. Oil and balm will moisturize your face too, but feel free to apply facial moisturizer to your face and neck before your beard products.
Combing and brushing your beard helps to train it into place. If you have cowlicks, curly, wiry, or unruly facial hair, a balm will help to hold your hair in place. Always brush or comb after applying your products. This will help them to evenly distribute from root to tip and throughout your beard. It will also help to set your hair in place.
If your beard is new and still growing, you can also use a brush to disguise some of your patchy spots. Be patient with your patches, as new beards can take time to fill in. During this phase, let your facial hair grow without trimming anything but your edges.
We can’t say this enough, but you should continue to head into your barber every 6 to 8 weeks. You’ll need your hair trimmed anyway, so have your beard refined, reshaped, or cleaned up too.
This isn’t just to keep your face looking fresh, but because your barber will advise on the health of your hair, beard, scalp, and the skin underneath your beard. They can also advise on the best shaving tools for your hair and skin.
Looking for the beard products mentioned above? Uncle Jimmy has you covered with naturally derived hair, beard, and body products!
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]]>Locs date back to ancient Egypt and India. Just look at a rendering of Egyptians or images of mummified remains, and you will see locs. Locs can also be found on the remains of ancient Celtics, Germans, Greeks, and Viking warriors as a hairstyle that signified strength and power. Early Hindus, Christians, and Nazarites also adorned this low-maintenance hairstyle.
Modern-day locs are the evolution of the style made popular in the 1930s by the supporters of the crowned Emperor of Ethiopia, Ras Tafari. Ras Tafari did not wear dreads, but in an act of solidarity after the Emperor was forced into exile, his supporters and warriors refused to cut their hair until he was reinstated. These Rastafarians were considered a threat to Christianity, and those who wore dreads were often stigmatized. As colonization continued across Africa, many colonizers found the style to be “dirty” and “dreadful”, and the term dreadlock was coined.
The styles we see today were brought into the mainstream by Bob Marley’s freeform locs, but freeform is far from your only option. Men who choose to loc their hair are returning to their roots, and may be making a statement for non-violent solidarity. Or they just love how locs make them look and feel!
Regardless of the style you select, your hair will need to be sectioned into even squares that are the thickness you want your locs to be. Then you need to learn how to care for your locs to keep them looking their best.
Most men head to a stylist who specializes in the types of locs you want. It’s possible to do it yourself, but you will need to have a friend or family member come over to help. This will ensure your sections are even and that you can reach the hair in hard-to-see or hard-to-reach areas.
First up, you must determine which loc style to rock. Below is a quick explanation of the 7 most popular styles.
Free Form—we mentioned this style above, so let’s begin there. Just as the name suggests, they are formed naturally and vary in size and shape. You just stop combing your hair and locs will naturally form over time. This style can take up to a year to fully form.
Comb Coils—This technique takes time but delivers thin and refined coils that are no larger than the diameter of a pencil. A comb is used to create tight coils that internally loc. You’ll walk out of the salon with perfect coils.
Twisted or Braided—another popular technique is to twist or braid hair to your desired thickness, and let it be until it naturally begins to loc. This method works best for hair that is more than 5 inches long. The only downside is that there will be a transition stage between having clean twists or braids to the loc phase, which can look a bit less refined until your locs form.
Palm Rolls—This technique is just as it sounds and works best for mid and large locs. Each section is rolled between your palms until a cylindrical shape forms. This is often the technique used to loc new growth. It’s also popular for short-term locs.
Interlocked—this technique uses a crochet hook to intricately twist or weave uniform locs. It’s a time-consuming technique, but you’ll have same-day locs. It’s also popular for locking new growth.
Sisterlocs / Brotherlocs—this trademarked technique is the brainchild of Dr. JoAnne Cornwell. It’s an intricate type of loc that uses a small tool to weave your natural hair into locs. Another option that delivers same-day and refined locs.
Backcombed Locs—textured hair locs faster and easier than fine hair. If your hair is fine, backcombed locs are likely your best option. Hair is teased or backcombed to create texture before the locs are formed. This method may be used in combination with one of the other techniques above or the backcombed sections can be left to loc on their own over the next few weeks or months.
Your hair should be shampooed and conditioned before it’s locked and every 7 to 10 days thereafter. While you won’t need traditional styling products such as mousse, hairspray, or gel—you will need products that tame flyaways, hold newly locked hair, nourish your scalp, and dry without flaking.
If you haven’t yet, it’s time to transition to naturally-derived Shampoo, Conditioner, and Loc Pomade. Depending on your hair texture and type, you will need to apply oil or a leave-in conditioner 2 to 4 days per week. This will add shine, tame flyaways, and keep your locked hair nourished and moisturized.
Your stylist will advise you on the best way to manage your new growth. For most loc styles, you can apply pomade and twist your new growth once or twice a week. Avoid the temptation to twist daily as it can damage and break your hair. Twist, but be gentle.
For more intricate styles such as comb coils and woven methods, you’ll need to head back into the salon once a month to loc new growth.
Have fun with your locs by mixing up your hairstyles. Maybe the first year or so you keep your hair the same length all over. When it’s time for a change consider:
For more inspiration, head online to view different dreadlock styles!
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]]>There are a variety of factors that can lead to hair loss. While most men start to experience hair loss in their late 20s to early 30s, hair loss can begin as early as your teens or 20s. Statistics show that 50% of men will experience hair loss by the age of 50, and 80% by the age of 70. This includes conditions such as alopecia, receding hairline, pattern baldness, thinning hair, and gradual full-head baldness.
Hereditary hair loss—if hair loss is common in your family, the more proactive you are the better. Not all men will experience hereditary, but if it runs in your family, it increases your odds.
Health factors—there are a variety of health factors and medical conditions that can accelerate hair loss, including alopecia, stress, trauma, hormonal changes, thyroid conditions, and prescription pharmaceuticals.
Everything from your lifestyle to your hair products, daily nutrition, and overall health can decrease your risk for thinning, balding, or a receding hairline.
Prioritize your nutrition—there’s no need to go on an extreme diet, but minimizing the processed sugars, fast foods, trans fat, and processed foods in your diet will help. More specifically, ensure your diet is packed with lots of leafy greens, fish, lean protein, legumes, and nuts. You may also want to take daily supplements that support hair growth including biotin (vitamin B7), zinc, iron, vitamins C and D, omega fatty acids, and probiotics.
De-stress—physical and emotional stress are inevitable, but you can control how you manage your stress. A few quick tips include unplugging at a set time each day, working out 4 to 6 days a week, scheduling a massage, taking time off, and prioritizing your whole-body wellness.
Sleep—sleep deprivation falls into the de-stress category, but it deserves its own section. When you’re sleep-deprived, it creates internal physical stress. Sleep is when our bodies naturally heal and repair. If you are consistently getting less than 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night or aren’t getting enough quality sleep, hair loss may be one of the side effects—along with decreased immunity, brain fog, irritability, and more.
Care for your hair—how you treat your hair matters. Some common mistakes include:
Most of us don’t think much about our scalp, but a healthy and nourished scalp promotes hair growth and thicker and fuller hair. Our serum is formulated to be gentle and effective for all hair types including straight, curly, and kinky hair.
Uncle Jimmy Hair Serum is lightweight, so there’s no need to worry about it weighing your hair down. Use as a nourishing scalp treatment and daily pre-styling serum.
Scalp treatment—after you shampoo, condition, and pat your hair dry, part your hair into at least 4 sections. Apply a few drops of serum to each part line, then use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp. Massage for 3 minutes to stimulate circulation. Repeat daily or every other day. Follow up with your preferred Uncle Jimmy styling products.
Daily hair treatment—add 4 to 10 drops of serum to your palms, depending on the length of your hair. Rub your palms together and evenly distribute the serum throughout your hair. Apply daily or a few days a week for moisture, sheen, and to strengthen your hair. Follow up with your preferred Uncle Jimmy styling products.
