Tag Archives: beard growing

Tom’s Top-notch Beard

2022/11/04 Steven Wilson 6 Comments

A career-boosting, first-rate beard!

Think beards are bad for that “professional” look? Think again as you read on.

All About BEARDS proudly welcomes Tom to our featured beards section! Sometimes unlikely beard growers become the strongest beard supporters and beard role models. Tom is a great example. Learn how a serious injury sent Tom on an incredible beard journey.

Tom’s introduction in his own words:

I am a pediatrician living in Georgia with my wife and two children. I’ve had a beard since November of 2016 when I decided not to shave during my time off for Thanksgiving holiday break. Having shaved off previous beards during that itchy awkward phase around four weeks of growth, this beard was protected and nurtured by an ankle fracture I sustained shortly after I started growing it. This injury left me unable to stand for over a month. It’s nearly impossible to shave lying flat. So when I finally recovered from surgery and was able to stand, I looked in the mirror and saw a full beard that I did not know I was capable of growing. My wife and children thought I should maintain it. So I’ve been bearded ever since.

I discovered All About BEARDS while looking for information about trimming my neck and cheek lines. I must say I was inspired by the “featured beards” and “beard success stories” I read about and this served to reinforce my commitment to remaining bearded. When you have a beard you never look quite the same from day to day or week to week. I photographed my beard journey regularly as I tried to figure out my style and now I’m flattered to be asked to share these pics on the site I found so inspirational.

Tom with his family: They encouraged him to keep his new beard!

Scroll down to read Tom’s beard story.
Also, be sure to see Tom’s Beard Gallery.

Dr. Tom earlier in his beard journey — This is Dr. Tom at an earlier stage in his beard-growing journey.

What do you think about beards?

Guys just look better with a beard than they do without. We’ve all seen those before-and-after pics on the Internet or had friends and colleagues who have grown a beard. I can’t think of any who did not improve their looks. Having a beard is the natural state for an adult male. What I was not expecting after growing my beard was how it would change the way others perceived me in terms of my intelligence, leadership ability, and attractiveness. There’s something primal about it. It sounds farfetched but bearded men know its true.

Tom's Top-notch Beard, image 3: Tom before growing beard and after growing beard — This is Tom before growing his beard and after growing his beard.

Intelligence? Leadership ability? Yes, after growing my beard many people told me I looked scholarly, like a professor. And about that time I started advancing in the leadership ranks of my organization much more quickly. I’ve accomplished much more in my five bearded years than the seventeen years prior. Coincidence? I think one’s looks do play a role in his success. I mention this only because a lot of men seem to think having a beard may be detrimental somehow to their career.

Has your opinion about beards changed over time?

Yes, in a sense that I did not think much about beards or having a beard until I grew my own. We’ve all experienced the phenomenon of buying a new car and then noticing there are many cars just like our own on the road. Prior to driving it you never noticed them. My beard has been a positive change in my life and I feel privileged to contribute to beards.org, which is such an important resource and source of inspiration for others considering doing the same.

What do you think about your own beard?

I think my views have been shaped by the comments people share with me on a regular basis. I’m happy to have a beard that is quite thick, dense, and full. I like the fact that it grows quite fast because it looks a little different every morning when I look in the mirror. Due to my rate of growth, I don’t think I could maintain the trendy ultra short stubble beard because I’d have to shave more than once every day. I don’t seem to have any areas of light growth that I need hair to cover – it’s everywhere!

How does having such a great beard make you feel?

It’s a great boost to one’s ego to receive a compliment from a perfect stranger. That happens to me on a regular basis but it never happened before I grew a beard. Beards seem to be the one thing guys allow themselves to compliment each other about.

Dr. Tom: great beard in the great outdoors. Click on image to view larger.

Did anyone in your family have a beard before you?

No, my father and uncles were clean shaven. Since I’ve grown a beard, however, my younger brothers have also grown a beard.

When did you grow your first beard?

I grew a beard briefly in college. It was your typical late adolescent, early twenties beard -– a little less full and dense than what I have now, but appropriate for age. I ended up caving in to the negative feedback one inevitably receives when first growing a beard.

