Simple Beard Balm (with recipe)

Yep, this one is for the fellas~

or the gals who have a fella with a beard.

This is beard balm.

Mr. LB decided to let his beard grow for elk season this year

for the extra warmth.

Elk season has come and gone,

but the beard remains.

It was beginning to look a little "untamed" shall we say?

I asked him if he would be interested in some beard balm,

and he asked what that was. :)

I generally like to keep things simple so wanted something 

with only a few ingredients that would do the job.

I searched out recipes, but most had a list of ingredients

that was either too long or contained things I didn't have.
Also, many of them were scented which was not something 
we were interested in.

Since getting the block of beeswax,

I am a little less stingy with it, so this has a beeswax base.

Here's what I came up with:

3 parts beeswax

2 parts coconut oil (regular not fractionated)

1 part apricot kernel oil

I weighed out ounces for my "parts."

It takes very little, and this batch should last quite a while.

First, weigh the beeswax and place in clean veggie can.

I set this on the wood stove stirring occasionally until wax is melted.

Option #2 is to place veggie can in a pan with about an inch of water in it 

on med/med-low heat.

While the wax is melting, measure out the two oils.

Once wax is melted, add the oils and continue over heat stirring occasionally until all is melted and consistent.

Poor into heat resistant container to let it set-up.

I used a little old teacup I had.
(A 1/2 pint canning jar would work well too.)

I know that it's not very masculine, but it's what I had.

Such things don't even phase Mr. LB anymore.

He has been using the balm for several weeks now and likes it.

And, his beard looks so much better and healthier!

To use, just get very small amount on finger-tips then work through beard.
You could use 3 parts beeswax and 3 parts coconut oil, but
the apricot kernel oil is so good for skin and hair.
I didn't figure out a price per batch since it is such a small amount,
but compared to how expensive it can be, it's one more way to save.

***Important Notes***
Beeswax is not like "regular" candle wax.  Whatever pans, tins, utensils you use with it will never be the same.  This is why I use a veggie can for melting and a wooden skewer for stirring.  If I were to use one of my regular kitchen pots for the water method, I would first cover it with tinfoil just incase I dripped a bit of wax.  Please be careful for safety's sake as well as for the long term care of your equipment.