Yes of course, sleek and smooth bald heads are sexy! Uncle Jimmy understands if you want to keep your full and healthy head of hair for as long as possible. But if you have a severely receding hairline or large bald patches, a clean-shaven head may make you look more youthful.
Your barber will ensure a clean shave and discuss which razor you should use for self-maintenance. After you shower each day, simply apply a few drops of beard oil to your palms and massage the oil into your scalp to keep it nourished and moisturized. If you’ll be out in the sun for long periods of time, wear a cap or apply sunscreen.
Uncle Jimmy is a men’s grooming, skin care, hair care, and beard care brand. Our products are formulated with naturally derived ingredients to be gentle and effective for all hair textures and hair types. Also, for all skin types including normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive. With our premium grooming products, you can create an easy and effective daily grooming routine. Browse our collection now!
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]]>Uncle Jimmy is all about keeping your daily grooming routine fast and easy. With a few small changes, you can minimize your dry and itchy skin.
Warm water—it’s tempting to take a hot shower when it’s cold out but try to keep the water warm instead of hot. Hot water can irritate or damage the keratin cells of your skin. Your keratin cells are a natural protective layer, so if they are damaged your skin will dry out. If you want heat, head to a steam room, sauna, or take a warm Epsom salt bath.
No more synthetic soap—while you may have a go-to bar soap or body wash that you’ve used for years, many cleansing products are formulated with synthetic ingredients. Synthetic ingredients are less expensive, but they strip your skin of its natural moisture. Switch to a product infused with natural ingredients that moisturize while they cleanse. Uncle Jimmy Hair, Beard and Body Wash is formulated with black seed oil and honey. It won’t strip your skin, moisturizes while you cleanse, and it can be used from head to toe.
Even with a naturally derived body wash, you must apply lotion after your bath or shower. Preferably year-round, but especially in the winter. This will add extra hydration and coat your skin with a protective layer to lock in moisture.
The most common mistake made when selecting a body lotion, is choosing lotion because it smells good. However, most lotions are scented with synthetic fragrances, and synthetic fragrances dry out your skin. If you are currently using a daily moisturizer but your skin isn’t getting any better, it may have synthetic fragrances or ingredients.
Uncle Jimmy’s Shea Butter And Coconut Body Lotion rehydrates and protects your skin. The lotion has a mild and natural unisex scent. It is non-greasy, absorbs quickly, and is non-comedogenic—which means it won’t clog your pores or cause blackheads.
If you shower twice daily, apply lotion twice a day. If your skin is ashy, ultra-dry, or itchy, apply lotion every morning and evening until your skin heals. Then, transition to once a day, but twice a day may be necessary.
If you have a beard or facial hair, you should wash your face each morning and evening, and follow up with beard oil or beard balm. While designed for facial hair, natural oils and balms will also nourish, moisturize, and protect your skin. However, you may also want to use a designated facial moisturizer.
The skin on your face is more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body, so you must use a formula designed for your face. Your face is also one of the first places you will begin to show the visible signs of aging. So, consider using a daily anti-aging facial serum and facial moisturizer, layered underneath your oil or balm. Apply to your face and beard after each shower or at least each morning and evening after you wash your face.
Since you wash your hands several times per day, you may need to bring a bottle of your body lotion with you to apply throughout the day. This is especially true since the pandemic began, and we started applying and sanitizer several times per day.
Last but not least, apply a natural lip balm to keep your lips from getting chapped.
Winter air isn’t just cold, but also dry. Even the air in your home or office may be dry. This dry air contributes to your dry and itchy skin, so consider investing in a humidifier. You can find small humidifiers for your desk at work and large and stylized humidifiers for your home. Even if you only use a humidifier in your bedroom at night it can make a significant difference.
Be sure to read the directions for how to use and clean your humidifier. If it is not regularly and properly cleaned it can grow mold and degrade the air quality in your home, making you and your family sick.
While the topical tips above are essential, if you are internally dehydrated—you will be externally dehydrated too. Internal dehydration is more noticeable during the cold and dry winter months.
Even if you will only be outside for a few minutes, be sure to cover up your exposed skin and your hair—especially if your hair is wet. The cold and dry air will zap the moisture from your face, hands, lips, hair, and any other exposed areas.
If your skin is cracked, painful, severely irritated, the tips above don’t help, or your condition worsens—schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. You may need to transition to a prescription product, or you may have a skin condition that you are mistaking for dry winter skin. Yes, you can schedule an appointment with your general care physician too, but a dermatologist specializes in skin conditions.
Uncle Jimmy has a range of premium men’s grooming products for your body, hair, and beard. We even have bundles that you can purchase to create a personalized daily grooming routine. All of our products are infused with black seed oil, honey, and other natural ingredients to hydrate and protect while cleansing or styling.
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]]>Uncle Jimmy is dedicated to keeping your daily grooming as easy as possible. We created our Hair, Beard and Body Wash to be gentle enough for all hair textures and types. Also, so that you can wash from head to toe each time you are in the shower with one simple product. However, the hair on your head shouldn’t be shampooed daily. Your beard yes, twice per day. But most days you should only wet your hair in the shower.
Wavy hair should be shampooed once or twice per week. Curly hair should only be shampooed every 7 to 10 days. There are a few exceptions to this rule. You should shampoo immediately after swimming in freshwater, saltwater, or chlorine. If you are an avid swimmer, wear a swim cap so that you won’t strip your hair shampooing it each time you swim. You will also need to shampoo sooner if your scalp is sweaty, itchy, or oily.
Always condition your curly hair and consider using a daily leave-in conditioner for added moisture. If your hair is more than an inch long, comb or brush your waves or curls in the shower when the conditioner is in your hair.
Wavy and curly hair is prone to frizz, but there are several easy ways to minimize frizz. One of the most important factors is how you dry your hair after you shower.
If you’re rocking a buzz cut or super short hairstyle you may be able to get away with a generic brush or comb. However, if your hair is more than an inch in length, you’ll definitely need a product designed specifically for curly hair.
To decide what styling tool is best for you determine your hair texture and type. If you need help determining your hair texture and type or what brush or comb to use, ask your barber. The longer you let your hair grow, the more important it is that you use a styling tool that will detangle your hair and brush through it with minimal breakage. Many men prefer a stiff bristle brush, but you may need a wide-tooth comb, pick, or curly hairbrush. If your hair is wavy, you may be able to use your fingers to comb your hair after you shower.
The longer your hair is, the more important it is to minimize post-shower brushing. The more you brush or comb your hair after you shower the more it will separate your curls and waves and the more prone it will be to frizz.
Wavy and curly hair requires special care. Our scalp naturally produces an oil called sebum. This oil (and sometimes your styling products) is what makes your head and scalp feel greasy. However, sebum plays a vital role in hydrating your hair. The naturally occurring oil is designed to travel down your hair strands to seal in moisture. However, the waves and curls in your hair keep sebum from making its way from root to tip.
To protect your fragile hair, you will need to select hair care products that are designed for curly hair. Even if your hair is wavy, curly hair products are what you need. This means that most trending and store-bought products aren’t right for you. This is because most are made with synthetic ingredients that will strip your hair even more. Instead, you need naturally derived products that will restore moisture and add a natural protective layer.
While wavy hair may have a natural shine, the tighter your curls are the more your hair will absorb light instead of reflecting light. So, keep your curls shiny with products that contain natural oils. Uncle Jimmy’s has you covered with everything you need to keep your waves and curls frizz-free, in place, and shiny. Our products are infused with avocado, honey, and black seed oil for moisture and shine.
The fact of the matter is that there are many hairstyles that won’t work for you, but don’t be discouraged. Wavy and curly hair has more volume and shape, which is something many men wish they had. So, once you find the right cut and style, styling your hair is fast and easy.
Browse online photos of men with similar curls, waves, and face shape for inspiration. Also, flip through books in your barbershop and ask your barber what styles will work best for you. Here are a few ideas:
Check back to the Uncle Jimmy blog soon for more men’s grooming, hair, and beard care tips!
