USU alum launches beard care products
The co-owner of the beard & hair oil company, High Mountain Sage, Bryan Riben has a beard of a full 4 ½ – 6 inches long and has been growing it since 2009, and takes pride in the appearance of his facial hair.
“When I was growing up I would grow any facial hair I could grow, even though it was super wispy and not good at all,” Riben said.
Riben said he used to buy beard oils online, which would cost him anywhere between $25 – $40 with the extra cost for shipping.
Tired of paying the extra cost, Riben looked into how much time and work it took to make his own beard oil products.
“It’s actually not too tough. You just have to set aside time and be okay with buying a larger quantity,” Riben said.
Riben said the main reasonwhy he decided to make his own beard products was because they are more expensive elsewhere and online.
“I blend everything by hand, the beard wax and balm and oil. I make it all myself,” Riben said.
The prices at High Mountain Sage vary among the products, but range between $6 – $14 compared to $40 for higher-up brands.
“We’re trying to give people the best price possible,” Riben said.
Beards used to be a survival element to add protection to the face, but now humans don’t use that functionality of it.
“So, really it’s a cosmetic now,” Riben said. “If you’re going to grow your beard, take some pride in it.”
Beginning in 2016, Riben began making beard oil products on the side as a hobby and giving out samples to friends.
Riben said he makes a variety of products but his baseline product is beard oil, which gives moisture to the hair and skin.
“As the beard grows, it’s going to suck those natural oils the face naturally produces out, and can actually create that itch, it’s going help prevent that ‘beard itch,’” Riben said, “It’s going to create a protective layer of follicles so it won’t fade as quickly from the sun. Plus, it can smell nice.”
Riben said they also sell beard balm, which is for long and unruly beards, hair and skin.
“Beard balm is going to be your best friend, it’s made of ingredients that give it a nice hold (to long beards) while also moisturizing and protecting,” Riben said.
And the last product is beard wax, which is for styling mustaches and keeping the hair out of the mouth while eating.
“There is stuff in the wax that is going to help nourish the hair, but it’s definitely more of a styling agent,” Riben said.
“My business partner (Jonathon Huppi) was actually the one who really pushed it,” Riben said.
Huppi and Riben are both Cache Valley natives, the two went to high school, studied at Utah State and rock climb together.
“I hope High Mountain Sage becomes big enough to sponsor lesser-known sporting events like climbing competitions or the Highland games,” Huppi said.
Riben said he is slowly trying to start to use local products, and he currently uses local beeswax from Cox Honeyland, located here in Logan.
“Support local. No matter what the business is, people are working hard and making cool products out there. Sure, you can buy it cheaper online, but you lose that community, that closeness,” Riben said.
Riben said he’s trying to keep his company local, he currently delivers within the Cache Valley and Brigham City area.
Riben said for local deliveries they email or call the purchaser to arrange delivery or pickup for the order. They meet them at either their residence, a local store, or a hangout spot within Cache Valley or Brigham City, Utah.
“I’ll deliver it locally, wherever you’re at,” Riben said. “I’ll meet you at a cafe, I’ll meet you at school, I’ll meet you at your house. I have no problems delivering it for free.”
However, anywhere else outside of the Logan and Brigham City are will have to be shipped.
“Our mission is to help create an environment where we help with the charm and the health of Cache Valley,” Riben said.
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