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To use a beard straightener, start with a clean, completely dry beard, set the lowest heat that works for your hair, and brush slowly downward in small sections from the neck up, keeping the brush moving. Finish with a cool pass and a drop of beard oil to set the shape. A brush with three clear heat levels, like the Arkam Original heated beard brush, makes picking a setting simple. Here is the full step-by-step, how often to use one, and the mistakes that leave a beard frizzy or dry.
In this guide
Quick answer
Use a beard straightener on dry hair, never wet. Start on the lowest heat setting, comb the beard out first, then brush downward from the underside of the beard in small sections, one slow stroke at a time. Let the beard cool in place, then add a little beard oil or balm. Most people only need it a few times a week.
This guide is about technique. For the full roundup of heated brushes and how they compare, see our guide to the best heated beard brushes.
Before you start: wet or dry, oil or not
Dry, not wet. A beard straightener is made for dry hair. On a damp beard, the heat turns water to steam, which can frizz the hair and leave the result uneven. Wash if you need to, towel off, and let the beard dry completely or use a blow dryer on a low, cool setting first.
Comb it out. Run a beard comb through the beard before any heat touches it. Tangles snag on the bristles and get pulled.
Oil before or after? Opinions differ, and the brush makers do not agree either. A light layer of beard balm or a heat-protecting product before can reduce friction. Most people save beard oil for after, because a heavy coat of oil under a hot brush can feel greasy. If you use oil first, keep it to a drop or two.
Know your length. A straightener needs some length to work with. Aberlite, for example, says its EDC brush is best for beards of half an inch and longer. On very short stubble, a straightener mostly gives a brushed, neat look rather than visible straightening.
How to use a beard straightener, step by step
1. Plug in and pick a low setting. Most heated brushes reach temperature in about 30 seconds. Start at the lowest setting for your hair type; you can go up if it is not working.
2. Start under the chin. Lift the beard from underneath with the brush so the bristles go into the hair, not just across the surface. Starting on the underside also means mistakes are hidden.
3. Brush down in one slow stroke. Pull the brush down and slightly outward in the direction you want the hair to sit. One slow, steady stroke does more than several fast ones. Keep the brush moving; do not hold it in one spot.
4. Work in small sections. Move from the center of the chin out toward each side, then up the cheeks. Smaller sections mean the heat reaches all the hair.
5. Do the sides and mustache last. Use lighter pressure near the cheeks and lips, where the skin is closer to the surface. The anti-scald tips on most brushes are there to keep the hot surface off your skin, but go gently anyway.
6. Let it cool in place. Hair sets as it cools. Give the beard a minute without touching it, or finish with a quick blast of cool air from a blow dryer.
7. Finish with oil or balm. A drop of beard oil or a little balm smooths flyaways and adds shine. Shape with a comb or a brush like the ZilberHaar boar bristle beard brush.
Choosing a heat setting
Every brush lists its own range, and they are not the same. The Arkam Original has three settings that Arkam lists as 300°F for thin hair, 355°F for medium and wavy hair, and 400°F for thick and curly hair. The Arkam Premium has 12 levels from 250°F to 450°F, and the Aberlite EDC has six settings from 250°F to 430°F.
| Beard type | Where to start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fine or short | Lowest setting | Go up only if nothing changes |
| Medium or wavy | Low to middle | One or two passes per section |
| Thick or tightly curled | Middle, then higher if needed | Small sections, slow strokes |
The rule is simple: use the lowest heat that gets the result. If your beard starts to feel dry or rough, lower the heat before anything else.
How often to use a beard straightener
A straightened beard is a style, not a permanent change. It usually holds until the next wash, a sweaty workout or humid weather. That tempts people to use the brush every day, but heat on hair adds up over time.
A few times a week is a sensible place to start. If you want to use it daily, use a lower setting, keep strokes short and moving, and add oil afterward. If the beard starts to feel straw-like, cut back the frequency or the heat.
On days you skip the heat, a boar bristle brush and a little balm help train the beard to sit in the same direction.
