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"I'm at a crossroads with my beard, again. You men out there know what I'm talking about: You never really plan scruff in the first place, it just happens, usually when you're feeling lazy at the end of a long weekend. Next thing you know, you're at work and somebody calls you \\\"distinguished.\\\"\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nIn the same way, the whim to shave it off can just arrive one day, like warm weather in spring. Sure enough, I was feeling the novelty of my current beard waning the other day and was contemplating a clean start when I suddenly realized that, this time around, I had actually experienced something new and worth holding onto (at least for a bit): the pleasure of beard grooming.\\n\\n\\n\\nYes, that's a bit of a contradiction\u2014facial scruff is the opposite of grooming, you might argue. And a beard is supposed to be rugged, sexy, and natural, not primped. But what's the point of having one if it's not also fun to wear and care for? Here are a few items that I swear will boost your enjoyment in the lavatory. Nobody need know.\\n\\n                   \\n\\n__Bluebeards Original Beard Wash.__ My new friend Katie Chang, who runs the sublimely curated Miomia Apothecary in Brooklyn (beard central), warned me about the brand's \\\"hideous\\\" packaging, but alerted me to the mild bite of this cleanser that scrubs more than a facial wash but strips less than a shampoo. $15\\\\.\\n\\n\\n\\n__MCMC Dude No. 1 Beard Oil.__ The burlap pouch, minimalist bottle, and deep cedar scent all drip masculine cred. Apply directly to your face, and don't give greasy sheen or clogged pores a second thought; the oil absorbs almost magically, leaving behind a subtle whiff of the woods. $65\\\\.\\n\\n\\n\\n__Philosophy The Common Man Shaving Cream.__ The irony of a beard: You still have to shave, and shave carefully, to keep up appearances. This thick cream in a tube is the right texture for painting on with pinpoint accuracy, and a topical anesthetic actually leaves your skin slightly numb. The Band-Aid-like aroma makes you think your doctor would approve. $12\\\\.\\n\\n\\n\\n__\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n  RELATED LINKS:__\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n  [Daily Beauty Reporter:*Allure Man: 3 Hardcore Moisturizers Are Put To The Test*](http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2012/02/allure-man-moisturizing-in-win.html)\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n  [Daily Beauty Reporter:*Allure Man Asks: Why Bother With Unisex?*](http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2012/04/allure-man-asks-why-bother-with-unisex.html)\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n  [Daily Beauty Reporter: Do You Like a Seriously-Groomed Guy?](http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2011/11/do-you-like-a-seriously-groomed-guy.html)\\n\\n\\n\\n__PHOTO: COURTESY OF TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM__"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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