So, I bit the bullet finally and did a thing today:

My first proper shaving kit. They're all still technically Gillette products so they're not really a barber's recommended option, but as a beginner, I'm quite happy with it. Along with that, I got an Edwin Jagger DE89. Altogether it came to a shade under 200. That brush is the entry level so I'm thinking already about buying a more expensive Silvertip model. My favorite product so far is the beard wax

. Smells of pipe tobacco and sandalwood and makes my beard look slick.
The result so far:

Gonna try and grow it out for the foreseeable future. I want it to get long enough so that I can shape it to point down...I hate beards that seemingly have no shape. Just one big wad of hair is icky. I'm even considering a handlebar in the future if I'm feeling hipster enough.
What do you guys think of the color? I've had six people recently comment and ask if I color my beard

. I can't help that its both blonde and brunette. Should I try and color it to make it all one color?