How to Use Beard Wax

Co-authored by Tiffany Carnevale-Russo

Last Updated: February 5, 2022 References

You can tame your frizzy and straggly beard quickly and easily with a bit of beard wax and good maintenance. Keep your beard healthy by trimming it regularly, and wash it well with shampoo and conditioner before you apply beard wax. Once your beard is clean and dry, apply the beard wax to give it shape, style, and a consistent appearance.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Washing Your Beard

1
Rinse your beard with lukewarm water. Hot water can dry out and damage your beard. Use cool or lukewarm water to wash and rinse your beard so the hairs retain their natural oils.
- Use your hands to run clean water through your beard to wash it in a sink.^{[1]
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- The water does not have to be ice cold.
Tip: If you like hot showers, turn the water temperature down when you wash your beard. You can crank the heat up afterwards.
2
Use shampoo and conditioner to clean your beard. Your beard hair builds up natural oils and needs to be maintained to be kept healthy, which means removing dry skin, dirt, and excess oils from it. Use standard shampoo to clean your beard, and rinse it thoroughly. Then, apply conditioner to soften the hairs before you rinse it out as well.^{[2]
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- Allow the conditioner to sit in your beard for about 2-3 minutes so the hairs have a chance to absorb it.
- Make sure you rinse out all of the shampoo and conditioner.
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3
Dry your beard thoroughly with a towel. Before you apply wax to your beard, it needs to be completely dry for the best results and so it doesn’t take on an oily appearance. Take a clean towel and pat your beard dry with it.^{[3]
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- If you prefer to air-dry your beard, wait until it’s completely dry before you add any products to it.
- Avoid using a blow dryer to dry your beard. The heat and air will strip your beard hairs of their natural oils and will make your beard frizzy.
4
Brush your beard with the grain of the hairs. Use a stiff-bristled brush designed for beards to brush the hairs and line them up before you apply the wax. Start at the top of your beard and brush downwards to the ends of the hairs. Then, run the brush upwards from the top of your neck where your beard growth starts up towards your chin and jawline. Brush with smooth, even strokes.^{[4]
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- Be sure to brush every section of your beard including your sideburns, mustache, and the undergrowth.
- Regular brushing will distribute the natural oils in your beard, keeping it healthy and giving it an even shape.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Applying the Beard Wax

1
Scrape out a small amount of wax with the back of your thumbnail. The beard wax will be hard and almost solid in its container. To remove the wax so you can apply it, take the back of your thumbnail and scrape it on the surface of the wax to remove a small amount.^{[5]
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- Start with about 1-2 grams of wax.
- You can find beard wax at beauty supply stores, pharmacies, and online.
2
Melt the wax in the palm of your hand. The wax needs to be warmed up so it’s the right consistency to be applied. Rub it in the palm of your hand to start warming it up.^{[6]
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- Rub your hands together to create extra heat to help soften the beard wax.
- The wax needs to be warmed to a buttery consistency before you apply it.
3
Stroke the beard wax into your beard using downward motions. The beard wax will help control and shape your beard.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Tiffany Carnevale-Russo
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 14 September 2021.} Apply it by running the palms of your hands down the length of your beard to smooth the hairs and make them shine.^{[8]
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- Start with a small amount and apply more if your beard needs it.^{[9]
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  Tiffany Carnevale-Russo
  Licensed Cosmetologist
  Expert Interview. 14 September 2021.}
Tip: Pay extra attention to the sides of your beard so the hairs aren’t frizzy and sticking out.
4
Use a beard comb to style your beard. Once you’ve applied enough wax to your beard, take a small comb designed for beards and run it through the hairs in a downward motion. This will style your beard and give it a consistent shape and texture. Use gentle strokes to comb your beard.^{[10]
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- You can find beard combs at beauty supply stores and online.
- If you don’t have a beard comb, use a wide-tooth hair comb.
- Be sure you to comb your mustache and sideburns as well.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is it good to use beard wax?

Tiffany Carnevale-Russo
Licensed Cosmetologist
Tiffany Carnevale-Russo is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Salon Manager at Jaxson Maximus, a men’s salon and custom clothiers based in southern Florida. With over 19 years of beauty industry experience, she specializes in haircuts and hairstyling for men and building salon brands. Tiffany received her Cosmetology License from Paul Mitchell the School Rhode Island.

Tiffany Carnevale-Russo

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Beard wax is great, especially if you have a longer beard. You don't need to use wax if you have a shorter beard, though.
Question

When should I apply beard wax?

Tiffany Carnevale-Russo
Licensed Cosmetologist
Tiffany Carnevale-Russo is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Salon Manager at Jaxson Maximus, a men’s salon and custom clothiers based in southern Florida. With over 19 years of beauty industry experience, she specializes in haircuts and hairstyling for men and building salon brands. Tiffany received her Cosmetology License from Paul Mitchell the School Rhode Island.

Tiffany Carnevale-Russo

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Apply the beard wax after you've washed your beard. Some men like to blow dry their beard before adding wax, but you don't have to do this.