There are a lot of things I love about being bearded that go far beyond the stereotypes of the trend that now feels more movement – the dimension facial hair gives my face, the patience I’ve gained through grooming and maintenance, and even the sheer ability to nurture and grow a little something beyond stubble…especially when I don’t have a green thumb.
The one thing I can’t stand about being bearded? The patches and struggle spots.
Like a lot of guys, I have areas near my cheeks where the hair just seems to grow slower.
I searched my stash of products and came across the bottle of Mane Krush’s Growth Elixer that I bought during a previous beard product binge a couple of years back after seeing a few bearded brethren showcase their results via Instagram using the #manekrushmonday hashtag.
As part of my own personal self-care mission last month, I deemed the month of March #ManeKrushMarch and tried the brand’s Growth Elixer for 31 days to see if a more even, thicker beard would be in the cards.
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably wondering if I got my money’s worth. KEEP READING.
The brand: A Louisiana-based company that handmakes a variety of products aimed at supporting stronger, softer, and healthier hair (no matter the type), Mane Krush really pulled me in and won me over – not only with the brand’s social media savvy, but with the affordability of the price point and the fact that the Growth Elixer is a solid blend of herbs and essential oils like Jojoba, grapeseed, and sweet almond I was already familiar with anyway.
The process: Ahead of March 1, my typical morning beard routine consisted of a thorough rinse during my shower, a dab of natural shea butter to lock in moisture, a little coconut oil for shine, and some tea tree oil to stave off beard itch. During #ManekrushMarch, I added the Growth Elixer to the mix. Initially, the scent took some getting used to but, by the fourth day, I found that the herbal scent of the Growth Elixer blended well with the other products and the occasional mis-spritz of the day’s cologne choice.
During the month of March, I also dedicated a little more time each morning to stimulating my hair follicles and brushing the products through my beard fully before picking it out and letting it flourish. By the time day 31 arrived, I had the whole routine down to a calm and quite enjoyable seven minutes.
The verdict: While my beard didn’t end up as thick and lush as the Amazon Rainforest, I did notice that my patchy areas did fill in a bit more. However, this also could be attributed to the fact that I upped my water intake, cut out sugar and processed foods by day six, and got serious about taking my daily vitamins and supplements – none of which really promotes crazy fast hair, skin, or nail growth. I also noticed that the Growth Elixer paired nicely with the products I was already using, and the combination made for a compliment-worthy beard that feels and looks healthier and I’m certainly proud of that.
I’ll more than likely pass on the remainder of my bottle to a certain bearded-gent-in-training and return to my normal routine for the next month or so, but I will admit that I’m very interested in trying out the brand’s Healthy Beard Kit that pairs the Growth Elixer with a taming balm and a beard oil that might just have me one or two steps closer to James Harden beard status come fall.
Got a beard care product you swear by or have a maintenance suggestion you want to share? Feel free to drop me a line at brandoeklectik@gmail.com and let me know!