Ask A Woman: Hair of the dog we want to bite us…
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Facial hair, it’s everywhere. No longer a brand new trend, but one that’s finally trickled down from the most fashion forward gents to those who take only a cursory interest in style and grooming. And fellas, the ladies have noticed. We love the facial hair. Love it. Why? Here’s why…
1. It’s something new.
Anytime a new trend surfaces, there’s an adjustment period. Are skinny jeans flattering or did we just recycle those tapered pants from the early 90s and give them a new name? Initially, women may have raised an eyebrow at the early adapters of the facial hair trend, but now–like our beloved skinny jeans–it’s so refreshing to see a hirsute man. We never knew we were tired of Brad Pitt’s smooth cheekbones until we saw Hugh Jackman doing press for X-Men.
Perhaps it’s time to set these aside for a bit?
2. It’s a little dangerous.
A dude with a full beard, especially one that’s a little shaggier, is kind of dangerous. We look at him and wonder, is he sexy in a lumberjack, mountain man kind of way? Or a murdery, manifesto-writing kind of way? Obviously, we hope it’s the former, but that added element of, well, fear, makes a full-bearded man all the more interesting.
3. It’s flattering.
Most men look good with facial hair. Sure, there are some who grow only thin patches randomly across their face, but most men can grow something respectable, as long as it’s effectively maintained. In other words, work with what ya got. Facial hair can also improve your looks if you have acne scars, a weak chin (Michael Sheen is a perfect example), a bit of waddle around the jaw line. Hair can often hide these characteristics.
4. It’s “grown-up.”
If you’re like me, you still have moments where you think, wow, I’m really an adult, and get a secret thrill. It happened when I bought my house, when I said “my husband” for the first time, when I chose to be responsible and go to bed at 10pm on New Year’s Eve, when I Googled “extreme pain in aging, decrepit feet” (well, maybe that last one was less than thrilling), etc. Being with a man who has serious facial hair is so adult. Hey, look, there’s no way my other half can be mistaken for a 19 year old! He’s a grown-ass man!
Ehh, we don’t like it that much.
5. It’s really masculine.
Even men who prefer a casual, sporty, or earthy style in women can appreciate a hyper-feminine woman, right? The hourglass curves, the long hair, it’s just nice to admire. Same goes for women. Whoever we might be attracted to, it’s sort of delicious to spy a man with a thick swatch of facial hair, so different from our own smooth faces. Cheers for the beard!
Got something brewing in your life? Send me an email–style, etiquette, relationships–I answer it all: askawoman@dappered.com