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In this article, we are going to talk about the 1-inch beard. It is a medium-length beard style, with the facial hair trimmed to about 1-inch (25mm) in length. It is a great style for men who want a low-maintenance beard style.
If you are considering growing a 1-inch beard, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. So keep reading to learn more.
What is the 1-inch Beard?
The 1-inch beard is a mid-length beard style that is trimmed to about 1-inch in length. It is a full beard style meaning that all of the facial hair is trimmed to the same length.
When you get to the 1-inch length, the beard will appear pretty full, and you will be able to style it in several different ways. But with a great beard, great responsibilities come, and the 1-inch beard is no exception.
As mentioned, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when you grow and maintain it. But we are going to talk about these later. Now let’s see how long you need to grow before you can get to the 1-inch beard.
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How long does it take to grow a 1-Inch Beard?
Typically, it takes about 2 months to grow a full beard that is 1-inch in length if you consider that the average rate of facial hair growth is about 1/2 inch per month.
However, the time it takes to grow a beard will vary from man to man. So, you might need more or less time than the average. To get an idea of what the 1-inch beard looks like in real life, you can check the photo below.
You should also keep in mind that there are certain lifestyle changes that you can make to help improve your facial hair growth rate. So, if you want to grow your beard faster, you should consider making some of these changes.
These changes include:
Eating a healthy diet
A healthy diet rich in minerals, vitamins, and proteins will boost your testosterone levels and help improve your facial hair growth rate.
Related Article: 15 Foods That Help With Beard Growth [Backed By Science]
Getting enough sleep
When you are well-rested, your body is able to produce more testosterone and grow your beard at a faster rate. So make sure you are getting enough sleep each night (at least 7 to 8 hours).
Reducing stress levels
High-stress levels can negatively impact your overall health, including your beard growth rate. Try to reduce stress as much as possible to improve your beard growth rate.
Exercising regularly
Regular exercise will boost your testosterone levels, which, as mentioned earlier, can help improve beard growth.
Okay, now that you know how long it takes to grow a 1-inch beard, let’s talk about the face shapes that are best suited for the 1-inch beard.
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Which Face Shapes Suit The 1-Inch Beard Best?
In general, the 1-inch beard is a great style for all face shapes. However, there are a few exceptions. Let’s examine each face shape to see if the 1-inch beard is a good fit.
If you have a round face shape, you might want to avoid the 1-inch beard style because it will make your face appear even rounder.
If you have a long face shape, the 1-inch beard is a great choice because it is not that long and will help even out the length of your face.
If you have a square face shape, the 1-inch beard is not the best choice because this beard length is long enough to hide your good jawline. You should go for a short beard style like the 7mm or the 10mm beard or a stubble beard.
If you have a heart face shape, the 1-inch beard is a great choice because it will help soften your features and give volume to your narrow chin.
If you have a diamond face shape, you should consider trying a different facial hair style because the 1-inch beard will make your face look wider.
Finally, if you have an oval face shape, the 1-inch beard will look great on you because it is neither too long nor too short and won’t alter your facial features.
Okay, so now that you know what face shapes suit the 1-inch beard best, let’s talk about the pros and cons of this beard.
Related Article: Find the Best Beard Style for Your Face Shape
Pros and Cons of the 1-inch beard
Now that you know if the 1-inch beard is right for your face shape, let’s talk about the pros and cons of this beard style.
Pros
It looks great.
This is usually the number one reason why men grow a beard in the first place. It is a versatile style that can be adapted to almost any face shape, and it looks good
It is low maintenance.
The 1-inch beard doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. All you need to do is keep it trimmed and tidy and you will be good to go. A weekly maintaining session will be more than enough.
It is a round number.
I know it sounds a bit weird, but the 1-inch beard length is a bit of a milestone. It marks the two-month mark, which is pretty impressive if you think about it. A lot of guys like to set themselves challenging goals, and the 1-inch beard is a perfect goal for anyone who wants to grow a long beard.
It can be worn both casually and professionally.
Whether going out with friends or getting ready for a business meeting, the 1-inch beard can be adapted to any occasion. It is not a long bushy beard nor a short corporate beard. Instead, it is perfectly balanced, and you can wear it anywhere and anytime.
It can be shaped into different styles.
You can shape the 1-inch beard into a number of different styles, including the goatee, mustache, or Van Dyke. If you get at this length and don’t like it, you can easily try a different style until you find the right one.
Cons
It takes a long time to grow.
If you are looking for a quick and easy beard style, the 1-inch beard is not for you. It will take at least two months to grow this type of beard. While two months is not a long time especially compared to the 6-month goal for a long beard, it is still a commitment.
