If you’ve made it here, you must have an avid appreciation for a finely groomed beard. Or you’re close to someone who does. Lucky you. Here you’ll find a fine selection of beard grooming supplies inspired by the power of nature, and engineered by the best in the business.
Earnest Empire will help maintain the manliest of facial features, making your beard as legendary as our namesake ‘Earnest the Slow Boat Barber’; who decades ago inspired a legacy that lead to the creation of our brand.
Our all natural products are crafted to perform, and are infused with our bespoke aroma – a masculine signature evoking the history and strength of our forefathers.
It’s time to take charge, take pride, and ‘reclaim your rituals’.
Text*On selected products only.
THE SLOW BOAT BARBER
While only conceived in 2017, The ‘Earnest Empire’ story starts a good three quarters of a century earlier.
The year is 1941. That’s right, ‘war’ time…
A strapping young lad by the name of Earnest James boards a slow boat in Auckland, New Zealand, destined for the shores of Egypt. But this lad wasn’t just a soldier, he was a barber by trade, and my great Uncle.
Ever the opportunist, ol’ Uncle Ernie recognised a need for an on-board barber. With a wit as sharp as his razor, he’d often jest with his brothers in arms that “You can’t fight the fight if you look like shite”. He soon set up shop, made a quick buck, and kept his mates looking dapper for the duration of their journey.
Earnest’s pioneering spirit is just one example of how our forefathers stared in the face of adversity…and smiled. While looking pretty damn good I’m sure he’d say. Sadly, he never returned, but the stories of his fighting spirit is what kept me returning to the name ‘Earnest Empire’.
Fast forward to 2017 and a visit to a barber shop in Hamburg (oh the irony…). It occurred to me that we men don’t spend nearly enough time enjoying the grooming rituals of my Great Uncle’s time. Rituals that are uniquely OURS.
I returned home to New Zealand with an idea, a dream, and a suitcase full of beard grooming supplies. Months of testing and critiquing led me to the conclusion that while some were good, I could surely do better. Us kiwis like it natural, and if I paid extreme attention to the sourcing of ingredients, I could create a range rich in natural elements, while leaving out all that synthetic crap found in many leading brands. So, with the help of expert cosmeticians and perfumers, that’s exactly what I did.
Today, Earnest Empire is a small, privately owned company manned by a close group of mates. Mates with a shared passion and commitment to delivering the gold standard in beard grooming products – so you can reclaim your rituals.
I’m sure the Slow Boat Barber would approve. - Greg
Great question. All natural (to us at least) means no nasty’s - No silicones, no parabens, no synthetic perfumes or fragrances, no petroleum by-products, and no nasty chemicals. We believe when it comes to grooming, nature has the goods and can out perform chemicals every time.
Sure can. We receive tons of feedback from men and women using our beard balm as a general face and body moisturiser. It’s that good!
Both Earnest beard oil and/or balm can be used as an after-shave skin conditioner. Both are packed full of nourishing ingredients, which will reduce razor burn and add moisture back into your skin.
Sure are. These are top secret at the moment but you can rest assured we are always working on the next big thing. We are a welcoming bunch and welcome any feedback on what you would like to see next.
Great question – and the most commonly asked one! Both Earnest Empire oil and balm will provide deep nourishment for your beard and skin, however the beard balm contains a combination of natural butters, which will allow for easy styling of longer beards. It will also aid the appearance of a fuller beard. Beard oil is much lighter and may suit a shorter beard. It contains a proprietary blend of natural oils that will help eliminate the stubble itch many guys experience.
Yes! We have received feedback from a number of blokes doing just this. Drew (thanks for your email Drew, and we hope you enjoyed your complementary beard oil) mentioned Earnest Empire is the first fragranced body wash he has ever been able to use without skin irritation. Well, happy we could help Drew and we put this down to our 100% certified natural fragrances.
Yes, although of course we do advise testing on a small patch of skin first (generic disclaimer!). Our products contain no petroleum-based products, synthetic fragrances and nasty chemicals that mean everybody’s skin loves Earnest Empire.
Absolutely not! We go to great lengths to source the very finest natural ingredients. Many leading moustache waxes contain petroleum based ingredients, however Earnest Empire uses a vegetable lanolin which not only means you get to achieve max style without rubbing petroleum by-product into your face, but it also coats your moustache in 100% natural and protective goodness.
