Men seem to be split on what to do with beards, goatees
Faced with the decision to keep it long, trimmed or get rid of it all together, men seem to be split on what to do with their facial hair.
Beards, goatees, stubble and even the occasional moustache have grown in and out of fashion over the years, adding to Clark Gable’s dashing good looks, defining Miami Vice’s Don Johnson’s rugged sex appeal and complementing the handsome dark features of Desperate Housewives’ Ricardo Chavira.
To some men, the hair on their face is a curse, riddled with constant upkeep; to others, it’s a way to define their personality. One man at this year’s World Beard and Moustache Championships (yes, such a thing actually exists), held in Brighton, England, sculpted his ’stache into the shape of London’s Tower Bridge. Now that’s dedication.
But when it comes to dating, those whiskers can cause women to bristle.
“Most women prefer a clean look,” says dating coach Patti Feinstein, adding that 90 per cent of her female clients want to be set up with a man who has a smooth face.
Part of that rationale comes down to what Feinstein has coined — and I completely agree — the potential yuck factor; or rather the chance of a foreign object lodging itself into those whiskers. All it takes is one piece of chewed up spinach to go awry, land in his goatee and deflate some of that sex appeal created during the course of the date.
However, for the men who undeniably look better with facial hair, Feinstein suggests keeping it trimmed and clean looking. After all, there’s a reason the Sasquatch is single.
The trimmed look not only helps to avoid the yuck factor, but also gives men a put-together appearance.
Psychologically, men who let their facial hair grow au natural — with no trimming or shaving — look lazy, says Feinstein, which isn’t a quality women admire. “(And) women want a man who is a good reflection on them,” Feinstein adds.
Kasia Iglinski is a journalist who enjoys her work and her dating life. Armed with a notepad and a curious mind, she’s always on the prowl for a good story and a good date.
