going natural, again

Last night during a brief visit to a major shopping mall, within about fifteen minutes I saw two different full beards with natural cheek and neck lines. In a post last year, I commented on how full beards with both the cheek and neck lines left natural are rarely seen. The perceived social pressure to shape them — at least the neck line — is pretty powerful. It’s so powerful that guys are often so quick to shape them that they do it prematurely and wreck their beard-growing attempts. About the only ones who let the beard go all natural are the homeless. It need not be that way.

Both of the full beards seen at the mall were neat and well-groomed. They looked completely respectable and presentable indeed. The natural cheek and neck lines gave them a distinctive and, well, “natural” look. The men were not scroungy at all. They were well-dressed fathers with young children.

The all-natural look with natural cheek and neck lines may not work for every guy, but guys should not be so afraid to try it. Give it a try and see how it does. When giving it a try, don’t make a half-hearted attempt and give up after a few days. Let it grow out enough to catch up with the rest of the beard. If more guys have the courage to go for the all-natural full beard, the look will gradually gain more acceptance. Go for it.

aunque huyas tú siempre sabrás

All right, this has nothing to do with beards…except that Diego, who does the lead vocal on this song, has been seen with a beard at times. I always liked the original version of this song and this remake is even better.

UPDATE: The embedded YouTube link went bad. One that still works has been substituted above. Below, I’m adding the video of the original version. If you watch closely, you’ll see a young Paulina Rubio and Thalí­a. They did not return for the remake.

UPDATE II: The YouTube link went bad again and has been removed. Sorry!

Illinois beard contest

I have received word that, in the Land of Lincoln, there will be a beard contest on September 9, 2007 at 2:30 PM at the Ullin, Illinois fire station. The beard contest is part of the Cache River Days celebration in honor of the town’s 150th anniversary. It is believed to be the first beard contest in Ullin since 1957. If you are in the area, be sure to check it out!