Should You Brush or Comb Your Beard? (And How Often)
Both have a job, and most blokes end up using both. Here's what each one does and when to use it.
What a beard brush does
A boar bristle brush is the best tool for short to medium beards.
- Spreads oil evenly from the skin down to the ends of the hair
- Lifts out dead skin and loose hairs, which helps keep flakes away
- Trains your beard to grow in one direction instead of every direction
- Gives a fuller, neater look with natural shine
Natural boar bristles are similar in structure to human hair, so they carry oil well without scratching.
What a beard comb does
A comb comes into its own once your beard has some length.
- Detangles longer beards without ripping hair out
- Styles and shapes, especially with balm
- Gets right through thick, dense beards
- Shows you where to trim, by lifting hairs into line
Our Horn & Sandalwood Comb has genuine ox horn teeth that glide through without static or snagging. For on the go, the Iron Pocket Comb lives in your pocket.
Which should you use?
| Beard length | Use |
|---|---|
| Short (under 2.5 cm) | Brush |
| Medium (2.5 to 10 cm) | Brush daily, comb to style |
| Long (over 10 cm) | Comb to detangle, then brush to finish |
How often?
Every day. The best time is straight after you apply beard oil, so the brush or comb spreads it through the whole beard.
How to do it properly
- Apply oil to a damp beard.
- For longer beards, comb first, starting at the ends and working up to undo tangles.
- Brush down and in the direction you want it to sit.
- Finish with a little balm if you want hold.
Never rip a comb through a knot. Work it out gently from the bottom, or you'll break hairs and leave split ends.