Photo by Adam Swanson
Big Bear Beard Balm
Big Bear Beard Balm comes to us from across the pond. A family business run by Craig and his brother, “beardless Terry”. A couple of solid dudes priding themselves on customer service and quality products.
Here is where you can find Big Bear Beard Balm across the web:
Website: bigbearbeardbalm.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/Big-Bear-Beard-Balm
Instagram: @bigbearbeardbalm
Twitter: @bigbearbeardftb
First up, let’s take a look at the Big Bear Beard Balm. Don’t have time to read the full review? No problem, head over to the Tale of the Tape.
Photo by Adam Swanson
Packaging
Big Bear beard balm comes in a 60ml tin (a smidge over 2 ounces for us Yankees) The tin is a large screw top with a foam insert in the lid to keep a tight seal and help from leaking if it gets too warm in transit. Big Bear uses quality vinyl labels to keep them from looking dirty or greasy after use. The information includes ingredients, and instructions on how to use their balm. They also include contact information and ways to follow on social media. This is a larger tin, and I personally wouldn’t keep it in my pocket, which isn’t an issue in that the scent and hold are there all day long, so there was no need to reapply.
Consistency
I am a texture junkie. There, I said it, and I’m not ashamed! Big Bear won me over with their balm and it’s unique, creamy consistency that makes it easy to work into my longer beard. I don’t really know how to explain, but imagine honey that isn’t sticky and a bit thicker. Big Bear beard balm has a smooth texture with no unnecessary grit or additives that make for difficult application. This balm is easy to get out of the tin, and with minimal working between my palms it goes into the beard with ease. After initial application I usually run a boar’s hair brush through just to help with distribution, not really necessary with such a smooth balm, but it is habit at this point in my beard’s life.
Conditioning/Styling
Big Bear’s balm kept my beard hair feeling soft, and manageable throughout the entire day with no need for reapplying. The balm doesn’t have a lot of control compared to the balms with a more firm texture, but I personally prefer not to have stiff beard. This balm has plenty of control to keep the fly-away hairs where they belong, and keeps the beard still able to move freely in the breeze. With the consistency being a bit softer in the tin, it makes it pliable once it’s in the beard because it won’t eventually harden up.
Scent
Big Bear’s balm has a clean scent. It reminds me of mechanic soap, in a good way. Either that, or a men’s deodorant. Either way, it is a very masculine scent. I like that they didn’t go for the “normal” beard product scents. That shows me that Big Bear isn’t just trying to ride the coat tails of an already successful product company and are trying to do their own thing. Rosewood and cedar wood with rosemary and lime makes for an appealing scent. Big Bear also offers the balm in “Beast Mode”, which includes Bergamot, Patchouli, Cedar Wood, and Sandalwood oils.
Comparative Cost
The 60ml tin of the beard balm sells for $15.28 (plus shipping). The odd amount accounts for the conversion of pounds to dollars. As you’ll see when you check out the Big Bear website, they offer prices in either pounds or dollars for ease of purchase. This price puts the balm on the low end of the price spectrum, which makes it a great purchase for the amount of product you receive alongside the conditioning capabilities.
Next up, we have the Big Bear El Chupacabra beard oil. Don’t have time to read the full review? No problem, check out the Tale of the Tape.
Photo by Adam Swanson
Packaging
Big Bear’s El Chupacabra beard oil comes in a 30ml (just over 1 ounce) amber bottle. The amber bottles work better than clear to keep UV rays from breaking down the oil over time if you were to leave it where it’s exposed to direct sunlight. It is a screw top bottle, with an orifice reducer. The reducer works well for short beards, you just tap it a few times on your palm before rubbng into your beard. Good thing for us with the longer beard, the reducer is removable so we can just dump the desired amount out. Just be careful to not over pour as you don’t want to waste the liquid gold. Big Bear uses nice labels for their bottles, and is filled with information, but what stood out is the QR code that when scanned with your smart phone takes you directly to their website. Great touch in case you need to order more, or just want to stock up on the other products offered.
Consistency
Big Bear Chupacabra is a basic beard oil consistency. Not so thin that it runs, but not so thick that you can’t get it to pour out of the reducer. I also noticed that the oil itself is clear. Usually oils that I’ve used are more of a honey color, but this particular oil has no color. I noticed that the carrier oil is sweet almond and that there are a few essential oils put in, so that could explain it. They didn’t overthink the ingredients, just used what’s needed for a nice shine and conditioning beard oil. For this oil, I used the reducer because it’s not an oil that you have to use a ton to see results. So, 5-8 drops in my palm was plenty for my long beard. Less product means more bang for your buck, so it’s always welcome! After rubbing a bit into my beard, I brush through with a boar’s hairbrush to really work the oil into the beard and distribute it evenly. PRO TIP- the longer you use your boar’s hair brush, the better they become due to the oils that are pulled from the beard during application.
Conditioning/Styling
Big Bear works wonders on a ratty beard. I tested this oil for a little over a week with everyday application after my morning shower. Typical of a beard oil, there isn’t a ton of control but it does its job with the hairs that don’t want to stay put. Big Bear’s oil is an all day oil for sure, it stays put and conditions all day keeping your beard feeling great, as well as protecting from the sun and heat that the summer can dish out.
Scent
The scent of El Chupacabra reminds me of a more natural soap, or a head shop. Sandalwood and cedar wood oils with patchouli undertones makes for a nice, earthy scent. There is a distinct smell that hits you when you walk into a head shop that is indescribable; it’s clean and effective. El Chupacabra’s scent lasts all day long, and can be a bit overbearing if too much is applied. This could be personal opinion, but out of all of the beard oils I’ve tried, this one’s scent is the strongest. Once again, more bang for your buck if you’re looking for a nice, clean, strong, and masculine scent. Big Bear also offers “The Blue Stuff”, which has Cedar Wood, Rose Wood, Rosemary, Lavender, and Lime oils.
Comparative Cost
A 1 oz. bottle of the El Chupacabra beard oil sells for $15.28 (plus shipping). This puts it on the lower end of the price spectrum, making it a solid buy like the balm. However, Big Bear also offers combo packs – the Beastgard Combo Pack and the Big Bear Dual Pack, which matches up the similarly scented balms and oils. These combo packs sell for $26.73 (plus shipping), making the two products even more cost effective when purchased together.
For more information, visit Big Bear Beard Balm at any of the locations above.
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