Here's my helpful advice. Like many wonders of nature, the beard follows the rule of threes. There are going to be three distinct tests you must pass to grow your legacy. The first happens at three days. At this time you will receive ridicule from friends and family. "Step closer to the razor!" they'll say. Ignore them. You will also have to contend with slight irritation as the hairs reach upwards toward the sun, gaining some rigidity for the first time in possibly months. Once you get past the first test, it is smooth sailing for while. People accept that you are not shaving, and possibly growing your beard. At some point you can clean it up a bit so you look a little less vagranty.
The next test occurs at three weeks. It feels like you have a beard of fire ants on your face and all you can do is scratch and scratch. Each hair feels like a white hot needle. Especially if you are in a hot humid climate. People you haven't seen in a while will comment on your beard, either positively or negatively. Don't get too high or too low. Remember, this is your god given right as a man to grow a beard one time in your life. Shortly after 3 weeks, the beard starts to soften and take on a more luxurious feel. You will find yourself stroking your beard contemplatively at even the simplest of questions. It is at this time, all the hard work and ridicule is worth it. Use conditioner on it. Comb the hairs in one direction. Keep it trimmed so you don't change thrown in your coffee. Enjoy it.
The next test occurs at three months. Maybe you have let it free grow. Maybe you keep it manicured at a certain length. Whatever your fancy, at this point you must decide if you are a beard guy. That is a question that must be answered by you alone. I recommend going on a lone journey, something like a vision quest to try and answer this question.
With beards, you never know until you try. I think every man should try and grow at least a month long beard, one time in his life. There are few better feelings in this world than a woman running her hands through your beard. I leave you with this.
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