After numerous debates, sweat, and toil, BaB has come to the decision that The Best Beard Award for 2011's SXSWi goes to The Beard of Trammell. Its length, vigorous health, color, sturdy build, overall magnificence, and background working at PayPal, Digg, and Twitter -- made the beard the obvious champion.
Congrats Trammell. 
(Photo by: Marcus Nelson)
"Arianna Huffington should grow a beard."
Ewan Spence, the Scotsman behind "Is Scoble in This Room?" took a stroll down Red River Street with us today (proudly sporting both goatee and kilt) in sunny Austin to discuss what he's seen thus far in regards to beards, 'staches, or creative displays of facial hair. Ewan first grew a full beard back in May 2004, but decided - roughly before a Palm developer conference - that it was best to shave it down into a goatee prior to entering through Customs.
This SXSWi veteran (who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland - and you know how we adore the Scots) believes 2011's facial hair scene is bigger than in year's past. Just like Trammel, Ewan noted that this year he's seeing attendees "really letting go" - noting that perhaps the economy is keeping men from shaving every day. "It's tough times. Perhaps men are economizing by not purchasing razors as often."
Ewan continued, "As for the beard scene really taking off, I blame San Francisco and Brian Wilson's beard. The 'Fear the Beard' message really caught on - people started believing in the power of facial hair." He doesn't see the message of "fearing" facial hair off-putting. He noted that Wilson's beard sends a message to fans that he means business and to the opposition, it is an intimidating factor.
When asked what tech personality, reporter, blogger, or podcaster would most benefit from growing a beard, Ewan responded immediately --- "Ariana Huffington should grow a beard... the 'Fear the Beard' message could really be applied to her."
Ewan Spence - in all his goatee glory.
Photo credit: @kristinaweise for @buildabeard
And Facebook murmurs seldom aren't... Then the Beard Team USA 2011 National Championships will be held in Lancaster, PA! The inaugural National Beard and Mustache Championships held in Bend OR last year was an insanely hairy affair, and frankly... not sure if it can be topped. That said, IF the situation was such that it could be topped, it would only be if it was held in the depths of Amish country, Lancaster County... some may even call it, an Amish Paradise.
According to sources including, but not limited to, Wikipedia (clearly we only rely on the most respectable of sources for our info...) Lancaster County is known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and is a popular tourist destination, due mostly to its many plain sect residents, known as the Amish. Lancaster, PA, first known as Hickory Town when it was settled in 1709 and is now known as the Red Rose City. Lancaster was the largest inland town in America from the 1760s through the early 1800s. It was our nation's capital for just one day on September 27, 1777. The reason for this is because our government had to flee Philadelphia because of the British troops. They stopped in Lancaster on their way to York, PA. Lancaster also served as the capital of Pennsylvania from 1799-1812.
Now about them bearded brethren from the Dutch lands... Why do Amish men have beards, but not mustaches? (answer from Amish FAQ site, seriously)
There are quite a few scriptures that mention beards in the Bible. An example would be Psalm 133:1,2. An Amishman does not shave his beard after he becomes married. A long beard is the mark of an adult Amishman. Mustaches, on the other hand, have a long history of being associated with the military, and therefore are forbidden among the Amish people.
There... Consider yourself informed. Given the driving distance from Brooklyn... we are nearly certain to attend (and perhaps even resurrect the corporate beard entry), if all the above remains factual and the rumors fortify into truth, of course.
CONFIRMED! From BTUSA HQ:
The Second Annual Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships will take place in Lancaster, Pennsylvania next fall. Cash prizes totaling $5000 will be awarded to the best facial hair in America. The exact date will be either September 24 or October 1, 2011 and will be determined soon.
Beard Team USA, which represents the United States at the World Beard and Moustache Championships, is thrilled to be holding the championships in Amish Country, where the local Amish farmers have been growing beards for America for over 200 years. As part of the festivities, contestants, their friends, and fans will have the opportunity to attend Amish Camp, where they can live with and like the Amish for 24 hours.
