[Vacancier Permanent]

What's the consensus on white/grey hair on a beard? Leave them? Or color them?

[Elster]

I say leave em!
Its a sign of your acquiring elder status,and if you need examples, Roosh rocks it pretty well

[Spider]

Do you guys think barbers generally do a better job than we can do ourselves?

I've been debating for a while whether I want to continue trimming my own beard twice a week (usually takes me 20 minutes or so each time) or if I should just spend anywhere from $10-$20 once a week to get it taken care of by a professional.

I'm sure there is a lot of barber disparity in terms of skill too. I want something clean and and natural looking, but every time I've had it done by a barber I leave looking like a thug with all the straight/sharp lines. They always seem to cut my neck too when trying to clean up my adams apple.

As much as I dislike hipsters, I think a hipster with a sleeve-tattoo and beard down to his chin who works at an old-school barbershop might be able to do the best job. If anyone has any barber-shops or specific barbers they know of in NYC, feel free to let me know or drop me a PM.

It's time to take my beard-game to the next level.

[churros]

(03-02-2016 10:26 AM)Spider Wrote:  

As much as I dislike hipsters, I think a hipster with a sleeve-tattoo and beard down to his chin who works at an old-school barbershop might be able to do the best job. If anyone has any barber-shops or specific barbers they know of in NYC, feel free to let me know or drop me a PM.

Give the New York Shaving Company on Elizabeth street a try. Sounds like what you're looking for.

[Cr33pin]

As Travolta touched on earlier... I think dressing nice and having beard is the real pantie wetter. I know when I went out blazer and button downed I got a lot more attention. I think its cause sometimes a big beard can be associated with a hippie, a dirty back packer, or some other free spirited vegan nancy boy (Those types still get laid though... well some of them) But when you show up dressed well, looking like success, and rocking a dope beard. You are in class of your own. When you dress well in a suit or well fitting blazer it demands respect, a big manly beard demands respect, a confident frame and demeanor demand respect. So with all three combined it really does set you apart from the crowd.

[travolta]

To add to what cr33pin said, dressing like a G and having a huge beard makes you look different than the average herb living in your city. Corporate plebs aren't usually allowed to grow facial hair, so if you're wearing a suit, rocking a huge beard on your face you'll look like $1M+. Easiest way to look like a G is a full custom suit and a full beard

[Cr33pin]

[Irenicus]

I can grow a beard like that, no problem. But then I would have to keep convincing people that I am not a member of ISIS, or any such organization.

Not to mention that there will a chance of a Tomahawk missile hitting my crib.

[musashi]

Has anyone had success applying romaine foam? I have a thick beard on most of my face, but on both sides have a small area that does not grow and I think makes me look silly. I'd like to hear real experiences. I plan on using a derm roller first then applying the foam.

[Bear Hands]

^^^
Probably not what you're looking for but for others with patchy spots:

If you have patchy areas, just let your beard grow more. A full-enough and thick-enough beard will make patchy spots unnoticeable unless your facial hair grows in like Joe Dirt. My mustache and beard do not actually connect, but no one can tell at this point.

[musashi]

After about 8 weeks the patches are gone, and my beard looks thick and awesome. The only problem is I work oil and gas at the moment, with requirements of being clean shaven, I can only grow it on my week off. When I was off for Christmas it grew in nice. I guess I'd like to say I can grow a full face shadow.

[DrCotard]

(03-12-2016 09:14 AM)Irenicus Wrote:  

I can grow a beard like that, no problem. But then I would have to keep convincing people that I am not a member of ISIS, or any such organization.

Not to mention that there will a chance of a Tomahawk missile hitting my crib.

Bravo sir, you had me laughing so hard with your comment.

[Ensam]

Been growing out my beard until I hit my cutting goals. For a while a kept it well trimmed but have letting it grow out for the past month or so. I'm using coconut oil to keep it conditioned but otherwise it's all natural.

