Damn Good Soap Beard Balm Review

By Miguel Matos

I continue on my quest to find the perfect beard control. Yes, it's harder than most of you think for a guy that has a thick, coarse, curly beard. You know the mediterranean type? Well, my beard is strong even for a Portuguese guy. Oils, balms, conditioners... Very rarely do I find something to soothe and style my beard. I even use hair products sometimes, like Piver's hair pomades and grease. But sometimes the strong fragrance that goes into these products makes me uncomfortable with time, and being a perfume critic, it is really not good to have a perfume constantly present so close to my nose.

So I want two things for a good beard product: subtle scent and VERY strong hold. I also like when it doesn't leave my beard oily. This is not easy to achieve, I admit. But I recently found a product that may come close to this ideal. It's from a Dutch niche company called Damn Good Soap and I was offered a tin of Beard Balm by a friend who has a niche cosmetics shop in Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal.

I confess I was skeptical and at a price point of nearly 20 euros, it didn't convince me at first. But I am convinced now, after trying it. This is a rock hard pomade, so hard that you have to apply strength on your fingers to have some product coming off. Its a thick paste that you rub onto your beard after you blow dry it. Yes, I do blow dry my beard and that's something I learned too late. Just like you straighten your hair, it is possible to do it with your beard. And perfection can be achieved, even for the curly guys! Moving on, this is much better than an oil for it is shiny but not too much, and being so thick it really holds the crazy hairs that sometimes rebel and want to have a life of their own. It is not super sticky, so you still can comb your beard afterwards and caress it all day long (I know you like that).

Regarding scent, this is another plus. It has a very natural smell, coming from a blend of essential oils of bergamot, patchouli and sandalwood. It is just enough to bring a pleasant experience when you apply it, but it goes away and doesn't bother you afterwards. I feel my beard is softer, it is moisturized and it is in control. So this is a big thumbs up, guys!