Last year’s inaugural national championships were held in Bend, Oregon. Over two hundred spectacularly bearded and moustachioed contestants vied for top honors in four separate categories before a panel of distinguished judges that included Miss Oregon and Mr. Sirwan Singh, according to the Guiness Book of World Records the man with the world’s longest beard.
The contest is open to all. More details to follow. Subscribe or join Beard Team USA (It’s free and open to everyone) to stay updated.
At BaB, it goes without saying that we recognize & support the dedication of growing facial hair. But as El Beardo stated to me in a candid conversation about Roger Ebert - fake is fine as long as it's the only way.
We're referring to Roger Ebert's new winter white beard (and reconstructed jaw, for that matter). As he reported in The Chicago Sun-Times, "After surgery, I studiously avoided looking at myself in a mirror. In my mind my face was still whole. This was not the case, and one day in the hospital Dr. David J. Reisberg came to visit. He was a professor of craniofacial medicine at the University of Illinois in Chicago, and a specialist in facial reconstruction. I suggested a false beard which I would wear suspended from hooks over my ears, like a kid playing Abe Lincoln in the school play."
Needless to say, Ebert looks great with his new silicone prosthesis and certainly deserves our support as a courageous cancer survivor who bravely told his story after his jaw removal.
Photoshops by Marie Haws
Photo credit: Getty Images, Roger Ebert
It's the case of an Orthodox Jewish rabbi from Brooklyn vs. the U.S. Army. Menachem M. Stern of the Chabad-Luvabitch community, a Hasidic group in Brooklyn, alleges in federal court that the U.S. Army has denied him the right to serve as an Army chaplain because his faith prohibits him from shaving his beard.
Last we checked, it's 2010, and seems downright ridiculous that the current Army grooming standards do not allow beards. Stern says the Army rules, which only apply on entering service and can be waived for those who cannot shave for medical reasons, are discriminatory and violate the Constitution.
We felt the latter point in this comment summed it up best: "I'm sure the Army has good reasons for it's no-beard policy, but there are also good reasons to ensure that the core of chaplains serving our nation's brave servicemen and women is as diverse as those in need of their ministry."
Just like after a wedding (or an engagement... read on), the party that was the NYC Beard and Moustache Competition has left me with the inevitable feeling of "well, now what?!" The copious amount of planning that went into it, the tons of anticipation this brought on, so many nerves and butterflies filling many a stomach, the myriad of press and out-of-towners with millions upon millions of hairs filling chins and lips and descending to my hometown of Brooklyn... sadly, it's all over now... so, what do we do?!
Sob stories aside, I'm glad that my wife (and future son) gave me the opportunity to attend this monumental event... which is my long winded way of saying that I am still an expectant father and didn't get "THE Call" on Saturday, and was able to cover and partake in the festivities.
Myk O'Connor's rallying call prior to the event (as reported here) rang truer and truer as each category was moving through judging... fake beards out of the way, onto goatees, straight into freestyle, recession beards and finally... the piece de resistance, the full natural category... Myk ran the show like a smooth yet hairy operator of sorts, taking shots and quoting bearded literature sages (achem) while boosting the matchups and giving the IFC "Whisker Wars" people plenty of competitive fodder for their storylines.
That said, the one storyline that we took away from the event was the expertise that Build-a-Beard has bestowed on us, and the insane amount of information we eagerly retained through our hairy tribulations over the last few years... I, like Riss, am now an expert on beards... insanity.
To exemplify this, just look at the winners and our predictions:
The highlight of the night for me, other than being treated as said expert by IFC production team (and even by the one and only Thom Beers himself!), was the marriage proposal that Myk surprised his fiance Karolina Gwiazda with, it was adorable... see it for yourself below:
With the cutesy formality out of the way, below are the videos of all the winners being announced... it was our pleasure to report on this for you all, both here and live on twitter/facebook... so just know, the source of all your up-to-the-minute hairy news is right here, www.Build-A-Beard.com... Major thanks to all those that showed B-a-B love at the event (and for those that didn't, surely you'll change your mind sooner than later)... to quote an IFC exec: Thank you Big Apple, you've been delicious.
