Posted on 09/01/2014 10:23:13 PM PDT by An American in Turkiye
Had a beard ever since I was handed my diploma in high school. Stopped shaving the next day. That was 34 years ago.
Never bothered with beard “lotions” or “conditioners”
I keep it trimmed with a quarter inch depth gauge on an electric beard trimmer.
One thing I will say is to keep it clean. especially for the ladies. It will also tend to hold pollen if you have allergies.
One advantage is if you let it grow long like the guy on “fast and loud”, you can carry your soup in it for lunch. Simply squeeze it out into a bowl and microwave.
On here I just shaved mine off tonight after six years. My kids had a great time having me show them how to shave with my Rooney brush, soaps and creams, and a DE razor with Feather brand blades. My daughter didn’t care for the styptic pencil I had to use afterward though. :-)
I’ve worn a beard since 1969. Wash your face with shampoo and it should behave. I like to keep the beard short, about eyebrow length. It’s the best of both worlds, no daily shaving and no ZZ Top mass to deal with.
I started a beard the day I retired (July 1986). It’s currently 8” long but has been trimmed a few times in the past. I use Head and Shoulders 2 in 1 for both hair and beard, works great.
My wife actually likes a long beard....which is not common
My late wife liked my 2’ long beard. When she snuggled up to me at night she’s wrap it around her neck like a scarf.
I mow mine once a month, other than that it’s on it’s own.
I prefer clean shaven men.........facial hair turns me off double quick. I really can’t stand those soul patches, beards longer than one inch, beards that stick out in two bushes, beards plus piercings, bushy untamed eyebrows, nose hair, guys please.
Had one since Columbus Day 2001. Kept it really short for the first 10 years or so, but now it gets trimmed back every two weeks to about an inch. I am 64 and still have all my blonde hair, but my beard is just about 100% gray.
Haha! I had a little girl, about three, ask me where my hat was. (I was wearing a red aloha shirt). When I told her I didn’t have one she asked if I left it at the North Pole! I’ve lost 35 pounds since.
I’ve had a beard for 30 years. As I got older, it got “wilder”. I eventually did a little research on how to better care for and maintain it and I’m glad I did. Here are a few things that I highly recommend if you don’t want to look like a vagrant.
Shampoo with medicated shampoo for anti-dander and itch. A pine tar/pomade soap is good to use if you’re wanting a little more manageability. I personally don’t use it but I know many who do and swear by it. Avoid bottled conditioners which are formulated for normal hair and not the thick hair of a beard. Use a good serum/oil to help your skin retain moisture and avoid irritation. A beard balm will also help the hairs from becoming brittle and splitting/breaking. It also helps train your beard. I recommend using small soft brush and small comb as well. Depending on whether you intend to keep your moustache trimmed or let it grow long, you might want to get a moustache sculpt/wax as well.
There are many websites and retailers that sell products for beards. I personally use Doc Elliott products and have been very satisfied with the results but I’m sure there are many other great products out there.
Oh... and a beard trim at a barber shop is usually inexpensive. I go once every two months. Hope that helps and best of luck to you!
For the past several years I’ve grown mine out every Aug/Sep and taken it off every Apr/May for the summer. It usually takes me 4 weeks to get to the point that it is “acceptable”. It’s always stiff as I keep it trimmed (4 or 5 on a beard trimmer). Last year I let it go for 6 months before cutting it back. Difference in the softness after a 2 months is amazing as it softens with length.
If it wasn’t for my wife (who doesn’t like it), I’d likely never trim it back.
I don’t have the problem of the gray ones growing faster, but I do have more gray on the left side as it faces the window when I drive and so gets more sun exposure...not much but enough that I notice.
My big problem is the graying of the beard. It is much grayer than my hair. I use henna once a week to keep the color brown with hints of gray.
Don’t be like Barry and marry your beard, she will try to run your life....
Vanity aside:
I have grown a beard twice for long periods of time.
Each time I shaved, women commented how much younger I looked FWIW.
For future reference.
There's something so appealing about a blue-eyed, bearded man (I think it hearkens back to some primal Visigoth desire when they conquered my Latin ancestors). I love the variety: goatees, van dykes, the soul patches, the full beard (but not too long). I even like sideburns, wish they would make a comeback. Mustaches, though I can't stand. My dad had one, and men with them just don't do it for me.
Fortunately I'm married to a blue-eyed, bearded barbarian so I got my wish!
You will not be able to eat certain foods like spaghetti or anything crumbly.
A co-worker of mine in another dept now has a full Duck Dynasty beard.... or he is a muslim. Just promise you won’t get the hipster beard.
http://theconversation.com/fear-not-the-hipster-beard-it-too-shall-pass-24715
http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2014/jun/22/end-of-the-hipster-flat-caps-and-beards
conrats on your retirement! I also retired on 1SEP after 22+ years! “rounds complete, end of mission. Target KS2010 destroyed. RedDevil40, OUT!”
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