Beardsmith is an Irish company based in Kerry, specializing in beard care and men’s grooming. Their high-quality, natural products are handmade on the Wild Atlantic Way using traditional techniques. Designed specifically for men, the products feature masculine scents and are quick and easy to use. The Beardsmith range includes natural soaps and shampoos, beard oils, and styling waxes, all of which are 100% chemical-free.
What’s a typical day in the studio like for you?
As I’m also a full time theatre nurse I batch cook my beard care products. A day in the workshop will be very intensive with large batches of handmade soap being mixed and poured, alongside shampoo mixing and blending.
What do you like most about your work?
Creating an excellent and effective product from natural, base ingredients.
The clean-up afterwards!
The bar of soap on the sink. It’s used every day by the whole family.
A soap volcano! I was new to soap making and had a huge eruption of overheated soap before I began to hone my craft.
My sons – I was so tired when they were young that I stopped shaving and that was the birth of Beardsmith.
What advice would you give someone who is considering this craft career?
Perfect your product and know your customers and what they want. If you want to actually be rewarded for your skill you need to consider what people want from it.
Where do you get your inspiration?
The Wild Atlantic Way. The rugged, untamed environments around Kerry is inspiring for how I want to live, and how I want to create.
It is key to everything. A natural range which which is inspired by nature and is fully sustainable. Zero waste, zero chemicals and minimal, reusable, recyclable and sustainable packaging.
What’s the most challenging part of your craft?
Sourcing local, quality and sustainable ingredients.
What made you choose your discipline?
An interest in the sciences as well as nature.
Just that I have never had an accident when cooking soap that has burned or otherwise injured me!
Get the core product right from the start and then leverage its quality into the whole product range and how I market it.
What would you say to anyone thinking of becoming a DCCI member
It’s a great way of sharing your work and mixing with likeminded people.
