Hey guys,
I just trimmed the other day and thought I would post a couple of shots. I trimmed the beard down but used the tapering effect keeping more length through the bottom. In the second pic, my finger is resting on my chin so you can see how much further down my beard goes.
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I also dug out an pm/email that I have sent to a number of board members over the years who were looking for trimming info. I put it together originally at the request of a fellow board member who wanted to know exactly how I maintain my beard. I have updated it as my trimming technique has improved. There are many ways to trim/groom and this guide just outlines how I do it, but it might be helpful for new bearders. I use scissors on my moustache and a trimmer for the rest of my beard. My trimmer experience is limited to trimming “with the grain.” This method is great for shaping/blending and tapering too. If you want to use the "with the grain" method be sure that your trimmer is designed for it. My own "with the grain" trimmer is a Conair brand but I have heard great things about Wahl trimmers too.

Main Beard
… Here are the details of my beard trimming/grooming. I have a Conair GMT 182 rechargeable beard and moustache trimmer. It has two main heads for trimming and attachments that give you about 10 settings, the longest being one inch. It is designed for trimming with the grain which gives more control over length by how hard you press. Even the mid range settings can give you over an inch of length depending on pressure etc. Going with the grain is also good in shaping and blending. When I trimmed for the first time, I began at the longest setting and worked down until the trimmer took off just a bit. This method is good for not over trimming and gradually finding your preferred length. I have experimented most with the mid range settings, although I did use some higher settings when I was trying more length through the goatee. Now, I trim my sideburns with the # 3 setting and the rest of my beard at a #4 & 5 setting. I tend to use the #4 setting on the sides and front and the #5 for more of the underside. I also vary length by pressing less through the goatee/chin/underside to leave that area longer which I prefer. Btw, if I wish to keep my beard a bit longer I will trim the sideburns at about a #4 and the rest of the beard with a #5 simply keeping extra length by applying less pressure. I have also found that it is important to be careful when trimming from the hard jawline or chin to the soft underside of the face. If you press too hard through that area you can really take off way to much. I've had it happen a couple of times. In between haircuts, I often let my beard get a bit longer, and then I trim back when I get my hair chopped. I also do a bit of free hand trimming where I use my trimmer (no guard) and just shape my beard taking off bits that stick out or bump up. I really only do this in a small section just below my chin where the hairs tend to meet up and stick out but it makes the beard look tidier.
Cheekline & Neckline
My cheekline is basically natural. I just trim a few hairs above and that's it. When I first started growing the beard I trimmed the cheekline, until about February when I discovered I preferred the natural cheekline and it was less work. I also trimmed the area just below the ears when I first started too, but I decided to give that up and just let that be natural. So the main area I have to edge is the neckline. To do this, I begin by combing my beard in the direction it naturally grows. It comes down my face on both sides from back to front on close to a 45 degree angle and in the front grows from my chin straight down my neck. I have found that trimming with the beard laying in its natural direction gives the best results and the most accurate trim. My biggest goal with the neckline is to keep it along the crease where the neck meets up with the fleshy underside of my face. I think that sort of a neckline suits my head shape best. I use my Adam's apple as a guide to the lowest point at the front of the neckline. Looking straight ahead, I can feel my Adam's apple just below the edge of my beard. I have experimented a bit with this but have never gone more than a finger's width above my Adam's apple. I use the jawbone at the very back of my beard on each side as a guide as well. I put my index finger along the bone (at the very back on the right or left side) and ensure that there is at least a finger width of beard there. So what I do is basically trim just above the Adam's apple first, and because of how my beard grows (basically to a point) it is easy to see how much to take off to round it out. I then trim from the front to back creating a line that looks balanced. Although, I don't use Wulff's method I still achieve the inverted "V" or "U" that he talks about. For me, the neckline has been the trickiest thing to do. I also have a swirl or cowlick area that runs just through the bottom edge of my neckline on the right side. If my neckline gets too low the hairs through that area just don't sit right.
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(Pictured above from left to right)
a) neckline from below
b) neckline from side

Moustache
The other major thing I have to think about is moustache trimming. It took me a while to find a way to trim it that I'm happy with. I only use scissors on the moustache and basically follow AmericanEuroMutt's guidelines. I use the edge of the lip as a guide to trim straight along. I used to keep my moustache trimmed right to the edge of my upper lip, but prefer to have it a bit longer now and trim it to where my lips meet. I find it really helpful to keep combing the moustache as I trim to make sure I am getting the most accurate line. The ends of the moustache I have experimented with a lot. Originally, I let them grow really long and blended them into the beard. I found that they got in the way more than I liked especially with eating. I then cut them shorter, basically the length of the moustache. Right now, I have them just a bit longer than the moustache itself and I'm happy with that. Once I have trimmed straight across the moustache, I comb the moustache out with my mouth in an "O" shape so that I can see how long the ends are. By combing the ends forward I can see how long they are in comparison to the moustache. That way I can create a transition from the moustache to the ends that is more rounded and gradual than just straight across with the ends going down. As I enjoy walrus moustaches, I sometimes let my stache grow out for a few weeks in between trims and sometimes trim it a little lower if I want to maintain the walrus look.
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(Pictured above from left to right)
a) moustache trimmed along edge of top lip,
b) moustache trimmed where lips meet with long tips,
c) moustache trimmed where lips meet  & tips slightly longer than moustache,
d) walrus style moustache

Washing
As far, as washing my beard I don't like to wash it more than every second day and sometimes I leave it as long as 3 or 4, because I find it seems to lay the best for me after the first day. Oh, and I just use regular (2 in 1) shampoo or Head and Shoulders (shampoo & separate conditioner) if I have a bit of dry skin. I am fortunate because my beard lays down well, but I have learned not to go to bed with a damp beard.

More Length
I recently decided to try more length through the goatee/chin of my beard. As for trimming, I basically continue to follow my outlined method but trim for more length where I want it. I have been using my #3 guard for my sideburns #4 guard for my sides (at the back) & #5 for the rest. I just trim lightly through the front air trimming  the goatee/underside area (guard doesn't touch my skin) and using scissors to tidy and shape. As for the moustache, I continue to use scissors and I go a bit walrus from time to time. Here's a pic showing off the extra length:
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For anyone interested, please feel free to look through any of my albums to see more examples of how I trim. I have learned a lot of my trimming technique from both the guys here on the board and through sheer experimentation. I think the biggest factor in trimming is understanding how your own beard grows, how your own head shape factors in, and then how to work with those elements to get the results you want.
- Fred

You either live life -- bruises, skinned knees and all -- or you turn your back on it and begin dying - Christopher Pike paraphrasing Dr. Philip Boyce (Star Trek - "The Cage")

Bearded in BC's Thread
Last Edited By: Bearded in BC Jan 3 15 1:21 AM. Edited 2 times.