Pop culture and clichés of bearding

November has come to a close, and with that, Movember is (unfortunately) over. Despite the gloom of December, there are beardo events to look forward to while we await the results of Movember 2011’s successes for prostate cancer.

• For those who had a successful Movember season, submit your pictures and videos (or music videos) to the Moscars. Nominations are made and winners are chosen for various categories— and this, in my opinion, is a wonderful way to cap the Moustache season. Below is a video of last year’s first place winners. Submit your videos by 2pm on December 8th, and the winners will be announced on the December 15th. Prizes will be awarded; however, the acclamation associated with winning the Moscars for your beard-related video is invaluable.

• Take advantage of the holiday sales and invest in moustache and bearding merchandise, including Jack Passion’s Facial Hair Handbook. It makes a wonderful Christmas gift to fellow bearders!

And with that, I would like to introduce to another facet of the conversation that I had with Jack Passion this past year on the world of bearding. His thoughts extended far and wide, and he spent some time speaking about the stereotypes in his profession. Rather than getting caught up in the public eye’s vision of the bearding sphere. He posted a video today on his website that sheds light on this point exactly.

As he mentions in the video, Passion hasn’t let his beard define him— and rather, has let it be an object for opportunity. Outside of the bearding world, Passion mentioned hobbies that mirror others—music, swimming and a love for dogs.

As surprising as it is an achievement such as his (his beard was grown on a whim in his college years), Passion’s dedication to his beard is obvious through his work with Beard Team USA, in his handbook and on the screen in IFC’s Whisker Wars. As he mentions in his new short film (above), “a beard is very easy to begin, and difficult to master.”

Rather than filling a mold, Passion has dispelled notions of his connections to the lumberjack, hippie or biker and has become a class of his own.

Beard Buys: Cyber Monday steals

I mentioned in a previous post the increase of moustache merchandise (this can be credited to the successes of my blog :P) – and with Cyber Monday near its end, take advantage of the sales and nab some gifts for others, and yourself. I’ve selected a few of the best deals and listed them below.

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By clicking on this image you will be taken directly to the merchandise.

cafe press is known for its variety of odds and ends, and witty screen t-shirts. Particularly, the online dealer has the largest variety of moustache and beard merchandise that I’ve come across thus far. They have a few moustache shirts available for inexpensive prices and nearly all of them are on sale during Cyber Monday only. They also have mugs, stickers, clocks and clothing for your pets.

By clicking on this image you will be taken directly to the merchandise.

I’ve mentioned on various occasions the importance of Movember and their dedication to research for Men’s health. Toms has become a part of the solution by offering their Movember slip-ons. With the purchase of each pair, a percentage goes to Movember, and another pair is given to a child in need. For Cyber Monday, Toms is offering free shipping on orders over $65. Not only will you be satiating your desire for moustache merchandise, but you’re  giving back this holiday season!

By clicking on this link you will taken directly to the merchandise.

Personally, plenty of my moustache merchandise has come from Urban Outfitters. (On Black Friday, I snagged a nifty Toddland Moustache wallet.) On Cyber Monday Urban Outfitters is offering free shipping, with no minimum purchase, and many of their moustache items are on clearance. I suggest the Moustache flare mug (in honor of the nippy weather) and the Mr. Moustache ornament (Christmas is right around the corner!).

You’ve got only a few hours! Best of luck shopping!

Thanksgiving: Turkey, wine and moustaches

I enjoy the Thanksgiving traditions as much as anyone else, and yet, this year I desperately sought a way to spice up the humdrum of turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole and pie.

The recent spurt of moustache merchandise in stores and online is fitting for a blog post of its own; however, I luckily nabbed the last of several moustache baking molds sold at Buffalo Exchange, a thrift store. Needless to say, my excitement was so tangible the salesperson commented and wished me infinite amounts of luck in my moustachioed baking endeavors. I was ecstatic.

After not having seen my parents for some time, my arrival was marred by my plans to attend a dinner with family, and friends, toting a moustache-shaped cake. Before I divulged that it was indeed a moustache, it was mistaken as turkey legs, airplane wings and assortment of odd objects. Despite their misgivings, my moustache cake was a HIT—surpassing the notoriety, even, of the pumpkin pie.