P.S. You can find our entire collection of photos from NYCBMC in our Hairy Pics tab, or just click here (you lazy ass).
REJOICE OH PEOPLE OF NEW YORK (aka OUR people)!!!
The New York City Beard and Moustache Competition (hosted by our good friends at The Gotham City Beard Alliance), a charity event (with proceeds going to The Feal Good Foundation www.fealgoodfoundation.com) and the northeast's largest and most important beard and moustache competition is happening TOMORROW!
Visit the Gotham City Beard Alliance site www.gothamcityba.net fill out the Registration form if you plan on competing, the tickets are available for purchase at TicketWeb, so get them now or donate an additional $5 at the door (for a total of $20 to play). Club Europa (98 Meserole Ave, where else, Greenpoint/Brooklyn) will be the location, and the festivities will start promptly at 6pm... don't be late.
What's better, is that the organizer is B-a-B's greatly hairy friend Myk O'Connor, who's rallying call ("This is the year of the Beards, with IFC rolling out a new show called Whisker Wars, America promises to be the dominating force in facial hair!") should energize any and every facial hair wearer (or wannabe) from Brooklyn to Burbank.
The night will be supplemented by the sounds of DJ Corn Mo and The Intergalactic Fighters, with on-site trimmings courtesy of Tomcats Barbershop... AND a giant cut-out of The Rockettes to boot.
Don't miss this, trust me, as you always have (perhaps more so)... your favorite beards and staches will be there, come out or miss out.
Categories (and our predictions):
Surely none of this would be possible without sponsors, and Myk as amassed many. The good people at Scenic Presents (www.scenicnyc.com), Beard Team USA (www.beardteamusa.org), Coffee Lab Roasters (www.coffeelabroasters.com), Tomcats Barbershop (www.tomcatsbarbershop.com), and Blue Beards Original (www.bluebeardsoriginal.com) all deserve our thanks and business for helping NYBMC come to fruition. KUDOS to you all!
Hope to see you there,
El Beardo and Riss
P.S. While I am planning on attending this awesome event... truth be told, I may not make it. My wife, let's call her El Beardette, is 9 months pregnant... and we are both anxiously awaiting the arrival of little beardo, whose actual due date is, wouldn't you guess it, Saturday 12/4... If at all possible, I will make an appearance, if not... well we got field reporters covering this from all angles.
Hairly Yours,
Alex "El Beardo" Aizenberg
That's the question that faced one of the most well-known beards in our nation's history - Abe Lincoln. As reported in The New York Times, just days after his election Abe made up his mind and proclaimed to his barber, let s give them a chance to grow. Whether camouflage for Abe's scrawny neck or a chance to appear older, his beard defined memorable greatness.
The New York Times also went on to report that: Most American historians, when they have considered the 19th-century whisker revolution at all, have assumed it had to do with Civil War soldiers avoiding the inconvenience of shaving. In fact, the phenomenon predated the war by a number of years and was the subject of a great deal of contemporary comment and debate. By the mid-1850s, talk of a beard movement was sweeping the nation. In 1857, an intrepid journalist strolled through Boston s streets, conducting a statistical survey: of the 543 men he tallied, no fewer than 338 had full, bushy beards, while nearly all the rest sported lesser facial hair of various sorts.
So what say you... most notable beard in U.S. history? Do you side with Team Abe or have someone else in mind?
If you're in Philadelphia, you need to check out High Dramma at The Walking Fish Theatre on Frankford Avenue. Why? For one thing, the amazing Todd Shaeffer (previously featured on The Tonight Show) will be performing for your enjoyment. Further, as everyone else is anti-razor this month, a few in the High Dramma crew were forced to shave their beards for their independent sketch comedy show "Doin' Your Momma ... Proud!" that kicked off last night.
The video below further explains, but lets not let their beards die in vain. High Dramma will be performing November 19th & 20th @8pm and November 21st @7pm. Tickets: $15
When I read about a man in Kentucky who was forced to eat his own beard, Daft Punk's Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger entered my head when I contemplated if eating your own beard meant that you'd grow one back far superior. As if ingesting your own facial hair somehow made you almost superhuman....
