One year ago today I was full of optimism for the new year and new decade. Before long, however, nothing turned out how I expected for 2020. I am not alone in experiencing the year that way.
Sometimes I wonder if I should not express optimism at the start of a new year. Too many times, years that started out brimming with optimism and new hope seemingly turned out all wrong. Sometimes I have to remind myself that it’s important to hold on to optimism no matter what. That’s what keeps us moving onward toward better days.
Look with favor upon a bold beginning.
Virgil
This quote from Virgil came to mind when I sat down to write this post. Every day can be a bold new beginning. New Year’s Day is always a good time for a new bold beginning. While the first day of 2021 may not be a complete reset from the final days of 2020, we can choose to approach it as a bold new beginning.
For 2021, let’s boldly grow our beards and encourage others to join us. Growing a new beard is a wonderful bold beginning. Don’t hold back. Grow your beard.
Throughout 2021, let’s always strive to do our best. Be kind to each other. Be helpful to one another. Go forward with a heart full of compassion, optimism, hope, and courage.
Today and every day I will “look with favor upon a bold beginning”. I urge you to do the same. Now I wish all beard-growers, beard fans, and their families, friends, and colleagues a happy and prosperous 2021!
What if you are still shaving this late into No-Shave November? All right then: Gentlemen, start your beards.
It’s not too late! You can still start growing. Sure, any time is a good time to start growing your beard. But No-Shave November is a great time to start a new beard. If you are a hesitant potential beard grower, No-Shave November gives you some cover along with justification and support for growing a new beard.
Even this late into No-Shave November you can still explain that you’re growing your beard to support the cause of men’s health, especially the fight against prostate cancer and suicide. To learn more about No-Shave November’s focus on men’s health issues, see No-Shave November: More Than An Opportunity To Grow Your Beard.
First-time beard growers during No-Shave November benefit from the strength in numbers provided by all the other new beard growers. New beard growers see that they are not alone in their beard-growing adventure. You feel less isolated when you see others growing new beards at the same time. You feel the strength that comes from growing as part of a group. This boosts new beard growers’ confidence and helps you stay the course.
Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. Grow your beard.
All you new beard growers can become permanent beard growers. And you should! You will add to the ranks of established beard growers, increasing our strength in numbers. The more bearded men there are, the more common beards are. As beards become more common, people become more accustomed to seeing beards and being around them. With the increasing familiarity of beards, beards naturally become more accepted. As acceptance of beards grows, more men feel empowered to grow their beards. Remember, strength in numbers. Join us.
You don’t need No-Shave November as an excuse for starting to grow your beard. You should start growing your beard whenever you like. However, if you could use a boost of courage to get growing, No-Shave November is one of the best times to start a new beard. Go to our expert guide to growing your beard and start growing today! Then, be sure to keep growing through December and into the next year. Consider becoming a permanent beard grower. That would be GREAT.
What’s it like to have a beard for more than ten years? Could you do it? Would you do it? Some guys give up on growing a beard after only a few days! Having a beard for ten years shows some serious beard dedication.
Valentin is a seriously-dedicated beard man. Up until 2009, he gained beard-growing experience by going through phases with and without his beard. Starting in August of 2009 with a completely shaved faced, Valentin grew his beard once again and has kept it ever since.
After Valentin reached the milestone of being bearded for a full decade, he reflected on his experience with us. We proudly salute Valentin for being continuously bearded since 2009 and for his tremendous dedication to the beard!
How do you feel about your current beard reaching its tenth anniversary?
These ten years passed very quickly. I have a stable feeling about the correctness of my choice. There was never a desire to shave off the beard. With the beard I feel very free and natural. I’m so used to it that being bearded is completely normal for me. I do not notice my beard in everyday life. It is as familiar as the hair on the head. I even forget that I have a beard, while someone, most often preschool children, will express their thoughts out loud about my beard. Men, with all their restraint, mostly express themselves emotionally, appreciating and admiring my beard. I always ask them why they don’t wear a beard.
Here we see how Valentin went from a shaved face to a big beard and achieved a full decade of being bearded.
Have you kept your beard about the same length and size for these ten years?
If you look at the photographs of this decade, you can see that for the first year or two, I wore a rather short beard. My barber once told me: “Why do you shave the lower part of the beard around your neck? Let the beard grow naturally. Then it will look more voluminous. The upper part of the beard hair will lean on the lower, and the beard will look bigger and more natural.” Then I looked at the photos, read the materials on your site, and realized that a full beard may not need a cheek line and neck line at all.
Following the advice of my barber, I stopped using scissors and a razor and decided to see what opportunities nature gave me, what a full beard would look like, and whether it suited me. I watched with interest the length of the hair of the beard and I liked it more and more. I discovered that I have a pretty good beard; it suits me. I don’t need to cut and shave it regularly. I just need to keep it clean and tidy.