As mentioned above, I started growing the beard I have now during a week off at Thanksgiving in 2016. Shortly after starting my beard growth I fractured my ankle and had two surgeries. I was not able to stand upright for weeks after these surgeries. Its pretty hard to shave lying down, so I was really forced, in a sense, to grow my beard out in full. Once I was able to stand again I looked in the mirror and I had a nice, full, thick beard.

This is Tom's shorter beard earlier in his beard journey. — Here is Tom with his shorter beard earlier in his beard journey. Click on image to view larger.

Had you ever thought about growing a beard long before growing your first beard?

I remember thinking about it in elementary school. One of my teachers was bearded and I wondered what it must feel like to have hair growing on your cheeks. That’s about the extent of it.

What led you to grow your current beard?

It started with the Thanksgiving week break from shaving that was unexpectedly extended. Thinking back on it, the ankle surgery recovery period meant that I didn’t have to work or be around friends and family much during those “transitional” awkward beard growth phases. Once I was able to stand again I looked in the mirror and I had a nice, full, thick beard. My wife told me she liked it and I haven’t shaved since then.

Tom with his family swimming in a cave. Tom's family approves of his beard! — Here Tom and his family are enjoying a swim inside a cave. Tom’s wife and children approve of his beard!

How did the beard affect you?

I remember thinking “this is how I’m supposed to look” after growing my beard. Your self perception or how you define yourself changes with time after growing your beard. I now think of myself as a “bearded man” rather than man who “has a beard.” What I mean is that this is now part of who I am, not just how I choose to groom myself at the moment.

What happened to your first beard?

My first beard, which I grew in college, succumbed to my lack of will power. My mother wanted me to shave and I did. I think there are very few mothers who love their son’s first beard. It must make them feel older or something.

Do you plan to keep your beard permanently now?

Yes, if my beard can survive COVID, it is here to stay. As a healthcare worker I nearly had to shave my beard off for the N95 mask. Luckily I was able to make alternative arrangements and was able to keep my beard.

How do people react to your beard?

I’ve already discussed the comments I get from strangers, so I’m going to answer this question from the perspective of a pediatrician. When I’m caring for an infant or toddler I can see it in their eyes when they haven’t seen a bearded man before. They seem just a bit confused and fearful. I can tell when their dad has a beard because they seem much more comfortable and interactive. Their mothers are usually surprised when I say “Her daddy has a beard doesn’t he?” I don’t think I’ve been wrong about this yet.

Do people ever tell you to trim or shave your beard? If so, how do you respond?

Only my mother. I tell her that she is the only one telling me to do this. But I understand because all mothers seem to have a similar view.

Do you know if your beard has inspired others to grow their beards?

Not that anyone has told me. However, I have known a few co-workers and, as I’ve mentioned, my brothers who have grown a beard subsequent to mine.

Do you encourage others to grow their beards?

I make a special effort to compliment adolescents and young men who are going through that transitional phase with a new beard. It’s so important to conform at that age and they are very sensitive to both positive and negative feedback. A random compliment could be all they need to have the willpower to grow out their beard.

Why have you chosen the classic full beard?

My beard grows so fast and thick I think the full beard chose me. I don’t really have the time or the skills to cut or to shape it any other way. That being said, I think the classic full beard looks best once your beard is fully mature. I see some other styles like the chinstrap as a means of transitioning into a full beard while your beard matures.

Dr. Tom: bulking up the classic full beard. Click on image to view larger.

Recently your full beard has been trending a bit bigger and longer. How do you like this? Will it continue?

Yes, but there are some limitations to how I can wear my beard because of my career. Since my beard is hidden under a mask, for the most part, I’ve been able to “push the limits” in a sense and grow it longer. I now like to keep the “goatee area” around my mustache and chin longer and fuller, the cheeks slightly more trimmed (or they get quite wavy), and the sideburns faded into my haircut.

Do you shape and trim your beard yourself? If so, how did you learn to do it right?

I really enjoy the pampering that comes with a hot towel wrap, warm shaving cream and a straight razor. A barber shop that caters to bearded men really makes for a nice place to visit on a Saturday morning. I have tried to trim my beard myself and it never comes out quite as nice and it is definitely not as relaxing.