I combined pumpkin puree, ginger and dark chocolate chips in a splendid moustache mold. (I’ve included the recipe below.)

With Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner around the holiday bend, nab a cake mold or cookie cutters and have a bearded baking frenzy.

 

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant butterscotch pudding mix
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
• ½ cup butter, room temperature
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 1 bag of dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 24 muffin cups, or line with paper muffin liners. Whisk together the flour, pudding mix, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, cloves, and crystallized ginger in a bowl; set aside.

1. Beat the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar and applesauce with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add the room-temperature eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Beat in the vanilla and pumpkin puree with the last egg. Stir in the flour mixture and chocolate chips, mixing until just incorporated. Pour the batter into moustache baking mold.
2. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Jack Passion is the new Spencer Pratt of reality TV

 

“I’m the new Spencer Pratt of reality TV and I’m doing great.”

Important: Pratt's beard is subpar.

In a previous post I spoke about Whisker Wars, a show on IFC that follows the lives of Beard Team USA members from across the nation. The men shared a common thread in their hopes to defeat Germany (world-class bearders), but still had tiffs of their own.

Jack Passion spoke about his role in the show as the competitor’s most alienated enemy. Sabotage, trash-talk and Twitter wars are only a few of the means with which members of Beard Team USA sought to publically defile Passion.

Despite all the negative fanfare from his rivals, Passion endorsed all the attention—better yet, he thrived off of it.

During an interview, Passion mentioned that his role was much like that of Spencer Pratt’s on MTV’s The Hills (however, Passion’s facial hair is of a much classier breed).

The effort that Pratt’s and Passion’s contenders contributed to shaming them was counterproductive, and rather, was advantageous to both infamous characters.

Once a taboo is related to a topic or person, its acclaim becomes exponential.

Viewer’s eyes were glued to television screens not because they were distraught by the flawed Passion that fellow Beard Team USA bearders endorsed, but the Passion continues to be unfazed by his enemies.

Big Red is invincible.

The last vestige of manhood

“I’m a pretty normal guy, but a beard, well it’s like having a puppy with you everywhere. It’s a magnet for exciting adventures and new friends.”

Jack Passion isn’t merely a man with a beard, but an icon for male empowerment everywhere. In an era where women are becoming a fierce competitor in the athletic, professional and social dynamics of society, men are grappling for their manhood. In an interview,

Jack Passion holding his book, "The Facial Hair Handbook." He refers to his beard fondly as "Big Red."

Jack Passion spoke about the iconic messages that beards convey to elders, peers and women.

“The beard is the male equivalent of child-bearing hips.”

Men intend to remain at the top of a societal construct adopted in the United States and abroad— that men are the embodiment of power, strength and success. Passion mentioned that the recent fanfare behind beards, moustaches and facial hair is a movement of men adjusting their appearances in a progressive era. Their hope is to re-establish the societal norms that have been temporarily cast aside by cataclysm of feminism movements and youth uprisings.

Not only that, but males are attracted to beards because of their ability to differentiate a boy from a man. Better yet, men can achieve this manhood without having to take part in primal activities, such as needless violence.

“Men always try to prove themselves, often with violence or by grappling for the social, professional, and athletic power, but a beard trumps all of those in proving manhood to oneself and the world.”

Rather than stigmatizing the ‘coming of age’ experience for men— the beard has become a social tool that allows males to adapt to the adult male sphere with ease.

As far as Passion is concerned, males have been robbed of their opportune “male ceremonials that establish they are a man.”

“[We] don’t have any rituals that induct men into manhood. We don’t get to kill a boar, wear a skin and do some dance. We don’t have that.”

Facial hair is a visual marker, an emblem of sorts that bans mothers from holding their son’s hand any longer. They’re a valuable asset to any male’s face, because they are the vestige of manhood.

“It showed me something valuable. I looked in the mirror and I saw a man. Not a boy, a man.”

 

 

 

A beard chat with Jack Passion

For those of you who have followed Beardlesque Brittany closely, you’ll understand the significance of my being able to speak with Jack Passion (of the World Beard and Moustache Championships & Beard Team USA) over the phone this past semester. Rather than divulging the entirety of our conversation with you in one blog post (and spoiling the excitement), the next week will feature Passion posts.

