Beards. Heroic images of the independent, sturdy, and resourceful pioneers, ready, willing and able to do many things. In my opinion, these few words said by an American Psychologist Robert Pellegrini capture the essence of beards perfectly. Right now facial hair has been in the spotlight for some time, and the current trend can be traced back to summer 2013. But where did beards stand before that? Or where do they come from? I’ll try to shed some light on those topics and give you a few interesting facts regarding the cookie dusters ;)
Growing a beard has been a sign of manliness since the dawn of time! Scientists believe that in prehistoric times men had beards for several reasons. First of all, facial hair provided warmth and kept sensitive mouth skin from elements. It also made its wearer more intimidating, through a thicker, stronger looking jaw line. Finally, bushy beards offered some protection and cushion from punches and dull blows to the face. In ancient civilizations, beards were considered a sign of honor and they were only cut as a punishment. This changed around 345 B.C., when Alexander the Great decreed that soldiers could not have beards as he feared his enemies might pull them by their facial hair in a battle and use this to their advantage.
Cavemen
Since that time, beards have been regularly in and out of fashion for centuries. Among Celtic tribes it was popularized by Otto the Great, who used to swear by his beard when he was saying something serious. In the Middle Ages it was a great offence to touch another man’s beard and it often led to a duel. In the 16th century people began experimenting with beards and came up with forked beards or the stiletto beard. In the 19th century, beards began to be popular in America because of the President Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln
Time for some numbers. In America, one third (33%) of all males have facial hair while more than a half (55%) of males worldwide are proud owners of facial hair. In a study of facial hair, women found full bearded men to be 2/3rds as attractive as clean-shaven men. But this is no reason to despair as the same women found bearded men to appear older, more respected, powerful and of a higher status! Bearded men were viewed as 38% less generous, 36% less caring and 51% less cheerful than clean-shaven ones. It would seem that the intimidating factor of the beard keeps the less adventurous women away. Studies have also shown that men grow beards when there are lots of women to choose from and the marriage market is good, but when it’s tough to find a wife, those of lesser resolve tend to shed their crumb catchers, probably wanting to make women feel safer. I say it’s best to find a woman who’ll embrace the beard! Growing a killer beard will weed out all the amateur girlfriends who’ll cramp your style ;) Success-wise, outside of relationships, 98% of Forbes 100 world’s richest men are clean-shaven...but 98% of world’s lumberjacks, warriors and badasses have beards!
Here’s a quick picture guide to the most popular types of beards:
I hope you enjoyed this all-around sneak peek into the world of beards! Here are some questions to help start a discussion.
Guys, what’s your opinion on this subject?
Do you have a beard or ever thought about growing one?
Girls, what do you think about bearded men?
Do you agree with what the studies have shown?
Sources:
http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2012/01/12/beheco.arr214.abstract
http://quirkology.com/USA/Experiment_faces.shtml
http://scicurious.scientopia.org/2011/09/23/friday-weird-science-the-sexiness-of-stubble/http://scicurious.scientopia.org/2011/09/23/friday-weird-science-the-sexiness-of-stubble/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/fashion-and-style/11189638/The-real-reason-why-beards-go-in-and-out-of-fashion.htmlhttps://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090327002901AA0A6kBhttp://gentlemint.com/tack/46459/
Hello there, fellow lumberjack.
ReplyDeleteI’ve sported a beard for over two years now (I had it before they were cool - there, I said it!)
It wasn’t a conscious choice, more of a “for two weeks found myself in an environment where shaving isn’t an option” thing. I came back, hated it, my girlfriend liked it, decided to give it a go for a month, had it ever since.
I think beards are like most things - fine in moderation. For me the limit is 6mm. Anything longer than that and I begin to look homeless. I once knew a guy who went full Gandalf and looked quite good so there are definitely exceptions. How about you? Which of the faces on the picture are you?
See? A beard can grow on you, literally and figuratively speaking ;)
DeleteI have something between the chain stop and the klingon, depending on the season.
Personally, I'm going for ducktail or full homeless just for a week or so :) If I get homeless bear it would be entirely for fun and I will shave it afterwards to something more elegant.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see myself with full Gandalf, for a moment maybe, but that's hardly possible.
This picture makes me smile :
http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/me-growing-a-beard-how-society-sees-me.jpg
That's a good picture, in many cases it's true ;) I once had a girl who hated my beard cause she said it felt like kissing a cactus. And of course all of my friends compared me to homeless people when I started wearing a beard but now most of them have one too!
DeleteGuys, what’s your opinion on this subject?
ReplyDeleteFor sure beard makes you look older. Is it make you wiser? I suppose it depends.
Do you have a beard or ever thought about growing one?
I prefer two-days beard (I guess it's called stubble?).
