Beard

[jack]

I've always been curious what I'd look like with a beard. This week I just stopped shaving the front of my face[1]. It needs more growth, it's just a patch of long stubble, but my impression is:

* I think a beard *does* suit me
* However, it always makes you look older. I'd rather make the most of my irresponsible youth while I still have some.
* It looks and feels distracting. I have enough difficulty surviving seeing a pink nose-shaped blob in the corner of my eye, a tactile and visual fuzz makes the universe feel unorganised
* I'll probably shave it off before it goes very far
* I'm curious what other people think.
* It's probably the worst week to try, what with being at work, visiting family, and possibly meeting a friend in person for the first time. It went well with last week though, when I ran out of shaving foam.

[1] Quote: "It was dark in the car, but I *thought* your stubble looked... patterned."

Comments

[miss-next.livejournal.com]

Photos would be nice. Then those of us who don't see you regularly can judge. :-)

I have complex views about beards. Generally speaking, I think if you've got a weak chin they're a good idea, whereas if you have a strong chin they're not... though I must admit I don't dislike Charles' beard quite so implacably now that he's tidied it up in a way that actually emphasises the lines of his chin. (Let's face it, Charles is sweet, but his looks are not his strong point, which was why the beard irked me so much - his chin is one of his better features, and he covered it up!) But I think that the amount of hair on the head is also a contributing factor. The more hair you've got, in my opinion, the more beard you can get away with. So if you're currently shaved or even fuzzy, I suspect your beard may cause me to blink politely. :-)

[cornute.livejournal.com]

I got my dda to shave the sides of his face, but I like his beard otherwise; I just like having some un-fuzzy skin to touch that's not his forehead. I am in favor of men not spending outrageous amounts of time grooming themselves every day, and I wish women had as much of the same options.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

:)

Yes exactly. I don't know if this *is* any less maintenance, I still shave cheeks. I don't know if it'd make it more or less stupid looking if I don't bother. If you have a full beard, I guess you just trim every so often.

It's true, often shaving seems like a hassle. But I don't think it really is, I think it's just an illusion when you don't want to bother...

I hear kissing moustaches can be less pleasant. I don't think I ever have. Something short and furry can be ok, but more seems contra-indicated, but I don't know if that's actually universal.

[cornute.livejournal.com]

I really like the short-bristly feel of moustaches and closely cropped underarms and any other areas where short hair feels velvety, not stickery.

However, I also find hair of the length I can tug on it with fingers to be delightful, as long as there's enough to do so without the plucking-one-hair effect.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

:) Yes.

Long, soft hair is wonderful. But often a hassle. Whereas strokey-stubble just happens. Though admittedly, I've only really experienced it on head and jaw, where I approve. On legs, it's more of a novelty value[1], and on underarms, torsos and crotches, lets just not go there.

[1] I mean, I'd prefer a partner who spent an extra half an hour a day being witty and insightful, and if that isn't an option, I'd prefer they did what they prefer, but if I were choosing what was most physically appealing, I'd go for smooth legs.

[rjw76]

Women *do* have the same options. You just have to have a larger I-don't-care field.

[cornute.livejournal.com]

Great, cause I would LOVE to grow a beard.

(My I-don't-care field is up and functioning, but the small amount of testosterone I possess says it is allocated to things other than growing more than stupid amounts of hair.)

[rochvelleth.livejournal.com]

IMO the good thing about beards is the sensation. Obviously this is a very selfish thing to say ;)

Seriously though, post photos! That's the only way LJ can judge the new look :)

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Selfish? I was mainly expecting reactions of what other people think, *I* know what I think :)

Maybe photos. I might as well let it grow in as much as possible before trying that :)

[pogodragon.livejournal.com]

Bah, damn my fecklessness, I've missed meeting the bearded look.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

LOL. I should have posted this yesterday, right :) (BTW, sorry, J sounded horribly confused when I phoned him. It's one of those conversations where, once the other person has answered, you've found out everything you needed to know, but it would be rude and misinformative to immediately hang up, so you have to say hello and explain... :))

[pogodragon.livejournal.com]

Add that to the fact we were in the car and he couldn't hear terribly well what you were saying and...

Oh well. Next time I'm in Cambridge I'll prod you, see if you're around then. I am planning to go back sometime when the Fitzwilliam is actually open...

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Ah, that would explain it :) Fortunately, I was saying "blah blah politeness blah nevermind" which I think he got :)

I am planning to go back sometime when the Fitzwilliam is actually open...

Er, wasn't it? Wasn't that the point? It took me years before I actually went there, finally one rainy day (really) I just got a hankering to satisfy some curiosity :)

I'll prod you,

:) Do. For that matter, I need to practice some driving, as soon as I get a chance I'll be looking for some trips to make.

[pogodragon.livejournal.com]

No, it seems it's closed on Mondays unless it's a Bank Holiday. Being the sorts who are used to London gallery opening hours it was a bit of a surprise, and none of us had thought to check.

I'm not sure there's much around Wycombe worth travelling for, I mean we have a chair museum, and the West Wycombe Hell Fire Club caves aren't far away, but that's about it.

this account is *so* deleted, but I broke the openID.

[mair_in_grenderich]

woo. come to Southampton! We have ... ships. And ... *thinks* a Wetherspoons! Two Wetherspoonses! And trains. And green stuff. And ducks!

Word.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

ROFL. Definitely.

[ceb.livejournal.com]

I think it quite suits you.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

*happy* Thank you :)

[sonicdrift.livejournal.com]

you wait for me to leave Cambridge before mentioning this? :)
Picture!

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Yes, I totally unfairly kept you waiting for a month. I hope it was worth it? :) On the other hand, all I'd been able to say was "Hey, I guess what I've got, but you won't be able to see it before you go" so that might not have been any better :)