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]]>As a general rule, oil is ideal for scruff, short beards, and goatees. As your beard grows more than a couple of inches long, a balm will provide more hold. If your beard is short but curly, frizzy, thick, or unruly you may prefer to use balm daily. If your skin is dry, you may also want to use balm, as it contains shea butter that will nourish and protect your skin. This may mean that you switch to balm in the winter months, even if your facial hair is short.
Regardless of your beard length, you may always prefer to apply oil to clean shaven areas. For example, after cleaning up your neck and the edges of your beard or goatee. Here are 5 other ways you can use your beard oil.
Beard balm benefits your skin and facial hair in a variety of ways. Unlike oil which nourishes and moisturizes, balm provides structure and support. This makes it ideal for curly, frizzy, and unruly beards. Also, for shape and hold such as a pointed beard or mustache handlebars.
Balm minimizes the itch and flakes that can form when the skin underneath your beard is dry. Oil absorbs into your skin faster, but shea butter is thicker, so it sits on top of your skin providing lasting moisture. If you don’t mind the extra step, you can apply a facial moisturizer in the morning and evening before you apply your beard balm.
Just as with oil, balm keeps your beard soft, healthy, and shiny. Without applying balm or oil each day, your beard will rapidly dry out. Soon after, it will lose its natural shine and become brittle.
Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to groom your beard using beard balm. It might look like a lot of steps, but it only takes a few minutes each morning and evening.
Long beards require a bit more care to keep them looking their best. In addition to the morning and evening routine above, be sure to:
Mix things up—While long is the goal, unkempt should not be. Work with your barber to select a shape and style and to update your shape and style. Have fun with it, knowing that if you don’t like a new shape, it will grow back. This can include a goatee-inspired long beard which mixes things up, makes eating easier, and may make you more kissable to your partner.
Trim your beard—Even if you are still growing your beard out trimming your beard keeps it healthy. It encourages growth and eliminates damaging split ends. Trim flyaways yourself, but have your beard trimmed and shaped at the barbershop when you get your hair cut This should be about every 6 weeks or so.
Occasionally cut significant length—some beards will stop growing at a certain length. So, even with regular conditioning and trimming the ends will dry out over time. This means that once or twice a year you should cut off 1 or 2 inches, then let it grow out. If your long beard is severely damaged, cut a bit more off to keep it healthy.
Uncle Jimmy has everything you need to keep your beard, hair, and skin healthy. We have created a variety of Daily Regimens for easy shopping. Add on additional products to personalize your grooming routine. Don’t forget to buy extras to touch up flyaways at the office or to keep a kit in your gym bag!
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]]>You may have noticed that the women in your life apply oils to their hair and skin topically for a variety of reasons. Now you can too!
Let’s begin by discussing what beard oil is, as most other grooming products should only be used as directed. Not all oil is created equally, so it depends on the product you are using. Uncle Jimmy’s premium beard oil contains a mix of topicals-safe natural oils and ingredients:
If your skin is sensitive, dry, or you are prone to razor burns or ingrown hairs—apply oil before and after you shave. As always, shave on a clean face, with a clean razor, and after you shower when your skin and facial hair are warm and easier to shave. However, these proactive steps may not be enough for a clean and smooth shave if your skin is sensitive or dry. So, before you lather on your shave cream or shave gel apply a thin coat of beard oil.
It’s not something we talk about as often as our facial hair, but there are many other areas that need hair removal—such as ears, nose, neck, chest, back, and down there. These areas are prone to the same irritations as your face, so applying oil pre-and-post shave can make for a more comfortable shave, as well as promoting the same bullet points as the list above.
To further improve your shave, ensure you have an area-specific manual razor or electric shaver. If you are using a manual razor, keep in mind that the blade may need to be swapped out sooner when shaving larger areas of body hair. Just like your beard, you may want to have a professional complete the initial wax or hair removal and perform the maintenance yourself.
Whether bald is simply your style or you decided to shave your head as your hairline began to recede, you must care for your scalp. You can cleanse daily with Uncle Jimmy’s Hair, Beard and Body Wash. Once you pop out of the shower, keep your bald head healthy, shiny, and sexy by applying a thin layer of beard oil.
If your facial hair or the hair on your beard is dry or damaged, you can use your beard oil as a hair and beard mask. Oil can restore moisture, repair damage, and seal your hair’s cuticle as a protective layer. For healthy hair, it is a proactive approach to keeping your hair looking its best.
Beard Mask—an overnight oil mask will provide intense hydration for your facial hair. It will improve shine and make your beard feel softer. After washing your face as usual in the evening, apply twice the amount of beard oil as usual. Comb it through and keep it in overnight. Cleanse your face in the morning to rinse out the excess oil. Follow up with your regular application of beard oil. Applying a beard mask once a week is ideal for dry or damaged beards and every week or two to keep healthy facial hair looking its best.
Hair Mask—you may have seen commercials for hot oil treatments, but there’s no need to purchase a separate product. Simply place your beard oil bottle in a mug of faucet-hot water and heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until the oil is warm. Apply a generous amount of oil to your hair and comb or brush it through. Leave the oil on for 20 minutes, applying a shower cap or towel for extra heat and to better seal in hydration. Then pop in the shower and shampoo and condition as usual. Once a week is ideal for dry and damaged beards, and every week or two to keep healthy hair looking its best.
You aren’t alone if you head to the spa for a regular or occasional manicure and pedicure. To keep your nails looking their best in between, use your beard oil as cuticle oil. Yes, you can purchase a separate cuticle oil, but there’s no need for an additional grooming product.
Your cuticles are the thin layer of lighter-colored dead skin between your fingernails and the skin on your hand. If your cuticles overgrow, they can make your nails look less than their best. However, cutting off this dead skin is not suggested as it acts as a protective layer. So, apply oil to clean nails and cuticles daily, or at least once per week. After at least 60 seconds, you can gently push your cuticles back with a cuticle pusher, which you can find in the nail polish section of most stores.
Always read the label of topical products, as those that contain synthetic ingredients are more likely to damage and dry your hair and skin. Uncle Jimmy has carefully developed a line of premium men’s grooming products, including standard beard oil and a beard growth oil. The difference between the two, is that the growth formula also contains biotin—to speed the growth of new or slow-growing beards. Both are premium products that are infused with natural ingredients to nourish, hydrate, and condition your hair and skin.
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]]>Even if you have a brand you’ve been using for years, we encourage you to regularly test new razors. This will help you identify what razor works best for you. What you may find is that you prefer more than one razor. For example, one for touch-ups and one for full-face shaves. Or a precision razor for your upper lip and a larger razor for your face and neck.
First and foremost, always shave on a clean face, which we detail below in the section on how to prepare your skin. However, you must also keep your razor blades clean. Even with a clean face, hair and dead skin are removed while you shave. This hair and skin must be rinsed from between your blades or cleaned out of your electric razor so that it does not create an unhygienic build-up.
Follow the cleaning directions on your electric razor and leave time to clean it out after each shave. For your straight razors, rinse the blade every 2 or 3 passes, and visually check to ensure nothing is trapped between multi-blade razors when you are done shaving. If you have hair or skin that gets stuck between the blades, place an inch of water in a glass and swish your blade in the water until it shakes free. If it won’t shake free, replace your razor cartridge.
Once you’re done shaving, store non-electric razors upright to ensure they dry quickly.
Blades dull gradually, so pay attention to whether your shave looks and feels as good as it did when your blades were new and sharp. Disposable cartridges should be replaced every 6 to 8 shaves, or every 3 weeks—whichever comes first. This will ensure your blade is sharp and delivers a clean and smooth shave. However, you may need to switch the cartridge out sooner. For example, if you use your razor to shave off your goatee or beard it may dull faster as you are removing a larger amount of hair than usual. When shaving off longer facial hair, consider trimming with scissors or an electric razor first. Or head to the barbershop for a professional transition back to a clean shave.
