Popular Grooming for Men – Facial Hair, Beards
From Full on Beard to Soul Patch, From Goatee to Moustache
Nov 3, 2009
While featuring a fresh, closely shaved visage will never truly go out of style, the option to sport facial hair of all types and variations is becoming very popular amongst men from all age groups and walks of life.
Artistic, Creative, and Liberal – The Soul Patch, Manicured Stubble
The soul patch, that is, a strip of facial hair that is manicured and kept just beneath the lower lip, is a very popular choice amongst musicians, artists, and writers. Very rakish and bold, the soul patch bespeaks an extroverted and fun-loving personality that is immensely attractive to persons about.
Manicured stubble is another increasingly popular trend, especially amongst young men. Go a few days without shaving – though some experts will insist on shaving the neck, it is not altogether necessary. Ryan Seacrest and Russell Crowe are the best known ambassadors of this look. Manicured stubble is an excellent compliment to a very sharp and modern suit, and can add a sense of maturity and rugged flair to an otherwise youthful countenance.
Rugged, Manly, and Conservative – The Moustache, The Goatee
The standard moustache – that is, a strip of facial hair above the lip, extending to or slightly beyond the edges of the mouth – is perhaps the most stereotypical and common examples of facial hair and grooming for men. The standard moustache is typically worn by more conservative members of society, and bears association with police officers, military officers, and other representatives of establishment.
The goatee is also a somewhat conservative facial hair styling, worn around the periphery of the mouth and chin – sometimes extended a little broadly for a more masculine effect or to hide a weak chin. The goatee is associated with business, class, romance, and cosmopolitanism. The urban man, for example, is much more likely to wear a goatee than a rural one.
The Return of the Full Beard – Not Just for Philosophers Anymore!
The full beard as embodied by earliest of Greek philosophers such as Socrates and Plato is also making headway in the world of common and high fashion – though perhaps tamed a bit from these earlier examples.
The full beard can take many shapes – ranging from an extremely well manicured beard with a shaven neck to a full-grown masterpiece that is simply trimmed to keep stray hairs from springing forth. The full beard is worn to produce a very masculine, rugged effect – although it also bears connotations of intelligence, deep thought, and joviality. Academics, film stars, and blue collar men alike can all sport the full beard without fear of reprisal.
Keep it trimmed, keep it clean, and always feel free to experiment with facial hair grooming!
Other Articles Related to Men's Fashion and Style by Nicholas Morine
Those interested in fashion and style might do well to read an article on How to Dress Smart Casual, or perhaps How to Plan a Romantic Dinner Date! Those interested in technical sartorial details may be interested in an article on How to Tie a Necktie.
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