Ever wondered how some handsome hunks maintain a perfect balance between an overgrown beard and a babyface? Admit it; we all have envied those men with stubble. It seems like quite a job, and unlike women, we men don’t have ages to spend in front of the mirror to look like some Greek God. We are touchy about our appearances but going to a salon for a beard said no man ever. So how to maintain that roguish yet clean growth remains a mystery.
And we are here to solve it. You will be pleasantly surprised to know that stubble only takes 10 minutes a day and 3 days a week to grow. So technically speaking, 30 minutes a week is not even 0.3 % of your time. If you don’t believe us do the math yourself and then grab your trimmer for the most effortless look of all time.
Oh, wait! leave your trimmers for a while; we will get back to them shortly. Let us first discuss what exactly stubble is so that you do not confuse it with beards which most of our kind tend to do. We know you cannot even remember what you ate yesterday, so how are you supposed to trim facial hair in a specific style and inches unless somebody provides a guide: So here it is.
Why or rather how is stubble different from a beard?
Stubble vs. beard is a dilemma, which has been going on for ages. Stubble is indeed a beard, but it falls in the gray area when it comes to differentiating between them. A beard can be anything that sprouts from your chin, and it can go till the floor. On the other hand, stubble is just the shadow in the lower territory. It cannot be more or less than 3mm. 3 means 3; precision is the key in the beard length chart (yes, a chart exists, we are not making it up).
Trim it wrong, and it loses the John Hamm touch (clean shave beard it will be). Trim it less, and it gives a ‘too lazy to shave’ vibe. So, the difference simply lies in the beard length. You might think that there is nothing special about these short whiskers, and an inch won’t make much difference (everyone has the right to be cynical, even men). But let us tell you why facial stubble needs to be absolutely sharp:
What sorcery is 3mm, and why is it so critical?
Just like in hairstyles, an inch can take you from a buzz cut to a crew cut. Similarly, one extra inch off or on your beard can completely kill off the look. Go from 3 to 2mm, and you will miss the whole ruggish aesthetic. Make 3mm a 4, and you will transit to grubbish.
Thus there is a reason why stubble facial hairs are called 5 o’clock shadows. They are long enough to give a dark touch while just perfectly short to create a soft silhouette. The 3mm makes it a perfect beard style because it creates a balance between simply ignoring your beard and buzzing your entire face off to look like a freshly out-of-school kid. And this is not the only reason we love these short stubble beards. These whiskers (remind us of cats) with ideal beard length have become our favorites due to their merits which are given below:
Why do we love stubbles so much?
The answer lies in the name:
S: sharp
T: timeless
U: utopian
B: balanced
B: basic
L: low maintenance
E: effortless
What more do you want from facial hair?
Do you want us to style them for you?
Well, your prayers have been answered. We have made the whole 30-minute process easy for you by breaking them down in this 3 minute read:
Breaking Stubble into Steps
Enough with the sorceries and mysteries; let’s finally take the trimmers from their dusty forgotten about location (it might take you long to find them after the pandemic). There is no need to go to a barber or (god-forbid) a salon to join the league of men with stubble. The best thing about stubble facial hairs is, unlike beards, they are all manageable from the vicinity of your bathroom (as long as you are willing). So here’s our step-by-step guide to getting and maintaining that perfect stubble while getting some pretty serious envious looks from your mates! (and maybe make some ladies swoon on the way)
Step 1: Growing that Heavy Stubble
Before finding your optimal stubble length, you need to grow a heavy stubble. What are you going to use your trimmers on if there are no facial hairs on your skin? So the first step is to avoid shaving for a few days (the number entirely depends on mother nature and how many facial follicles it has blessed you with). Then, allow your natural beard to grow to at least 1 cm and do it on a holiday so that you don’t catch people eyeing your not so properly shaved beard yet!
Step 2: Getting the weapons ready
Remember picking the right weapon is very critical. Make the right choice, and you are already halfway through. There is no one best-fit trimmer or shaver for all and sundry. As we men tend to have different growth/types of facial hair and varying budgets (wallets sizes), so our choice of machine will also differ:
But whatever brand you choose, it is going to be competition between beard trimmer vs. electric shaver. So the selection is no rocket science. If your facial hair grows fast (thank your hormones) and your face is full enough by morning, then save time and go for a shaver. It’s ideal for a quick AM clean-up of the neckline and cheek.
However, if your facial hairs are less dense and you prefer to wear a light stubble beard couple of millimeters from your skin, then go for a trusty beard trimmer. Not only will it be best for the task, but it offers adjustable lengths (some high-end trimmers offer as many as 20 options), So if you don’t need to trim every other day, this is what you should reach for.
Step 3: Which BRANDS to invest in?
Obviously, if you are spending money, you should know what to buy and which features to go for, which brand, how much money, and other tedious stuff men with stubble have to look into. Luckily, to make it easy for you, we have compiled a quick guide of what machines to invest in for the best value for money and ideal scruff:
Panasonic ER-GP80 K Professional Hair Clipper. This is the best trimmer but without the guard on. Not only is it impact-proof, but it features a clipping blade with carbon fiber coating. It is extremely fast with a 10,000 rpm linear motor which leads to a precise and smooth cut. The beard trimmers lengths range from 0.8- 2.0 mm without attachment and 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, and 15 mm with attachment:
Philips Norelco Beard Trimmer 7300: This is our favorite as it delivers superior performance without compromising comfort. It features 20 length settings which are easy to select from 0.5-10mm. And lastly, it is built to last, so it is a one-time investment that stays for a lifetime.