If you are using a straight-edge razor, which are making a major comeback, it will need to be sharpened every 60 to 70 shaves. You can learn to sharpen it yourself or take it to your barber to have it sharpened. If you use an electric razor, replace the head at least once per year.
Before we dive into shaving techniques, let’s discuss how to prepare your skin before you shave. Without preparing your skin first, it doesn’t matter how effective your blade is. From start to finish, a full shave will take at least 10 minutes.
There are several schools of thought when it comes to shaving with or against the grain. However, shaving against the grain causes friction. This friction dulls your blade faster and increases the risk for razor bumps and ingrown hairs. It also means you’ll need to take a few more passes to achieve a clean shave, which increases your risk of nicks and post-shave irritation.
However, you can only shave with the grain on some areas of your face as all men have a few spots where facial hair grows in different directions. If your hair is curly, it can be difficult to tell which direction it’s growing in. So, shave with the grain when you can and utilize different-sized razors to keep shaving against the grain to a minimum.
The final step in making the most of your razor is to apply an oil or balm. Both cleansing and shaving strip the natural moisture from your skin, so it must be replenished with oil or balm. Beard oil is ideal for short to medium beards, goatees, and intentional scruff. If your facial hair is long, curly, or unruly or your skin is dry, use a beard balm. Don’t just apply these moisturizing layers after you shave, but every time you cleanse your face in the morning, evening, or after you work out.
Now that you know how to make the most of your razor, we invite you to browse the grooming collections from Uncle Jimmy’s. We keep things simple by providing quality products made with natural ingredients that you can personalize to your individual needs.
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]]>When your hair is properly conditioned and moisturized it will have a natural shine, is easier to manage and style, and will feel soft instead of dry or brittle. Unfortunately, you may have developed a few bad hair, beard, or lifestyle habits that are zapping the hydration from your hair. Not to worry, as a few small changes to your daily grooming routine and overall lifestyle can repair your hair or keep it from getting damaged.
There are a variety of factors that can cause or contribute to your beard or the hair on your head drying out. Here are the most common culprits. If you are doing more than one of these, your risk for dry, damaged, or brittle hair increases.
Most store-bought hair and beard products contain synthetic coloring, fragrance, and ingredients. While they may smell good or feel good, these ingredients can strip your hair’s natural protective layers. Over time, this will dry out your hair. Also, never use bar soap on your face or hair.
How frequently you need to shampoo your hair varies depending on your hair texture, hair type, and lifestyle. However, you must wash your face and beard hair at least twice a day. If you work out, you may want to wash away the sweat, so you’ll need to shampoo more frequently. To keep up with your active lifestyle and maintain your healthy hair, Uncle Jimmy’s has developed a naturally derived Hair, Beard and Body Wash that is moisturizing and gentle enough to use daily. You may not shampoo your hair daily but you can use it to wash your face and facial hair every morning and evening.
We know, it’s another step when all you want to do is pop in and out of the shower as fast as possible. However, you must condition your hair. Even when using a naturally derived shampoo, conditioning is required to nourish and moisturize your hair. At Uncle Jimmy’s we keep things simple with a Leave-In Conditioner for Men. Apply it before your styling products to skip the step of having to rinse it out.
Extremely cold weather, extremely dry weather, and overexposure to the sun can zap the moisture from your hair. Even more when you leave the house with wet hair. So, pop on a hat in the winter or when in the direct sunlight, wrap a scarf around your face in below zero temperatures, and ensure you use a hair product with natural oils to provide a protective barrier between your hair and extreme weather.
If you like to blast yourself with hot water while in the shower, cool the water down to comfortably warm before you wet your hair or beard. Hot water can damage your hair, and even though it feels good, it’s not great for your skin either. If you use a blow dryer or other heated styling tools, ensure you apply a product designed to protect your hair from heat first. Or keep heated styling to a minimum.
Swimming while on vacation, or every once in a while, shouldn’t do too much damage to your beard or hair. But if you like to swim often, wet your hair and beard before you hop in the pool and apply a thin layer of a natural oil such as jojoba, almond, or coconut oil before you hop in the pool. Also, shampoo and condition after you swim. You can also wear a swim cap to protect your hair.
Swimming in saltwater? It can damage your hair too so follow the same tips.
If you have wavy, curly, or coily hair then your hair requires more added moisture. Our hair follicles produce a natural protective layer, which easily travels down the strands of straight hair. However, the curlier your hair, the shorter the distance your natural protective layer will travel. So, you’ll need to use products that are free of alcohol and parabens and made with natural oils. You’ll also need to take extra care to avoid the other damaging factors on this list.
While protecting your hair and beard externally is essential, you must also maintain your whole-body health. Begin with the tips below but personalize your health to your individual needs.
If your hair is already dry or brittle, make an appointment with your barber or stylist to discuss your options. If the damage is new, the tips above may help to reverse the damage. However, you may need to allow healthy new hair to grow. This might mean cutting or shaving off the damaged hair or waiting for healthy new hair to grow in.
If you are looking for naturally derived products to create a simple grooming routine, we invite you to browse Uncle Jimmy’s product line. We have everything you need for your hair and beard and a variety of options to meet your individual needs!
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]]>It’s easy to think of your beard hair as you do the hair on your head, but the hair on your face is exposed to dirt, grime, and food particles throughout the day. Also, the skin on your face needs to be cleansed, so if you don’t wash your beard it can lead to a variety of skincare problems. So, washing your beard isn’t just about washing away product buildup, but an essential part of your daily hygiene and grooming routine.
The hair on your head only needs to be shampooed 1 to 3 times per week, and maybe after you workout or swim. However, your beard hair must be shampooed every morning, evening, after swimming, a sweaty workout, and always after you eat something greasy or messy that leaves food particles in your beard. In other words, the longer the hair around your mouth, the more frequently you will need to wash your beard. Otherwise, the food particles, sweat, dirt, and grime can lead to bacteria growth and a variety of skin and beard concerns.
While bar soap and shampoo will cleanse, they do a lot of damage. Both will strip your beard hair and face of its natural moisture and protective layer. This may come as a surprise, as you use shampoo to wash the hair on your head. However, the skin on your scalp varies greatly from the skin on your face. The skin on your face is far more sensitive and comes in contact with far more external toxins than your scalp. Even if you are rocking a beautiful bald style, your head isn’t exposed to food particles.
Also, a surprising number of shampoos are formulated with ingredients that aren’t particularly hair-healthy. Over time, washing with bar soap or shampoo will leave your beard dry, dull, and brittle. In a pinch, if you only have bar soap or shampoo available, use a tiny bit to cleanse. However, this should be the exception not the rule.
Beard wash is specially formulated with natural ingredients to be both beard-hair and face-safe. It cleanses without stripping away moisture. To simplify your daily grooming routine, Uncle Jimmy’s created a Hair, Beard, and Body Wash that is formulated with black seed oil and honey. Lather up and gently cleanse from head to toe while softening and conditioning your hair, beard, and body. Keep a bottle in your fitness bag so that you aren’t tempted to use the generic products at the gym.
If you are currently using bar soap or shampoo on your beard and face, it may be the primary or contributing factor to your skin issues. Switching to a beard wash can help to soothe and heal your symptoms. This is especially true if you never struggled with these issues before you grew your beard. However, you may need to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to heal your skin.
Acne—acne can be caused by the buildup of bacteria that grows from the food particles that get trapped in your beard. If you struggled with acne before you grew a beard, beard hygiene is even more essential.
Itchy Beard—if your beard is less than 3 weeks old the itch is just part of the growing process. Hang in there, it will subside. If your beard is itchy past this timeframe, it’s likely a skincare or hygiene issue. Begin by washing and applying balm or oil as we discuss in the next section. If symptoms are severe, worsen, or persist head to a dermatologist.
Flakes—it might look kind of like scalp dandruff, but it may just be ultra-dry facial skin. If so, your skin will likely feel dry. You’ll need to switch to a beard wash and a layered skincare routine to heal and nourish your skin.