I guess we'll wait to find out, but so far Harvey Westmoreland is in the mourning stage after arguing over the price of a used riding mower, he was beaten at gunpoint and then forced to shave off and eat his own beard.
We can't even make this story up if we tried. Note: we didn't edit the below video, this is really what Harvey sounds (and looks) like.
We've been muzzled for far too long... we've bit our lip and chewed the stache hair long enough... we've tiptoed around this... we've yearned for it and willed it on... so today, we say enough!
Competitive Bearding will be coming to the Boob Tube!!!
“Whisker Wars” A non-fiction series set in the world of competitive facial hair growing which profiles a group of men from the National Beard and Mustache Championship in Bend, Oregon to the World Competition in Norway. Produced by Original Productions, a FremantleMedia Company; executive produced by Thom Beers and Philip D. Segal, co-executive produced by Jeff Conroy. -- Read more
Do we know more? Why yes, we do? Have we been prepping you without your knowledge? Why yes, subliminal bearding has been going on (see our Q&As with: Jack Passion, Myk O'Connor, The Judges of BeardStacheNats, and (Magnificent SpeciMAN) Dave Mead, in addition to overall coverage of The Winners of The National Beard and Mustache Championships)... it was hard to hold tight and wait for a green light, but it's here, and it's shining bright!
Stay tuned for more and more and set your DVRs, TiVo's or VCRs and we'll keep you posted, whether subliminally or directly... but know this, TV will never be the same. SUPPORT THE BEARDS!
Dear Conan,
After months on hiatus - you, our bearded red hair refugee - will take the stage on TBS and debut your new show and God willing, your old flaming facial hair. Yes, Build-a-Beard still believes in your whiskers. No surprises here, Mr. O'Brien. You've enticed us with this Entertainment Weekly article on Five Reasons to Tune In Tonight (we could have edited this to one - your beard), where you boldly tease us with - "You’ll get to see whether I kept the beard or not. And I don’t think I’m self-centered, but I think it’s more important to America than this election.”
You wouldn't dare betray us like that and further, would you really rip out the hearts of your beloved 18-34 year old demographic? Wahl Trimmers released a facial hair survey that reported:
Perhaps due to his roots in New York and Boston, residents of the Northeast are most supportive of Conan maintaining at least some peach fuzz on his face at all times (17 percent, vs. 12 percent of the rest of the country). The coveted 18-34-year-old demographic feels more strongly than those 35 and older about preferring many TV hosts being far less clean-shaven, including George Lopez (17 percent vs. 8 percent), Jimmy Kimmel (13 percent vs. 4 percent), Stephen Colbert (10 percent vs. 4 percent) and Jon Stewart (10 percent vs. 3 percent).
Still others have questioned if you will shave your beard on-air. Nonsense. Even The Washington Post advised that you steer clear of the blade - "Don't lose the beard. Sure, it would be all stunt-y to suddenly appear fresh-faced or to actually have your beard shaved off on the air (maybe by first guest Arlene Wagner, proprietor of the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum?). But the beard is part and parcel of your image now. It sets you apart from Leno, Letterman and Stewart. And, hey, if the whole late-night thing doesn't work out, you're all set for Shakespeare summer stock."
Build-a-Beard has been with you during this trying time - we're Team Coco all the way - please keep up the bearded discipline (even if it takes numerous shots of testosterone). Prove to your audience that it truly is about turning on, tuning in, & growing it out.
Looking forward to your show tonight at 11 p.m. ET in all your glistening glory.
All the best,
El Beardo & Riss
Get excited:
Last night at Terminal 5 in New York City (the worst venue to trek to on a weekend), Frightened Rabbit took the stage and rocked out. But the real thrill happened hours earlier on the tour bus... Scott Hutchison graciously offered to meet, sketched us our very own "Tonight's Beard" (real fans will understand), and how he's going to keeping growing his 'stache dread-lock style (i.e. twisting it yourself and not using wax) when it gets to the appropriate length.