Mind you, when Jack Passion rang me, I was giddy with excitement, so much so that he noticed. After I had regained my composure we covered several very influential topics in the world of bearding—topics that are timely of this month’s mantra—NO SHAVE NOVEMBER. This week’s topics are below, and the first post Beards as the last vestiges of manhood is in the works! Enjoy, fellow facial hair friends.

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Beardlesque Brittany’s docket for this week:

1. Beards as the “last vestiges of manhood”
2. Jack Passion is the new Spencer Pratt of reality television?
3. The cliches of beards and the art of bearding, according to Jack Passion
4. The value and the attraction of a beard
   

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Dallas Green of City and Colour

As promised, No Shave November is a month in which we can appreciate facial hair at its finest. I recently attended a City and Colour concert, a Canadian band and main man, Dallas Green. Nothing is more sweeter than the combination of his melodic voice and his bodacious, but humble beard. Friends, his is the first of our ‘best of’ beards of month.

Really, enjoy. (I did.)

No Shave November

Men and women stow away the razors. (For ladies, the razor stowing is optional.)

For males particularly, don your plaid – let your beard reach its fullest potential and bask in the glorious holiday season. November brings with it the promise for a beard(full) month of raising money for prostate cancer, and other cancers affecting men, through the Movember Movement.

Tips for Movember participants:

• Put all the money that you won’t be spending on blades and shaving cream to good use and become a ‘mo bro’ or ‘mo sista’ during the Movember movement.

• Submit daily photos of your progress and accruing some support for your beard through sponsorship, you can not only grow out a boadcious beard, but do so for a wonderful cause.

  Ladies: Support our male counterparts in this endeavor and become a ‘mosista’.

   <— I’ve already become a ‘mo sista’ to a long-time friend, Kawika.

• To accompany your new festive November beards, TOMS is also selling some snazzy sneaks for the cause, and all proceeds go to Movember.

• Download the Movember iPhone app and get second-by-second updates about the movement, monies raised and read first-hand accounts. Also, follow Movember on Twitter.

Get in the holiday spirit, bearders. 

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As promised, an interview with Jack Passion, the World Beard Champion, will be featured on Beardlesque Brittany during the month of No Shave November. Stay tuned for the ‘best of’ beards during this festive month – and good luck to all! I look forward to hearing your facial hair success stories :3

Competitive Bearding

The expressive act of growing, and fostering a mustache or beard is not limited to the individual, but is an asset to an elaborate, world-wide network of aggressive “bearders”.

With that in mind, I know that my fervor and adoration pales in comparison to some, especially those in the competitive sphere. Whisker Wars, a show that debuted in August on IFC, features Beard Team USA and their hopes in clinching Germany’s notoriety for having the world’s most bodacious beards.

Now well into its first season, Whisker Wars is abuzz in the media, and Twitter, and beards are amassing a fandom unlike any before.

The picture to the left features a few of many tweets that were devoted to the #WhiskerWars hashtag. Of the tweets that I read, a majority (unsurprisingly) were written by female users. I know that I’ve personally devoted a tweet or two to #WhiskerWars.

Alongside that, Facebook groups have arisen devoted to the bearding cause. Whisker Wars has 15,121 likes.

Beard Team USA’s Enemy #1: GERMANY

Beard Team USA was assembled in 2003 with one goal in mind.

“[To] dethrone Germany and establish the United States as the World Superpower [in bearding],” Phil Olsen, Beard Team USA founder said in Whisker Wars. In his opinion, bearding is a sport synonymous to  featured in the Olympics. “The Olympic team has people that ski for America or throw shot-puts for America. Beard Team USA grows beards for America.”

Their first National Beard and Moustache Championships were held in Bend, Oregon in 2010. The show’s first episode unveiled the rivalries, and goals of individual men spanning the United States. To better know the progression of Beard Team USA in 2003 and today, view the video below – and tune into Whisker Wars on IFC!

The series follows individual competitions and chapters within the US, as well as the beacon of competitive bearding: The World Beard and Moustache Championships. They took place in Norway this past May – and to spare those who plan on watching the show, I will not divulge the winners.