Beard Dandruff—the longer your beard is the more prone you are to developing beard dandruff. You are also more prone to dandruff when the weather is cold, dry, hot, or humid. When it comes to dandruff on your beard, you’ll need to gently exfoliate your skin 1 to 2 times a week as well as follow the skincare routine below. You may also need to work with a dermatologist.
After you wash your beard, pat it dry with a towel. Then apply your preferred beard oil or beard balm. Oil is ideal for goatees and short to mid-length beards. Balm is ideal for long beards, curly or unruly beards, dry skin, or for an added layer of protection in extreme weather. Massage it in all the way to your skin and use a brush or comb to evenly distribute it from root to tip. Also, be sure to condition your beard at least 3 times a week.
Beard conditioner is just like conditioner you use on your head, but it’s face-safe too. To keep things simple, Uncle Jimmy’s has a Leave-In Hair And Beard Conditioner that saves you the extra step of having to rinse it out. To apply to your beard, spray it into your hands, rub your hands together, and apply it to your beard. A little bit goes a long way, especially on facial hair. Apply your oil or balm after your conditioner.
Now you know why you need a beard wash and how to maintain a daily beard grooming routine!
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]]>It’s known by several different names, including black caraway, nutmeg flower, fennel flower, black cumin, black onion seeds, kalonji, and its scientific name—nigella sativa. It grows around the world, including Southwest Asia, Eastern Europe, and throughout the Middle East.
Whichever name you prefer, the seeds are pressed into a powerful oil that can be consumed or applied topically. While we’re all for a topical oil, we added black seed oil to our entire product line so that you can use it with ease, and with the consistency to enjoy the skin, hair, and beard benefits.
Black seed oil stands the test of time and has been used for centuries. In fact, it was a favorite of King Tut, Queen Cleopatra, and Queen Nefertiti. Queen Cleopatra and Queen Nefertiti remain two of the most beautiful and fascinating queens of all time, so they were certainly on to something. And it was so cherished by King Tut it was one of the treasures found in his tomb!
One of the 100+ compounds found in black seed oil is thymoquinone, an antihistamine sometimes prescribed for alopecia and thinning hair. These results are scientifically proven. So, if your beard is slow to grow or your new beard is growing in patchy, our products can speed things up.
Growing a healthy beard requires nourishing and moisturizing both the hair and the hair follicle, and black seed oil does both. It is rich in the essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals your beard, follicles, and skin require, including:
• Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, folic acid, and niacin
• Magnesium, Potassium, Selenium, Calcium, Iron, Copper, Zinc, and Phosphorus
• Omega fatty acids 3, 6, and 9
The anti-inflammatory antioxidants listed above will help to minimize itch. But if you are growing a new beard there is no way to avoid the itch for the first few weeks. Keep cleansing your face and new growth twice a day and following up with beard oil or balm to keep itch to a minimum. If you struggle with psoriasis, eczema, or acne, blackseed oil is safe for you. Black seed oil is also antibacterial and antimicrobial, which will minimize your risk for redness and infection.
If you aren’t ready to rock your grey, our products can help to slow the process. The Linolic acid in Omega 3 fatty acid prevents the reduction of pigment cells in your hair follicles. Use Uncle Jimmy’s Hair Care products so that you can slow this natural sign of aging. If the grey gets to be too much, your barber can help you explore your options.
With all of those amazing benefits above, I’m sure you want to know which Uncle Jimmy’s products to use to help grow your beard. As we mentioned earlier, all of our products are formulated with this powerful oil!
That being said we have both an oil and a balm that are specially formulated to help you grow a new beard faster, accelerate slow growth of an existing beard, and fill in patches. If you are growing your first beard or facial hair, you don’t yet know your growth speed—so to be safe, go with one of the two products below. Or a combination of the two depending on your needs.
Yes, that’s right. You may want to use both oil and a balm. Oil is typically best for stubble and shorter beards, but if your hair is curly or unruly, or if you have dry skin, you can use a balm instead. Or you can use both. Oil first, then balm. Balm will also do a better job of protecting your facial hair (and skin) on days you will be in extreme hot or cold temperatures.
Our Blackseed Beard Growth Oil is blended with Biotin, Honey, and Sesame Seed Oil to accelerate beard growth. If your goal is to fill in patches and grow a full beard, this is the oil for you. It also leaves your beard soft and shiny and moisturizes and conditions. Our signature blend combats beard and skin dryness and fights ingrown hairs. Whether using oil or balm, be sure to comb or brush it in so that it evenly distributes.
Our Blackseed Beard Grow Balm is blended with Biotin, Shea Butter, Bergamot Oil, and Sweet Almond Oil to accelerate growth. It will also make your beard feel softer and improve the quality of your beard making it thicker and fuller. It adds a natural and healthy shine and keeps your beard nourished and moisturized. If your skin is irritated, the bamboo will help to soothe and heal. Apply every time you wash your face, so at least twice per day.
Here are a few final tips for keeping your new beard looking its best:
Uncle Jimmy’s Beard, Hair, and Body products are designed to provide modern men with a simple, effective, and nature-made grooming routine. Browse our products now!
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]]>Gone are the days of popping into any barbershop or hair salon when you have the time. Yes, you can get an excellent cut as a walk-in, but to ensure you always look and feel your best you need a regular barber or stylist. This is someone who will:
Many men shampoo their hair every day, which is far too often. Shampooing daily, even with gentle products, will strip and dry your hair. Over time your hair will begin to look dull and feel stiff or wiry. Most men only need to shampoo 2 or 3 days a week, or only every 7 to 10 days for curly hair. Instead, you can wet your hair daily so that it’s easier to style. If you’re sweaty after a workout, water should rinse the sweat away or co-wash using just a conditioner. If you aren’t sure how often is right for you, ask your barber.
In addition to shampooing, always condition your hair after you shampoo, and consider a daily leave-in conditioner. Your conditioner will nourish your hair and restore any moisture lost from shampooing.
You are sure to have noticed the growing number of hair care products designed specifically for men, not to mention the overwhelming number of products in any store haircare aisle. It might be easy to think that all shampoos, conditioners, or styling products are the same—but they are not.
Beards, goatees, stubble, or a mustache have never been more popular, but before you commit ensure you understand how much time they will add to your daily and weekly grooming routine. Depending on the length, style, shape, and your overall goals, your time commitment will vary. Daily it should only take an extra 3 to 5 minutes, including:
Here’s what you need to know to keep your facial hair looking its best.
We’re all tight on time, but make the time to head into your barber or stylist every 4 to 6 weeks. As mentioned above, clean up your edges to maintain your look in-between but leave the full cut to a professional. Your barber can advise on whether you should be using scissors on your beard (but never on your hair), how to trim your beard, and whether you should be using an electric trimmer. Your electric trimmer can also be used at home on your sideburns and neckline.
When it comes to chemical treatments, it may be less expensive, but leave the dye and bleach to a pro. Not only is the risk of damaging your hair high, but if it goes wrong the corrective process costs far more than if you’d just gone to the salon in the first place.
Another reason to have a regular barber or stylist is that they will talk you through what changes to make to your grooming routine when your hair begins to thin and bald. They will also help you find a flattering style that’s not a combover. In terms of being proactive:
When you find a hairstyle that works for you it’s tempting to stick with it, but consider a new style at least every year. Even minor changes to your hair can keep things interesting, ensuring you look and feel your best. If you keep your hair the same, consider mixing up your facial hair. If you want to go for a bold and drastic change, such as going super short or growing your hair out, talk with your barber or stylist to create a strategy. If going longer, be patient as there will be an awkward grow out phase.
As always, Uncle Jimmy has naturally derived, versatile, and simple yet effective solutions for your hair and facial hair!
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]]>Whether it’s your first beard or you’ve struggled to grow a beard in the past, learning the science behind how hair grows can help. Yes, your facial hair will grow even if you don’t make any changes to your daily routine, but your goal is to accelerate growth.
