Jarrod Franklin Review

REVIEW BY: Jarrod Franklin

PRODUCT: Thirsty Beard - Grove Beard Oil

Jarrod and I met on campus where we're attending school. He's a first year in a Naturopathic Doctor program. We scheduled a lunch to discuss beard oils and get to know one another better. He decided he wanted to buy a bottle of Thirsty Beard oil, and has been using it ever since. He had this to say:

"I really feel like the oil revitalized my beard and gave it life. My beard looks and feels healthier. I love it!"

He then later added,

"I meant to address the issue with black men's hair in my first reply. Before, the oil, my beard was pretty damaged and brittle, it definitely lacked some proper conditioning. I felt like my beard would always be dry unless I found something to moisturize it with. Besides some knowledge on black haircare, I didn't now of anything about black men's beardcare. I actually knew about beard oils, but nothing marketed to black men's beards specifically. The oil is essential for healthy hair growth. Like any other dry skin/hair combination, moisturization is the saving grace. Thanks again!"

I find this review particularly valuable in that it addresses the versatility of the oil. Most beard oils are marketed to the white community; whether that's intentional or not, I don't know. I've only been able to find a few videos or products addressing beard oil from the perspective of black individuals, and it's important to me that I create something that serves multiple beard styles, textures, and colors. Jarrod has been using the oil for several weeks now and suggests that while our skin and hair are different, and may have different care needs, a key factor in beard care is moisturizing, and that's where his beard has seen the benefits from Thirsty Beard oil.

The take home from this review is that despite your bearding background, present state, or future plans, Thirsty Beard oil will work for you. It's all about moisturizing, and the blend of oils used in the bottles are specifically selected for this purpose, and are proven beneficial for the skin and hair.

"[Being a peacemaker] applies as we build unity with people who are from vastly different backgrounds. The children of God have more in common than they have differences. And even the differences can be seen as an opportunity." - Henry B. Eyring

Bradley Elmer Review

REVIEW BY: Bradley Elmer

PRODUCT: Thirsty Beard - Grove Beard Oil

I have a similar life experience to that of your own. Due to various responsibilities and expectations I have never taken the opportunity to grow out my whiskers and experience my inner lumberjack outwardly.

It was just about 7 weeks ago that I was on a work trip and I found myself without a razor. The trip was extended and when I returned home to Utah I had a good three and a half weeks worth of stubble grown. I just let it go! And boy have I enjoyed this journey of growing out my man fuzz. But, I am not going to lie…  a journey it has been. There were a few times that I almost picked up my shaving cream, lathered up, and went back to the clean face I’m all to familiar with. 

About a month ago I came to find out that you were in Portland going to school and experimenting with making beard oil! I thought this could be fun. Since that day I have anticipated quenching my beard with some Thirsty Beard Oil! About two weeks ago I received my very own bottle of Thirty Beard Grove Oil. I would like to tell you what I have experienced for these past couple weeks.

1. My wife is encouraging me to grow my beard further!!! She is awesome and always accommodating to my aspirations but she normally gets fed up with the “gnarlyness” of my facial hair and is really excited when I have a clean face. Since I have been using Thirsty beard my beard has gone from coarse and rough to soft and fluffy like. She loves running her hands through my beard. It is now commonplace for her to run her fingers through my beard saying “It’s soooo soft!”
2. I love the “Grove” scent! I can’t quite put my finger on the scent but all I can say is that it reminds me of home. It’s just strong enough to smell but in no way is it overpowering. I am sensitive to smells and was concerned with it being overwhelming. It is subtle and refreshing and I look forward to applying it DAILY! Hahaha against instructions to do it every other day. It has become part of my everyday routine.
3. We all know what it feels like to have an itchy beard. For these two weeks I haven’t had any itch. I truly believe that your oil has conditioned my skin underneath my whiskers and helped me grow a healthier beard. The experience has been quite enjoyable/comfortable. I wonder what growing my beard would have been like at the earlier stages had I gotten my hands on this oil sooner??? hmmm
4. I love the shine that the oil gives to my beard. This has helped my beard have a more professional appearance for work.  I do grow a full beard regardless but I have noticed that my Thirsty Beard Oil has kept my beard “together” giving it a fuller well groomed look. My employer is not the biggest fan of facial hair. It is fun to get compliments from him…and unusual at the same time!
5. I love the vial/applicator. It makes it easy to get the 3-4 drops I need!

Overall, this is an awesome product that I plan to use daily! I’m excited to try all the different scents you have been experimenting with. As a lumberjack at heart I think I would like a scent that is a little more “woodsy” or a scent that has a fresh evergreen scent to it. Anyways, I love your product and look forward to supporting it! This beard isn’t getting any shorter! Thanks again Zach! Loving this stuff!!!

OH… p.s. My beard is currently 10.77 years old and counting!

Brief Introduction to Thirsty Beard

If you're here, you might be asking yourself, "What is 'Thirsty Beard'?" Well, here's the tale:

It started when I was an awkward teen first sprouting those dark mustache hairs, that only I could see, right on the corners of my mouth - I was becoming a man. I've always wanted to grow a full beard, but wasn't ever able to due to different responsibilities ranging from jobs, to missionary service, to school. Those 3 things alone occupied my previous 6-7 years where I have been almost entirely not allowed to grow a beard. Having recently transitioned from my undergraduate studies, to graduate school, I finally have the opportunity to let the beard go.

In my research to insure I shape and edge my beard right, I stumbled upon several topics: shaping your beard, trimming your beard, eating various foods with a beard, naming your beard, etc. The one that stood out the most to me was the topic of beard oil. Beard hair is what's referred to as "androgenic", coming from the word "androgen", a steroid hormone. Basically, it's developed after puberty and it differs from the finer hair found on the body- the head for example (vellus hair). Because it's different, it obviously can't be treated the same. Whereas shampoo and conditioner keep our head hair healthy, beard hair can easily become damaged, dry, brittle, and coarse over time, and requires a little extra TLC to be kept healthy. Beard oils were designed to provide the added nutrients to the beard and the follicles from which they grow, and in providing it that extra oomph, you can ensure that the environment of the beard is such that it will grow more healthily*.

Instead of being only a consumer of what I believed really could make a difference in the health of my beard, I decided I would become a producer. Without going into the components of beard oils for now, suffice it to say that I did a lot of research, chose what I believe to be the best oils, and aptly decided to refer to the product line as "Thirsty Beard".

Follow me on this venture as I produce various scents, labels, and more! If you are interested in acquiring a bottle of beard oil, please make it known, and I'll be sure to have enough! Please also follow me on Instagram (@thirstybeard), and the Facebook page. I'll give readers digests there, and provide lengthier posts here. You won't be disappointed!

This is the successful completion of my first bottle of beard oil. My beard is only at 5 weeks of growth here, and even that is enough to use and benefit from beard oil!

*Other factors in the health of your beard include, but are not limited to: exercise, stress, sleep, and diet. All of which need to be regulated and focused on for general wellness, not just for the health of your beard!