It can be a bit itchy.
While the 1-inch beard comes after the awkward stage, some guys might still experience itching. This usually happens to people who have sensitive skin or particularly dry skin. In that case, there are beard oils and balms you can use to fight the itchiness.
Now that you know all the pros and cons of growing a 1-inch beard, it is time to learn how to grow and maintain this type of beard.
How to Grow a 1-inch Beard
Let’s see now how to grow a 1-inch beard in just a few simple steps.
1. Let your beard grow
The first step is to let your beard grow. We mentioned before that you would need at least two months to grow a 1-inch beard, but we advise giving it a week or two more to make sure that the length is accurate.
2. Trim it
Once your beard reaches the 1-inch length, you will need to start trimming it.
It might sound strange that we start trimming, but you should do that to even your beard out. Not all your facial hairs grow at the same rate, so there might be some spots where your beard is longer than usual.
Take your beard trimmer with a 1-inch guard on and trim your whole beard to the desired length. Make sure that you trim it evenly, and don’t worry if the length is a little bit longer than 1-inch. That’s totally normal. If you have a round face, you can trim the sides with a shorter guard like the 20mm so that it doesn’t look too round. If you don’t have a trimmer, you can read our article with the 10 best trimmers for long beards.
3. Shape the neckline and cheek lines
This is a step that a lot of beginners mess up. It is not that easy to do it right, but with a little practice, you will get the hang of it.
If you don’t feel that confident, we suggest visiting your barber and asking him to do it for you. Watch what your barber does so that you know what to do the next time.
If you insist on doing it yourself, here are a few tips:
First, you need to do the neckline. There is no fixed rule for this; some guys like it lower, and others like it higher. A general rule is to find your Adam’s apple and measure two fingers above it. A straight imaginary line is a natural neckline; you should trim anything above it.
For the cheek lines, you should start by taking a look in the mirror and finding the spot where your beard meets your mustache hair. You can then use that spot as a guide to creating your cheek line. Draw an imaginary line from that spot to the top of your sideburns. Anything above that line should go.
4. Trim the details
After you are done with the basic trimming, it is time to move on to the details.
This includes trimming your mustache (it might get in your mouth) and trimming any stray hairs. If there are any long hairs around the corners of your jaw, you can trim them too.
Related Article: 20mm Beard: How To Grow & Different Beard Styles
How to maintain your 1-inch beard
The 1-inch beard needs a good grooming routine to look good. Here is what you need to know:
Shampoo and condition it.
Beard hairs are coarser than the hair on your head, so make sure that you don’t use regular shampoo or conditioner on your beard. Regular shampoo and conditioners are designed for thicker hair and can dry out your beard.
Use a specially made shampoo and conditioner for beards.
You should wash your beard regularly (every two or three days) with beard shampoo and conditioner for this beard length. You should not do it more frequently because it will dry out your beard.
Use beard oil
Now your beard is long enough to start using beard oil.
Beard oil is a wonderful product you should use on a daily basis if you have a long beard.
Beard oil moisturizes your skin and beard hair to prevent dryness and itchiness. It will also help your beard grow healthier.
You should invest in a good beard oil (or make your own DIY beard oil) and use it every day. We suggest washing your face first and applying a few drops of beard oil before bed. That way, the oil will work overnight, and your beard will be moisturized and healthy by the morning.
Use a beard brush
A beard brush is a great tool to keep your beard healthy and groomed.
You should brush it every day, especially if you are using beard oil. The brush will help distribute the oil evenly throughout your beard and will make it look shiny and groomed.
Many people ask if they should use a comb or a brush on their beard; the answer is that it depends on the length. A brush is better for shorter to medium-length beards, and a comb is better for long beards.
Related Article: How to Choose The Best Beard Length [Chart]
Use beard balm
Using a beard balm is not mandatory, but it is a good idea to use it if you have unruly facial hair.
Beard balm, like beard oil, moisturizes your skin and hair to make it healthy and shiny. It will also help you tame any wild hairs.
Related Article: 2-Inch Beard: How To Grow & Different Beard Styles
Conclusion
Growing and maintaining a 1-inch beard is not that difficult, but it does require some grooming. Make sure you shampoo and condition it regularly, use beard oil and a brush, and you will be good to go. Beard balm can also help tame unruly hair. Just make sure you don’t overdo it with the products, as they might dry out your beard.
If you have any questions regarding the 1-inch beard, just leave them below in the comments section, and we will be happy to help.
Thanks for reading!
Russell is the founder of themensattitude.com. He is a barber a beard enthusiast and he is obsessed with trying men’s lifestyle products and blog about them. If you have any questions you can hit him up via the contact page.