We also hit upon: How Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses should do a Q&A with us, the odor of the tour bus, Movember, and how San Francisco's "Fear the Beard" is wrong. To quote Scott: "They shouldn't be fearing the beard - they should be building it."
Operation Best Night Ever was a success. (Oh and Scott, as fate would have it - we ended up running into the fan who got #TonightsBeard and snapped his photo).
Frightened Rabbit, Build-a-Beard's favorite 'stache band, is coming to NYC tomorrow night.
Considering the band has been on the road for the past 3 years, nothing makes us happier than when they visit The Big Apple..... except for when Scott graciously asked us to meet with him for some friendly facial hair banter, a special "Tonight's Beard" exchange, & perhaps a few photos prior to them taking the stage.
LIFE IS GREAT! Follow us on Twitter - we'll be uploading photos & commentary on Saturday night.
Love,
Riss & Alex
When searching for Halloween costumes this year, feel free to dress up as your favorite celeb or cult film character, but PLEASE don't buy a beard. There is nothing more pathetic than announcing to the world that you're too lazy to grow one yourself. If you're incapable of growing a beard, again, don't highlight that fact.
Save your dignity - pick a costume from The Jersey Shore or become a Tiger Booty Buddy.
Examples of FAIL
Yes, San Francisco has beards... lots of them... most unkempt, pretty bushy, and highly impressive. I opted to not post "the best of" the city as I am pretty sure a Beard Ball shall be had there at some point - and it will be glorious. Yet on a rainy Saturday, I happened to find My Window Gallery, which blew my mind with their bearded and stache sketches and bizarre alien/animal prints.
Located in Lower Haight (747 Haight Street in San Francisco) prices range from $70 to $350 depending upon size - totally worth it.
As the co-founder of BaB, it doesn't pain me to report on Brian Wilson's jet black beard that has earned him the coveted "Fear the Beard," but as a die-hard Phillies fan - as someone who attended college in the City of Brotherly Love - well, it borderline makes me nausea to report on this as we all know what happened in Game 6 of the NL championship series.
But I'll put that aside and focus on what is really important here - Wilson's Beard. But, as our loyal readers know, we reported back in January that Jacob Pullen of Kansas State had fans sporting Fear the Beard t-shits in support of his Abe-Lincoln-esque facial hair styling.
But enough about the slogan, Brian Wilson is 28 years old and became the Giants full-time closer three seasons ago (note: he rocked a clean-shaven face with short brown hair at this time). According to SI.com, "In 2008 he recorded 41 saves and was named to the All-Star team. As his dominance increased, his appearance has changed. First came the tattoos. Then the Mohawk, which started changing colors. Then the bright orange cleats that he adapted to baseball rules with a black Sharpie. And finally this year -- another All-Star season, when he led majors in saves with 48 -- came the beard, which took on a black-Sharpie look of its own. Wilson, however, shrugs off questions about how his beard is so amazingly black."
I am not going to openly cheer for San Fran in The World Series, but I hope the best bearded team wins (with the scales tipping in that city's favor). Of course, in this gal's biased opinion, Jayson Werth's beard = completely more bad ass than Wilson's (and boasts more Twitter followers too... isn't San Fran known for tech savviness? Hmmm. Well, let's not split hairs about it).
Meet Annie Hunter, who’s been a devout fan of B-a-B since nearly our begining, why you ask (why not, damn it!)? Well, in her own words: “I love beards. I love mustaches. I love men. I love men with beards and/or mustaches.” Indeed sums us up pretty well, we are in effect a beard porn hub, full of hairy and facial fuzz filled kings among men (and some women). Cheers!
What caught our eyes was Annie’s amazing art (find all of her drawing, paintings and sketches here: www.octodream.com) which personally reminds me of Ralf Steadman's approach (i.e. caricature of the evils within versus the beauty outside) and her dark perspective, coupled with her devotion to facial hair, has yielded some amazing beard porn in and of itself. Really a huge way to #proveit, over and over again.
