Taz O.

Bearded since: 2007. I am a dedicated, permanent beard grower.

Comments:
I've always had a strange admiration for people that have the dedication to grow a good-sized, long beard. I found really long or big beards fascinating at an early age, and have had sideburns (mutton chops, but shorter) for as long as I can remember and one day a couple of years or so ago, just stopped shaving my chin, not even consciously. The beard chooses the man, I feel. Then I stopped shaving under the chin, only trimming the neck line. Now I grow full time and have a combination of chin strap / Abe Lincoln under-beard / long goatee which will only get longer.

How do I feel about my beard? I love having a beard. It's really satisfying when I get compliments on it because I take a great deal of pride in it. It makes me feel and look older and more masculine, which is what I was going for. Because, without the beard, I'm pretty baby-faced and wanted to be taken seriously both as an adult and as a man.