Your body naturally nourishes your hair follicles by improving blood flow that delivers the healthy proteins, fats, and carbs found in keratin and biotin.
Keratin is the building-block of healthy hair and hair follicle growth. You can naturally boost keratin production by eating a well-balanced diet that includes more eggs, salmon, and sweet potatoes.
Biotin (vitamin B7) will strengthen your hair while it grows, making your beard look full and healthy. You can naturally boost biotin by eating a well-balanced diet that includes more eggs, nuts, seeds, avocado, broccoli, mushrooms, bananas, and sweet potatoes.
Be sure to stay hydrated as water plays a vital role in every bodily function, including hair growth. Your hair follicles have the fastest growing tissues in your body, but if you are dehydrated, hydrating your hair follicles won’t be your body’s priority.
Managing stress is essential for faster beard growth. There are a variety of lifestyle changes you can make to minimize stress, with the top 3 being improved nutrition, getting adequate sleep, and exercise. We covered nutrition above, now let’s look at sleep and exercise.
Sleep is when our body naturally heals, repairs, and self-regulates. When your schedule is jam-packed you may get less than the suggested 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Or if you are stressed out, you may stay up tossing and turning. Test sleep apps, sound therapy, aromatherapy, or try creating a PM sleep routine to improve your sleep.
Exercise provides a variety of whole-body benefits. When speaking of your new beard, it can minimize your stress levels by boosting the “feel good” hormones dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Exercise also boosts testosterone function, which is essential for delivering adequate blood flow to your hair follicles.
Now that you know what changes you need to make to support beard growth from the inside out, it’s time to support beard growth externally.
No more bar soap on your face, toss your dull razor, and invest in Beard Growth Oil or Beard Growth Balm. Balms are great if your skin is dry, and oil can be applied before your facial moisturizer. No, you don’t have much more than scruff yet, but keeping your skin nourished and hydrated will encourage faster beard growth.
You must keep your face clean by washing in the morning, evening and after working out—but never with bar soap or gym body wash. These products are harsh and will strip your skin and beard hair of their natural moisture and nutrients. Instead, upgrade to an all-in-one Hair, Beard, & Body Wash. Always follow up with oil or balm.
We talk more about how to grow your beard below but invest in a new razor or interchangeable blade to keep your edges clean.
Even if you’ve already selected the style you want to grow, you’ll need to let your beard grow uninterrupted for a solid 3 weeks—only cleaning up the edges. This includes letting it grow around your mouth, even if your end goal is to have a cleaner line around your mouth.
This stage of growth can be frustrating because many men experience patchy beard growth. Let it be and after a few weeks you’ll at least be able to comb over your patchy spots.
Expect to feel the itch in the first few weeks of growth, while your skin adjusts to letting sharp new beard hairs grow. Applying oil or balm twice a day will minimize the itch, but the itch will pass in a couple of weeks.
If you haven’t yet, it’s time to select what style of beard to grow. If your goal is a long beard, you may gradually transition to the style you want as you grow from short to medium and medium to long.
Avoid the temptation of selecting a beard because it looks good on someone else. Your beard style must be realistic for your hair texture, beard fullness, and face shape. If it’s your first beard, you may not know your beard fullness yet and will have to decide as it grows.
It’s helpful to pop into the barbershop between 3 to 5 weeks of growth to discuss the most suitable options for your face shape, hair type, and style goals. Your barber will create your initial shape and provide you with tips for how to maintain your new beard at home.
Continue going to the barbershop every 4 to 6 weeks to reshape and discuss just how long you want your beard to be.
There are several beard grooming tools to choose from. You’ve already upgraded your razor, now it’s time for a comb, brush, and beard trimmer—either scissors or an electric trimmer.
If you preferred a shaving foam before you grew your beard, you’ll need to switch to a Shave Cream or Shave Gel to ensure you can clearly see your shave lines.
Continue using beard oil, but transition to balm if your beard is unruly, curly, or if you have a medium or long beard. Once you reach your desired beard length, you can switch from beard growth formulas to a standard oil or balm.
Follow these same tips for growing a mustache.
Check back to Uncle Jimmy’s soon for more beard tips!
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For a clean, close, and smooth shave shorter hair is better. So, if you have more than a week of growth do a quick trim first. The longer your hair, the more resistance when you shave, especially if your hair is thick or curly. If you are shaving a small area you can use scissors to trim, but they’ll leave a hairy mess to clean up. If you have an electric razor, trim down to a 1 or 2 two first, then shave.
Always wash your face, head, back, or body before you shave. This will remove oil, sweat, products, and anything that will prohibit a smooth shave. Washing first will also minimize post-shave acne and irritation because it removes germs and bacteria. Be sure to use a Hair, Beard and Body Wash made with natural ingredients that won’t strip your hair or skin.
Washing is the first prep step, but it’s not the last. You should exfoliate your face and body 2 to 3 times per week, so always shave after you exfoliate. Exfoliation sloughs away the dead skin that your body has yet to shed, which prevents you from achieving a smooth and clean shave. Use a loofa, granular exfoliator, or cream exfoliator. Whatever you use, be gentle.
Even if it’s not time to exfoliate, warm your skin before you shave. Warm, but don’t blast scalding hot water as it will irritate and inflame your skin, making your shave anything but comfortable. Instead, warm a damp hand towel in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. Place it on your face or shave area for 30 seconds to soften both your hair and skin.
Your razor must always be clean and sharp. Swish it in a small bowl of warm water after you shave to dislodge any hair or skin trapped in the blades. Avoid the temptation to clean with a toothbrush or toothpick. While small enough to remove clumps, they will wear down your blades.
Switch out your razor blade every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how often you shave. For your face, this should be about every 6 shaves. For larger areas such as your head or back, you’ll need to change your blade more frequently. Finally, dedicate specific razors to each body area—face and neck, head, back, and manscaping.
Purchase the New Shaving Cream & Gel products HERE
Now that your skin is prepped and your razor is clean, it’s time to apply an easy-glide shave product. Each step in this list will minimize your risk for ingrown hairs and irritation, but when time is tight you might skip a step or two, but never skip applying a shave gel or shave cream.
Your shave product protects your skin and supports your shave process. While foams are a popular shave option, they flatten your hair creating friction when you shave. Foams are also thick making it difficult to see where you are shaving, which is required if you need to create a clean edge.
With a nourishing shave gel or cream, you can create a thin but easy-glide lather. Massage it into your face or shave area, then run your fingers against the grain so that your hair stands up straight or angles to provide for a closer shave.
Even when shaving large areas, shave in short strokes, using your fingers or the position of your neck or body to create tension. This will ensure that you maintain a firm and steady pressure while you shave and provides time to rinse the blade clean for the next area.
It’s a matter of preference for many, but any barber will advise that you shave against the grain. Some believe that if your skin is sensitive or prone to razor burns, bumps, or ingrown hair that you should shave with the grain. Nope! Instead, follow the steps above to prep your skin and hair to minimize post-shave irritation.
Your shave product moisturizes your skin before you shave, but you’ll need an added layer of moisture after you shave. Beard oil can be applied to any clean-shaven areas, and oil or balm should be applied twice daily to mustaches, goatees, and beards—even if you aren’t shaving. Oil is best for short to medium beards and balm is ideal for long hair, curly hair, or unruly hair. Both will nourish and moisturize your hair and the skin underneath. If your skin is ultra-dry, as it may be in the winter months, you can use balm on your face or layer with a facial moisturizer. This should be in addition to conditioning your beard at least twice a week.
Once you find the perfect razor, trimming tools, or facial hairstyle—continue to explore your options. Pay attention to new products or issue-specific products (such as full-body trimmers) that may work better for you. When it comes to full-body grooming products we invite you to browse Uncle Jimmy’s men’s grooming line which is an easy 3 to 6 step line that you can personalize to your individual needs.
Even if you love your beard shape and can maintain your body hair at-home, continue to schedule professional services every 6 weeks or so. This will help you maintain a refined look, reshape your hair, and is the time to address any skincare, hair, or grooming issues.
