Growing a beard: the awkward first eight weeks

Weeks two to eight are where most beards die. The good news: the itch, the patches and the odd angles are all normal, and all temporary.

Weeks one to four: leave it alone

Do not trim, do not shape. Let everything grow so you can see what you are working with. Three drops of beard oil a day stops the itch before it starts.

Weeks four to six: first visit

Come in for a neckline and cheek line only. Setting the edges early makes a patchy beard look intentional while the rest catches up.

Weeks six to eight: shape

Now we can talk shape. Balm keeps the flyaways down, and a beard sculpt every four weeks keeps it looking grown, not abandoned.