JUAN RAMIREZ, FINO FOR MEN

“I’d say 75 percent of people do ask for advice. The other 25 percent treat their beard like it’s their child,” this master barber says with a laugh. “They really take pride; they know what they want.” In the business for seven years, Ramirez says he has practiced his razor-work skills a lot more during his four years at the men’s grooming lounge near the Lakes—and beards are now his favorite thing to cut.

“What I like to tell my clients is, treat it like it’s your hair,” he says, adding that guys should shampoo and condition their facial hair every two to three days. “By shampooing, you strip away a lot of the natural oils, and it tends to dry out your beard.”

Not sure what beard type would best complement your face? Ramirez took his time finding his signature style (a thin line accenting his jawline), but advises customers to stay away from commercial razors and to comb their faces often. “That’s how you train your beard, to either lay or fill out a certain way, or to give it the look that you want.”

MARTIN CORONA, HI-ROLLERS BARBERSHOP

“A lot of people don’t know that a lot of maintenance goes into a beard,” says the owner and barber at this Downtown spot. “You don’t just grow it out and leave it alone. You have to actually do things to it if you want it to look nice.”

Hydration is key in Corona’s suggested regimen, from conditioning the beard (“leave it in a little bit while you’re in the shower”) to applying beard oil and beard lotion (which helps “hold the beard in place” in addition to hydrating the hair). Corona also suggests combing or brushing the beard to avoid tangles, and blow-drying the beard so it lies down on the face correctly. “If I don’t blow-dry my beard it looks like a big afro on my face.”

Patchiness a problem? Corona dispels the myth that shaving promotes more hair growth. “That’s not true. It’s all hereditary.” His answer? Patience. “Once it grows in it will actually fill in and cover a lot of the patches, the majority of the time.”

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  Alchemy Beard Elixir

  “That stuff is probably my favorite. It gets rid of the little fly-aways, and it makes your beard lay down really nice.” —MC ($25, alchemyhaircare.storenvy.com)

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  Chrome Futura Safety Razor

  Ramirez suggests any single-blade safety razor (many can be found at the Art of Shaving) because “It does the work that it needs to do.” Schick and Gillette often promote razors with numerous blades, but Ramirez says those are more likely to irritate the skin. ($105, theartofshaving.com)

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  Muk Spa Argan Oil Repair Shine Spray

  “If you have a fine beard you should use more of a spray, because oil would weigh it down and make it look flat, instead of full like it’s supposed to.” —JR ($35, mukusa.com)

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  Tusk & Hide Trading Co. Beard Oil

  “The oil actually keeps your beard hydrated and promotes healthy beard hair growth.” —MC ($25, tuskandhide.com)

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  Small Horn Comb

  “You have to keep combing it or brushing [your beard] during the day,” Corona says. “If not it’s just going to tangle up like regular hair.” ($40, theartofshaving.com)