I liked the full, big beard and realized that this beard is for me. At the same time I thought that I needed to determine my maximum size, the maximum size which would suit me. When the beard grew longer than twenty centimeters (7.9 inches), it seemed to me that the bottom of the beard became rarer, not clear, and not contrasting. I shortened my beard by six centimeters (2.4 inches) and went on a return trip: I allowed my beard to grow again freely without touching it with scissors or a trimmer. I called it “a return trip” or “a journey back through the world of beard”.
Has your beard gotten any thicker over the ten years?
Probably not. The unhindered and free growth of all the hair produces a larger volume for the size and shape of the beard. And the regular use of beard oil helps me to shape the larger volume of the beard. It seems bigger and bushier, which I like.
What have you learned about being bearded during this time?
I, myself, and people I know are so used to my bearded appearance that it does not raise questions. Being bearded has become an everyday state for me. I have no problems with it. Instead of daily morning shaving, I have a standard daily set of beard treatments that are very simple. Definitely I have learned that I will never shave my beard again.
Valentin’s lovely granddaughter is a talented photographer. She happily serves as her grandfather’s official beard photographer!
Would you describe your beard grooming and maintenance routines?
To this question I have a very standard answer. It can be found both in your beard care tips and in other recommendations. Every one of us knows what kind of hair and skin he has. Depending on this, he selects shampoo or soap and the frequency of washing the beard. I wash my beard once a week with special beard soap. On the other days of the week I rinse my beard only with water during my morning shower. However, because the beard’s hair absorbs odors of the street very much, it becomes necessary to use soap again. In this case I use a neutral soap that is recommended for children. This soap doesn’t contain various additives that make hair dry, fragile, unruly. I tried various sorts of soap, but chose this kind.
After washing my beard, I usually wipe it with a towel, making light and slow movements from top to bottom. After that I put oil on my palms, rub it in my hair, and massage my skin. I comb the beard with a wide tooth comb from the top to the bottom. Gradually I use combs with smaller teeth. Combing is accompanied by stroking the hair with my hand. I give the desired shape to the beard and allow some time to dry the hair naturally. Sometimes when going out, I use hair wax for better fixation. However, when it is windy, it is impossible to keep my long beard in good order.
In your area, are beards seen more favorably now than ten years ago?
Yes, that’s for sure. The beard has become a fashion now in our country. Until 1700, all Russian men of different classes wore beards. Russian Tsar Peter I forcibly introduced beard shaving in Russia. Those who refused had to pay a large tax for the beard. And now the beard has returned to Russia again. In big cities, barbershops are opening one after another. Young guys, students, try to grow beards, which, due to their young age, are still growing poorly in the majority. But they want to have a big, full beard right away. So they ask with a melancholy voice how to grow a big beard. Some of them rub some ointments into their skin or take medications hoping to accelerate hair growth. I think that many guys from the younger generation will become bearded men for life.
Are beards now more common in the area where you live than they were ten years ago?
Probably in all countries, small towns remain more conservative, and are more adherents of old habits and traditions. But with the current means of communication, when television, the Internet, and mobile communications are available everywhere, it is difficult to isolate oneself from the world. In advertising, in television programs, we now see men with different types of beards. The men of our small town try to keep up with the times. On the streets I can see more and more bearded men. Maybe these are their first timid attempts, but over time they will wear beautiful beards.
Have you encouraged or inspired other men to grow their beards during this time?
Over the years, a lot of guys talked with me about beards, asked questions of interest to them, and asked me to be photographed with them. I think it did not go in vain. Even my grandson, two years ago, after leaving school and entering university, began to wear a beard. Now our family has two beards.
What is the best thing about being bearded for ten years?
Joyfully and gladly I have worn my beard all these ten years. It is a good feeling to be a bearded man. One man said after talking with me about beards that this is already my disease. I don’t know. Maybe it is. But it’s just a sweet illness.
How has the world of beards changed over this ten-year period?
In recent years, the situation with beard materials has dramatically changed. This is due to the fact that the beard has become a real fashion among the male population. There was a need for more information. As a response to this need, many new websites about beards have appeared on the Internet. The advantage of the beards.org site is its carefulness, deep insight into the problem, and a versatile approach. A lot of interesting and necessary material has been accumulated here.
There was a lack of good, high-quality beard photos before. But now, with the development of photographic equipment, the possibilities have become different, and people can take pictures everywhere. The quality of the photos is different, of course, but there are plenty of them to choose from. And most importantly, there are many men with handsome and diverse beards. What a variety of faces and beards: one is better than the other.
