I've grown a lot o facial hair in my time, from side burns during the 90210 heyday (I was 15) to full beards to goatees, so maybe I can give some advice.
1) You need to invest at least 2-3 weeks minimum in a beard. Some facial hair grows slower, but is necessary to fill out the beard. Don't let the itching get to you, it will pass.
2) After a week or two, trim daily or every other day. Like a hedge, when you trim the fast growing hairs back it allows for the slower growing hair to fill in any thin areas.
3) Pay attention to the direction it grows. I have a cowlick on my neck, so I can only grow facial hair so low before it looks very odd.
4) Manscape the beard to fit it's strengths. If you don't have mustache to beard connectors after a few weeks, abandon the attempt and have a mustache and beard, or if that doesn't suit you, go with a chinstrap beard. I've always liked those and have had them for years in the past.
5) Beards look weird if you don't cut your hair to make the transition. Before abandoning a dissatisfactory beard, get a hair cut. That might make all the difference.
Lastly, you're ability to grow hair increases over time. Being 32, I can grow more facial haor now than I could only 2 years ago. In fact, I've started a new beard this morning (vacation beard) and I'm going to shoot for mustache/beard connectors for the first time in 10 years.
When I get back from Ireland, I'll be sure to post picks to update how the old beard is going.
As for style, may I humbly suggest...
Re: give me some beard inspiration
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