Last October, I took a month off between jobs to decide what the heck I wanted to do with my life. During this period, I became really lazy and didn’t shave for a few days. At that point, I decided that I wanted to see how I looked with a full beard.
That was 11 months ago. Recently, I was in a situation in which I was alone with a girl I really like. I really wanted to kiss her, but it occurred to me that I’ve never kissed anyone while I’ve had my beard. To make a long story short, I chickened out. And now I’m wondering, should I just shave the thing off?
Since I consider those on the SDMB to be generally smart and sensitive, I thought I’d get some input. Below are some before and after photos.
THespos, my husband has had a full beard almost the entire time I’ve known him. The two times he’s shaved it off, I begged him to grow it back ASAP. He agreed – he looks much better with it, he hates shaving, and shaving irritates his skin.
As for your beard, I think you look equally good with or without it. Your call. I know that some women just don’t like beards on any man, but I prefer to decide based on each individual. And of course, if you keep it, keep it clean and neat! Hubby keeps his trimmed and shaped, and he shampoos it when he washes his hair. I enjoy stroking his beard as a little sign of affection.
One thing to keep in mind: When a beard is freshly trimmed, it’s rather prickly, so if you’re planning to apply your face to someone else’s, er, sensitive areas, time your trimming accordingly and/or take a shower beforehand to soften the hairs.
All I know is my wife threatens to kill me if I shave my beard. I keep mine trimmed, and she doesn’t complain. Not that serious liplock would give one a chance,mind you…
Just kiss her, dammit! It’s no big deal. Kissing a person’s face when you have a beard is about the same as kissing it when you don’t. I haven’t had a clean shaven face for 14 years now, and you get used to it.
Scarlett is right about the abrasiveness to “tender” skin after trimming, but if after you shower and wash and use a conditioner it tends to be OK. My wife once threatened to stop shaving her legs if I didn’t take more care with the after-trimming care.
I happen to think that you look better with the beard. Of course, I’m biased. My hubby has had a beard for six years now and he looks damn good with it. I used to absolutely hate the look of beards on men, but as I’ve gotten older, I have found myself liking the look more and more. Of course, it is your face, so do with it what you will.
One thing I forgot to post… I do enjoy the fact that the beard makes me look older. After I took the month off, I started my own consulting business and I think that the beard helped clients to get over the fact that their multi-million dollar marketing budgets were solely in the hands of a 27-year-old.
I just watched one of the Star Trek movies the other night. Riker kissed Troi and she went “Yuk!” Hmmm…
I say you look better without, BUT why don’t you shave it into a goatee?
I think one would look good on you, and you wouldn’t have to grow it because the hair is already there. If you hate it, you can just shave it all off without worries or regret.
Not this chick! I don’t mind beards or mustaches (except the kind that are obviously being grown out of laziness or machismo), but to me goatees just look silly.
I love my husband’s beard and like them in general. My dad has had a beard for 25 years. But while you look good both ways, I think you look even better without it.