Probably the most acute hunger for inspirational beard visuals and information has already been satisfied. Now some other stage has come. Beards.org has accumulated a large amount of material here. On your site there are so many interviews in which the invaluable experience of different people is collected. They share their thoughts and problems, among which anyone can find answers to questions of interest. I remain a fan of your site. So I am happy to share with you the tenth anniversary of my beard.
All About BEARDS is pleased to count on Valentin as a long-term, loyal friend of the site. Be sure to also see Valentin’s beard feature.
Now it’s your turn to grow your beard for ten years and more!
The above greeting was the headline on the home page of All About BEARDS when the site made its debut on the worldwide web on January 17, 1996. I started the site to take a stand:
to proclaim that beards are okay, that beards are actually way more than okay
to declare that beards are natural and worthy and should be embraced rather than shunned
to stress that beards merit respect, appreciation, and even admiration
to state that it’s all right to have questions about beards and how to grow a beard and to seek out information about beards
to provide much-needed information on the right way to grow a beard as well as helpful information on beard styles and beard grooming
to encourage and inspire men all over the world to grow their beards
Ever since that first day twenty-four years ago, the site has steadfastly remained true to the bearded cause. That was the start of All About BEARDS’ efforts to increase beard acceptance. The goal has always been to enable men to be free to grow their beards as they see fit.
Beard progress
Yes, beards have come a long way since 1996. In recent years and still today, beards are seen in far greater numbers and enjoy a lot more acceptance. Today beards are seen much more frequently in popular media than probably ever before. A notable indicator is the number of beards seen in television commercials. Back when All About BEARDS first started, it was highly unlikely to ever see a beard in a television commercial. Nowadays it seems that nearly every man appearing in a television commercial has a beard, usually even a full beard. That’s some beard progress.
In the years since All About BEARDS started, many more companies have eased or lifted restrictions on employee beards. Men in a variety of professions are growing beards and finding that their beards are not a detriment to a professional appearance. This represents great progress. However, plenty of employers still maintain outdated restrictions on beards.
Today beards are seen less like an oddity and more like an accepted, everyday thing. And beards these days regularly summon plenty of compliments from both women and men. Many a time I’ve had people go out of their way to compliment me on my beard.
That pesky anti-beard bias
Despite all the gains in acceptance and the increased goodwill toward beards, there remains a surprising amount of anti-beard sentiment. Lots of people still voice strong criticisms of beards with great conviction. They may claim that all beards are unsightly and unkempt. They may say that beards are unclean. They may say that beards are offensive or disgraceful.
Others may allow for beards, but impose their own restrictions, especially with respect to size or length. Some state that beards that exceed a certain length, sometimes as little as a quarter of an inch, are absolutely unacceptable and must not be tolerated. In most of these cases, they appoint themselves to decide whether others may grow their beards or to what extent these beards may be permitted to grow. They are also quick to insist that new beard growers stop that beard-growing nonsense immediately and shave. They can be unrelenting in their demands that new beard growers obey their wishes. All of this serves as a reminder that much more progress is needed to counter anti-beard bias.
All About BEARDS: Growing strong for twenty-four years!
Do your part and grow your beard
When it comes to beards, I continue to stress that there is strength in numbers. This works in many ways. Overall, the more beards there are, the more common they become. As beards become more common, greater numbers of people become accustomed to them. With increased familiarity with beards, more acceptance follows.
Each bearded man has the opportunity to be a positive role model, improving the image of bearded men in general. Bearded men and beard fans should actively encourage other men to grow their beards. And those new beard growers should do the same. This increases the number of beards in the world and helps grow more acceptance of beards. Now do your part and grow your beard! Also share this post and encourage others to grow.
Many thanks go to all of the wonderful friends who have supported and grown with All About BEARDS during the last twenty-four years!
Every year should be the year of the beard. And every decade should be the decade of the beard. So let’s make it official. From here on out, every year is the Year of the Beard and every decade is the the Decade of the Beard: each one stronger than the one before. Let’s keep it that way by continuing to grow our beards and encouraging all others to grow their beards. There is strength in numbers. The more beard growers there are, the better it is for all beard growers. While beards are more commonly seen these days than they have been for a long time, we still have a long way to go and grow!
Beard acceptance and even beard appreciation are on the rise. But the old anti-beard bias still persists, often more than you might think. Anti-beard bias may pop up unexpectedly at any time and anywhere. One way to fight anti-beard bias is simply for more men to grow their beards. As beards become increasingly more common, increased acceptance generally follows. More and more people see beards as something normal. And as beards are viewed more and more as something normal, they arouse less suspicion or negative thoughts.
Take a stand for the bearded brotherhood and grow your beard!
