Let's Grow!

If you're reading this it's (not) too late. Welcome to the DDB Beard series, a series focused on all my beard growing gents (on a minimal budget of course). Your beard doesn't connect? Your beard is patchy? Your beard is as dry as lecture halls during winter? Your beard causes pimples (ingrown hairs)? Maybe your beard hasn't even come in yet, or you're part of the goatee gang? DDB has got you covered for the next few weeks and guaranteed, you'll learn at least one new thing that will level up your beard game to Childish Gambino and Rick Ross tiers.

Welcome to stage 1, the growing phase. There's been so many misconceptions and unrealistic myths about growing a beard, so here at DDB, we're setting the record straight on what you need to know and do to set yourself apart from the rest and go into Mufasa mode with your mane.

• It's all in the genes bro. There are tons of rapid-hair growth oils and pills, special patch covering creams and even beard weaves(!?) that exist in the beard market. Some will work (after spending thousands of rands), while the majority won't, because ultimately only one thing will determine your beard growing abilities. Genetics. Take a look at your family roots. Look at your dad, uncles and grandfathers. Are they blessed with the gift of the beard or are they generally clean faced gents? This is key to knowing the potential you have and how to work with that potential, rather than to see and expect Sjava-esque beards by next week. It'll determine when your beard will come in, how it'll grow, the shape it'll follow, and most importantly…IT'S FREE (frugal boyz worldwide).

• Another tip that costs absolutely no cash is TIME & PATIENCE. This is the unexpected cheat code to growth that people low-key know, but are too hesitant to try because we live in a world where we expect everything instantaneously. Unfortunately, there's no way around this factor. Rome wasn't built in a day and the same applies to beards, especially for us young adults (18-24 years old). Most of our breaking points are at a stage called the 'awkward phase'. This is the phase that comes in after about 2-4 weeks or even a month of growing, when your facial hair isn't stubble, but it also isn't exactly long or thick enough to be a beard. The hair will come through, so instead of thinking in the present (I know, it's hard), think about a few months down the line, I promise you it'll be worth it! Those patches will get covered up, the fullness will come through and the ladies will come (side-benefit)!

• Diet and health. I'm sure you reading this with a slight frown because how in the world will my diet have anything to do with my beard growth??? The answer to that is not much in terms of the growth speed process, but rather the quality of the beard you'll grow. Attention to detail is key (as backed by my latest Instagram post). You don't want to grow a beard that'll constantly shed whenever you brush/ comb it out do you? You don't want a beard as dry as dad jokes correct? Then diet is key. I know the majority of you are students and extremely healthy food is expensive. So instead of transforming your entire fridge into an organic food paradise; make a few subtle changes like: Drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily, sleeping earlier on weekends, incorporating a 30 minute-minimum workout session to your day (google 30 minute home workout), eating fruits as snacks, and introducing some green veggies into your daily meals. A healthy lifestyle will promote the release of natural hair oils which strengthen your hair, and give your hair a natural shine.

• Now we're getting to the more interesting parts, establishing our tools of trade. Whether you'll be going through the journey with your barber (p.s. never cheat on your barber) or on your own, you'll need to equip yourself with a soft-bristled brush, a wide toothed comb, an Afro-comb, shampoo and conditioner. Don't worry we'll get into more detail in Stage 2 of the Beard Series about routines and choosing the right shampoo, conditioner, and balms/hair food. For now, we're all about building the right foundation for that beard construction. So in the meantime exfoliate your skin at least once a week(use sugar and olive oil mix), wash and moisturise your face daily.

• Embrace your OWN beard gents, it’s not a group assignment so you can't copy your homies' work because like I said at the beginning, it's all about YOUR genes. Know where you stand in terms of the potential YOU can reach and work on maximising YOUR potential look. That brings me to the misconception of money, this blog is all about elevating you ahead of your peers without breaking the bank and trust me, it's possible. Money should never be an excuse to be mediocre, there are always hacks and innovations you can use to always be at your best and DDB will be here to show you those hacks. Thanks for coming to my TED-talk.

I hope that after this article you're looking at your beard mission with a new sense of optimism. I know we didn't get into the too many details this week, but like the second bullet point suggests, patience is a virtue and you guys will be rewarded with a brand new stage of the beard series next week! So in the meantime take these few tips and start incorporating them into your lives. Also share the word on your socials, leave a like or comment below and prepare for stage 2: Tame Your Mane.

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DDB