Do you agree with what the studies have shown?
As also every studies... "American scientists..."
I wouldn't count stubble as a beard but it still is better than a clean shaven face ;) About those studies...most of what me know is true until proven otherwise, so I guess every study is as good as another.
DeleteReally interesting article! Especially about beard history. I love that.
ReplyDeleteIn addition I can mention about having beard in India. In late years beard was symbol of wisdom and dignity. Did you know that for adultery men had public beard beheading? This shows the social importance of beards in those days.
When I think about facial hair always Hindu comes on my mind. They have funny beards and a lot of Indian men has moustaches :)
http://amazingdata.com/mediadata9/Image/amazing_fun_quaint_weird_offbeat_200907240354232561.jpg
I'm glad you liked it! I wanted to approach this subject a bit differently than in terms of fashion.
DeleteI think that beards are more popular in regions where men have darker hair and India is definitely proves that!
It’s a perfect example how a common theme like beard can become a perfect topic for a great presentation!
ReplyDeleteTo start with answering your questions – I always wanted to have a beard (“chain stop” type I think based on your article), but the best I could grow for a long time was something like this: (http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1934835/thumbs/o-BEIBER-BEARD-570.jpg?6), so no wonder that I was shaving regularly, because this looked so awful, that it was better not to have beard at all. Then I was able to get “petit goatee”, but still it looked… kind of… well… shitty(mostly because my beard wasn’t thick), but back then I was very proud of my facial hair. Now I got my “perfect” beard, so my dreams came true and I even have a moustache! I used to hate the idea of having one, but I wanted to please my girlfriend and now I can’t imagine myself without beard and moustache. It looks more or less like this: http://www.gq.com/images/how-to/2011/11/beard-package/beards-get-faded-200.jpg (Like Sebastian said – 6 mm is a limit for me).
And no, I do not believe in those studies. To be clear, it’s not that I agree or disagree, it’s just I do not think that being white, black, blond, ginger, owner of a bike or a horse define our personality and habits (ok, maybe with a horse you need a special plan for a day), but I read that kind of data with a pinch of salt.
There wouldn’t be a good comment without Family Guy or South Park video, so:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnyEiXFyK10
And men, let’s agree, with beard we will more muscular, add deeper voice and voila:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBwHEsaZdmw
And reading this article reminded me of one of episodes from my favourite cartoon series – Dexter’s Laboratory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBezn83A3as
Once again – Great Presentation!
And I was thinking whether I should post this link, which I found while looking for images of beards, or not, but I decided I will:
DeleteONLY FOR PEOPLE WITH A STRONG STOMACH:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3338/3181302882_99caf86c94.jpg
This guy REALLY wanted to have a moustache or it's just a photomontage.
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DeleteIt's great that you finally got a beard you wanted! I always wanted to have a full beard with moustache but unfortunately I'm what I call 'a reverse Hitler'. My moustache only grows on the side and I'm bald in the middle :p Still, I prefer to keep my eyebrow, ouch!
DeleteIf it comes to me, I personally don’t like bearded men. It doesn’t look aesthetically and it spoils beauty of males’ faces. If they’re supposed to shave every day, this fact implicates the trait of discipline which is needed in everyday routine. Anyway it might be a good indicator of that feature but simultaneously could be distracting at all because human character is a little bit more profound and could not be unfolded of that simple matter.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion reasonable beards look good, but it really depends of look of a face. Reasonable I mean not too long or not too crazy. Beacause beards like that looks slovenly.
ReplyDeleteIf a men has a beard, often he looks older. So if you have a beard for a winter and then you shave in spring, you will look like a child.
Something like this:
http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/shave-your-beard-they-said.jpg
I agree completely, as I looked much younger without a beard. As for seasonal beards, it's true for some men, that they keep longer beards in the winter. I certainly do so :p
DeleteI have to agree too... Beards make men look older. When one of my friends had shaved his beard I have bearly recognised him. He was looked like 5 years younger. :)
DeleteGuys, what’s your opinion on this subject?
ReplyDeleteMy opinion is pretty simple: beard is just beard. It doesn’t make you smarter or more manly or anything like that. So if someone prefers to have a beard it is his own decision and definitely he shouldn’t base on any “rocket science” about that ;)
Do you have a beard or ever thought about growing one?
No I don’t have but sometimes I think about growing one… so maybe someday I will have a big beard :D
Guys, what’s your opinion on this subject?
ReplyDeleteMy opinion is pretty simple: beard is just beard. It doesn’t make you smarter or more manly or anything like that. So if someone prefers to have a beard it is his own decision and definitely he shouldn’t base on any “rocket science” about that ;)
Do you have a beard or ever thought about growing one?