A few nights ago I'm setting next to a MILF type woman in her late 30s with a fat rock on her ring finger. At one point in time she was probably a hard 9 and she still had the attitude. She opens me up by saying she finds beards repulsive. I say, "That hasn't been my experience... life must be hard for you". We banter back and forth and then she reaches over and starts running her fingers through my beard!

Even chicks who hate beards love beards.

[roberto]

Last two chicks have been well into my beard. I am particularly fond of going down on a chick, then kissing her with her juices all over my facial hair. They love it too, it's a primal thing.

[realologist]

A lot of girls I've talked to said a thick beard that's not too long makes them wet because the thought of what the masculine man behind the beard can do to them. Most of them brush my beard with their fingers. Had a few brush the coconut oil in for me.

Team bald and bearded!

[realologist]

I trimmed my beard down to an inch today because the weather started getting hot. I feel naked. I feel weak. I feel less man. I made a huge mistake.

I need all the support I can get guys.

[Cr33pin]

(05-08-2016 12:49 PM)realologist Wrote:  

I trimmed my beard down to an inch today because the weather started getting hot. I feel naked. I feel weak. I feel less man. I made a huge mistake.

I need all the support I can get guys.

Damn the timing of this tragedy...

I just stopped by this thread to say I was thinking of getting my facebush trimmed this week. I haven't timed or shaven it in any way shape of for for 6 or 7 months now. I've been thinking of getting my lip hair trimmed a bit and maybe just the whole thing shaped up a bit. However... I'm scared.... what if they fuck my majestic face pubes up?? How will my heart go on?? Tell me Celine Dion...

[realologist]

(05-09-2016 04:16 AM)Cr33pin Wrote:  

(05-08-2016 12:49 PM)realologist Wrote:  

I trimmed my beard down to an inch today because the weather started getting hot. I feel naked. I feel weak. I feel less man. I made a huge mistake.

I need all the support I can get guys.

Damn the timing of this tragedy...

I just stopped by this thread to say I was thinking of getting my facebush trimmed this week. I haven't timed or shaven it in any way shape of for for 6 or 7 months now. I've been thinking of getting my lip hair trimmed a bit and maybe just the whole thing shaped up a bit. However... I'm scared.... what if they fuck my majestic face pubes up?? How will my heart go on?? Tell me Celine Dion...

I'm no Celine Dion but I suggest you trim. But do the bare minimum. A slight trim to get the straggling hairs to clean it up.

Nothing else. Nothing else. Nothing else...

You don't want to feel the way I do.........

[Zona]

(05-08-2016 12:49 PM)realologist Wrote:  

I trimmed my beard down to an inch today because the weather started getting hot. I feel naked. I feel weak. I feel less man. I made a huge mistake.

I need all the support I can get guys.

Oh lawdy, this feel...I know it. Last week I shaved mine down to just stubble for the summer. I regretted it pretty much instantly.



Stay safe pal.

[Nemausus]

Great thread, Cr33pin. I started growing a beard in late April 2015, so I've been living the beard life for about a year. Here is my experience. Hopefully it can be of help to those reading who might be considering growing one.

Background
Growing my beard started as an accident. I was traveling around for about a week at the end of April and forgot to shave during that busy stretch. Towards the end of my trip, I caught a traveler's cold and when I returned home I spent a few days trying to sleep it off. I didn't bother shaving then either.

Once I got over the cold, it had been about 10 days since I had last shaved. I noticed the scruff was coming in pretty nicely with less gaps than I expected. I had always wanted to grow a beard but I thought I'd have to wait until my early 30s to get a good one going. Encouraged by my early growth from those 10 days, I decided I would try growing a beard right then and there.

My Beard Inspirations
Here are three beards that I had always admired. I looked to them for inspiration when I decided I was going to take up the challenge.

