Shaved hunk or muscular man? What’s going on with men’s facial hair-2006
Think of Marlon Brando, Inspector Clouseau, Ulysses S. Grant, Clark Gable, Sean Connery, Tom Selleck, and John Lennon (occasionally). What did they have in common?
Some people seem to be in this right now as well. A rash of new mustaches has matured over the last year or two and now, in some places, it has turned into beards that are sometimes reminiscent of Civil War era styling. Some have started experimenting with different beard styles, rather than trading tips on hair products. You’ve likely seen the goatee become less popular and soul stains emerge. You may be looking at the beard without a mustache. Although we haven’t seen it much since the 1980s, the mustache itself is making a comeback, too.
It may be the tendency to look deeper for reasons that facial hair is becoming a widespread phenomenon. Deep reasons may not be at the center. These beards may not suggest dissatisfaction with “the system” or manifest melancholy externally. Some feel that style is more likely to be the culprit in this day and age. People choose style to achieve visual impact, not to assert a point of view per se.
Could it be, however, that certain men are weathering the tide of what they have seen as metrosexual conformity and are beginning to sport facial hair styles that range from unkempt, bushy to clean? Perhaps some are challenging the lately culturally acceptable aspect of the plucked, plucked, plucked and shaved man? Who can know for sure? It may be the case that some men want to feel manly and tough again.
Many models on shows, sometimes more than half, sport varying degrees of more extreme facial hair. The streets of the city sport a slim population that flaunts a varied batch of unruly facial hair. These are lowering the bar for the absolute grooming rules we’ve seen in recent years. Men’s magazine designers and professionals alike are embracing the new, but old, masculine ideal of the lumberjack look. We are starting to see some celebrities show off their facial braids as well. It will be interesting to see how far the beard trend goes.
Many of those newly favored with their achievements in facial hair hope, feel, and swear that they carry a new erotic charge with them. Some feel a greater sense of confidence and security. Some feel more relaxed, some feel fresh, some feel like they walk differently.
And what do girls think of the furry trend? Most surveys suggest that only about 2 to 3 percent of women find a full beard sexy. And that those women who love facial hair really, really love it. The general impression is that women either love or disgust mustaches.
A man named Della Vale made a documentary “The Glorious Mustache Challenge” in which 30 men were persuaded to grow mustaches for a month. These men were asked about the reactions of those around them and what difference it had made in their lives. Most of the men became very fond of their new mustaches. Some would now feel naked without them.
On the other hand, some commented that they felt less secure, more insecure, less like themselves, tired of discussing their mustache with others.
One can be accused of trying to find a new identity. Or maybe remind your mother of a man she once knew well or an adult movie star from the past. You may be accused of scratching children when they hug you. Only a few may like it. Can you control it? Perhaps the facial hair trend is more difficult to sell for the average person.
If you are thinking of wearing your own variety of facial hair (mustache, etc.), you should consider the following:
Color of your facial hair
Size of your nose
Facial hair thickness
Shape of the chin and jaw lines
Facial hair texture
Length of your mouth
Fullness and size of the upper lip area
Your hairdresser or stylist should be a great resource to help you. Facial hair has also sometimes been a way for people to hide scars or what they feel are structural facial defects. Some have disguised smooth jaw lines, rounded and square faces, or pointed chins with beards. Be prepared that maintaining facial hair takes time and care. Shape, hold, shampoo, condition, trim and scissor trim, even caring for your bare patches with blending accessories and / or waterproof colored eyebrow pencils. What kind of styling products do you use again ???