There comes a point in every metalhead’s life—well, every metalhead with facial hair’s life—where that person takes a long, hard look in the mirror and thinks… “Oh, I wash this thing?” At least that’s what happened with me recently when I realized I’ve really been neglecting the ol’ facial fuzz. My journeys online took me to some odd places, but what I was really hoping to find was a Canadian—as that’s where this particular Decibel scribe is located—company that makes facial hair products, operates ethically and is run by metalheads.
I can’t believe I found one. I knew the next logical thing to do was talk to my trusty editor about doing a piece for the site. I can’t believe he let me. So here we are.
Mammoth Beard Company was founded by husband and wife Lee and Lindsay Palichuk in Calgary in 2014, and here’s what you need to know: Lee’s favorite death metal albums are None So Vile and The Bleeding. He’s got an impressive amount of facial hair. His company has death metal and black metal-inspired T-shirt designs.
“My wife and I started Mammoth in 2014,” explains our bearded man. “I started letting my beard grow earlier that year and was having major itching and dry skin issues. Having a background in aromatherapy and natural remedies, my wife made me some beard oil and within a day my problems were solved. So we gave some out to bearded friends and everyone loved it. So we put a website together and within a couple hours we had our first sale and we haven’t stopped since.”
And Mammoth don’t hide their love of metal, as their merch proves.
“We released a Motörhead and a couple Pantera-themed designs,” says Lee. “Then we released what I called our death metal tee and pin. Then we released our first black metal tee and beanie, and then last year, my favorite design we have ever done: an updated black metal tee. I feel like it should be an album cover! All of these wicked designs couldn’t have been done without our graphic designer Craig Steffan. He really gets our vision.”
We asked Lee what five tips he has for metalheads looking to take their facial hair game to the next level, and here’s what he had to say.
Five facial hair tips for metalheads from Lee Palichuk
1. Wash your beard, but don’t overdo it. You should wash your beard once or twice a week with an all-natural, conditioning soap or wash. We make a few different bar soaps or a liquid gel wash. Both are formulated with no harsh ingredients and will clean your beard without drying it out too bad. They are also great for your hair and body.
2. Beard oil is usually the gateway for beard care. It’s easy to apply, smells great and takes care of itchy, dry flaky skin under the beard, which is especially an issue in dry climates. Just put the desired amount in your palm or fingertips and rub it into your beard and skin.
3. Get a good comb and brush. These are must-haves, especially if you are growing your beard out. Wood or acetate combs are usually the best. They don’t create static or snag and pull out hairs like other combs. Then a good boar’s hair brush. My personal recommendation is after your shower, comb your beard out. Add your product, oil, conditioner, balm, etc. Then brush it out with your boar’s hair brush. Brush right down to the skin you help exfoliate your skin.
4. Our Supersoft Beard Conditioner is a one-of-a-kind natural product. It took us two years to get it right, but it is a must have. It’s an unscented, water-based cream conditioner, almost like a light lotion consistency. After about four days use you will notice a huge difference in the softness of your beard, and prolonged use only makes it better. Once you use this product, you will be hooked!
5. If you are growing out your moustache, a good comb and wax are essential. Oil or Supersoft Conditioner won’t hurt either. I am not gonna lie—the first few months can be very frustrating and not for the easily irritated or weak-hearted, but once it has grown out and been trained, a big moustache is awesome, whether you are rocking it solo or with a beard.
Now you are ready to grow a heavy metal beard!
See mammothbeard.ca for more info.