No I don’t have but sometimes I think about growing one… so maybe someday I will have a big beard :D
Go for it, I bet you'll change your mind about the magic power of the beard when you have one ;)
DeleteBeard is coming back like a other things in the fashion`s sphere. A For instance take a look on curtained hair style frequently compare to Hitler Youth:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.complex.com/style/2013/07/most-controversial-trends/haircuts-with-side-parts
A lot of Man choose this kind of hair style and in a many cases combine with beard. In my opinion we are observing “beard renaissance”. I`m not an opponent but I`ve found some disadvantages of long beard. First at all young man looks in beard older. From the one side this could be some benefit but it depends on what we except from this part of our appearance – to be honest it doesn’t suit me. Moreover hygienic aspects of wearing beard are not acceptable for me. For the end my dear Fiancé often tells me about unpleasant experiences connected to my beard. When I sum up all of those things I must confess that I’m not with it. Of course it`s so individual issue so everyone would do whatever wants
TIL my hair style for formal settings was a Hitler Youth favourite. Thanks I guess 0_o :)
DeleteI've heard about the origin of this now popular hairstyle and I must say I found it funny :p You know, Hugo Boss made nazi uniforms and he even has a photograph with the Fuhrer himself. Say what you will but they had a good fashion taste.
DeleteI think that when the beard is well groomed it isn't unpleasant or unhygienic. Gotta wash it as regular hair and comb it and it will be just fine!
It is personal choice of the person. If you want a beard grow it, if not them don't. I think that if you want a beard you ahouldn't think about anybody else ;)
ReplyDeleteYou can experiment like Mateusz, it can be fun...of course if you can do that...
As for me...i'm trying to make something interesting but I have really strange facial hair but after your article I think I will aim for Klingon :)
I used to have a long beard, but i got bored of it. There is nice perk of meeting new people when you have full grown beard, they wont recognize you when you start shaving again :). And when it comes to aesthetics it really depends on the person. Some people like beards and some not. For me it was always something neutral.
ReplyDeleteI have similar experience but people didn't recognize me with a beard after few years of not seeing one another :p
DeleteI have similar experience but people didn't recognize me with a beard after few years of not seeing one another :p
DeleteWell, I do have a beard. Not long. unfortunately I cannot find a proper type on the picture above. But to be honest it's the consequence of my laziness. I hate to shave. In my wife' s opinion i look better without the beard, she likes smooth cheeks. But I can't imagine that i'm shaving every day. It would be a huge punishment for me to shave at morning. Every morning. So that's why sometimes I look like a barbarian or caveman like my wife used to say.
ReplyDeleteHey, barbarians were badass so don't be put off by it :p If you're lazy like me just buy a trimmer and you won't waste much time on your facial hair.
DeleteInteresting, sometimes I just don't shave for a few weeks. But I have never had any longer beard than 5 milimeters, because longer than that starts to feel uncomfortable. Zappa is cool because I know it's Frank Zappa's style :-))))))) but if i had to choose my style I think the classic full beard would perfectly work for me :D I think that there is much more types of beards than it is on this picture. For example Dan Bilzerian has a cool beard (and nothing else) :D and there is a guitar player which once had a cool beard - Bjorn Gelotte from In Flames. Also some style was not mentioned there, for example Wayne Static and Shavo Odadijan - search them :-)
ReplyDeleteI think that beards are cool but do not fit to every man. I have started wear a beard few months ago and i feel really good with it. Its not big but more than a stubble.
ReplyDeleteHi guys, I'd like to focus on one thing: Face hair become to even TRENDY !
ReplyDeletePlease take a look on my links: http://www.dhgate.com/store/product/tpu-soft-flower-cartoon-moustache-keep-calm/171907728.html http://www.ladyblitz.com/beauty/nail-tutorial-moustache-nails-3053/ so, I mean not only about wering hair face like beard.
Moustache became to be like an ICON! I remeber last summer, when gagets and stuff like that was signed by this kind of hair face :)
So, I think it is interesting and extraordinary way to promote our article subject :)
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ReplyDeleteI tried several times to grow a beard because I think beards are generally cool and I was curious how would I look bearded, but I couldn't last more than a week without shaving. The feeling of something living on my face just pisses me off when it reaches 2-3mm length. When I look at it in the perspective, noting can motivate me to take action more than an unshaved beard :)
ReplyDeleteBeards have become very interesting subject especially in recent years when, once again designers called it “a must”. For decades it seemed to be out of fashion and only grandpas and renowned professors were proud to wear them. In 2013 it has all change. Almost every bearded man was also a hipster.
ReplyDeleteIt is fascinating to see how fashion is changing. In 2015 beard is a symbol of manliness and I have to admit it I prefer it in that form:)