I realize I am necromancering, an old thread, but I have decided, to let my inner Toxic Masculinity/Duck Dynasty, freak flag fly.
I have let my beard grow for the last three months. I can't call it salt and pepper because it's more salt than pepper.
I have been trying different beard oils, balms, washes, etc..
I can't say that I have found a major difference in beard oils, aside from the different fragrances. Beard balms, however, are world's apart. Cheaper balms, are heavy with wax, which makes my beard feel heavy, and don't wash out easily. They are harder to emulsify, in my hands, and after a few hours cause my beard to stiffen up, and feel coarse. I won't endorse any one brand over another, simply, because my experience may be different than other's, but if you are new to the beard experience, don't waste your money, trying to save money, on balms. As far as washes, again, soap is soap, I haven't been able to distinguish, one over another, but like with all of these, I have a limited amount of time, and a limited number of products, that I have tried.
I'm not sure why I decided to keep my face away from sharp metal objects for so long, but I do like the results so far, and Mrs. Jusne has either decided, it's not worth arguing about, or that anything that disguises, my appearance is not a bad thing.