To Beard Or Not To Beard: 14 Must-Try Blades, Bristles & More

For ages, women have joked, "It takes a lot of work to look this natural." It also doesn't come cheap.

While most men will never come close to spending the time or money that women do on their faces, maintaining our facial hair is time-consuming and expensive. Recent studies have shown that over a lifetime, the average male will spend 45 days of his life and over $20,000 on shaving products alone. That fact itself might be a great argument for considering a beard.

But as any bearded guy will tell you, all beards are not equal. Maintaining that facial mane can be just as labor-intensive and require even more accessories. Giving up a razor and shaving cream can mean picking up beard guides, brushes, combs, oils, balms, even special shampoos and conditioners. All of this adds up to a $3.4 billion in business just to look natural.

Meanwhile, shaving has never been more chic. And with a plethora of products like old-timey brushes, razors, soaps and mugs on the market, what you choose for your face can make as much of a decorative statement on your bathroom sink.

TO BEARD...

BEARDILIZER BEARD SHAPING COMB
This must-have bearding accessory for guys who keep a trim beard often comes in plastic or wood. But stainless steel is your best bet for durability and easy cleaning. Beardilizer's new comb is an ultra-thin 1 millimeter and comes with a black leather storage pouch.
$14.99

CAN YOU HANDLEBAR BEARD OIL BRUSH
This attractive wood brush with natural horse hair was designed to work specifically with round beard balm tins. The bristles penetrate through most beards to provide a gentle massage while ensuring that oils cover the hairs completely.
$25

CAN YOU HANDLEBAR DRY OIL
The perfect conditioner for the guy on the go. The stainless steel tin can survive being dropped on the bathroom floor or thrown in an overnight bag without breaking or spilling. Best of all, the luxurious balm comes in four scents: Classic (natural), Devotion (patchouli), Initiative (citrusy) or Wisdom (woodsy).
$30

' target='_blank'>KIEHL'S NOURISHING BEARD GROOMING OIL
Perfect for the beard from neat to lumbersexual, this oil softens not only your course facial hair but also the skin underneath. For an added olfactory bonus, few products on the market smell as wonderful as Kiehl's new line of grooming solutions for men. It's an earthy blend of cedarwood, sandalwood and eucalyptus oils that you'll be thrilled to reapply liberally.
$27

PROFESSOR EDWARD J FUZZWORTHY'S GENTLEMANS BEARD GLOSS SHAMPOO BAR
Keep your beard clean and your beardruff at bay. Unlike similar products that come in a bottle, Professor Fuzzworthy's shampoo is a block of soap. Olive oil, castor oil, Leatherwood beeswax and honey are the simple ingredients that made this 100% natural product the winner of numerous peer and expert reviews.
$12.95

DOLLAR BEARD CLUB
This subscription-based service offers oils, balms, accelerators and other beard swag for a fraction of name-brand prices. Best of all, it all shows up in your mailbox.
Price varies.

...OR NOT TO BEARD

TRUEFITT & HILL
For more than 200 years, this London barber and perfumer has held the distinction of Master Barber to the British Crown. Superior merchandise and elegant packaging have made this line of shaving products and accessories a symbol of status and style.

TRUEFITT & HILL PRE-SHAVE OIL
Billed as the "ultimate comfort" oil, this is the type of item you'll try once and then say, "Where have you been all my life?" Say goodbye to nicks, cuts and razor irritation forever with this must-have product that conditions your face while adding extra life to a dulling razor.
$30

TRUEFITT & HILL ULTIMATE COMFORT SHAVING CREAM BOWL
Designed to be applied with a shaving brush, Truefitt & Hill's shaving cream bowls come in scents that range from the masculine Grafton to Sandalwood that no superlative could live up to. But for those with sensitive skin, the ultimate comfort shaving bowl combines lavender essential oil (a gentle antiseptic to help heal skin) and moisturizing glycerin for glide and comfort.
$30

TRUEFITT & HILL LUXURY SHAVING SOAP
For pure luxury and status, few products are more elegant around your sink than this rosewood bowl of luxury shaving soap. The subtly scented soap lathers quickly with a shaving brush and applies smoothly to your face.
$48

THE ART OF SHAVING

If one brand can claim bragging rights to making retro shaving hip, it's The Art of Shaving. What began in the mid-1990s in a Manhattan storefront has grown into a multinational brand with products in finer department stores and beauty supply chains as well as its own chain of shaving shops.

If you're looking for a shaving experience that goes beyond the drug store, Art of Shaving is a must-experience brand.

SHAVING KITS
Covering the four essentials of a classic shave, this travel-ready kit comes with a smoothing pre-shave oil, shaving cream, badger hair shaving brush, and aftershave. With scents that include Sandalwood, Lemon, Lavender, and Ocean, consider it the gateway drug into a lifetime of luxury shaving.
$60-$95

ENGRAVED SILVERTIP SHAVING BRUSH
This silvertip badger hair brush and artisan-crafted nickel-plate handle are the perfect marriage of style and function. As you apply cream to your beard, the badger hair bristles exfoliate and remove trapped hairs, while greater hair density means more warm water on your face. The silvertip handle will make you the envy of all who visit your bathroom.
$250

CLASSIC NICKEL AND BLACK 5 BLADE RAZOR
Designed to work with any Gillette Fusion family blade, this razor feels as smart as it looks. The black acrylic handle and nickel-plated arm perfectly balance in your hand unlike any drug store razor.
$175

STAINLESS STEEL 5/8" BLADE STRAIGHT RAZOR
For those still traumatized by Sweeney Todd, this heavy weighted razor may be more of a fashion item than practical shaving tool. But if you're brave and have a steady hand, you'll get the closest smoothest shave imaginable.
$195

FOR THE BARGAIN HUNTER
Dollar Shave Club may not have Truefitt & Hill's history or be as chic as Art of Shaving, but what it lacks in class, it more than makes up for in affordability and convenience. This discount mail-order business offers packages that run from $1 to $9 monthly. You'll never complain about a dull razor again.