There is a trend among men between 18 and 30-something to sport a 3-to-
Eric McCormack
5-day growth of stubble on their faces. They apparently believe that this is proof of a hefty amount of testosterone being produced by adequately-sized “nads.” I really don’t know to whom they think this look is attractive. What woman wants to have her face scraped by this wiry growth? To me, a woman of 70, who frankly likes beards, a man with stubble on his face and ‘fashionably’ tousled hair, looks like he has just come off a weekend drunk, or has spent a week camping and got lost. Perhaps he wants to look like he was held hostage by terrorists? All he needs is food in his teeth and redolent B.O. to complete this disguise.
Hugh Laurie
I like “House”, but I wish he’d lose the brush! Stubble does not make a man look tough or heroic. In fact, most career military types are quite disciplined about the neat appearance of their hair and their personal hygiene. Actors who have boyish good looks into their 40’s, might start shaving with a hair-trimmer so that they can be considered for serious character roles or action movies, and for some, it works. But once they pass 40, as Brad Pitt has, the stubble makes them look tired and grubby, and they often look better in a moustache and well-trimmed beard.
Pitt & son-shabby retro chic
Pitt in goatee
Now, George Clooney, Noah Wyle, and Anthony Edwards could be excused for having a 5 o’clock (a.m.) shadow if they have been on duty in the ER for two days without rest. But Clooney, now nearing 50, can grow a luxuriant beard that any man would be proud of.
Clooney as Dr. Ross
Clooney with beard
Dick Van Dyke and Donald Sutherland have worn beautiful white moustache & beard combos when they hit their 70’s. But now the cycle completes as you see the elder statesmen of the stage and screen shave their faces clean, so that they can look more youthful!
Andy Griffith (Matlock)
Redford 2005
Donald Sutherland 2005
Ronald Reagan
I visited a site that has for 10 years been devoted to everything a man (or woman) needs to know about growing, styling, and caring for a beard. Here is a link to the page on growing one: http://www.beards.org/grow.php
