Beard Dye: Everything You Need to Know
If you're curious about Beard Dye, we have you covered! I’ll never forget the first gray hair I found in my beard…Surely the light was just playing tricks on me, right?
WRONG.
There it was…a lone gray hair staring right at me clear as day. I quickly removed said hair and frantically began searching for more. 30 minutes later and a dozen or so gray hairs later, I thought I was in the clear….boy was I wrong! Like an army on an attack…more grey hairs began coming from every direction over the next several months. I freaked out and researched EVERYTHING there is to know about beard dye… And to help any of you guys who may be struggling with gray hairs…I’ve put it all together right here to make it easier on you.
Here is what you will learn in this post:
Pros & Cons of Dying Your Beard
Pros of Using Beard Dye:
- Eliminate gray hairs
- Regain uniform color
- Potential for a "younger look"
Cons of Using Beard Dye:
- Risk of unnatural looking beard
- Difficult to find the right color
- Requires regular touch-ups
- Yes, beard dye will damage your beard
Deciding If You Should Dye Your Beard?
There are pros and cons to both sides, and I want to highlight them so you can make the best decision for YOU.
It’s inevitable that dying your beard will cause damage, it’s a lot of upkeep (potentially weekly touchups) and quite frankly it’s not cheap. So before you decide to jump on the beard dye train, you really need to stop and think
“Why am I considering dyeing my beard?”
Are you doing it because YOU want to get rid of the grays? Or are you thinking that others will like you better without them? At the end of the day you need to do what YOU want. Not what you think others want… I opted to NOT dye my beard…I embraced my wisdom whiskers and kept them growing in their natural form…what's so great about this is that every beard coloring is so unique! It truly sets mine apart from everyone else! Here are some of our brothers who opted for the natural look...
But at the end of the day..it’s up to you. NO SHAME in what you do. Walk with confidence whichever way you decide to go.
How To Dye Your Beard
Step 1: Choose a Dye
Just like anything, there are several options to choose from when it comes to brands. If it’s your first time, you might consider seeing a professional to help you select color and brand, and show you first hand how to apply the beard dye. Just For Men is the most popular brand on the market. We’ve all heard of them before and their Beard Dye is easy to apply and comes in a variety of color options. RefectoCil is a commonly used professional grade dye. Redken For Men has a product that is available and is an easy 5-10 minute application process. This is a great option for those wanting to leave “some” of the gray hairs showing. PRO TIP: These options are full of chemicals and very harsh on your beard. If you want to avoid these chemicals you should consider a henna or all natural dye. Henna is more difficult and time-consuming to use, but it is less intense and will be less harmful on your beard.
Step 2: Choose the Right Color
All beard dye formulas are semi-permanent, meaning they wash out rather than grow out. This means it will fade as you wash and will require touchups every few weeks. Your beard hairs are more coarse and do not absorb dye as well as your head hairs, so the process here can be tricky. You do NOT want to go too dark or your beard will look extremely fake. I suggest getting a color the closely matches your head hair and apply for less time with multiple passes to get the color you want (rather than going for the right shade on the first pass).
Step 3: Get Ready to Apply
This is your face we’re talking about here so don’t just rush into slapping it on. I recommend testing for reaction. Mix as per the directions and apply a half teaspoon (roughly) to the inside of your arm near your elbow. You really should wait 24-48 hours to see if your skin reacts before applying to your beard. When you’re ready to apply, apply a light layer of Vaseline on your neck and cheeks around your beard to protect the skin (you’ll thank me).
Step 4: How to Apply Beard Dye
I don’t need to get into the details here guys, simply follow the directions on the box, they are there for a reason. If your kit doesn’t come with a brush to apply, a toothbrush works great. As I said before, I recommend doing a couple shorter passes with the dye as you can always add more, you can’t take it back! PRO TIP: Don’t wash or condition your beard prior to dyeing to allow the dye to absorb properly.
Step 5: Preventing Damage To Your Beard & Keep it Healthy
If you decide to dye your beard, it will be EXTREMELY dry and damaged. You MUST take the proper steps to keep it healthy. Use a quality Beard Oil daily which will help moisturize the skin and promote healthy growth. This will also help with any irritation the beard dye might cause. Use Beard Butter daily which will be a deep conditioner for your beard and give it the nourishment it needs while also giving you some styling control. And finally, you will want to use an all natural Beard Wash that isn’t too harsh. This will strip away less oil from the hairs, and also help preserve the color from your beard dye a bit longer than a traditional shampoo.
We are here to support you and answer any questions you might have. Whether it's product related, styling related, or about anything at all. Don't hesitate to reach out to us anytime at support@livebearded.com or on Facebook. If you found this article helpful, hit the SHARE button and spread the word! As always, Live Bearded Brother!
***Disclaimer*** All information from Live Bearded is meant for educational and informational purposes only. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and/or information are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease. Readers are advised to do their own research and make decisions in partnership with their health care provider. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition or are taking any medication, please consult your physician.