Another way to deter anti-beard bias is to politely and respectfully challenge it whenever it arises. View this as an opportunity to maybe change someone’s negative opinion of beards or at least to get them to re-examine their perspective on beards. If someone makes a negative remark about your beard, the beards of others, or just beards in general, ask them why they hold such negative views towards beards. See if you can engage them in a constructive conversation and get them to reconsider their bias against beards.
Meanwhile, let’s continue to grow, grow, grow our beards and encourage as many others as we can to grow theirs. Keep this up and every year will be an even better year of the beard and every decade will be a better decade of the beard than the one before.
If you started growing your beard for No-Shave November and shaved already, start growing again! If you haven’t yet started growing your beard, start today! The beginning of a new year is always a great time to start growing your beard. Really, any day is a great day to start growing your beard. Just make the decision and commitment and start growing.
All about beards has been helping men all over the world grow better beards since 1996. Be sure to grow your new beard the right way by following our tried-and-true guide on how to grow a beard.
Happy beard-growing and best wishes to all for a wonderful new year 2020!
Jimmy, our favorite avid beard-growing attorney on a Mediterranean island, is famously dedicated to his full beard. Jimmy’s full beard is a hallmark of his appearance. So when one day it suddenly was gone, what could have happened? I had to investigate this baffling mystery. To get answers, I directed my questions to the source, Jimmy himself. Read below to learn what happened and see a series of progress photos in Jimmy’s new beard growth photo album.
Attorney Jimmy is normally fully bearded in abundance.
I thought you were clearly happy with and proud of your beard. What led you to rid yourself of your illustrious beard?
It was more a necessity than a choice because of minor issues with dry skin. I felt I needed the skin on my face to re-balance and, although products do help, I have been raised on an island that believes in fresh air and sunlight and that idea is too ingrained in my personality to ignore.
Jimmy’s usual appearance features his luxuriant full beard.
Did you reduce your beard in size before the shave?
I took it down gradually, starting the shortening process about three weeks before the actual shave down to a stubble. The reason was for me to transition slowly into the drastic change since when I did the same some years ago, I had gone straight down from a full beard to stubble and the change was shocking to the point where I could not enjoy the re-growth; I was just anxious about it.
What was the process you used for the beard shave-off?
The fact that the beard was considerably long demanded that the shave-down take place in stages. This was to avoid the pain of pulling hairs, mostly, but also to secure the stubble look I was after. I didn’t want to go full clean face with a traditional blade shave. Henceforth, I started trimming off the length over some weeks. Also this was for me to get used to the shortening, until it was short enough that I could go right in and trim it off to a stubble, always using a trimmer. The trim-down also gave me the opportunity to treat the skin on my face with some good skin products and to assess the situation. I am happy to report that the skin was, and is, in very good shape, hence the re-growth commenced the day of the shave-down!
How did you see yourself when the beard was gone? How did you feel about suddenly being beardless?
Shocking! And way too young! I must be one of a handful of people in the world who actually prefer to look older than their years. Perhaps this is also because in my profession experience is still attributed to age. So the shave down brought about a drastic change in appearance which I cannot say I liked, or like, but which I knew was necessary. The fact I trimmed the length down in stages did, however, help in reducing the shock factor I had experienced in the past and helped me enjoy the short-beard look while it lasted!
Here’s Jimmy’s beard in the early stages of re-growth. Be sure to scroll down for the full set of beard re-growth progress photos.
You are growing the beard back soon, correct?
The re-growth process started the day of the shave-down. I shaved down intending to re-grow straight away. So it was a matter of necessity and responsibility towards my facial skin, too. I do use skin products while I am fully bearded but I do feel that the application thereof is not as easy with a beard as long as mine was. So I know my skin appreciated the effort.
Are you eager to resume your full-bearded status?
I am! And always will be! The full beard is my aesthetic and I cannot quite see myself without any sort of facial hair any time soon.
Do you have any specific plans for your new beard?
I am aiming at a tapered-at-the-chin look which I have had before and which I feel suits my face and gives me added character. What I do wish is for my beard to go whiter at the same fast rate as my hair is. But it seems to be taking its sweet time!
How long did you have your beard prior to your recent shave?
I am actually not entirely sure since I’ve had some form of facial hair for a very long time. But I think I’ve become more aware of my “bearded-man” status in the last six years. This does not mean I would not be trimming my beard and experimenting with styles. But it’s been a time when I certainly had a full face beard rather than just a goatee or ‘stache and also an actual beard, never having gone down to a stubble in said period of time prior to the recent shave.
What was the biggest or longest you let your previous beard grow before the recent shave?