Old Man Ernest Hemingway

Paul McCartney in his early 30s

Commander Riker



Growing The Beard
I did quite a bit of research on the subject when I decided to start growing. I read a lot of beard message boards. It seems that the consensus is that you should give your beard experiment 14 weeks. Some people have better beard genetics than others (faster growth, less patches, etc). After 14 weeks, you should have a good idea of the type of beard you have and if you'll need to do any kind of sculpting. For example, if you look closely at Riker's beard, he sculpts the cheeks. I imagine it must be a patchy area for him but with a little work he still looks great.

The most challenging part of growing a beard, and I suspect this is where a lot of guys give up, is the 48 hour ITCH-BURN that comes once you go past the point of just having scruff on your face and the whiskers turn in on themselves, digging into your skin. For about two days, itchy is not a strong enough to describe the feeling of my face. It was hurting, burning and itching all at the same time. It is a special kind of hell and it's at this point where you will be very tempted to shave your face and get some relief. Fight through this!

You also need to accept that for a period of three to up to 14 weeks, your face is going to be in a state of transition and might look worse before it gets better. Again, it all depends on your genetics. Be prepared to have the same conversation with with friends and family about your new beard. You'll have to make small talk about it and maybe even get a few funny looks from them.

One thing I also remember from that period is that I spent far too much time looking at myself in the mirror between sets at the gym. I was obsessing over my face and beard. It is a strange thing to see the face you have had suddenly change. It takes time to adjust.

For me, growing my beard to a length that I liked took about 8 weeks. I left it untouched for the recommended 14 weeks, but by then it was a bushy mess. Each man will have a different growth rate. When I began this endeavor, I thought that I would be struggling to achieve full coverage and growth at the 14 week mark. I was pleasantly surprised. If you are reading this and have assumed that you might not have the beard genes, don't be so sure.

Maintenance
I regularly trim my beard with scissors. When my beard was new (14-20 weeks) I was trimming it every day, obsessing with it in the mirror, looking for any little sprout that was out of line. When you are new to the beard game, you learn that it takes more maintenance than keeping the clean cut look.

These days, I still trim with scissors, but only every few days. I bought a portable beard trimmer that I use about once a month, when I feel I am getting a bit too bushy. I use coconut oil and a tight comb to train and maintain the shape of my beard. Once every 10 days or so, I trim a few hairs that creep up my cheek bones. I am lucky that I have a natural neckline that doesn't require much work. Maybe a quick trim a couple of times a month.


Response from Girls
Growing a beard has definitely helped me with girls. I've been opened and complimented on my beard. I was never opened or complimented on my face. Girls tug on it when we fool around and love feeling the beard against their skin. Even girls who have told me that they prefer the clean cut look find themselves touching and playing with my beard - "aww it's so soft!" I have noticed that when I open, girls are more willing to hear me out since I have had the beard. They seem to be curious about a man with a beard.

The only negative response came from girls that I had already slept with when I was clean shaven. But most of them ended up coming around once they got some up close and personal time with the beard. Some liked it right from the start.

Ensam is correct: "Even chicks who hate beards love beards."

Final Thoughts
My beard has seen action in Europe, Asia and North America. Girls in all three regions seem to like it. I have no plans to shave it off any time soon. I recognize that beards are in right now but I look forward to them being less fashionable, that way I can stand out even more.

I now encourage every guy to take on that 14 week challenge and see if a beard works for him.

[LeoneVolpe]

I agree. I think every guy should grow a beard at least once in his life to see how it suits him. I didn't know I could even grow a beard for the longest time because I had gotten into a routine of shaving so regularly. One day, I just decided to ditch the razor and give it a try. I've now had a beard for the past two years and don't see that changing any time soon.

I read an article a while back that made this interesting observation about beards:

"There is a relatively clear pattern of beards coming in and out of fashion," says Withey, "and this tends to correspond with periods in history when the masculine identity as a whole is threatened".

Dr. Withey, who is launching a project titled 'Do Beards Matter' today to coincide with the 5th annual World Beard Day, suggests that we are currently entrenched in a lengthy fashion for beards because of the so-called 'crisis of masculinity' that is said to beset contemporary men. He believes that men subconsciously use their ability to grow facial hair as a way to reassert their masculinity.