Here’s to a clean and smooth shave every time!
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]]>Mustaches are easier to maintain than a beard, allowing you to adopt the facial hair trend with less time and commitment. Below are a few tips to follow to grow and maintain your new mustache.
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The first thing you want to do is determine what type of mustache you want to grow. There are countless options to choose from, so keep your face shape in mind. Then, head online to view mustaches of celebrities for inspiration. If you have never grown a mustache before you won’t know what level of thickness and fullness you can achieve, so if you have your heart set on a thick and full Tom Selleck chevron, have a thinner style in mind just incase you can’t achieve the thickness you need to pull it off. Same goes or long styles as it will take at least a few months to grow a long style.
At most, your facial hair will grow half and inch per month. In the meantime, you need to let it grow without trimming anything but the hairs that pass down below your lip line. You may also want to let your facial hair grow for at least a few weeks, even if you have no plan to grow a beard, or at least maintain groomed stubble. This will help to balance out your face so that your sparse and patchy mustache doesn’t standout so much. It will take at least 2 to 3 weeks for your mustache to start filling in, and up to 5 weeks before you can begin shaping it. At that point you can keep or shave your facial stubble.
Start applying beard oil to your upper lip and short-term groomed stubble as soon as you begin to let it grow. Begin with a beard grow formula to accelerate growth, also if you are prone to patches and slow hair growth. Your facial hair is coarse and as it begins to grow you are likely to feel the itch. Applying beard oil will minimize the itch but expect to be itchy for the first 3 weeks of new growth. After that, the itch will begin to subside. If you have curly hair, unruly hair, want to create a distinct shape, or your skin is dry—use beard balm instead of oil. Apply oil or balm twice a day after washing your face in both the morning and evening.
Once you have 4 to 5 weeks of growth, head into your barber for a professional shape and trim. If you have yet to decide what style and shape to grow, they can suggest the best options for your face, hair type, and how thick your facial hair is. They will also help you determine a grooming schedule and provide you with tips on how to trim your mustache. Even if you continue to shave the rest of your face with a razor, you’ll need a pair of grooming scissors and an electric trimmer to style your mustache. Trim once a week at home and your barber reshape it every 4 to 6 weeks when you have your hair cut.
Even if it’s still short and far from the length or fullness you desire, you must begin training your facial hair in the direction you would like it to grow. While it’s short, apply oil or balm and use your fingers to smooth hairs where you want them to be. As your mustache grows fuller and longer, use a beard comb or brush to train your hair to sit where you want it to be. If you want to create straight or curly handlebars, balm is a must to keep your facial hair in place. Balm is also a must for curly or unruly hair.
While a mustache is easier to keep clean than a full beard, you must be mindful of facial hygiene. Food can easily get caught in your facial hair, particularly when eating messy or handheld foods like burgers, tacos, or ribs. If you are dining out and get food on your face, pop in the bathroom and give the area around your mouth a quick rinse to remove the oil and food debris. Wiping it with a napkin isn’t quite enough, as bacteria from food can grow quickly—which can lead to breakouts under your facial hair.
Also, wash your face with a beard safe wash that won’t dry or damage your facial hair every morning and evening and after you swim or workout. Consider carrying an extra beard oil with you so that you always have it on hand for quick application. And remember, your oil or balm isn’t just for your facial hair, but to moisturize the skin underneath. You can layer SPF protection on top of your beard care products.
The fun the thing about facial hair is that you can easily test and try new styles. If you don’t like it, you can reshape it and try something else. When it comes to a mustache, consider growing a goatee or adding a little soul patch underneath your lower lip. Or grow it out for a bit to see how you feel about a longer mustache. If you are over your beard, consider shaving it, but keeping your mustache. When in doubt, ask your barber for style advice. Whatever you choose, have fun with it—because you can always trim it down or shave it off and try again later.
You’ll need to add a few more products to your grooming routine to grow your mustache, and Uncle Jimmy’s has you covered. We suggest a minimum of:
Our products are infused with natural oils and extracts to keep your hair healthy and we ship to the US, Canada, and the UK.
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]]>If a full beard isn’t the right fit for you but you are bored with a traditional goatee, consider a goatee beard. You keep the goatee you love, allowing the hair on your upper lip and chin to grow out to your desired fullness. Then, you maintain groomed stubble along your cheeks and jawline. Personalize the goatee section by experimenting with different shapes of clean patches below your lip line. From rounded to squared, and angular shapes. Also, experiment with the lines of your stubble. Allow them to grow naturally and clean up the edges, create shape with your sideburns and edges, or just keep a chinstrap. If you are ready to say goodbye to your goatee but don’t want a full beard, maintain a close-cut beard with flattering and stylized edges.
Like goatees and close-cut beards, short and shaped beards are easy to manage. With the increased popularity of growing out facial hair, many companies have revised their beard policies to include groomed stubble, goatees, and short beards. A short beard is typically less than an inch in length, even at its longest point. While short, you still need to consider the most flattering beard shape. The shorter your beard the easier it is to maintain at home, but at least head to the barber to determine which shape looks best on you. When you want to mix things up a bit your barber will suggest different ways to reshape the edges and overall shape or help you select a new beard style.
While it’s freeing to let your beard grow naturally, an unkempt beard can leave you looking disheveled. By shaping your longer beard you can rock length and look stylized. The shape that is the most flattering for your shorter beard may not be as flattering as your beard grows longer. Shorter beards are often shaped to follow your natural face shape, but the longer your beard, the less your natural chin and jawline factor in.
With length, your beard becomes an extension of your face. Its shape can complement or contrast with your hairstyle, elongate your face, and make your face look fuller or slimmer. When choosing between rounded and squared you must also consider your hair type and texture. How curly, frizzy, thick, full, or thin your beard hair is will factor into your decision. Finally, when choosing between square and rounded you must decide if you want to taper your beard or if it will be fully rounded or squared.
A fun new beard trend inspired by a timeless hair trend is creating a beard of any length or shape with a fade. The fade begins at the sideburns and extends down in a variety of stylized designs. This option is an excellent way to personalize your beard and create the most flattering finish. Fades work for every length and style of beard, including scruff, and is popular for weighted beards where the mustache is minimal, and the beard is low, short to medium, and sculpted. You can trim and clean up the edges yourself, but the faded section is difficult to master, so you’ll need to head to the barber every 6 weeks.
With the rise in working from home, even before the pandemic, conforming to a dress code is of less concern. This has many men letting their beard grow au natural. Au natural doesn’t necessarily mean completely unkempt. It could be any combination of embracing patches and uneven growth, letting it grow but keeping your neck and edges clean, or letting your beard grow free—with a stylized mustache or mouth area.
Face shape and hair type play a vital role in deciding which of these trending beards will look best on you. This is the primary reason we advise that you head to a barber every 6 to 8 weeks. If you are growing out your first beard, let it grow free for at least 3 weeks, only cleaning up your neck and edges. Then, even if it’s not yet the length you want—head into a barber to discuss which style looks best on you, what grooming tools are required, and what products you need to add to your daily routine. Yes, even with nothing more than stubble you need to apply beard oil every time you wash your face.
Speaking of your daily routine, you need to ensure that your beard fits into your lifestyle. For example, your beard can get in the way of some sports and the longer your beard the more food particles will find its way in—making hygiene a must. In addition to heading to the barber, you will need to learn proper beard care.
To simplify your grooming routine Uncle Jimmy’s has created a gentle but effective Hair, Beard, And Body Wash. We even have Hair, Beard, and Body Bundles to simplify your daily grooming routine. Here’s to your stylized beard!
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]]>Before we get into styling products let’s cover one of the more common mistakes men make when it comes to their hair—shampooing with bar soap and skipping conditioning. Time is tight, especially in the mornings, so it may be tempting to just lather up your bar soap and use it on your hair, but the harsh chemicals will strip your hair. Strike the perfect balance with Hair, Beard, & Body Wash made from natural ingredients that cleanse without stripping. Men with straight hair should only shampoo every 2 to 3 days and men with curly hair should only shampoo every 7 to 10 days. Wet your hair daily, but shampoo on a set schedule.
