How to Trim a Long Beard: 7 Steps for Success
A little trimming can do wonders for the look and feel of your beard. This beard trimming guide shows 7 steps on how to trim a long beard.
Do you keep seeing members of Duck Dynasty when you look into the mirror?
Keeping your beard neat and trimmed is difficult on a good day. And when you have a really long beard, it can feel downright impossible.
That's why we put together our comprehensive guide on how to trim a long beard. Keep reading to discover our simple steps for success, just in time for "No Shave November!"
1. Beware the Clippers
When it comes to beard maintenance and trimming, sometimes what you shouldn't do is just as important as what you should do. So our "how to trim a long beard" advice starts with this: avoid the clippers.
Most men try to copy the grooming techniques used by their barber, and that means reaching for the clippers. But your barber is a professional who knows what he is doing. If you end up moving too quickly or slipping, you could ruin the look of your long beard in only half a second.
That's why we recommend using beard shears at first and developing a reliable trimming technique. As you gain more experience, you can work your way up to using clippers with efficiency and proficiency.
2. Keep It Clean
Want to make trimming your beard nice and easy? Then you need to make sure your beard is healthy and clean. If you haven't already done so, it's important to pick out a good beard shampoo and conditioner and make these part of your daily routine.
You might think you can just use the shampoo and conditioner that is already kicking around your shower. However, the cleaning products designed for the hair on your head weren't designed for the hair on your face. If you want to make your beard look good while making it easier to trim, then you need to use specialized shampoos and conditioners.
In addition to helping your beard look its best, these products may reduce how often you feel the need to trim your beard. That's because the right cleaning products can remove much of the frizziness and dirt that makes your beard look like it needs trimming in the first place.
3. Oil and Comb
Here's another bear maintenance technique that is important to the trimming process: using beard oil and a beard comb.
Combing the beard before trimming is very important. Doing this ensures that your hair is moving in a single direction, which is especially important (and difficult) if you have naturally curly hair.
Combing also removes any tangles from your beard. These tangles are annoying and painful enough on their own. But they can also disrupt the trimming process if you don't comb them out ahead of time.
Why use beard oil before trimming? Simple: your goal is to trim your hair in its natural state. If you normally use oil in your beard, doing so before trimming will help your beard look and feel more natural before you start removing hair.
To get hair in its natural state, you also need to let it dry first. Don't rush to trim right after a shower because you could easily cut off too much or too little hair!
4. Use Your Jaw As a Guide
How should your beard look after you trim it? There is no "right" answer to this because everyone has different personal preferences. Generally, though, you can use your jaw as a guide.
Long beards look best when they follow the shape of your jaw. You can then make it heavier/fuller near the front. This gives the appearance that it's longer near your chin and shorter near your sideburns.
This is another reason to avoid using clippers unless you have a lot of experience. Clippers are designed to trim to a universal length, and it can be difficult for an inexperienced person to achieve the right length for different sections using clippers. But beard shears can help you tailor the length of your beard to your exact preferences along every inch.
5. Square, Then Round
It's best to approach trimming a beard with a general strategy. While your exact beard style may change over time, there is one technique that always works to help you trim.
You start by looking directly at the mirror and cutting your beard into a kind of squarish shape. That means cutting along vertical and horizontal lines until your beard looks like a box or rectangle. Try not to cut the horizontal line too far up if you want to keep your beard nice and long.
Don't worry: you're not going to keep the boxy beard. From here, you round the corners in order to create a jawline. With a bit of trial and error, you can discover what beard shapes flatter your face while still providing the comfort you want.
6. Regular Trimming
So, you've successfully trimmed your beard. That means you can wait a long time before doing it again, right? Wrong!
Ideally, you should trim your beard every two weeks. This helps you to maintain the look you want from week to week and month to month.
As an added benefit, future trimmings won't be as time-consuming as the first one. After you get used to the process and find the best trimming tools, you'll be amazed at how fast the trimming process will go.
7. Professional Help
Our last bit of advice is also the simplest: don't be afraid to learn from the professionals.
For example, you don't have to quit going to the barber for a trim right away. But while you're there, pay close attention to what he does. And don't be afraid to ask questions about his technique and his recommendations for beard care products.
Eventually, you'll master trimming and be able to take care of everything on your own. Until that happens, though, don't be afraid to learn while the master does his thing!
How to Trim a Long Beard: The Right Gear
Now you know how to trim a long beard. But do you know who can help you take care of that beard?
We specialize in high-performance solutions for beard, shaving, body, skincare, and more. To see what we can do for your own bushy beard, contact us today!
OUR SUPER-ENRICHED GROOMING OIL
10% OFF all Beard Care Products with coupon code "BEARDED" at checkout

Super Enriched, Dual Purpose Grooming Oil
BEARD: For a Softer, Fuller & More Manageable Beard.
- This highly concentrated and great smelling grooming oil will instantly groom, soften and add sheen to your beard.
PRESHAVE: Provides Maximum Glide for the Smoothest and Most Comfortable Shave Possible.
- Provides advanced protection against irritation and razor burn.
Highlights:
- Not Too Oily - Just right. No greasy film. Excellent viscosity. Perfectly blended.
- Masculine & Unique Fragrance that Smells Incredible - Notes of Leather, Bourbon, Tobacco Leaf, Vanilla, Grapefruit, Amber, Cedar, and Sandalwood
- Get a Softer, Fuller Beard Naturally - Stimulates hair follicles and promotes natural, healthy beard growth using all Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oils.
- No More Beard Dandruff, Dry Skin or Itchiness - Our handcrafted blend of Argan (Morocco's potent and highly sought after secret oil), Jojoba, Shea, and Marula Oils soften and condition your beard and skin.
- A Neater, More Manageable Beard - All natural oils moisturize and relax dry, scraggly beard hair to give you the best-looking beard possible.
- Keeps your hair and skin safe, healthy and protected. No harsh or harmful chemicals. Sulfate-Free, Paraben-Free, No Phthalates, No Dyes, Never Tested on Beasts, Vegan, no GMO oils.
Size: 1 oz | 30 ml
How long it should last: Depends. If used daily with a short beard this bottle may last up to 4 months.
Super Enriched, Dual Purpose Grooming Oil
BEARD: For a Softer, Fuller & More Manageable Beard.
- This highly concentrated and great smelling grooming oil will instantly groom, soften and add sheen to your beard.
PRESHAVE: Provides Maximum Glide for the Smoothest and Most Comfortable Shave Possible.
- Provides advanced protection against irritation and razor burn.
Highlights:
- Not Too Oily - Just right. No greasy film. Excellent viscosity. Perfectly blended.
- Masculine & Unique Fragrance that Smells Incredible - Notes of Leather, Bourbon, Tobacco Leaf, Vanilla, Grapefruit, Amber, Cedar, and Sandalwood
- Get a Softer, Fuller Beard Naturally - Stimulates hair follicles and promotes natural, healthy beard growth using all Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oils.
- No More Beard Dandruff, Dry Skin or Itchiness - Our handcrafted blend of Argan (Morocco's potent and highly sought after secret oil), Jojoba, Shea, and Marula Oils soften and condition your beard and skin.
- A Neater, More Manageable Beard - All natural oils moisturize and relax dry, scraggly beard hair to give you the best-looking beard possible.
- Keeps your hair and skin safe, healthy and protected. No harsh or harmful chemicals. Sulfate-Free, Paraben-Free, No Phthalates, No Dyes, Never Tested on Beasts, Vegan, no GMO oils.
Size: 1 oz | 30 ml
How long it should last: Depends. If used daily with a short beard this bottle may last up to 4 months.