Beard Care in the 60’s? Counterculture begins!

When you think of beards in the 1960s, your mind probably jumps to long-haired hippies, peace signs, and Woodstock. And you wouldn’t be wrong—beards in the '60s made a comeback as symbols of rebellion, freedom, and a break from conformity. But beard care in that era was more than just letting it grow wild. Despite fewer product options and less marketing around men's grooming, beard care was alive and evolving.

In this blog, we’re diving into the grooming habits, cultural shifts, and beard trends of the 1960s—where style met statement.

A Beard Revival: The Cultural Backdrop

The 1950s were the age of clean-shaven conformity—think corporate America, “Mad Men,” and the rise of the safety razor. But the 1960s flipped the script. Influenced by the Beat Generation, the Civil Rights Movement, and a growing anti-establishment sentiment, beards made a dramatic return.

Men grew beards not just for style, but to push back against conservative norms. Artists, activists, and students often wore beards as visual cues of their beliefs. It wasn’t just facial hair—it was identity.

Popular Beard Styles of the 1960s

• Full Beards: Worn by beatniks, intellectuals, and those rejecting mainstream culture.

• Goatees: Popular among jazz musicians, poets, and creative types. The goatee was seen as both artistic and slightly rebellious.

• Moustaches & Sideburns: The handlebar and chevron moustaches made appearances, as did thick sideburns—especially toward the late '60s with the mod and rock scenes.

Beard Care Products (or Lack Thereof)

Unlike today’s endless selection of beard oils, balms, and butters from Retro Beards, grooming options in the 1960s were limited. Here’s what men often relied on:

• Basic Soap & Shampoo: Most men used whatever bar soap or shampoo was on hand. Specialized beard washes didn’t exist.

• Pomades and Hair Tonics: Sometimes borrowed for beards, these oil-based products added shine or tame for special occasions.

• Natural Oils: While not common practice, some men (especially those influenced by holistic or Eastern lifestyles) used olive oil or coconut oil for conditioning.

Men with well-kept beards often relied more on barber visits for trimming and shaping, rather than home care products.

The Tools of the Trade

Grooming tools were minimal but essential:

• Straight razors or safety razors for defining cheek and neck lines

• Scissors or manual trimmers for maintenance

• Boar bristle brushes or combs (borrowed from hair care) to detangle longer beards

Barbershop Culture in the '60s

The 1960s saw a divide in barbering. Traditional barbers still offered hot shaves and tight cuts to clean-cut clients, but newer, more eclectic barbershops and salons began to emerge. These catered to the long-haired, bearded crowd and offered a more relaxed, artistic vibe.

Barbers weren’t just trimming hair—they were part of the social fabric, influencing the look of activism, art, and music.

Iconic Bearded Figures of the 1960s

• Allen Ginsberg – The poet laureate of the Beat Generation, his full beard became a symbol of intellectual and countercultural credibility.

• Jerry Garcia – As the Grateful Dead frontman, Garcia’s beard became a staple of the psychedelic rock scene.

• Malcolm X – Often clean-shaven earlier in his activism, Malcolm X’s beard in later years came to represent his shift toward a more global, spiritual perspective.

Final Thoughts: Beards Then and Now

The beards of the 1960s weren’t just about grooming—they were about meaning. They told the world who you were, what you stood for, and where you saw yourself in society. Beard care may have been more rugged and less refined than today, but it carried weight.

Today, we have amaizng beard care from Retro Beards, grooming kits, organic oils, and tutorials galore. But there’s something raw and admirable about the '60s approach: grow it, own it, and wear it with pride.

Did your grandfather rock a beard in the ‘60s? Got a vintage photo or story to share? Drop it in the comments—let’s celebrate the roots of modern beard culture.