Every time you shampoo your hair, you must condition for at least a few minutes. This will add both nutrients and moisture to keep your hair looking and feeling its best. To speed things up use a leave-in conditioner that you don’t have to wash out. If you have curly hair and you are sweaty or your head feels greasy, you don’t want to increase your shampoo schedule as your hair is fragile—so condition your hair instead. The conditioner will dissolve sweat, grease, and hair product without increasing your shampoo schedule.
Hair gel once revolutionized the way both men and women styled their hair, but it came with a few downsides. Gel is often hard, crunchy, and sometimes flakey. It may give you the look you want, but you or your bae won’t be able to run their fingers through your hair. Even light hold gels don’t feel natural. Gel may also have a bit too much shine. Most men have let gel go, but it might be the right choice for windy days—like if you’ll be out on the water all day. However, once you get in the water the hold will fall. Massage a small amount into each hand and work from root to tip.
Like gel, hairspray is designed to hold your hair in place. There are varying formulas, many that have a lighter, flexible, and less crunchy hold. Most hairstyles can be held and shape with other styling products, but sprays have their time and place, especially for men with hair longer than shoulder-length. Be mindful of any type of product that sprays that the spray can stain clothing and that if it ends up on your skin it can cause acne and breakouts. Cover your face with your hand and spray as needed—maybe putting a towel over your shoulders to protect your clothing.
Molding putty is the most versatile option for unstructured hairstyles. It creates lift, texture, and separation and can be used on all types of hair. A little bit goes a long way, and with Uncle Jimmy’s, your hair will hold and control while remaining flexible and looking natural. While it can be used on all hair types, putty creates the illusion of texture for fine and thin hair. Apply a small amount of putty to your hands, rub them together, and work into your hair from nape to neck.
Pomade hair waxes are ideal when you require a stronger hold, without the crunch of hair gel. This includes molding styles, waves, and even maintaining loc styles—without stickiness or residue. Again, a little bit goes a long way so apply a small amount to your fingertips and work through wet or dry hair from root to tip. Add more as needed. If you have a mustache with handlebars a pomade wax will keep it in place. You’ll only need a tiny bit for your handlebars.
If your hair is curly you require a product designed specifically for curly hair. This isn’t just to define your curls and minimize frizz, but because many hair products contain harsh chemicals that will dry and damage your hair. All of Uncle Jimmy’s Products are safe for curly hair, but Curl Kicker is specially designed for you. It will define your curls, keep frizz at bay, and is both flake and crunch-free. It shapes all curl patterns and is infused with coconut oil, shea butter, black seed oil, and honey to infuse your hair with extra moisture. Apply to wet hair from root to tip. If your hair is long or thick, separate your hair into 4 sections before applying to ensure full coverage.
Whether you’re rocking a goatee, scruff, mustache, medium beard, or long beard—you must wash your beard at least twice per day. Ensure your product is gentle and made from natural ingredients.
In addition to washing, you must condition at least once per week with a beard and hair conditioner and apply oil every time you wash your face. Beard oil isn’t just for your beard, as it moisturizes your skin and your beard. Yes, it’s one more step in your daily grooming routine, but it’s essential for keeping your beard healthy, soft, manageable—and kissable! Beard oil will also minimize itch, soothe skin after you shave, and the right formula will help your beard grow. If you have a long, curly, or unruly beard you will need to use both oil and beard balm. If your skin is ultra-dry, as it often is in the winter months, you should also a combination of oil and balm to work as a protective layer for your skin and beard hair.
Beyond shampoo and conditioner, most men have more than one styling product to choose from, depending on how they want to style their hair. Uncle Jimmy’s has designed all our products to be versatile to simplify your daily grooming routine. We invite you to browse our collections now!
Think you've got a fresh perspective that will challenge our readers to engage and educate themselves on how to attain a healthier self, beard, hair, and skin included? We're always looking for authors who can deliver quality articles and blog posts. Thousands of men and women will read your work, and you will level up in the process.
]]>Let’s first cover the proper way to layer your beard products. Use these steps as a proactive approach to keeping your beard soft, and to repair and soften your damaged beard. If your beard is short you can skip step #3.
Step #1—Wash with a beard-safe cleanser both morning and evening, after working out, and after swimming.
Step #2—Massage in a beard conditioner to nourish and repair your beard.
Step #3—Massage, then brush or comb through a beard growth balm. Balms aren’t just for your beard, as they moisturize your face too.
Step #4—Massage, then brush or comb in your beard oil. This will act as a protective layer to keep your beard healthy and soft.
These steps are fast and easy, taking less than 30 seconds. Brushing and combing are essential to evenly distribute your products. Watch the video below to see for yourself.
There are a variety of factors that can lead to an uncomfortable beard. Below are the top culprits. Identify which one is making your beard brittle so that you can take a more proactive approach from here on out.
It’s just a matter of fact, new beards are itchy. If your beard is less than 3 weeks old your skin is adjusting to having hair grow through your facial hair follicles. If you are used to rocking stubble or a goatee this may come as a shock but be patient as new growth itch won’t last forever. Minimize the itch with a twice daily beard growth oil to soothe the itch and nourish the hair follicles to accelerate growth. As your beard grows to medium or long length you will need to add the conditioner and balm as mentioned above, but for new growth, you can begin with oil.
We hear you, it’s faster and easier to use the same bar soap on your face as you do on your body. Unfortunately, bar soap can strip your beard hair, over time leaving it brittle and dry. We are here to simplify your daily grooming with our all-in-one Hair, Beard, & Body Wash. Made with black seed oil and honey, it conditions while it cleanses. This means you can wash your beard every time you shower without worry about drying it out. Be sure to keep an extra bottle in your gym bag.
If you only swim here and there or when on vacation it is unlikely that swimming will do too much damage. If you are an avid swimmer or swim more during the summer months there are a few extra steps you should take before hopping in the pool. Freshwater is less of a concern, but follow these tips for both chlorine and saltwater, for both your hair and beard.
If you live in extreme hot or cold weather and are not layering on the appropriate protective products, it could be the reason why your beard is dry or brittle. Even high winds and direct sunlight will dry out your beard and increase your split ends, which we will discuss more below. If you live in cold weather and spend more time outside than walking to and from your car you want to ensure your beard is dry before heading out as the extreme cold will damage your hair faster when wet.
Your beard may be soft and moisturized but if you have split ends it can feel prickly or itchy when you snuggle up with the one you love. Heading to the barbershop every 6 weeks or so will keep split ends to a minimum. And yes, you still need to trim and reshape even if you are growing out your beard. In between your trips to the barbershop you must trim your beard hair at home. No need to worry as you don’t have to be a pro. A quick trim of brittle and unruly hairs takes 30 seconds or less. Comb your beard hairs upwards so that it fans out, then comb it back into place. The hairs that remain sticking up should be trimmed down.
We all know we should drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water and other hydrating fluids each day, but we don’t always consider the why. The whys are many, but in terms of your beard, and even the hair on your head, if you are dehydrated internally your hair will be dry too. So, if you have tried all the suggested tips above and nothing else is working, try kicking your hydration up a notch. Hydration can come from water, coconut water, herbal teas, fresh fruit and veggie smoothies, milk, sports beverages, and even your daily cup of coffee.
Most brittle, scratchy, and dry beards can be salvaged, but if your beard is beyond repair you may need to cut it down a bit to let healthy new hair grow. Talk with your barber about your best options. Not to worry, as your newer growth will still be healthy, so you won’t have to do a clean shave.
Think you've got a fresh perspective that will challenge our readers to engage and educate themselves on how to attain a healthier self, beard, hair, and skin included? We're always looking for authors who can deliver quality articles and blog posts. Thousands of men and women will read your work, and you will level up in the process.
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