If anyone is interested in reading the full article, here's the link:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/fashion-a...r-end.html

I don't think it's any secret that the mainstream has been attacking our masculinity. If they had their way, we'd all be walking around looking androgynous. I think having a beard is a statement of masculinity. I'm not a little boy, I don't need to walk around with a clean-shaven face. I don't care if a girl likes it or not (although most do), I like it and that's all that matters.

[Bear Hands]

(05-10-2016 04:00 PM)Nemausus Wrote:  

The most challenging part of growing a beard, and I suspect this is where a lot of guys give up, is the 48 hour ITCH-BURN that comes once you go past the point of just having scruff on your face and the whiskers turn in on themselves, digging into your skin. For about two days, itchy is not a strong enough to describe the feeling of my face. It was hurting, burning and itching all at the same time. It is a special kind of hell and it's at this point where you will be very tempted to shave your face and get some relief. Fight through this!

You can alleviate this sensation with a good, stiff brush. Start brushing your beard as soon as you know you're going to let it grow out. Brush your beard left and right, then upward since the hairs will tend to curl downward. You'll start to train the hairs to come out straighter until they have reached sufficient length.

Quote:

For me, growing my beard to a length that I liked took about 8 weeks. I left it untouched for the recommended 14 weeks, but by then it was a bushy mess. Each man will have a different growth rate. When I began this endeavor, I thought that I would be struggling to achieve full coverage and growth at the 14 week mark. I was pleasantly surprised. If you are reading this and have assumed that you might not have the beard genes, don't be so sure.

At 19 months I'm not satisfied with my beard's length. It only comes past the 3rd button from the top of my shirts.

[Ass-Ass-In]

(03-02-2016 10:26 AM)Spider Wrote:  

Do you guys think barbers generally do a better job than we can do ourselves?

I've been debating for a while whether I want to continue trimming my own beard twice a week (usually takes me 20 minutes or so each time) or if I should just spend anywhere from $10-$20 once a week to get it taken care of by a professional.

I'm sure there is a lot of barber disparity in terms of skill too. I want something clean and and natural looking, but every time I've had it done by a barber I leave looking like a thug with all the straight/sharp lines. They always seem to cut my neck too when trying to clean up my adams apple.

As much as I dislike hipsters, I think a hipster with a sleeve-tattoo and beard down to his chin who works at an old-school barbershop might be able to do the best job. If anyone has any barber-shops or specific barbers they know of in NYC, feel free to let me know or drop me a PM.

It's time to take my beard-game to the next level.

Maybe you found a barber, if not, it's probably worth looking around. I reckon having a good barber (beard) is like having a good barber (hair) in that once you find a good barber that does it right, it makes a whole load of difference. The other thing is of course that they can see from a perspective you can't, which means that they can sort out little problems here and there which you might not notice.

[realologist]

(05-08-2016 12:49 PM)realologist Wrote:  

I trimmed my beard down to an inch today because the weather started getting hot. I feel naked. I feel weak. I feel less man. I made a huge mistake.

I need all the support I can get guys.

After my rash decision to trim my beard down, I let it grow again instantly. This time no shaping, no trimming, nothing until I'm bald, bearded and beautiful again.

It has finally reached the point where my beard is thick and full again. I feel amazing.

[Alsos]

Grew mine out over the winter to the longest it's ever been, about an inch and a bit. After that OCD-inducing period early on, where taking any notice of it during the day triggered an intense compulsion to trim it back (bizarre feeling if you've never experienced it - I didn't believe other men when they told me about this), I loved it.

But, it just didn't look right on me. May have been a transitional phase, another inch and it would have looked fine, but I lost patience with waiting it out any longer due to the need to look somewhat professional for my current clients. Trimmed it back to the usual #3 length all over, and realized for the first time what an impish little shit I normally look like. Look forward to trying again and getting past the 2-month mark - given the streaks of white at my chin, I could probably rock the Dr. Strange/Mandrake the Magician look.