Words: Jonathan Wells
Scruffy beards have had their dishevelled day. Will they be missed? Probably not. They were always bushy, blasé choices; the lazy man’s alternative to a proper, decent wet shave. But now, after a couple of uncertain, unkempt years, we’re back in the office, back in bars and social spaces — and back to taking control of our facial fuzz.
And a beard should demand razor-sharp precision. Whether you’re using it to frame your face, strengthen your chin or even just keep the cold out, a closely-cropped crop of facial hair can easily be ruined by an errant straggler, or a patch unsymmetrically shaved. Thankfully, we’re on hand to help. So, before you pare back your beard for the new season, brush up on the best tools for the trim.
To keep your beard line in check, the Braun ‘BT7240’
We’ve all got time to run a trimmer over our faces in the morning, but it’s the attention to detail that really separates the well-groomed men from the unkempt boys.
This means it isn’t enough to trim, but you have to sculpt; edging your beard with a razor for full definition. Braun’s latest isn’t only afforded precision with its handy dial (39 length settings in 0.5 mm increments), but also has a powerful 100-minute-runtime battery for any prolonged grooming sessions.
To keep any mess to a minimum, the Philips Series 9000 Prestige
Now this is a game-changer. Dutch brand Philips really knows how to style a beard — and this new trimmer features the brand new ‘SteelPrecision’ technology, which consists of an integrated metal comb and strong cutter. It’s a that system doesn’t bend like a plastic comb, no matter the pressure.
And that’s not the only innovation. This trimmer also has 30 length settings from 0.4mm to 10mm and the ability to read hair density 125 times per second. It’s also 100% waterproof, so you can use it in the shower.
For a simple shave and style, the Remington ’T-Series’ Trimmer
Remington’s ’T-Series’ is a masterclass is grooming simplicity. With six different stubble combs included, you can alter your beard to an almost imperceptible degree; trimming your hairs to any length and achieving any style you may want.
It’s also got a 7mm micro-detail blade for precise detailing. What’s more, it’s one of the smallest razors on this list — making it ideal for any jet-setting gentlemen taking springtime getaways.
For unrivalled decadence (and charge time), the Wahl '11-in-1' Multigroomer
With a staggering 360 minutes cordless run time, Wahl’s slick trimmer will keep you tidily trimmed for up to four months on a single charge. 12 guide combs offer 17 trimming lengths, including a six-position beard guide comb for stubble, medium or full beard.
But the best thing about this trimmer is its add-ons and accessories. Four interchangeable heads also allow for full haircuts, complete beard grooming, an ultra-close detail shave, total body grooming and even removing unwanted ear & nose hair.
For creative control over beard length, the BaByliss 'Japanese Steel' Beard Trimmer
Japanese steel holds its super-sharp edge longer than stainless steel, and is rated over 60 on the ‘Rockwell’ scale (that’s the same as titanium). This bear trimmer is the slightest model in Babyliss’ three-strong ‘Japanese Steel’ collection — and the most indispensable.
It features two-dozen cutting lengths for easy everyday maintenance of facial hair — from short stubble to longer length beards. And, powered by a lithium-ion battery, it will deliver two hours of consistent cordless use.
For a reliable in-shower shave, the Panasonic ‘ER-GB96’ Trimmer
Of course, there are those mornings — mis-set alarms and late nights to blame — when we roll out of bed and couldn’t care less about our beards. Thankfully, Panasonic’s all-purpose grooming tool makes it easy to whip your stubble into shape with just the spin of a dial.
With its comb-shaped blades and the 30 mm attachment, even long beards become easy to precisely style. So simply choose one of 58 cutting lengths, power up that high torque motor and you’ll be presentable before you can say ‘5 o’clock shadow’.
Want more springtime tips? The best men’s floral scents for spring…
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