Whether you’re a lover of facial fur or like to feel silky soft skin on your cheeks, you’ll be more than aware that your grooming preferences can be costly. But what has worked out cheaper for you over the years? If you’d like to be more economical about the stubble on your chin, then we’re comparing a clean-shave to a beard to see which facial hair (or lack thereof) comes with the more hair-raising price tag.
The finances of facial hair
Beards have risen in popularity in recent years. Though the trend actually began back in 2011, the increase in beard wearers has been largely attributed to the preferences of high-profile male celebrities, several of whom sported full beards during the 2013 awards season. Since this point, beards have really taken off. From August of 2011 to November 2016 there was a big uplift in the amount of men sporting facial hair, with figures rising from 37% to 42% overall. This means that around 18% of British men now have full beards, and a further 17% sport some stubble.
It seems this trend shows no sign of stopping. YouGov reported that in 2023, a majority (54%) of men now have beards. Among them, 34% have both a beard and moustache, 13% have stubble, 4% have a beard only, and 2% have a moustache only.
However, leaving your facial hair to grow free. A monthly beard trim at a barber costs on average £15, with some people even getting these cuts weekly to keep things neat and tidy. That’s easily £60 a month! Of course, you could cut costs by learning to do this yourself at home. For this you’ll at least need a good pair of professional barber’s scissors, and potentially an electric trimmer. These are decent investments from the start and may lead to a bit of an odd trim from time to time, but eventually, these should pay for themselves.
Then, there’s products. Depending on your hair growth, you’ll need to shampoo and condition your beard hair every now and again, comb it regularly, moisturise your skin while it grows and perhaps even apply a beard oil. Many people use beard oil to help combat the itchiness that comes with the new growth, making it a near necessity for many. To a point, beard care products cost as much as you’re prepared to spend, but can be an unexpected expense for those unaccustomed to facial grooming.
For some of us, though, growing a glorious beard isn’t as easy as simply swapping your razor for beard oil and a comb. It isn’t unheard of to use the hair regrowth medication minoxidil for beard growth as an off-label solution, but some of those whose beards grow in patchy have been reported to be so eager to sport an even covering of facial fuzz that they’ve invested in a beard transplant! This procedure has grown in popularity despite sacrificing some hair from your head and costs that can reach over £5,000. Ouch!
When it comes to cheaper options, some consider micropigmentation to bulk out the thinner parts of their beards. As more and more men are getting hair tattoos, their beards are not left out of the equation. These services average around £257, and are non-invasive, but are hard to reverse.
The cost of being clean-shaven
A clean shave is arguably the most convenient way to look sharp, but is it also putting a dent in your bank account? There’s a range of different equipment you can choose from to get the job done, from old-fashioned safety razors to disposables, electric razors and more. Some like to make up a traditional lather with a brush to get a close shave, while others slather on shaving cream or sometimes even hair conditioner. Whatever your preference, maintaining your supplies of your favourite products and tools is where it starts to get expensive.
We’ve already looked into the cost of shaving before in an effort to see
whether a shaving subscription would save you money. In short, a straight razor beats disposables by a considerable rate, with a difference of roughly £100 between them. While the initial price may be a bit steeper, the long-term savings more than make up for it. Plus, the quality improvement in the shave itself speaks for itself.
A good quality straight razor could cost you anything from £5 to £40, but this can save you plenty of money in the long run. Add to this the cost of a shaving cream, which is around £2 and could need to be replaced every month, and you have an annual cost of £24, plus the original price of the razor and any replacement blades you need.
How it balances out
Being a beard owner comes with certain benefits. You get to avoid the daily shave or the midweek once over with a facial hair trimmer, saving yourself time and the cost of razors. You also get a convenient bit of protection from the elements which can come in handy when the colder months roll around. But the costs of investing in good clippers and products to maintain a groomed, clean appearance can be difficult, and the costs can slowly grow if you become too over-eager to pamper the chin hairs.
However, being clean-shaven comes with its own perks, too. Growing a beard can be an itchy process and having hair on your face can be as annoying – if not more so – as the hair on your head, requiring constant washing and brushing to stop it from getting greasy and knotted. For this reason, you may find that a clean-shaven face that won’t make your face hot and itchy is preferable for you.
In return, investing in a good, clean razor is important to save costs, as well as maintaining a daily routine to keep the stubble in check. You’ll be paying more with time than with money in the long run if you make good investments, but it’s still a fair option for that 46% of the UK who still don’t fancy the fuzz.
Overall, both options are affordable as long as you invest in quality tools that don’t often need replacing. Good quality barber’s scissors will cost you around £25, while a straight razor will cost a maximum of £40, and both styles require products for the best maintenance. If your existing regime uses disposable razors, you’ll save in the long run whether you upgrade to a better shaver or ditch the blades altogether. However, since neither is expensive to maintain, your decision will probably be based on more than the economics of it all. Whether you like a bushy beard or some slick skin the choice really is up to you, just make sure you’re careful with the purchases you make and your wallet will thank you!