A favorite of mine, Jack Passion competed!

Competition Categories

The categories judged in the national and world competition vary exponentially – simply because the World Championships have to tailor to a wide array of competitors. Below, a few are listed. To see the complete list, visit the World Championships website.

This list is interactive! Click on the category for the science behind the style. However, viewers beware. The site also displays the results for the 2011 World Championships. For those who haven’t yet seen Whisker Wars – this is a major spoiler alert!

• Natural Moustache
• Natural Goatee
• Full Beard (Natural)
• Fu Manchu
• Sideburns Freestyle
• Musketeer
• Full Beard with Styled Moustache

For the Ladies

The Whiskerinas is the Beard Team USA ladies auxiliary (aka Beard Team USA for the female persuasion). They’re the support for Beard Team USA, as well as avid fans of facial hair. They will be hosting their first national competition a day before the Annual National Beard and Moustache Championships opens in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The competition is host beard creations designed by women. All proceeds from the event are being donated the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

> For those interested in getting involved in their Beard Team USA local chapter, go to this website. I know that the Arizona chapter, The Phoenix Burning Beard Brigade is a mere few minutes from my home. Get involved with fellow beard growers!

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Beardlesque Brittany Updates

• Check out the NEW Feature of the Week about the Bluegrass Beards of Flagstaff, Arizona.
• The Oddities page is boasting new additions worth many laughs!

• Stay tuned for an interview with THE Jack Passion!

Tips: Growing, and grooming your beard

Firstly, I would like to extend numerous thanks to the artist, Rembrand Le Compte, who kindly allowed me to display his artwork in this blog post, and also on my Oddities page. They have been a source of infinite entertainment.

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Once a male has made the weighty decision to grow a beard, being mindful of the growth and upkeep is incredibly important. The way in which you are perceived, in large part has a lot to do with your physical appearance. As stated in the previous blog post, males with beards are often negatively stigmatized. Consequentially, it is both a male and female’s duty to assure that beards positively portray self-expression, and not destitution or lack of hygiene (a common stereotype).

I will provide a few steps that will detail the growing process, and general upkeep once the beard or moustache has taken shape. This post is designed for men who contemplate beards and those who already foster them – as well as curious female beard admirers, or girlfriends of bearded men.

The Initial Stages

• All About Beards suggests that no dramatics need to be involved, once you’ve made the decision to grow a beard, stop shaving. Do not shave for at least four weeks.
• Following that period of time, the beard needs to be shaped, much like shrubbery. We don’t want an unwieldy ‘stache or beard.
• Moustaches are easily managed – but males should be careful not to shave too closely. A rule of thumb as far as shaving with facial hair is the less you shave, the better. Buzzing your whiskers is a done deed.
• For those with beards, it needs to be shaped. A neck line needs to be defined, and often can be visualized as an imaginary line that is drawn from ear to ear. Again, pay heed to the rule of thumb: the less you shave, the better.
• On the flip side, the cheek line should be left alone completely. They hair growth here is limited and oftentimes, is not troublesome.

Beards for the long haul

• Males seasoned in the the upkeep of facial hair suggest that extensive trimming is either done with a beard trimmer, or by a professional.
• The proper use of a beard trimmer is best learned from a professional. It is suggested that the first trim is done by a barber. Following that, the process only needs to be mirrored on a periodic basis, dependent upon the rapidity of hair growth.
• Contrary to common belief, one needs to shampoo and condition their facial hair on a regular basis. It can be pat dry, and blowing drying a beard is highly unnecessary. Any shampoo will suffice, however, products are available specifically for facial hair.
• When trimming a beard, always clean it first.
• COMB YOUR BEARD, REGULARLY.

Growing a beard can be an “emotional roller coaster”?

Growing a beard is much like experiencing puberty – a male will have his fair share of awkward moments. The beard, within the first few weeks will also be itchy and uncomfortable. Cleanliness will make the process more comfortable.

However, once you’ve reached a certain growth point with your beard, upkeep is seemingly effortless. Rembrand, below, perfectly represented the stages of beard growth. The moral of the story? A comfort level is adopted after you’ve surpassed the seemingly unbearable growth stages, and you come to love your facial hair. Stick with it!