The longest my beard has ever been is five inches on the chin but shorter on the sides of my face (about two inches on the sides). The reason I’d have the sides shorter is to decrease volume and take the full beard from a spherical shape beard to a more tapered look. I loved the length and I am thinking I might go that long again with this current growth. In fact, since the last shave down to a stubble I’ve not touched my beard in any way, no trim, no shaping; just pure growth into a spherical shape until I feel there is enough length to taper it at the chin in the look I wish to achieve.
Here is Jimmy’s beard at one of its bigger sizes.
How did you like your beard at its biggest or longest?
Better! The only reason I shaved down (and to a stubble no less!) is because I felt I needed my facial skin to be exposed to sunlight and also more air. I was having some minor issues with dry skin on my chin and shaving down helped. But I much prefer the full beard and I feel it is such a big part of my aesthetic now that I feel a lack in my identity without it; no matter what anyone else has to say about it.
Jimmy’s new beard growth photo album
From day one to eight weeks and a day, here are photos of Jimmy’s new beard growth progress. Click on or tap any photo below to view a larger version and for the number of days of growth.
This is Jimmy’s beard on the first day of new growth following his beard removal down to the stubble.
This is Jimmy’s new beard growth at 8 days.
Here Jimmy’s beard growth has reached day 12.
Jimmy’s beard growth is seen here at two weeks.
Here is Jimmy’s beard growth on day 16.
Jimmy’s beard growth is just shy of three weeks on day 20.
Jimmy’s beard growth is coming along nicely on day 24.
Jimmy’s new beard growth here has reached four weeks.
Here’s Jimmy’s beard growth at five weeks.
Jimmy’s beard growth here is at six weeks.
This is seven weeks of Jimmy’s beard growth.
At eight weeks and one day, Jimmy’s new beard growth is quite full. His beard restoration effort is pretty much complete.
Jimmy’s beard mystery solved
Jimmy reminds us that taking care of one’s facial skin is important. A healthy beard grows out from healthy skin. By trimming his beard down to the stubble, Jimmy could give his face’s skin all the best care it was needing. With his dry skin issues quickly addressed and his facial skin fully refreshed, Jimmy was well prepared to take on his next big beard-growing adventure.
The disappearance of Jimmy’s beard came as a shock, especially because he is known to be fiercely dedicated to carefully maintaining his full-bearded appearance. But he had a good reason for taking such drastic action. Jimmy shows us just one example of why a dedicated beard man might need to temporarily shave off his beard.
Shaving off a well-established beard sounds unthinkable. However, it doesn’t have to be permanent. It just opens up the opportunity to grow out the beard again. And if you ever find yourself needing to shave off your beard for whatever reason, follow our expert guide to shaving off your beard. Just be sure to grow your beard right back again — like Jimmy!
Be sure to also see Jimmy’s beard feature interview and photos:
It’s November. Make that No-Shave November. In the United States, Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is fast approaching. No matter where you are, the year is nearing its end. The next couple of months are a favorite time of year for many thanks to the holidays and traditions of time spent with family, surrounded by laughter and good food. It’s also when No-Shave November rolls around.
Now is the time when we can all get on board to help raise awareness for men’s health, including men who are battling cancer along with the common side effect of hair loss associated with their treatments. No-Shave November is a great way for us to join together, similar to American Heart Month and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in February and October, to support those living with illness.
What is No-Shave November?
A lot of guys may not be aware of what No-Shave November is really about. Some see it as an opportunity to save time each day by not shaving and maybe gaining a little extra sleep every morning. Others just think November is a month to let their beards grow because the weather might be getting colder. Or they might see it now as the traditional month to start growing a new beard.
Of course No-Shave November offers the perfect excuse for growing a new beard. But the real purpose of No-Shave November is to support men fighting prostate and testicular cancer and to prevent men’s suicide. No-Shave November means raising awareness about men’s health and the importance of early detection and prevention. To do this, men are encouraged to grow out their facial hair as a symbol of support and donate the regular costs of grooming to the cause.
Why is it important?
Men’s health is often brushed aside. But the causes that No-Shave November support are important concerns for all men.
Prostate cancer begins in the prostate gland where it may grow slowly or it may grow aggressively and spread quickly to other organs and tissues. About one in nine men will be diagnosed with this disease in their lifetimes, making it one of the most common cancers for men. Early detection is key for the best treatment outcomes.
The Mayo Clinic classifies testicular cancer as being relatively rare. It happens most often in men between the ages of 15 and 45. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor to see if you should give yourself regular testicular self-exams to aid in early detection.
Never let suicidal thoughts overtake you. There is always hope and there is always help, even if you feel that there is none. Resources are available. Please reach out to someone for help.
