Bill

Bearded since: 1999. I am an occasional or seasonal beard grower.

Comments:
I have regularly grown facial hair since the first time that I could to any degree of success (and in all honesty even before I could!). More often than not the "holy grail" that is the full face beard is my first choice and this time was no exception. My earliest memory is of a photo of my great great grandfather who lived 'til he was 103 and had a gray beard halfway down his stomach! I usually only let it grow to about a number three, but this time I am thinking on going on with it! Time will tell...

How do I feel about my beard? While it may not be a permanent fixture, facial hair of some kind does make an appearance annually at some point. The best bit is my facial hair now only grows on my face in the perfect lines for a full beard all by itself without any fussy maintenance on my part which is a real bonus. I guess I also like it more than most because it was such a long time coming. I could not shave through all of high school. I got the first hair on my chin when I was nineteen! My three-day stubble only ever made me look like a hobo rather then rock star right through Uni and it was not until I was twenty-six that I had a genuine shot at the title. Yes, you guessed it... I struck out for the glory of the full face beard first up. Nobody in my peer group was doing it. So it was even better and even though it was a bit patchy, I have never looked back since! Just goes to show you should never give up. Now that more than a decade has passed I have come to the conclusion that each new "canvas" that I create, even with its little variations in thickness or color, is unique and should be celebrated! We should all revel in our individual opportunities to do this so all you blokes out there that are self conscious about your "coverage", don't be! You are always the hardest task master of your own beard as you see it closest up. Others just take in the overall picture and this is why you generally look better than first think. Either way, every bloke should do it at least once without fear nor favor! Be Beard Brilliant! Best thing is you succeed here by doing nothing. Yes, every bloke is innately equipped for this challenge! P.S. this website is brilliant and I wish I had seen this when I set out on my beard journey years ago! Keep up the good work!