Sure, I do roughly 3:2 ratio of beeswax and coconut oil by weight. Melt them both in a double boiler (I just use a metal bowl that fits in our small saucepot). After it is thoroughly melted and mixed, I take it off the heat and stir in a few drops of essential oils. Heat can denature or evaporate the flavor compounds, so you don’t want to cook them. Then just pour it into a jar and let it cool. I’ve kept a bunch of old Oui Yogurt jars and bought lids, and I also bough a 48 pack of tiny plastic lip balm containers for portability. Those are great because I can put different flavors into different containers and try smaller quantities without wasting a bunch of wax.
I’ve also received a few different gift sets of various scented beard oils, which in my experience are often too strong, so I’ve used those to flavor the balm.
For essential oils, I like citrus like lemon, bergamot, or grapefruit, sometimes I use tea tree or eucalyptus and mint, and my wife really likes sandalwood, vanilla and bourbon. I am not a huge fan of cedar or oak, or the floral scents like lavender or rose. It’s going to be on my face all day, so I want it to be something that I like to smell, but not overpowering. Nobody on the subway should be able to smell my beard.
I think overall I spent about $50 on beeswax, organic coconut oil, and essential oils (not including the gifts) and have been using it almost daily for about 2 years.
The coconut oil did pass the “best by” date a few months ago, but I keep it in a cool, dark place and it doesn’t smell off yet. I’ll probably buy some fresh this fall.
The balm will develop an “off” smell if you leave it in the sun. I usually make fresh balm every 6-8 weeks. The small plastic jars last about a week, and the yogurt jar lasts about a month.
Sounds like a good balm, but I think it will be a bit much for me. My hair is fairly scratchy, and i need stuff to soften it, so I think this may be a bit heavy for me.
You can decrease the wax and add more oil. But yeah, that’s a different problem than what I have. You might sub in shea butter, which I found made my beard too soft, but take that with a grain of salt because I didn’t like it.
I’m not a fan of leave in conditioners. Everyone I have tried has left me feeling idk gross after an hour. I occasionally use oil, but I mainly just use beard conditioner or this super thick coconut and shea butter like once a week. I just want a balm for a light hold.
Do you mind sharing your recipe for the beard balm and how much oil you use in a batch?
Sure, I do roughly 3:2 ratio of beeswax and coconut oil by weight. Melt them both in a double boiler (I just use a metal bowl that fits in our small saucepot). After it is thoroughly melted and mixed, I take it off the heat and stir in a few drops of essential oils. Heat can denature or evaporate the flavor compounds, so you don’t want to cook them. Then just pour it into a jar and let it cool. I’ve kept a bunch of old Oui Yogurt jars and bought lids, and I also bough a 48 pack of tiny plastic lip balm containers for portability. Those are great because I can put different flavors into different containers and try smaller quantities without wasting a bunch of wax.
I’ve also received a few different gift sets of various scented beard oils, which in my experience are often too strong, so I’ve used those to flavor the balm.
For essential oils, I like citrus like lemon, bergamot, or grapefruit, sometimes I use tea tree or eucalyptus and mint, and my wife really likes sandalwood, vanilla and bourbon. I am not a huge fan of cedar or oak, or the floral scents like lavender or rose. It’s going to be on my face all day, so I want it to be something that I like to smell, but not overpowering. Nobody on the subway should be able to smell my beard.
I think overall I spent about $50 on beeswax, organic coconut oil, and essential oils (not including the gifts) and have been using it almost daily for about 2 years.
The coconut oil did pass the “best by” date a few months ago, but I keep it in a cool, dark place and it doesn’t smell off yet. I’ll probably buy some fresh this fall.
The balm will develop an “off” smell if you leave it in the sun. I usually make fresh balm every 6-8 weeks. The small plastic jars last about a week, and the yogurt jar lasts about a month.
Sounds like a good balm, but I think it will be a bit much for me. My hair is fairly scratchy, and i need stuff to soften it, so I think this may be a bit heavy for me.
You can decrease the wax and add more oil. But yeah, that’s a different problem than what I have. You might sub in shea butter, which I found made my beard too soft, but take that with a grain of salt because I didn’t like it.
Ya the deep conditioner I use like once a week has a ton of shea butter in it. Thanks for all the info.
My hot take is to completely avoid beard balm because it’s so greasy.
I used Groom and Clean, which is a water based leave in conditioner. Life chnaging.
I’m not a fan of leave in conditioners. Everyone I have tried has left me feeling idk gross after an hour. I occasionally use oil, but I mainly just use beard conditioner or this super thick coconut and shea butter like once a week. I just want a balm for a light hold.
Any chance you can link me to the one you buy?
https://www.amazon.com/Groom-Clean-Greaseless-Control-Ounce/dp/B072HV6LK9/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=2T8Z1B8OOMZ5G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tOAO4rzUCq9QZwmq44VHPSL50jNR9oZ9OqeURP3XEnFowwurpgRqAeNfvC9nNnBWdSE8LAXquIAJtjcj7LT56GSbQfuO9lJBHO5SDBJ3g-kRv4Xkp2M0vjCr9uVhaKLAdY4x5KxvhzRlOZTDGjgNWqjVaW-28Qqpo4OEyF1UOSLAQEeyjQvXv28VudTfOGjjow-ufu80tkd5hHVD5vITdQ.bE4_eUNR5Dv8C8GlRVPHpxB8EaWevoSS1g-opLBH-xI&dib_tag=se&keywords=groom+and+clean&qid=1723418357&sprefix=groom+and+clean%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-4
Great for hair instead of Hairspray too. That’s what it’s primarily for, but it leaves everything feeling so smooth without any greasy feeling.
Awesome I’ll give it a shot next time I’m ordering on amazon.