Men’s suicide rates are alarmingly high. It’s a disturbing crisis that is difficult for many to acknowledge. Reports indicate that women are more likely to think about suicide while men are more likely to carry it out. Recent data revealed that men died by suicide 3.5 times more often than women. If someone you know is in crisis, reach out to help connect them with resources to prevent a potential tragedy. In the United States if you are in crisis, or know someone who is, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline anytime, 24/7, at 988. In other countries, please seek out appropriate suicide-prevention resources.
What if you can’t grow a beard?
Growing a beard fit for a lumberjack isn’t always realistic. Some guys have never been able to grow one. If that’s you, don’t worry. The lack of ability to grow a beard is genetic and you just can’t help it.
One way you might participate in No-Shave November is by letting the rest of your hair grow for the month. For some, that option presents its own challenge. As we get older, it can get harder to grow our hair like when we were younger. And even young guys may experience male pattern baldness much earlier than they might have ever expected. Unlike the inability to improve beard thickness, you can treat hair loss, if it’s right for you, with a doctor’s prescription for male pattern baldness. This could help you show your support for the No-Shave November movement without having to stress about lacking the genetics for beard-growing.
Another way to participate in No-Shave November if you cannot grow your own beard is to suggest to beard-capable men that they grow their beards. Encourage them to grow and support No-Shave November themselves.
What if you already have a beard?
If you’ve already got a beard and are a pro at beard growing, don’t scoff at No-Shave November as “amateur beard month”. Encourage all the first-time beard growers out there and welcome them as newcomers to the bearded brotherhood.
Not a necessity, but a way to make a big statement would be to shave your beard and start growing again. You can think of it like that old saying which states that the only reason to shave off your beard is to experience the pleasure of growing it out again.
Bearded already? Give encouragement to the rookie beard growers and recruit others to grow their beards for No-Shave November!
Even if you’re already fully bearded and opt not to shave and regrow, you can participate in No-Shave November by reminding everyone that it’s all about raising awareness about men’s health issues. Amplify your participation by recruiting others to participate as well.
How can you support the cause?
Be a leader. Don’t be afraid to keep the conversation going around these significant men’s health issues. Keeping the focus on men’s health issues helps to press for needed research to improve treatments and prevention.
Taking part in No-Shave November is a great way to show that you stand for something. People will follow you. People will want to hear your story and know what you represent.
Although No-Shave November ends at the month’s close, your support doesn’t have to end. Spreading your message, beliefs, and support for those fighting prostate and testicular cancer as well as men’s suicide can be a year-round effort. And the end of No-Shave November does NOT mean that you automatically should resume shaving. Keep growing your new beard!
To continue the mission of No-Shave November, consider volunteering at your local hospital or participating in races or walks that support men who continue to fight these awful diseases.
If you feel that a month off from shaving is enough for you, then you might think about getting rid of your new beard growth. If so, stop. Think again. Don’t make a hasty, automatic decision that your new beard growth must go. If after careful consideration you decide that your new beard absolutely cannot remain, do the deed the right way by following our expert guide to shaving off your beard. Then make a commitment to grow again during the next No-Shave November.
Welcome, new beard growers! Don’t be shy. If you’ve never grown your beard, now is the time to boldly grow where you’ve never grown before.
Although, any time is a good time to start growing out your beard, there’s no better time to start than during No-Shave November. There is strength in numbers. You won’t be alone in your beard-growing effort. And if your beard-growing confidence gets a little shaky when confronted with objections or criticisms by others, you can justify your new beard growth by pointing out that it’s No-Shave November.
You can grow your new beard with confidence and success by following our proven guide on how to grow a beard. So don’t delay. Start growing out your beard today!
Grow your beard for No-Shave November…and beyond!
And when November ends, don’t stop there. Keep growing! We hope that once you go beard, you’ll never go back.
Most men like to look younger. Some will even admit it. However, too many guys automatically believe that looking younger means shaving off their beards. Stop! Don’t do that! Instead, follow these steps to look younger while still sporting your prized facial hair.
Step 1: Get your rest
The first step to looking younger is making sure that you are getting a good night’s sleep, every night. Depriving your body of proper rest can lead to many health problems. One of the first negative effects of insufficient sleep is on your looks. Having bags under your eyes can make you look older. And a great cure for that is…SLEEP.
Step 2: Prep your face
The next step to looking younger is always keeping up on general maintenance. Washing your face every day and exfoliating once a week is a good place to start. It is good to rid your skin of excess oils that could lead to breakouts and scarring, which could diminish your youthful look. It’s important to know your skin type for this step! Skin types, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, are:
Sensitive skin may sting or burn after product use
Normal skin is clear and not sensitive
Dry skin is flaky, itchy or rough
Oily skin is shiny and greasy
Combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others
Each skin type presents its own need. For oily skin you should use a cleanser that cleans deep. But for dry or sensitive skin you want to use a gentle cleanser.