You can email Annie Hunter directly to secure any one of her awesome art pieces... think about getting all the Best beards in the world suite, we'd like an early Christmas gift, thanks.
1) First let me tell you how awesome your art is... do you have a philosophy that drives your dare I say dark perspective?
Well I have been watching horror movies and listening to Rock and Roll since I was a baby, which is probably the main reason I love everything horror and dark. I also have a fascination with gross stuff and my all time favorite band is Gwar, so I get a lot of inspiration from them.
2) Who are your major influences? Any from our Top 10 Artists with Beards?
I would probably say my main influences would be Alex Pardee and Salvador Dali, I just recently discovered the art of Killer Napkins (http://www.iamkillernapkins.com/) who is amazing. I do enjoy Van Gogh but Dali has a better mustache.
3) Tell us about your site, it's pretty bitchen... and we love us some Tumblr goodness.
I love Tumblr, and I feel like a website through tumblr is, in a way, better than just a regular website because instead of having to bookmark it on your computer you could just follow me and get instant updates on your tumblr for whenever I add a new piece or update.
4) Do you love beards more or less than Gwar?
HA! This is probably the most difficult question I have been asked time and time again. I honestly feel as though this cannot be answered. The only thing that would be better than Gwar OR beards would be Gwar WITH beards.
5) Speaking of bands, which is your favorite musical beard?
It's a tossup between Dallas Taylor from Maylene and the sons of Disaster and Kyp Malone from TV on the Radio. But I couldn't answer this question without mentioning ZZ Top because obviously no band could beat those beards.
6) Of all the beard art you did, which is your favorite? Does Jack Passion win another contest?
Actually although Jack's beard is mighty mighty, I would say my favorite out of the three would have to be Myk O'Connor's drawing I did, mostly because of the colors.
7) I think it's safe to say you love beards... what's your favorite beard style?
My favorite beard would be a big grizzly beard with a handlebar mustache. The bigger the better.
8) If you had to kiss someone with a goatee, stache, beard, or handle bar mustache - which one would you pick - and why?
Haha well the handlebar mustache is my favorite but I don't really discriminate. As long as the person who is attached to the beard/mustache is to my liking there shan't be a problem.
9) Have you ever dated anyone with a full face of hair? If so, have you ever felt the urge to cut it off while they slept? How about to put some rogaine on it?
I dated my best friend for a few months and he had a magnificent beard. He was one of those lucky ones that looked good with or without a beard but it would have been blasphemous for me to even think about cutting it off. If you have something so beautiful why kill it? And although the rogaine idea seems enticing I like my men all natural.
10) You RSVP'd for the New York City Beard and Moustache Competition... you gonna compete?
Haha, If only I could grow a beard. I can't wait for it though, I've never been to a competition and luckily NY is just around the corner from me so I'll finally be able to go.
When I went to the 3rd Annual Coney Island Beard and Moustache Competition I'm still not sure what i was expecting, but as i noted in my round up and Wrap Up of the event it definitely helped to see some of my friends from The National Beard and Mustache Championships take home the Fez in categories nearest and dearest to our heart (aka NATURAL).
One such awesome person was Myk O'Connor an awesome natural beardo we first met at Magnificent Specimens exhibit by Dave Mead in NYC, and we haven't been able to untangle us from his beard. Myk took home the Natural Beard championship title at Coney Island, and for the 2nd straight year... as such we sat down with this awesome Brooklyn Beardo... whom, truth be told, can give Mark Krayenhoff - The Brooklyn Beard King a run for his money, and title.
Before we dive into the 10Qs, directly below are Myk's invaluable top 3 tips for beardos everywhere... heed his word!
1. Be true to yourself- if it doesn't look good, then don't keep it. If your hair grows patchy, try a different look. Don't let anyone, girlfriends/boyfriends, wives/husbands or job sway what you want to do with your face. It's yours!
2. Take care of it- Make sure you are setting aside time to groom your beard. Wear it proudly. People are already apprehensive about dudes with beards, at least make the first thing they notice look good. Trim those split ends and DON'T LET ANYONE LIGHT A CIGARETTE FOR YOU!
