Local startup Beard.on helps men stay well-tailored, hirsute
As men grow more comfortable with lockdown beards, Beard.on provides for all grooming needs.
KUALA LUMPUR: With barbers having shut their doors during lockdown, many Malaysian men are forced to grow out their hair. Where they were once clean-shaven, guys are now sporting beards.
It is hard to fight against the black tide, but for first-time beardies, it can be a daunting task figuring out how to keep it from growing into a savage mess.
That’s where Beard.on, a local enterprise, comes in.
Founded by Jeremy Raj, Beard.on offers high-quality grooming products at a reasonable price for men across the country, with results that are visible and feelable.
From soaps to beard oils, Beard.on’s products use all-natural ingredients of high quality without any artificial preservatives or fragrances. As online reviews have attested to, these products are as effective – or even more so – as other commercial brands.
“We believe every man should have access to what he needs to maximise his potential and put his best face forward,” says Jeremy, who proudly sports a beard himself.
But where did such an unorthodox idea come from? Jeremy says all it took was a certain comment about his beard.
He was working at a local bank when his boss gave him the choice of losing his beard or his job. Apparently, the beard was “unprofessional”.
“I quit the job almost immediately,” he tells FMT, calling it his “Eureka moment” as he had already been toying with ideas for a beard-related venture and this provided him a golden opportunity.
Beard.on was born shortly afterwards in 2017, with the snazzy tagline: “Keep it simple. Keep it manly.”
Jeremy considers the beard the ultimate statement of style because it stands out and is exclusive to each individual. He believes that beards can look good on anyone, provided they are shown the proper care with good grooming habits.
“Find the right type of beard for your face shape and you are good to go,” he says.
Finding the right beard, however, is not the same as caring for it. Jeremy is more than happy to share his regime, saying he washes and moisturises his beard daily to keep it clean and healthy.
“Know when to trim or not trim your beard. And don’t forget to comb your beard daily,” he advises, adding that more free tips and guidance can be found across Beard.on’s social media platforms.
The various lockdowns have been a blessing in disguise for the startup, with all the unshaven men languishing at home. But once barbers reopen, many newly bearded guys might return to their clean-shaven ways.
Jeremy however, thinks there is no need for that.
“A man who maintains a beard can be interpreted as saying he’s not afraid of competitors, and can beat them even with whatever handicaps he has,” he says. “It shows he’s not afraid of risks.”
And on the topic of risks, Jeremy is venturing out of the beard business with a new brand, Apothecary 1986. “We are going to focus on everything ‘not beard’ here,” he shares with a laugh.
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Beard.on is more than happy to help you turn your facial faux pas into magnificent manes. Check out their website for more info, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.