Step 3: Trim and shape
Big or small: keep your beard looking sharp for a younger appearance.
After washing your face, your hair follicles are at their prime for trimming and shaping. That said, trimming with clippers or scissors generally works better when your beard and mustache are dry. When your beard is well trimmed and shaped, it’s bound to make heads turn your way. Plenty of young guys keep their beards in top form. This should remain a priority as you get older. You want to make sure that your beard looks sharp and well-groomed.
Keeping all your edges crisp and clean is key to a sharp-looking beard. The easiest way to get this look is by using the right tools. Do your research and make sure you are using the proper accessories when it comes to maintaining your facial hair. Brands like Harry’s offer many different shaving products and solutions you can use to clean up your beard’s edges and turn your trimming process into perfection. Pro Tip: Don’t forget your eyebrows. Trim your eyebrows to keep them in check as well. The neater your eyebrows and beard are, the younger you look.
Step 4: Add some beard oil
We know that as we age, our bodies change. With that said, our facial hair changes too, which can make us look older. Facial hair not only changes in color, but it can also change in texture. The older we get, the more coarse our beards may become. However, beard oil can help with this. Adding a little beard oil every day will help to moisturize and protect your beard!
Step 5: Moisturize your face
Adding a light lotion to your face can reduce the effects of the environment on your skin. Using the correct moisturizer for your skin type can make a world of difference. For example, if you normally have dry skin, use a heavier daily moisturizer. For added defense, try a face moisturizer that contains sun protection (SPF). This will help limit the effects of sun exposure. However, be sure not to add face moisturizer to the areas that already have beard oil on them.
Add these five steps to your regular grooming routine and you will look younger before you know it. With the proper care, you can keep your beard and still look younger! Now please share any other tips that work for you in the comments below!
All about beards is happy and proud to welcome William to the featured beards section. William’s beard story is an important one because of his steadfast resistance to the onslaught of anti-beard criticism that he faced once he set out to grow his beard. William stood firm against all the anti-beard naysayers and refused to give up on his beard. Instead, William became fiercely dedicated to growing his beard and is a strong advocate for beards. For this, William merits respect as he stands as a great example for all new beard growers who may waver in their confidence when subjected to criticism of their nascent beards. William demonstrated that by staying strong and dedicated, despite all opposition, he truly has grown a winning beard.
William’s introduction:
My name is William and I have been constantly bearded since January 2013. Living and working in the Netherlands, I decided to become bearded before the big “beard hype” over here…not for beard fashion reasons, but I was willing to change and wanting something different with my face. And I was getting bored with shaving once or twice a day… that was also a big reason, to be quite honest.
I work as a lawyer. I am married and have three children. I play the euphonium in a local band, love to travel, and am active in a confirmation group in a Roman Catholic church and Mary fraternity that dates back to 1834 . I love reading all kinds of books and papers. I am also active as a volunteer in the local carnival museum. My city is one of the most famous carnival towns in the Netherlands. Here I love to celebrate these festivities as a bearded Dutch man!
Looking sharp: William’s beard right after a visit to the barber.
William’s winning beard story
What do you think about beards?
Beards are a choice every man should have, although each man has to deal with his possibilities to grow or not. It’s all about a man who has to have the beard genetics first. Then it is up to him to choose for a beard or not. But frankly said… a beard makes the man. That’s what I think about it. When I see pictures of men without or with a beard, I often choose the bearded pictures, because the look of a bearded man makes a man more attractive in his human appearance: a solid, trustful, and manly look! That’s my opinion on the meaning of un-bearded or bearded men.
What do you think about your own beard?
I like a good full, total beard with a good length. It has to be taken care of…not too wild, but also not too neat, somewhere surely in the middle. I am very satisfied and happy with my beard, because — and this is what it’s all about — I find that it suits my face and makes my face complete. The colors (the combination of blond, and dark) are fine for me!
When you were a little boy, did you ever think about growing a beard in the future when you would become a man?
No, I didn’t. It wasn’t a custom in my family. There weren’t clear examples, although my father tried it shortly but stopped it because of the resistance of my mother. And one uncle on my mother’s side wore a beard in a “Van Dyke” style for years. That’s where I could see that beard genetics were present in my family. But as a boy, I didn’t see it as a future thing for me!
What led you to grow your first beard?
It came from the curiosity from the combination of the following questions, which I answered afterwards with a big YES.
Can I grow a good beard?
Will I get used to the change?
Would I like to be a bearded man?
Will it suit me?
Can I withstand the possible negative reactions?
Have you remained bearded since growing your first beard?
YES, the whole time.
Gallery: William’s beard progression over the years
Click on any image below to view a larger version and, optionally, a slide show.
William’s beard progression: Just getting started.
