Wash and dry your beard
Comb or brush your beard to detangle and align growth
Use a trimmer with a guard for the overall length
Start longer than you want and trim gradually
Trim with the grain for the first pass
Define cheek lines by trimming under the cheekbone line (keep it natural)
Clean up the neckline by removing hair below the natural Adam’s apple line (use a straight line or slight curve)
Keep the mustache area blended by trimming lightly and checking symmetry
Use scissors for precision on longer, uneven sections
Create clean edges around the jawline and neck using a trimmer without a guard or a detail trimmer
Blend transitions between different lengths by lightly going over the area with a shorter guard
Check both sides in good lighting and repeat small passes as needed
Use a beard brush or comb again to inspect for patchiness and stray hairs
Finish by washing, then apply beard oil or balm