The Brighton Beard Company by Graeme ‘Foxy’ Fowler

Established in the wonderful, windy seaside town of Brighton, The Brighton Beard Company – founded by couple, Lloyd and Jessica – encapsulates the style and spirit of the urban beardsman.

Named after local lawless smugglers, moonshiners and well-loved villains from around the East Sussex area, their natural beard oils, balms and moustache waxes cater both for style and nourishment.

Sadly lacking in the facial hair department myself, I couldn’t think of anyone better to be my bearded guinea pig than the fabulous Graeme ‘Foxy’ Fowler. Graeme – ex-England cricketer and beard aficionado – turned out to be the most enthusiastic and entertaining subject. Here’s what he had to say about the products:

I’ve grown beards and shaved them off since I was in my early 20s. Pressure from peers and employers often resulted in me shaving them off. Mrs F does not like beards so, for the sake of harmony, I have limited my growth each year to Movember and then a beard in December, becoming clean shaven in January. However, on December 1st 2013 Mrs F said that it was only manicured beards where the man was “trying too hard” that she didn’t like. As we were watching a lot of Duck Dynasty at the time I said, “so if I grew a Duck Dynasty beard that would be ok?”

“Yes, if it makes you happy.” So, that was it – game on.

After a couple of twitter photographs and posting a selfie on Beardrevered, The Brighton Beard Company sent me some products to try via Beardrevered.  I’ve never been given presents just for being hairy before! Three beard oils in a lovely little hessian pouch, some beard balm and some moustache and beard wax all arrived beautifully packaged. The oils are: Black pepper and Grapefruit, Ylang Ylang and sandalwood and Old Jolls Mandarin, Cedarwood and Juniper. It is true to say that my sense of smell is not great, but Mrs F’s is fantastic.  All were met with Oohs and Aahs from her, saying they were all beautifully scented.

The instructions told me to use one of the oils or beard balm for 3 straight days, then have 3 days without. It goes without saying that yes, I did shower every day and also used the moustache wax every day – if not to style it, just to keep it out of my mouth. When you put 3 or 4 drops of oil in the palm of your hand it doesn’t look much so I doubled the amount – big mistake! This oil really does go a long way and three drops is plenty, trust me. It makes the beard feel soft and smell delightful, so Mrs F told me.

During the 3 days without product, occasionally my face would itch a little – when I used the oils or balm it never itched. With the beard balm and moustache wax, once again, less is more. And on the plus side, the less you use the longer it will last.  I have used other oils and moustache waxes – I even made an oil of my own – but I can say in all honesty that these are the best products I have tried on my now 4 month old beard.

I can’t pick between beard oils and balm and I don’t see why I have to. I like having the choice of smells and the choice between balm and oil. I am pleased with them all, they are all excellent.

Thank you to Beardrevered and Brighton Beard Company, my face is in your debt. Go on, grow a full beard!

For your chance to win your own Groombridge Oil Gift set, follow the details below

thebrightonbeardcompany.co.uk

Follow Graeme Fowler on Twitter @GFoxyFowler

Title image of Graeme Fowler by Mark Stoker