William’s beard progression: the full beard takes shape.
William’s beard progression: the full beard is becoming a permanent feature.
William’s beard progression: the full beard is short but strong.
William’s beard progression: the full beard’s permanence is well established now.
William’s beard progression: his full beard has withstood all criticism and has not gone away.
William’s beard progression: the full beard’s size remains fairly short.
William’s beard progression: the short full beard is a stylish choice.
William’s beard progression: he ventures into bigger beard territory.
William’s beard progression: enjoying that feeling of being comfortable with your beard regardless of size.
Did you encounter a lot of resistance to your beard from people around you?
Oh yes… From the start, the reactions were resistant. And to say it diplomatically, they were not very mild. Most members of my family didn’t like my choice. Also most of my friends didn’t like the beard. Reactions in groups on birthdays to me as a person or one-to-one personally were in a sneering way, although reactions from people out of my “inner circle” were much more positive. And fortunately, a lot of people also were normal in their reactions. But to be quite honest, my wife still isn’t a fan and neither is my mother. But that’s okay for me. You can’t have all in life and my opinion about my beard in life has become: “You don’t like my beard. That’s okay. I didn’t grow it for you, but for myself.” This is because I am happy with my choice and that’s all that counts. I don’t mind what other people do. Let them be happy with their choices. And I am happy with mine.
How did you deal with all of the resistance to your beard? How did you overcome it?
It wasn’t easy. It felt very often as a rejection of me as a person. And it could (and sometimes still now) can feel very painful. But I was strong enough to deal with it and to overcome it. It was my decision. I wanted to be bearded and give it a chance. And finally people got used to it and opinions changed.
Why do you think that some people are so automatically against beards?
At first: beards in appearance always have an initial disadvantage because people are not used to beards on faces starting from the age of infancy. Second: beards call upon some people’s thoughts of being aggressive, thoughtless, unreliable, and dominant; the combination of those traits doesn’t contribute in a positive way to the general view of beards. And third: beards are for some people like clowns are; they are scary in some sort of ghostly Halloween way. There are more reasons I think. But I noticed these as some of the most important.
Are you dedicated to staying bearded now? Why?
Yes, I am still dedicated. It has become my new lifestyle. I never thought this could have such an impact on me that I don’t want to change anymore!
William demonstrates how a full beard is fully compatible with a professional appearance.
Do you believe that beards are compatible with or even enhance a “professional” appearance?
I don’t have a real opinion for that. I think that for some men it really is an improvement for their appearance and for some it isn’t. It all has to do with beard genetics, the form of a face, and of course a man himself has to feel good with it.
Do you know if your beard has inspired others to grow their beards?
Yes, finally it has. It took years, but some men in my environment chose for themselves to go for a beard. This was after first being a bit negative towards mine. Now it gives me a big smile from time to time. That’s for sure.
Do you encourage others to grow their beards?
No, not actively. Only when men ask me about it and have an interest to do so. Out of my experience of at first negative reactions and later on more positive ones… I only react in a way when people ask me for it. I’m still a bit careful, I think.
Why have you chosen the classic full beard?
It is just the sort of beard that is my kind of beard. The other sorts are not that attractive to me. I am a fan of the full bearded beardway!
Do you shape and trim your beard yourself?
Partly… Once every five or six weeks I go the barbershop. The rest of the time in between I try to do it myself.
How do you care for your beard?
I use several beard products like beard oil, mustache wax, pomade, and what I’ve come to like a lot over the last half year: beard balm.
Do you take pride in your beard?
Yes, I do. Frankly, when I look around, I feel blessed to have a beard the way that I have. It just is exactly the way I wanted, except for some details (see my beard complaints below).
What do you like best about your beard?
Its thickness, the full bearded “covering” of my face, and from time to time it is lovely to go through it, touching and feeling by hand.
Do you have any complaints about your beard?
Like its owner, my beard is very pigheaded. There are a lot of hairs that don’t grow the way I want them to. But that’s a point I can deal with. I have a good barber and, of course, other good ways to keep my beard in line!
William’s winning beard is an asset all year round.
What is your opinion of beards.org?
For me it was the very good support from the site that helped me to stay bearded and to keep my positive feeling about beards. It is good to share and to see all the worldwide pics from all other men who love being bearded in all kinds of sorts and ways!
What do you think about being featured on beards.org?
I feel honored and pleased. To get “beardly”noticed by a worldwide known beard site is not only a recognition of being valued as man with a beard, but also a confirmation that my beard can be noticed as a good, visible support for men who want to choose to grow a beard! Do it and make THE choice to grow your beard. Although resistance can be there, you won’t regret it!
William’s beard gallery
Click on any image below to view a larger version and, optionally, a slide show.
