for me bearded brothers

[EVOL!]

I have had a beard for about four years now and I love it. My father always had a beard so I feel like I am carrying on a tradition. Also, my two strongest ethnic roots (Spartan and Canadien) have a history of beards w/ King Leonidas and the Coureur des bois, respectively. A guy on my office floor tipped me to this list and I found it so amusing I had to share it. Please enjoy.

 

Copied this from http://jefffsbeardboard.yuku.com/topic/3688/t/Rules-of-Beard-Acquisition.html#.UFoLEVHYH7Q

 

Rules of Beard Acquisition

 

1. Growing a beard takes 2 to 3 MONTHS (not weeks) on average. For teens and particularly slower growers, 3 months may not even be long enough.

 

2. Shaving your beard will not make it grow faster or thicker.

 

3. No one can predict when your teenage beard will mature into an adult beard. It could take months or years.

 

4. Your beard looks better to other people at a distance than it does to yourself in the mirror. Artificial lighting and camera flash often look a lot different than real life.

 

5. Give yourself 24 hours to think about it before you shave or significantly trim your beard.

 

6. Having some facial hair, styled properly, is almost always better than clean shaven.

 

7. A picture of your beard growing progress is worth more than 1,000 words.

 

8. Expect negative comments from friends and family during the growing process. They usually give up after a few months.

 

9. Enjoy the positive comments and be sure to thank the person giving the comment.

 

10. If you shave and regrow your beard often, most people won't even notice or comment on your beard.

 

11. A fully grown beard is much less prickly than stubble.

 

12. Chemical products to enhance beard growth are still not sanctioned by the manufacturer for this purpose and should only be used by adults when beard maturation has reached a peak. It is not recommended for teens that want to jump-start their beard growth.

 

13. Trim conservatively the first time. First timers tend to over-trim and often end up shaving.

 

14. There is no mistake in trimming that can only be fixed by shaving the entire beard off.

 

15. Expect some itchiness during the first 3 weeks of growth. It will eventually subside. Moisturizers such as Aveeno oatmeal lotion or Jojoba oil while avoiding harsh soaps can help.

 

16. Don't assume you must shave to for a job or job interview. Even established no-beard policies are often ignored.

 

17. It is very common for your beard hair to be a different color from your head hair. This simply adds character to your beard.

 

18. Beards continue to improve well into your 30s, even 40s and 50s in some people.

 

19. Even the best beards look scruffy and unattractive in the early stages. The shape, color, texture, or pattern cannot be anticipated too early in the process, nor should you expect it to be flawless. It will, however, be unique.

 

20. Never EVER trim or shave when tired, not feeling well, sleepy or under the influence of alcohol or drugs!

 

21. A beard can project confidence in the man which will in turn affect how others respond to you. Embrace what you have and wear it like the man you are.

 

22. Take care of your facial hair as you would the hair on your head (assuming you have head hair). Use a mild shampoo rather than a harsh soap to clean the hair, and once it gains some length, comb it or brush it to train it to lay down for you.

 

23 Beards are as unique as fingerprints, so don't think that yours will look exactly like someone you have seen.

 

24. Beard hairs that lay down add mass to your beard, so hold off on trimming even wild hairs until you see this happening. Typically lay-down occurs at 3/4" to 1" or 2-3cm.

 

25. Becoming bearded is as much a mental transformation as a physical one. Give yourself and your loved ones 6 to 12 months to get used to the new "you".

 

26. During the growing phase, if you are concerned about looking "professional", over-dress the part until your beard fills in. People are more likely to notice the nicer clothes than the growing beard.

 

27. Barbers more often than not will over trim your newly growing beard. Be very explicit and tell him or her not to touch your beard. If you decided to get a barber trim, be very detailed on what you want and ideally choose a barber that has a beard himself or one that is recommended by another bearded man.

[Big Bill]

I use these steps for the growth of hair on my back.

[EVOL!]

Why did I put me instead of my in the thread title?

[Rabs]

BEARDS ROCK!!! just ask these guys :P

 

I fall under, I shave and grow so often that no one even notices any more lol

 

[ShredAstaire]

Love it!

[Thunderchild]

Why did I put me instead of my in the thread title?

ARRRR me hearties, it's national talk like a pirate day I've had me beard for over 32 yrs. Would feel nakeed without it. Thanks for the list

TC

[Tryintolearn]

I've had me beard for 18 years now, I don't even think people notice when I trim it down and grow it back full. Before i met my wife I would grow it in the winter and shave in the summer.

[Twiz]

I think I'm going to grow a "Lockout" beard for the NHL. My buddies are calling it a 'Strike Beard'. I'm lucky because my girl actually would rather me have a beard, so this is cool...

 

Also, here's a before and after of my last beard adventure. I think this was about 6 months. I was at the stage where I could stick pencils, chopsticks, or forks in it. Beard power!)))))))))))

