Hey guys, Spence here.

Let's talk about something that is just as important as growing a beard: beard etiquette.

But what does "beard etiquette" really mean?

Beard etiquette comes with unwritten and unspoken rules, and trust me, I know these rules because I’ve broken nearly all of them. 

So, whether you're new to the beard game or you've been rocking an epic beard for years, here are 9 unwritten beard etiquette rules that will keep you and your beard in check.

Ready to level up your beard game? Let's dive in!

Rule #1: The Beard Nod

The beard nod is the unspoken rule that you don’t know about until you do.

If you haven’t been on the receiving end of a nod, it’s probably because you didn’t have a beard.

But once you do, there’s something engrained into our DNA to respectfully nod to another guy with a beard as a subconscious sign of respect and connection.

The first time I experienced this I was blown away, and to this day I love witnessing and experiencing it.

So the next time you pass a bearded guy, here's what you should do:

Give him a nod, and say “Nice beard, brother!”

Rule #2: Touching Another Man's Beard

This is a big one.

Never touch another man's beard without permission.

It's like touching someone's soul... with greasy fingers.

You'll probably get connected with the back of someone's hand if you try this without permission, so please ask first before you do!

Rule #3: Never Criticize Another Man's Beard

Every beard is unique, and that’s part of what makes them so great.

But not all beards grow equally. And regardless of how thin, patchy, or disheveled another man’s beard is, never criticize or put him down.

At Live Bearded, we have a saying that goes like this:

Having less of a beard doesn’t make you less of a man, but not having one, just might.

So show respect to a fellow beardsman, regardless of what their beard looks like.

And if there are some tips that you have that helps him out and improve his overall look and grooming, kindly give him some feedback and show him the Live Bearded way. 

Rule #4: Never Use Another Man's Trimmer

Oh man, don’t make this mistake.

Don’t ever use another man’s trimmer.

You don’t know what else that trimmer has touched.

HINT: look below your belt...

I think you get the point.

Rule #5: Clean Your Trimmings

Guys, clean your trimmings. Seriously.

If you have a beard, that means you’re a man. And if you’re a man, you should act like it and clean up after yourself.

We fully support those of you who want to trim your beard at home to get it looking great. But don’t leave the trimmings in the sink just for your wife, parents, roommates, or whoever you live with, to clean up after you.

Rule #6: Check Your Beard After Eating

If you have a beard, there’s a good chance some of your meal will end up on your beard, and that’s perfectly fine.

We don’t believe you should change the way you eat just because you have a beard.

What we do believe is you should always double-check you aren’t leaving the table with leftovers in your beard, giving bearded men a bad rap.

Which leads me into rule number seven...

Rule #7: Always Help A Bro Out

Always help a bro out when he has something in his beard.

Food in your beard is bound to happen. If you’re with a guy who has a beard and his queso is all up in there, politely tell him to get it together and go clean himself up. 

Rule #8: Keep Your Beard Clean, Soft, And Smelling Good

For decades, beards were viewed by some as unruly, wild, and some might even say, dirty.

The truth is, that’s because guys weren’t properly grooming their beards with products like beard wash, beard conditioner, beard oil, and beard butter.

Those products didn’t exist.

But now they do, and they make all the difference in how your beard grows, looks, smells, and feels.

And to be honest, the massive increase in guys actually taking care of their beards has led to all sorts of professional industries relaxing their facial hair policies.

Don’t be stuck in the stone age neglecting proper hygiene and taking care of your beard.

And last but not least, rule number 9...

Rule #9: Clean Your Beard Up For Date Nights And Photos

When it’s time for date night or any photo opportunity, give your beard a little extra love.

Do a quick trim overall, or maybe you just need to trim the mustache and sideburns. Shape it with beard products and comb it into place.

This doesn’t mean you have to spend hours in front of the mirror. A full routine can be as fast as a few minutes, and man, does it go a long way!

Final Thoughts

Beard etiquette is all about respecting your beard and every other beard out there, and these unwritten rules will help you—and your beard—stay on point.

I’ve broken plenty of these rules myself (seriously, who hasn’t left trimmings in the sink?), so if you’re guilty of a few, you’re definitely not alone.

So do me a favor—drop a comment below and share which rules you’ve broken or are still working on. Let’s see if anyone out there has followed these rules to the "t," or if we’ve all got room to grow!

Our Mission is to help Beardsmen look, feel and be their best.

If you have any questions, or need anything at all, don’t hesitate to email us at support@livebearded.com or give us a call, we’re always here to help.

And as always, Live Bearded!