What No One Tells You About Growing a Beard

Look, growing a beard isn’t all glory and perfectly sculpted jawlines. No one really prepares you for the awkward, itchy, patchy mess that happens before you get to that full, glorious mane. There’s a reason so many guys give up before they even hit their stride—it’s not as easy as just "not shaving." But I promise you, if you push through, it’s worth it. So, let’s talk about the stuff no one tells you about growing a beard.

1. The Awkward Patchy Phase (AKA: The “Am I Doing This Right?” Phase)

Every guy dreams of waking up one day with a thick, even beard that would make lumberjacks jealous. Reality check: that’s not how it works. Unless you’ve been blessed with god-tier genetics, your beard is going to go through a seriously awkward phase. Patchy spots, uneven growth, weird wiry hairs sticking out in random directions—this is where most guys throw in the towel.

But here’s the thing—every good beard needs time. Those patchy areas? They might just need a few extra weeks to fill in. Your hair grows in cycles, and if you keep trimming it back because “it looks weird,” you’re never going to give it a real shot.

How to survive it:

• Commit to at least 90 days. No trimming, no overthinking—just let it do its thing.
• Brush it down. A boar bristle brush will help train those unruly hairs to lay properly.
• Beard oil is your friend. It helps keep the skin underneath healthy, which promotes better growth.

2. “People WILL Have Opinions About Your Beard”

This one always cracks me up. The moment you start growing a beard, everyone suddenly becomes an expert on your face. You’ll hear it all:

• “Oh, you’re growing a beard now?” (Yes, thanks for noticing.)
• “It’s looking a little patchy, don’t you think?” (You try growing one, Chad.)
• “You looked better clean-shaven.” (I didn’t ask.)
• “That beard is awesome!” (Now, that’s the energy we like.)

People have this weird urge to comment on facial hair like it’s a team sport. And the truth is, if you don’t have the confidence to own it, those little comments can make you second-guess yourself.

How to handle it:

• Remember why you’re growing your beard. It’s for you, not anyone else.
• Laugh it off. The more confident you are, the less those comments will matter.
• Surround yourself with people who hype you up, not tear you down.

3. Beard Itchiness is a Real Test of Willpower

If you’ve ever tried growing a beard and quit after a couple of weeks, chances are, itchiness was the reason. The first few weeks can be brutal—your skin is adjusting, your hair is poking through, and suddenly, your face feels like a thousand tiny needles are attacking it.

A lot of guys mistake this for their skin “not liking” having a beard. Nope. It’s just dry skin and irritation from new growth. If you fight through it, your skin will adjust, and the itchiness will fade.

How to stop the itch:

• Hydrate. Beard oil is non-negotiable here. Apply it daily to keep your skin moisturized.
• Wash smart. Use a beard wash, not regular shampoo, which can strip away natural oils.
• Beard butter before bed. It helps soften new growth and keep your face from feeling like sandpaper.

4. The Confidence Boost Once You Fully Commit

Here’s the best part—if you make it through the awkward, itchy, opinion-filled mess of growing a beard, you come out on the other side with something great. A full, well-groomed beard changes the game. You walk differently. You carry yourself differently. There’s a reason bearded men are often seen as more confident—it’s because they’ve earned that beard.

The first time you look in the mirror and realize, “Damn, I actually did it,” you’ll get it. And when those same people who had their doubts start saying, “Okay, that beard actually looks really good,” you’ll know it was all worth it.

So if you’re thinking about growing a beard, just know—it’s not always easy. But if you push through the rough patches (literally and figuratively), you’ll come out the other side looking and feeling like the best version of yourself.

Now, go grow that beard. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.