We’ve taught you how to trim your neckline, but knowing how to trim your cheek line is equally as important—especially if your beard resembles the wolf man’s. Below, you’ll find a quick-and-easy guide for getting your cheek line just right, as provided by Travis Fields, Dollar Shave Club’s resident shaving expert.
Step #1: Let It Grow
“First things first: Everyone’s cheek growth is different, which is why it’s important to let your beard grow out to a state of fullness before pulling out the electric clippers,” Fields explains. “That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re working with [and whether you even need to trim your cheek line in the first place].”
Step #2: Form Guidelines
“Draw imaginary lines from the tops of your earlobes (or the back of your sideburns, where your beard growth begins) to the corner of your mouth,” Fields says. If you don’t feel comfortable eyeballing it, use your finger and a bit of shave lather to trace said guidelines.
Step #3: Trim, Then Shave
Trim the entire area above the guidelines using electric clippers without the guard, then check for evenness: One way to do this is to place your index fingers pointing inwards at the highest point of the cheek line on both cheeks—if they point directly at each other, you’re good to go. (Optional: Shave the trimmed area for extra smoothness.)
Finally, if you prefer a more rounded cheek line (rather than an angular one), simply imagine a small curve going from the front of your sideburn to your cheek line—then, carefully trim away any hair above this imaginary line on both sides using electric clippers. (Optional again: Shave the trimmed area for extra smoothness.)
It doesn’t get any cheekier than that.