A guide to good-looking facial hair

As the popularity of facial hair continues to rise, it's no surprise that a bevy of facial hair styles grace a wide range of men. Nearly 60 percent of men nationwide grow some style of facial hair, according to a recent survey by WAHL Trimmers. But, despite the growing popularity, many hesitate to let their facial hair grow because of the perceived challenge and responsibility of grooming and upkeep.

"The first thing people notice about you is your face. Well-maintained facial hair can make or break that all-important first impression," explains celebrity stylist, salon owner and WAHL master barber Ben Phillips. "Unfortunately, maintaining facial hair can be a game of trial and error for most guys. But it doesn't have to be. Making a few tweaks to your existing technique can make all the difference in perfecting your personal style."

According to Phillips, the key to a well-groomed look is understanding what shape best suits your face and finding the right grooming tool to deliver the desired style. When considering an electric trimmer, be sure to purchase one that has the power, precision, design and run-time to easily maintain your facial hair style.

Here are 10 tips to keep your facial hair looking good. More can be found at www.wahlnation.com:

1. Before you trim, first comb hair straight using a narrow tooth comb.

2. Trim when your hair is dry.

3. For most facial hair styles, start by outlining and shaping the hair with a beard trimmer.

4. Manage thickness with either a snap-on length-guide comb or an adjustable length-guide comb. For longer hair, comb and trim in the direction of the hair growth.

5. Under your chin, follow the contours of your face and jaw line, work toward your ear and upper beard line using an upward motion. Use a slightly shorter length underneath the jaw line as hair tends to grow thicker than on your cheeks and chin.

6. For above the jaw line, start near the ear on one side and trim down to the chin. Repeat on the other side.

7. Complete any look by cleaning up around your lips.

8. The style you choose will dictate the length of time between trims. For a goatee, that could be every few days. The size of facial hair should also be in relation to your facial features. For example, consider a full mustache if you have a pronounced nose and mouth.

9. Remember, it's about personal style. Experiment with different facial hair styles and shapes to see what best suits your face.

10. Make sure to choose a trimmer that is best suited for your desired facial hair. WAHL offers specific tools for each trimming style, including the Lithium Ion grooming kit, the first tool to harness the power of lithium ion technology.

If you've mastered these trimming tips and proudly sport facial hair, you could possibly be named a WAHL Man of the Year in the fifth annual search for the best mustache, goatee and beard in America. "What started out as a simple contest has quickly escalated into a growing community of men who believe in rugged individuality and expression through facial hair," Phillips says.

Winners of the contest will receive a 42-inch high-definition television. To enter the competition, simply submit a photo of yourself with a mustache, goatee or beard along with some basic contact information at www.wahlnation.com by Oct. 10.

Courtesy of ARAcontent