Mistakes to avoid
Using it on a wet beard. Steam and frizz instead of a smooth finish.
Starting on the highest setting. More heat is not faster results; it is a drier beard.
Holding the brush in one spot. Keep it moving every time.
Brushing only the surface. Lift from underneath so the heat reaches the hair closest to your face.
Skipping the cool-down. Touching or combing the beard while it is warm undoes the shape.
Wrapping the cord around a hot brush. Let it cool first, and keep the cord loose.
Beard straighteners that are easy to use
Arkam Original: easiest for beginners
The Arkam Original Heated Beard Brush keeps it simple with three heat levels and one-touch adjustment. Arkam lists a 30-second heat-up, a 30-minute auto shut-off, a 360° swivel cord, 110–240V support, and an included comb and travel bag. Arkam says it is made for short to medium beards. Expect roughly $18 to $25.
Arkam Premium: more control for long beards
The Arkam Premium Heated Beard Brush Kit adds a digital screen and 12 heat levels from 250°F to 450°F, which helps if you want to fine-tune. It has the same auto shut-off and swivel cord, an anti-scald feature, and a hard shell travel case. Arkam aims it at medium to long beards. Prices run roughly $25 to $35.
Aberlite EDC: compact and quick
The Aberlite EDC Beard Straightener Brush is a compact brush, 7.5 inches long and 0.45 pounds, with shorter, densely packed bristles and anti-scald comb teeth. Aberlite lists six settings from 250°F to 430°F and a heat-up to 300°F in about half a minute. Expect roughly $50 to $65.
REHOYO cordless: for travel
The REHOYO cordless beard straightener is rechargeable, so there is no cord to manage. REHOYO lists ionic heat, an anti-scald comb design and automatic power-off after 20 minutes of no use. It is handy for trips. Prices run roughly $35 to $45.
XIKEZAN kit: brush plus oil and balm
The XIKEZAN beard straightener kit bundles a heated brush with beard oil, balm, a comb and an e-book. XIKEZAN lists PTC ceramic heating and three heat settings from 356°F to 428°F, which starts warmer than the brushes above, so use the lowest setting first. Expect roughly $20 to $25.
Cleaning and storing the brush
Beard oil, balm and loose hairs build up between the bristles, and residue heated again and again can smell. Unplug the brush and let it cool completely, then pull hair out with a comb and brush out residue with an old toothbrush. Wipe the surface with a barely damp cloth, never under running water.
Store it dry and away from shower steam. Let it cool before packing it, and keep the cord loosely coiled rather than wrapped tightly around the handle.
FAQ
How do you properly use a beard straightener?
On a clean, dry, combed beard, start at the lowest heat, lift from underneath, and brush down slowly in small sections while keeping the brush moving. Let the beard cool, then add oil or balm.
Do you use a beard straightener on wet or dry hair?
Dry. Heat on a wet beard creates steam, which can frizz the hair and give an uneven result.
Do I use beard oil before or after straightening?
Most people add oil after, once the beard has cooled. If you prefer something before, use a light balm or a drop or two of oil, not a heavy coat.
How often should I use a beard straightener?
A few times a week is a good start. Daily use is possible at a lower setting, but cut back if the beard starts to feel dry.
How do you use a beard straightener comb versus a brush?
The technique is the same: dry beard, low heat, slow strokes. A comb-style tool gets closer to the skin, so go gently near the cheeks.
How long does a straightened beard last?
Usually until the next wash, heavy sweat or humid weather. It is a style you repeat, not a permanent change.
Can I use a beard straightener on a short beard?
You can, but there is less to straighten. Aberlite says its EDC brush is best for beards half an inch and longer.
Verdict
Dry beard, low heat, slow strokes from underneath, then cool and oil: that is the whole method. If you are buying your first brush, the Arkam Original has three simple settings, and the Arkam Premium gives more control for longer beards.
For the finishing step, see our guide on how to apply beard oil the right way.