3. Be patient- a great beard takes time. Yeah the first few months suck because its super itchy. Grab a bottle of Jajoba oil and make sure you are getting to the dry skin underneath your beard. Don't give up...even during summer months.
1) How long have you been bearding? Are you competitive by nature or does it increase as your beard grows?
My conscience decision to enter the world of competitive facial hair was in Jan of 2009. I was told about Beard Team USA by a colleague of mine and thought, "hey this is something I could get into." By nature I am pretty competitive. With each competition I have been in I have felt the need to win...there is something special about winning a beard competition. It's not like winning the Super Bowl...more like winning World War 2.
I definitely feel all eyes on me when I walk into a bar or the subway. I've been told I can look a little intimidating... but then I smile and all preconceived notions of badass-ness are lost. I get the usual reaction of "Hey ZZ Top!", which I can't fucking stand...because they aren't the only dudes with beards and their music sucks. I've had little Hispanic women bless themselves ad hold their rosary because they think I look like Jesus. First off if Jesus existed, he wasn't a white dude and second of all, my beard is better than his. He didn't have a boar hair brush.
I've had some form of facial hair at all times, but this is the first time I have let it grow fully without trimming. I am working on a little over a year and a half. One thing I have learned is to definitely take care of it, since it's part of your body. Make sure to get enough vitamin E and keep away from open flames.
Shower everyday, rinse out all the pollutants and never brush when wet. I have 2 brushes that I use, one to detangle and the other (boar hair) to shape. I apply JaJoba oil for shine, moisture and the skin underneath....do a once over with both brushes and I am good to go.
The Coney Island Competition is a lot of fun. Drinking and sideshow freaks go hand in hand...but it's even more fun when you throw a Beard and Moustache Competition into the mix. This is the 2nd year I have competed and taken home the coveted Best Beard. It's an honor, because honestly you never know how the competition will go. Ben Davidson had to arm wrestle in order to win....
Moustaches can either make you look really good, or really creepy. I tried a moustache once, it wasn't for me. A lot of people grow one for the "irony"..whatever the fuck that means. Some dudes look bad ass with a moustache, others look goofy. It all depends on your attitude and your personality. If your an asshole, the moustache makes you look like a even bigger asshole.
Local events are always hit or miss with me. Sometimes the judging is a little bizarre. If the audience is the judge then the criteria may be "longest" beard...instead of the "best looking". Size doesn't matter, it's girth...right ladies???
But I also find the local events have a charm about them, where we are all packed into one space, meeting new people and making real connections.
Bend is fucking gorgeous. I love Oregon period. Honestly I am not really cut out for big city life. I wanna live in the outskirts of a small town surrounded by mountains or the ocean. Bend also has a shit load of breweries...and I love beer. Who knows...maybe one day.
The World Competition of 2009 was my first introduction to facial hair competitions. I didn't know what the fuck was going on...except that I was having the time of my life. After meeting those dudes for a week, we all made lasting relationships.
Now competing against Jack...we haven't had that opportunity yet. But I've told him many times that I have the ability to take him down. I know a lot of dudes want to, but I have the stamina and my beard grows really fast.
Myk, Burke and Jack at National's9) What'd you think of Dave Mead's exhibit and launch party? I believe that is where we first met... and what was the deal with your 'brother'?
Ha! Honestly, I was drunk before we even arrived. I was doing interviews with a documentary crew ad they followed me around all day and I just kept drinking...by the time we arrived I was all emotional because I saw all my friends pictures hanging up all over Chelsea Market and was just in awe. The pictures tell one side of the story...but no one will ever know all the great times we've all had together.
My "brother" Kris Payne is truly my brother in a lot of ways. When I met Jack and Burke in Alaska they told me I reminded them of him and that we would get along well. During our parade in downtown Anchorage this dude comes up behind me and says..."You must be Myk."...and I said "You must be Kris." and right then we became long lost brothers. From loving BBQ, beer, hardcore and shit talking, we get along like no other.
Annie is so talented and I am very honored to have her immortalize me in that manner.