Don’t Fear the Beard: Fear the Lack of a Beard and the Dangers of Shaving

The dangers of shaving have made many men a victim, validating that one should foster a beard over time instead. It’s the safer choice. Razor burn, and death dealt by straight razors is not as uncommon as one would like to accept. The Art of Manliness detailed five events in which shaving was mankind’s demise.

In short, practice hygenic and safe habits with beards and moustaches. Females, hold males accountable – and invest in shampoo and a specified comb, if need be.

Remember: As Rome wasn’t built in a day, your whiskers won’t grow overnight.

For trimming, cleaning and combing supplies, visit these websites:

• Beard Care
• Beard Grooming
• Beardsley Shampoo
• Five Beard Care Tips
• How to Shave and Shaving Tips by Gillette
• The Art of Shaving

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Also, for those of you who read my last blog – you’re aware of the Movember movement. Rembrand’s cartoon in support of the charity was worth posting, even a week late. Happy bearding!

FAQ: Beards grow, and deserve appreciation

Beards grow, and beards deserve appreciation. Although this is a common truth, in order to properly acknowledge the value of a man‘s whiskers, we need facts. Why do some men grow beards, while others cannot? Why is there a bearded stigma; and are bare-faced men given a professional advantage? Lastly, what impacts, if any, do beards have on society?

In order to answer these questions, we first look to the past. As far as history is concerned, beards have had multiple purposes, and societal effects. According to an article written in the Brooklyn Rail, beards were a priest’s form of rebellion in the Protestant Reformation. Alongside that, beard fiends theorize that Abraham Lincoln’s bodacious beard may have clinched him his presidential election in 1860. Summarily, men of outward thought and progressive movements, were not only blessed with motivation, but luscious facial hair. Contrarily, it was also mentioned that Queen Elizabeth I levied taxes against bearded men (a shame), and unfortunately, the plantations of hair that adorn the chin have a destitute, or hippie imputation among society. This begs us to question, what is frightening, or tax-worthy about facial hair?

Why can Abraham Lincoln foster a noteworthy beard, while some men cannot?

As much as any male would prefer to have complete control over the cultivation of his facial fuzz, several studies show that hair growth is comprised mostly of genetics. Also, males who started puberty at a younger age are likely to have more dense facial hair than those who were older. For example, the genetic odds did not tip in actor Michael Cera’s favor, whereas Zack Galifianakis of The Hangover was assuredly blessed.   And yet, probability also plays a role (although small). For those who lack inherent talent to sustain a beard, multiple tactics can be assessed for those dedicated to the bearded cause. (Look for these tips and tricks in a future post!)

Why are men associated with beards, also associated with hippie environmentalists and homeless men?

Firstly, this is a mere stereotype, I assure you, and for those who are fortunate enough to foster and care for a beard over time, should not mull over this considerably. However, one cannot avoid the stigma that surrounds a male’s power of expression via goatee, muttonchops or five-o-clock shadow. Are bare-faced men, although sadly devoid of a proud male characteristic, regarded above bearded men? In some cases, yes. Despite that harsh reality, expression is a large aspect of American culture, varying from facial piercings to tattoos and beyond – and all have become more widely accepted over time. Beards will (hopefully) soon follow this trend, becoming a professional norm.

Why do you think, and why should I think beards are worthy of all this fanfare?

Firstly, beards, kempt and trim, are not an easy feat. They require studious attention, detail and fawning. Secondly, they foster camaraderie among men around the globe. Believe it or not, male bonding began with a razor blade and a barber shop. Vanities aside, beards have become a platform for fundraising. No Shave November (a month in which men don’t shave for sheer entertainment) has been paired with efforts to raise funds to benefit prostate cancer research and studies to combat depression in men. A global effort tagged as Movember, men’s refusal to shave has raised upwards of $7 million in the United States alone.

Growing a beard is infinite in its possibilities, with new hair growth tactics around every corner, an upcoming acceptable position in the workplace and advocacy for men’s current and future health. That being said, I again refer to my original statement: Beards grow, and beards deserve appreciation. Now you know.