From Financial Advisor to Beard Guru: Meet Eric Bandholz of Beardbrand
Eric Bandholz, founder of men’s grooming company Beardbrand. (Photo: Beardbrand)
In 2012, Eric Bandholz quit his job as a financial advisor and started growing a beard. Until recently, having a beard was associated with being a biker, a hippie, or an outdoorsman, while he was a guy with a corporate background — he didn’t fit the mold. After realizing that he wasn’t alone and there were many other guys out there that didn’t fit that traditional beard stereotype (a.k.a. an “Urban Beardsman”), he started blogging about the process. Beardbrand was born.
About a year after launching his blog, Beardbrand grew to include an online store and its own line of products in 2013. Bandholz appeared on the sixth season of ABC’s Shark Tank in 2014, and while he didn’t walk away with any investments, the company has continued to grow. Today, Beardbrand carries its own collection of beard oils, a mustache wax, a beard wash, softener, combs, and scissors along with an assortment of products from other men’s grooming brands.
I chatted with Bandholz about his beard growing and grooming tips — here’s what he had to say:
Let it grow. “If you’re coming from a world where you’ve never had a beard, you need to give it one to two months of no touching at all just to see what you have,” says Bandholz. Different hairs come in at different times, so even if you feel like you have thin or patchy areas, you won’t know unless you give it time. If it’s your first time growing a beard, he suggests using an event like No Shave November to start growing, because it will give you a little more freedom to look less tamed.
Invest in a beard oil. “Beard oil is key,” says Bandholz. “You can start using it once the beard comes in — you don’t have to wait for a full beard. It will soften the beard hairs and keep your skin hydrated.” Beard oil is a big focus for Beardbrand as well; it offers a variety of aromas and three different lines, including a premium oil that includes essential oils sourced from all over the world.
Watch the neckline. “When it comes to physical beard maintenance, one of the biggest mistakes guys make is to trim their necklace [the under edge of the beard] too close to their chin,” he says. “You want to aim right above the Adam’s apple.”
Trim regularly. Just like the rest of your hair, beard hair is susceptible to split ends and breakage. “Using a beard oil regularly and not touching or playing with your beard will keep damage to a minimum, “says Bandholz. “If you trim it up regularly, it will help it look fuller and thicker.” If you’ve have a bigger beard, you can get away with trimming once every month or two. If you’re going for a short beard, you should be trimming every couple of weeks.
Hit the gym and eat your veggies. Want your beard to grow faster? It turns out a healthy lifestyle can help. “Exercise, in particular lifting weights, will boost testosterone and help a beard grow,” says Bandholz. If you stick to healthy diet that is high in nuts, proteins, and leafy greens, this can also promote growth. Of course, there are also supplements and multi-vitamins like Biotin that stimulate hair and nail growth.
Don’t fear a summer beard. “A beard is great in the winter for keeping your neck warm, but it also has benefits in the summer,” states Bandholz. Your beard can provide you with shade and help to regulate heat by taking in direct sunlight. He suggests carrying around a small spray bottle of water and giving your beard a good mist whenever you get hot.
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