How do you care for your beard? What’s your beard-care routine?

I wash my beard one day and condition it the next day on an alternate basis. I apply a beard oil daily and, when my beard is longer, will use a beard balm to keep the stray hairs down. I like the lightly scented beard products, particularly those with a woodsy scent.

Tom's big beard is getting longer. — Tom’s big beard is getting longer here. Click on image to view larger.

What is your opinion of beards.org? Did the site affect your beard journey in any way?

Beards.org is the premier website for everything related to the topic of growing and maintaining a beard, encouraging beard growth, or admiring other beards. The site reinforced my commitment to beard growth and gave me examples of beards I could make my “beard goal.” These gentlemen can still be found on the site today. I never would have expected to be featured on beards.org as well.

What do you think about being featured on beards.org?

I hope my feature and comments on beards.org will help to inspire or motivate others thinking about growing a beard to give it a try. I came to this site during my first month of beard growth and found it so inspirational I’ve been coming back ever since. Its really an honor to be recognized as worthy to be on the site.

Tom’s Beard Gallery

Click on any image below to view a larger version and, optionally, a slide show.

Tom's beard gallery image 2: great short full beard with slightly lowered cheek line early in Tom's beard journey.

Tom's beard gallery image 3: great short full beard!

Tom's beard gallery image 4: great short full beard with that "professor" look.

Tom's beard gallery image 5: looking up here at a well-shaped classic full beard.

Tom's beard gallery image 6: side view of well-shaped classic full beard.

Tom's beard gallery image 7: the classic full beard is gaining in size.

Tom's beard gallery image 8: the classic full beard is showing increased length.

Tom's beard gallery image 9: he has a robust classic full beard.

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about beards.org

All About BEARDS for twenty-four years

2020/01/17 Steven Wilson 13 Comments

Welcome to the home of excellent beards!

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: 24 years -- Chris' beard — 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!

growing a beard

2020: Happy new beard year and new beard decade!

2020/01/01 Steven Wilson

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.

Vincent: grow your beard. — 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!

growing a beard

The mysterious disappearance of Jimmy’s beard

2019/12/08 Steven Wilson Leave a comment

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.

Abundantly bearded: Jimmy. — 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:

Jimmy's excellent, strong beard, featured image — Jimmy’s excellent, strong beard

growing a beard

Grow your beard! It’s No-Shave November 2019.

2019/11/01 Steven Wilson Leave a comment

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!

Chris shows off his new beard growth as an example for No-Shave November. — 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.

Be sure to go here and grow your beard:

How to grow a beard

featured beards

William’s winning beard

2019/09/01 Steven Wilson 3 Comments

Meet William

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!

Scroll down to read Williams’s beard story and be sure to see William’s beard progression gallery and William’s beard gallery below. The photos on this page and in William’s photo galleries are courtesy of William and are used with permission. All photos are subject to the site’s conditions of use.

Looking sharp: William's beard right after a visit to the barber, feature photo 002 — 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.

Also see: William’s beard gallery.

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, feature photo 003 — 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, feature photo 003 — 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.

William's winning beard, gallery photo 1

William's winning beard, gallery photo 2

William's winning beard, gallery photo 3

William's winning beard, gallery photo 4

William's winning beard, gallery photo 5

William's winning beard, gallery photo 6

William's winning beard, gallery photo 7

William's winning beard, gallery photo 8

Also see:

William: today’s beard, 2017/03/14

featured beards

Per’s superior beard

2019/02/09 Steven Wilson 9 Comments

All about beards is proud to welcome Per to the featured beards section. Per is a prolific beard grower and a master of the mustache. His beard is excellent and his mustache is often amazing. A seasoned, veteran beard grower, Per is quite dedicated to the beard. He grows a great beard and enjoys it, which is a great way to be. Per’s beard has been known to inspire others to grow their beards. Let’s hope that he will now inspire many more new beards everywhere.

Scroll down to read Per’s beard story and be sure to see Per’s beard photo gallery below. The photos on this page and in Per’s photo gallery are courtesy of Per and are used with permission. All photos are subject to the site’s conditions of use.