If, like me, you’re sick of scouring the aisles trying to find the perfect combination of beard washing and styling products, the Billy Jealousy Beard Envy Kit could be the answer to your prayers.
Beard maintenance can be hard work without the right pairings, which is why this particular kit is ideal.
My itchy, wiry bush is constantly irritating my neck and is susceptible to dandruff – hardly the proudest beard on the planet.
Therefore I was looking for something cleansing, soothing and easy to use.Don’t get me wrong; I’ve tried some shampoos and conditioners on my mane in the past, many of which don’t seem to be able to fight the frizz.
However, the mistake I’ve always made is to use harsh 2-in-1 shampoos on my sensitive face, which only seem to exacerbate the problem. Combination 2-in-1 products are simply too brutal in their oil-stripping, fuzz-stomping abilities, and leave my facial hair parched and drained.
For this reason, I prefer to keep my shampooing and conditioning separate.I also like to brush my whiskers regularly. The more pruned I feel, the prouder I pout, so I was pleased to see that the Billy Jealousy Beard Envy Kit comes with a specially designed boar bristle brush to help keep those stray hairs in check.
Without a brush, I look like a porcupine by midday, which is why I’ve been searching for the perfect-sized pruner to fit inside my man-purse.
What you should know before purchasing Billy Jealousy Beard Envy Kit
The first thing to consider when buying this product is that it contains a cleanser, a beard brush and smoothing leave-in conditioning treatment.
There are no styling waxes or after-wash oils in the pack, so these will need to be purchased separately. The conditioning treatment is supposed to control your beard, but will not necessarily provide a firm hold.
The ingredients are a combination of natural, plant-based products and synthetic chemicals.A plus is that the beard cleanser is sulphate-free, which reduces the likelihood of irritation. However, it does contain the alcohol polysorbate 20, which is linked to allergies.
If you’re allergic to other personal care products with this ingredient, test it on a patch of skin a few hours prior to use.
Another thing to consider before purchasing is that the conditioner is a leave-in product, so you won’t need to wash it out in the shower. For this reason, it’s best not to saturate your beard in it, but use it sparsely and build it up.
The beard wash and conditioning treatment are only 88ml each, which may be smaller than you’re expecting. The larger versions (236ml), so what you’ll receive in the Bill Jealously Beard Envy Kit are less than half the size.
Billy Jealousy Beard Envy - Beard Refining Kit - Beard Wash, Beard Control and Boar Bristle Brush
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There are several elements to the Billy Jealousy Beard Envy Kit that I really like.
The first is the beard cleanser’s ability to lather up into big creamy suds with very little water. I chose to apply this wash as part of my morning shower routine.
The scent was fresh and meadowy. As I read the bottle, I noticed it contains an infusion of green tea which is probably what I could smell.
I only needed the smallest drop, so even the 88ml bottle was bound to last me at least a month.
After finishing the rest of my man-grooming, I applied a small dollop (no bigger than the end of my little finger) of controlling-conditioner to my damp beard.
I could smell the refreshing jojoba oil as I lovingly massaged the product through my mane. I would say this is one of the better conditioners I’ve tried. The thickness meant I needn’t use much, but the softening results were instant.
As I have a particularly wild look, I wasn’t expecting miracles. However, the hairs did (for once) bend in the direction I wanted them to and felt far less matted.
Finally, it was time to give my shiny locks a brush. This is where the product fell slightly short for me.
Don’t get me wrong, the aesthetics of the brush are incredibly smart. It’s matte black, has a smooth shape and is the perfect palm-size for effortless use.
Perhaps it’s my incredibly rugged thickness, but the bristles didn’t quite make it through the jungle. It did untangle the upper layers, but I would suggest that this brush is more suited to shorter, straighter beards.
So to summarize, here’s a list of Pros and Con’s for the Billy Jealousy Beard Envy Kit:
We Like
- Rich, creamy cleansing shampoo
- Refreshing and pleasing scent
- Strong conditioner
- Easy styling
We Don’t Like
- Some synthetic chemicals
- Small bottles
- Brush might not be suitable for thick beards
Features and Benefits
The Billy Jealousy Beard Envy Kit boasts an Esquire 2023 Grooming Award and a Men’s Health Grooming Award, making it a top-rated product by industry experts.
It has an array of natural ingredients to keep skin and facial hair happy and well-nourished. The beard wash contains aloe barbadensis leaf juice, which has vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, E, choline and folic acid. What could be healthier?
As for the conditioner, the jojoba seed oil is what gives the hair it’s brilliant buff. With minimal effort, the aromatic leave-in product helps to ease up the kinks and bring on the winks.
The travel-sized bottles are perfect for a first-time purchase. This way you can test them, enjoy them, and order one of the larger bottles if you’ve found your perfect match. It also has a nice ‘gift’ feel to it in case you’re stuck for a Father’s Day idea.
The manly packaging, featuring a chap with even more hair-power than me, is simplistic and appealing. However, if you think you’re going to look like the hairy hunk featured on the front after one use, you may be disappointed.
I especially liked the aesthetics of the beard brush. Its reinforced, extra firm boar bristles are great for untangling and reshaping unruly manes.
Finally, the sweet, woody scent of the Billy Jealousy Beard Envy wash and conditioner is the epitome of Spring. The quaint jojoba oils, stimulating green tea and warming honey extract give the cleanser an uplifting, cheerful feel, creating a groovy mood even before breakfast.
Alternatives
There are a number of similar kits available:
Beard Grooming Kit by Percy Nobleman - A Beard Oil, Wash, Balm and Comb Set For Men. Proudly Made in England by Europe's Leading Beard Grooming Brand
Includes beard wash, beard oil, a pocket comb, and wax.
This is a good all-rounder, perfect for those of you who are sporting a pristine tash.
Similarly to the Billy Jealousy Beard Envy Kit, it contains a cleanser, but has substituted the conditioner with an oil.
This may be better for those of you who do not require a hard-bristled brush and are comfortable using a comb instead.
Men Rock Beardy Beloved Beard Care Kit
This stylish gift set comes with beard soap, balm, wax and a comb. It does not contain a brush, so may be better for those with shorter beards which require less de-tangling.
However, the price is competitive, especially for the quantity of products you receive in the set.
Gift Sets by Men Rock Blade Shunner Awakening Kit
Very similarly to the Billy Jealousy Beard Envy Kit, this box of goodies contains a shampoo, leave in conditioner and robust beard brush.
The shampoo and conditioner are both 100ml each, which is 18ml more than Billy Jealousy’s.
The beard comb looks less bristly, with a slightly shapelier style. This set is ideal for anyone who perhaps hasn’t got on with the Beard Envy Kit and wants to try something similar, but not identical.
Conclusion
When I tested the Billy Jealousy Beard Envy Kit, the first question that came to mind was ‘will the results really create ‘beard envy’ among my hairiest friends?’
I feel I can safely say that the answer is yes.
The beard wash was surprisingly luxurious, leaving my whiskers fluffy and fragrant. The conditioner was easy to apply, and didn’t leave any residue.
This gave my beard a springy yet controlled appearance. I found after applying the moisturizing conditioner there was very little need for wax.
My only criticism of the Billy Jealousy Beard Envy Kit was that, while the brush is robust, it may not have been muscular enough to combat the depths of my shrubbery.
It will, however, be perfect for those of you with short to medium beards.
The three perfectly packaged products compliment each other nicely, making it a great gift for one of your man-mates or as a well-deserved treat for yourself.