 

[davidl]

I've only shaved my beard completely off about 10 times in the last 38 years. I was able to grow a decent one at 16. I find I look funny without it and my face gets cold. Even in summer at first. Mine is usually kept well trimmed but on holidays I kinda like going caveman a bit. My wife says if I try and go all Billy Gibbons, she'll cut it off in my sleep. My beard that is.

[ShredAstaire]

I tend to rock the chin strap, but i'm lazy so I often just grow it out for a while....its getting cooler...sooooo mayyyybe...

[Guest Farnsbarns]

Why did I put me instead of my in the thread title?

 

I assumed you were trying to sound all cockney/Essex. I expect you have no idea what I mean but I'm guessing the Laarrndin boys would have read strait over that!

[Rabs]

I assumed you were trying to sound all cockney/Essex. I expect you have no idea what I mean but I'm guessing the Laarrndin boys would have read strait over that!

Yes cos we all talk like dat round here.. you will often find us doing a cokney knees up on the roofs of London.. Thats what we all do innit guv :P

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2fMlg5WTMM

[FirstMeasure]

My beard grows as fast as I can shave it. Two Weeks and I'm "Journeyman" era Clapton beard. Two Months and I'm Grizzly Adams.

[Jeff-7]

I grow a beard about as well as Keanu Reeves. The hair is a mix of blonde, red, and dark brown so it looks a bit off even in the spots where it is reasonably thick. My job has a strict "no facial hair" policy so I don't get a chance to try it very often.

[Riffster]

I think I'm going to grow a "Lockout" beard for the NHL. My buddies are calling it a 'Strike Beard'. I'm lucky because my girl actually would rather me have a beard, so this is cool...

 

Also, here's a before and after of my last beard adventure. I think this was about 6 months. I was at the stage where I could stick pencils, chopsticks, or forks in it. Beard power!)))))))))))

 

 

Cool retro looking pics, Black-Sabbath-ish.

[Riffster]

Here is me shy of 4 months of growth, I regretted shaving it immediately after I did.

 

[cookieman15061]

I started growing my back in 1977 between my junior and senior years in high school. Had one in some form ever since.

 

[Dub-T-123]

I happen to be one of those unfortunate few that can't grow a beard at all. My dad can't even really grow a beard so my future is bleak..

 

*Sigh* I guess I'll just keep pretending this chin fuzz is cool

[DavidRamey]

I could never understand what was so civilized about going into the bathroom first thing in the morning, half asleep and sticking a razor to one's neck and face.

[ChanMan]

I'm Santa. /chuckle

 

 

No, really....

[adam411booking]

I happen to be one of those unfortunate few that can't grow a beard at all. My dad can't even really grow a beard so my future is bleak..

 

*Sigh* I guess I'll just keep pretending this chin fuzz is cool

Don't give up hope! Everybody can grow a beard. It just takes time, patience, and a little love.

[Blueblooded]

Im one of those guys that grew one when I was about 21 to look older at work. Now 52 and still sport a moustache and gotee. I shaved it off only a few times and didn't go without it very long any time I did.

[retrosurfer1959]

Yeah I have a Mustache/Goatee combination also. Ive had it for decades, It goes longer or shorter depending on the mood and time of year but I haven't been clean-shaven in probably 20 years. My work had a strict no facial hair policy also but luckily I was way up in the food chain of rank, so not only did I ignore it but so did everyone else. I tend too keep it cut really short now since age caught up and made it mostly grey. but I still keep it mostly because I think I look funny without it.

[Bender 4 Life]

i'm lucky to have a full beard for a "cotton-top" blonde, my Dad can't even grow a goatee.

 

my beard is a must, it covers a thick scar under my chin courtesy of a Chattanooga cops' "beavertail" blackjack when I was 15.....split me wide open. Also covers the scar where an arrowhead(small) sized piece of slag went through my cheek right beside the lower corner of my mouth at work years ago.

[pippy]

I once owned a razor about 34 years ago. I never liked shaving so stopped using it after about a week.

 

The last time I shaved was for my older brother's wedding when I was 20. I was his Best Man and felt it my duty to look smarter than my usual very scruffy self.

 

Ever since then I've never once been clean-shaven. When the mood takes me I trim my facial hair short using hairdresser's scissors and start the growing process all over again.

 

Re : point 17;

When I was young my beard was a strong ginger in colour (Viking/Irish genes) despite my hair being dark brown. This casued some confusion. Some people would, on occasion, ask me whether I dyed my hair brown or my beard red......

Then my head-hair started to turn grey (from about my 28th year, and it's been a very slow process) but my beard stayed red for the next 20 years! More confused looks.

Now my head-hair is still 'salt-and'pepper' but my facial hair is almost pure white.

Whereas it's taken 25 years - and counting - for my hair to make the transition from brown to (currently perhaps 65%) grey it took my beard less than 5 years to swap over almost completely.

 

P.