If you come out to a local beard event, get ready to party. I am putting together the NY Beard and Moustache Competition in the next few months to benefit The Feal Good Foundation....details to come soon!
Don't vote for a president until they have a beard.
Build-a-Beard is starting a new weekly column - interviewing gents and ladies about their thoughts on dating a guy (and in rare cases a woman) with some facial fuzz. First up, Ms. Amy Wright, a NYC resident who lives by the motto "there was really no excuse, except that I felt lucky." We talked to Amy about her life growing up with a stached father (kick ass proof below), how Johnny Depp is her favorite everything, rules on dating those with facial hair, her luck (if any) with beardos, and how she resists the urge to cut a man's stache 1/2 off for a laugh...
BaB: How old were you when you 1st realized your dad was rocking that sweet stache?
Amy: When I was born, Dad had the handlebar/beard combo with hair down to his waist, so I guess its fair to say Ive always been aware. I've heard stories that I liked to grab at it as a baby, and I remember as a child my Dad liked to scratch my face and belly with his beard to tease me. I called his beard “Billy Goat Scruff," thinking that I was cleverly citing the fairy tale.
Did you like it?
I cant say that I liked being scratched by his bristly beard, no, but I did like the attention the hair/facial hair combo seemed to get. Growing up in the south, mustache/beards have been in style since the civil war, but he was obviously a hippie/biker/Willie Nelson type, so he would get some looks. I liked feeling like my Dad was mysterious and cool, and that he scared teachers and boyfriends sometimes. To be honest, he looks better with the face hair than clean shaven.
How do you feel about facial hair now? What's acceptable to you vs. not?
I generally don’t like it…. It doesn’t feel good against the skin, it chaffs places, and it makes me break out (wow... I just totally made other people's face hair all about ME!). It looks good on some dudes, like it belongs there, but as far as romantic partners go I can't do a full beard/stache because it's weird to make out with someone that feels like you're making out with your Dad.
Also, there's this epidemic of novelty face hair- where people act like they are doing some sort of magic trick if they wax their mustache - that’s a bit annoying. I do think it's cute when guys get lazy and haven’t shaved for a few days - and I have dated a few guys that have the permanent weeks worth of scruff on their face. I guess I take it on a case-by-case basis.
If you HAD to kiss someone with a goatee, stache, beard, or handle bar mustache - which one would you pick - and why?
Famous dude- Salvador Dali when he was like 25 or so, cause he was cute. I would name a not famous dude, but I might get myself into trouble…
Have you ever dated anyone with a full face of hair? If so, have you ever felt the urge to cut it off while they slept?
Yes, I have… a fellow who grew a very thick beard and mustache for a play. I didn’t have the urge to cut it because the discomfort I endured during the production was offset by the promise of a shave after the show closed (and for the record, I think he does look better without it). I do sometimes have the urge to cut a big patch out of those really long, ZZ Top-like beards when I see someone that has one, or one half of someone's mustache just because I think it would be funny. I will admit certain face hair can be a deal breaker for me… I'm sure it doesn’t feel awesome to shave your face, but since I basically shave from the neck down, I don’t feel like its an outlandish request for a fellow to not have a crazy beard that hangs to his belly button.
(Miss Amy Wright)
What's your favorite movie star with facial fuzz? What star do you think would look better IF they shaved?
My favorite movie star with facial fuzz is Johnny Depp. He doesnt grow much because he’s part Cherokee, but hes been rocking the bit that he can grow for a few years now. There is nothing that could make Johnny Depp look better, except if he was sleeping next to me... I think that would make him look better, although I'm sure many women would beg to differ. He is pretty much my favorite everything, not just movie star with facial hair. I also like George Michaels Diablo look, and think he looks better with than without.
Anything else you'd like us to know/share.....
I recently saw a guy that was about 75 years old wearing a t-shirt that said “my mustache brings all the girls to the yard” and nearly fell over laughing. Frank Black has an awesome song about growing a beard called “My Fu Manchu” that you should add to this site, if you haven’t already.
(You got it, Amy)