Braun Electric Razor for Men, Series 7 790cc Electric Shaver: Close yet comfortable shave is what this Braun piece promises, and we agree. With its intelligent sonic technology, it easily captures flat-lying hairs in problematic areas. Moreover, the Synergized foil and blades trim hair as short as 0.05mm, giving you a perfect shave.
Step 4: Be creative with your optimal length
Everyone knows how fast their facial hairs grow, but when it comes to deciding their optimal length, there seems to be quite a debate between that sandpaper look with light stubble hair, or a more filled look, or maybe a mustache with stubble. But before picking up a trimmer deciding on the ideal fit is necessary, or you will end up trimming too little or too much.
So keeping in mind your growth rate, density, jawline, and the look you prefer, make a decision. You can experiment once or twice to know what best fits you. Moreover, you can cross over the 3mm once or twice as there is no hard and fast rule, and your optimal length can be in plurals lengths. It is not the law to keep a uniform stubble length all around your face. So add a bit of contrast to enhance your strong features.
Step 5: Trimming those inches like a pro
Once you have selected the optimal length, attach your 1-10 mm comb to the trimmer. Choose the length you would like, and if you are unsure, start on a longer 3 mm setting. Then you can step down gradually in 0.5 mm stages and stop at the beard length. Please pay close attention, though, as whatever length you select, be consistent with it throughout your facial hair area to achieve that clean-cut beard style. Trim and comb against the grain and double-check to ensure that every inch is covered.
Step 6: Shaping the Stubble effortlessly
Don’t worry if the trim hasn’t given you that sharp outline yet. This is the stage where you clean around your stubble for that perfect silhouette. Once your stubble is even, the next area to clear is your neck. For that, remove the comb from the trimmer and gradually move it from the bottom of your neck in an upwards direction. Finally, end the hairline between the bottom and top of your Adam’s apple as it usually looks best.
Next on the list is shaving the tiny hairs around the stubble. For this, go for razors as they provide smooth results and are hassle-free. After cleaning your stubble and neck with warm water, apply shaving foam on the skin outside your mustache beard area. Then shave in the opposite direction of hair growth with continuous strokes, especially around the edges of your cheeks, upper lip, and stubble. (Lastly, don’t forget to clean up rogue nose hairs as they don’t go with any beard)
Step 7: Maintaining the day-3 scruff to look good every single day
To keep yourself in the men with stubble list, you have to moisturize and maintain to be in the game. To prevent that day-3 scruff from overgrowing and getting itchy, you have to repeat the steps every third day (stubble is known as “The 3 Day Beard” for this very). The key is to ensure that the stubble looks kempt and intentional. Moreover, once you have attained your ideal beard, we advise you to moisturize with beard oils or even vaseline if you want to remain low-key. This prevents your skin from drying and regenerating those hairs for a firmer look.
FAQs (That you are too shy to pen down)
Why is my stubble so itchy?
If you believe beards are naturally itchy, then you cannot be more wrong. There are some men with stubbles out there who have softer beards than Cindy Crawford’s hair. So if your beard is itchy, then the cause is around you. It can be poor hygiene, an abundance of ingrown hairs, excessive use of soaps and other chemicals, or dry skin. Try to find the root cause, and if nothing
How to make the whiskers less whisky(softer) without any add ons?
Not every masculine figure is a fan of beard oils and moisturizers (some want to look and smell more macho), but every guy wants their stubble to be soft. It’s entirely possible to often the edges of your facial follicles without added oils and creams. Thank the creator of stubble softening pads. The pads round off the tips of stubbles to minimize sharpness and give your stubble a soft feel while maintaining the ruggish look.
How long will it take to grow stubble?
That is the question you ask your hormones. Usually, it takes 3 days, but for some men, a few hours is enough, while for other not so blessed ones, it might even take a few weeks.
Can I dye gray stubble?
Obviously, you can. Like all hairs, stubbles can be dyed too. If your beard is turning grey, you can revamp them with a new color. Just ensure that you dye the stubble close to the same color as your original one, as beards are not a place to experiment. Generally, the rule of the thumb is to choose a color 1 or 2 shades lighter than your natural tone so that it blends in.
Are men with stubble attractive?
If you think George Clooney and Chris Hemsworth, looks are worth their fame, then so is their stubble. From Beckham to the likes of Johnny Depp, why do you think more celebrities are going for the scruff. Because they know it’s attractive. But we won’t lie, it’s not for everyone. If you are too lazy to maintain it, then you might end up looking like you live under a bridge.
Moreover, if you are careless with the trimmer, a clean-cut beard is better than a blotched-up stubble. There is no attraction around these. Apart from that, you are all good to SWAG if you do it the right way!
helps, go for beard oils and moisturizers, as there is no shame in caring for yourself.
The Finale
Ending the stubble on a rather rumbled note, we would like to add a few high pitching closures. Firstly, trust us when we say beard styles can’t get any easier than these stubbles. Secondly, this cool, low-maintenance look is not only effortless but also versatile. It goes for any man with any face shape at any event, and all men with stubbles need is a trimmer to own it. Lastly, it adds maturity to your youthful face without covering the whole lower face. It adds a scruffy touch without being extra grubby
Summing it up, if you want a hassle-free yet smart look which you can carry from office to date, back and forth, then stubble it up!
