I have been wearing a beard for about 7-9 years now. 7 without shaving. I absolutely love it. I think I look better and I can grow a pretty darn good one, so that helps me want to keep it. Also, I wear it on the longer side most of the time.
On the subject of beard products, I've tried oil, balm and wax, I only kept using oil, although I do buy balm every once in a while. I don't really care about the rest and wax too easily pulls my mustache hairs out.
I've been making my own beard oil for the past 4 years. It saves me a ton of money.
For those of you who wonder about the utility of beard products, here is my story. In my first few bearding years, my wife nicknamed me "Mr. Broom" because of my mustache. I began to learn about beard oil and its benefits, and thought I'd give it a try. After about a week after using it my wife stopped calling me Mr. Broom. I am a believer in beard oil.
Over the last 2 years I've kept my sides shorter and my goatee long. But since everything is locked down now, I thought I'd grow it all out again, so that's what I'm in the middle of doing. I think I might go full on epic this time around.
I'll post a picture as soon as I get a chance.