A man without a beard is like a lion without a mane.

A man’s beard should be his greatest source of pride. It should be the mantle upon which he rests his ego, his dignity, his honour. A man without a beard is barely a man, and a man with an unkempt and disrespected beard is no man at all. A beard needs care, time and attention to grow into the ragged spectacle we all know and love.

A few small tricks can go a long way in sculpting the perfect beard. And luckily for you, with the help from the team behind Australia’s leading barbershop, Men’s Biz, we’ve compiled a shortlist of the need-to-knows, to ensure your bristles are of the highest calibre and ready to astound anyone who may have the good fortune of crossing your path.

1. Where to draw the line

A rookie error that we see time and time again is people who just don’t know where to draw the line. We’re talking about the bottom of the beard, where you shave to define the outline of said beard. Too low and you risk looking gruff or double-chinned, too high and you risk having that weird under-chin line that no one wants.

A good rule of thumb is to start at just above the Adam’s apple. This is a good indication of where the central point is, to create a curved line from ear to ear. If you can’t feel your Adam’s apple, an inch and a half below your chin is also a good measure. Or, if you’re alone, tucking your chin into your chest creating a double chin will show you the crease to trace the bottom line of your beard against.

This is the most critical component of the perfect beard, from stubble to a full mane, as it can really serve to give your jaw a stronger look – and make your beard far more powerful.

2. Get that fade

The next step is shaping that beard.

Like Michelangelo’s David, your beard is a work of art that needs to be sculpted out of marble. It won’t do to rush it. Your beard needs care and love – an artist’s touch.

When it comes to sculpting or shaping a beard, always fade down using clippers. Start shorter from the ear and gradually get longer for better shape. For different hair directions, you’ll need to guide the clipper in the opposite direction. At the end of the day, everyone’s face is different, and it’ll take time for you to figure out what works for you. Don’t rush it. Don’t be afraid to fail. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

3. Products – When and Where

A beard is a thing of natural beauty, but using products can help it reach that next level and send your mane into the upper echelons of beard-lore. Balms, oils and sculpting clay are all essential to nurture and maintain the perfect beard. And there’s really no secret to finding out what works for you – that’s a subjective art.

We recommend you head over to Men’s Biz based in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne or you can browse their online selection. They have reviews, tips and tricks to ensure you purchase the perfect product for you and your beard.

4. Seeking a pro

Just remember, like in all aspects of life, it’s not emasculating to ask for help. Many men struggle with sculpting and shaping their manes and there’s no shame in that. If you’re new to the world of beards (welcome!) ask for the help of your barber – or even get them to do it for you – you’ll see your beard in the form it needs to be in no time.

A well-shaped beard can help you look sleeker, more chiselled, and far more masculine, and the team at Men’s Biz are the best of the best. Every time our beards need some grooming or extra TLC, the barbers there have helped us sculpt it to exactly how it needs to be, plus, they’ve shown us tips on how to maintain it at home.

For more information, visit Men’s Biz in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.