Oh yeah! That glorious thatch! Many women who like male body hair prefer a moderate amount, not an excessive wildebeest amount. But a notable portion of women prefer men to have minimal or no body hair, especially on the chest and abdomen (even that sternum bush, which I’ll get back to later). Facial hair, like a well-groomed beard or mustache, is often considered attractive by the majority of women, but the style and length vary.
That said, have friends and/or family said you’d look better with facial hair? The reasoning behind facial hair is wide and varied—and it can be very personal. A friend of mine revealed his secret reason for not saving – he’s overweight and ashamed of his double chin. He feels as if his beard masks the part of his face that he’s most self-conscious of, and he feels as if the beard makes him look thinner in the face.
His motivation makes sense. If you’re dissatisfied with your face in one way or another, facial hair is an easy way to get a new one. Double chin? Check. Weak chin? Check. Balding? Check. Want to feel more attractive? Check. However, boosting confidence is not the main reason why men grow beards. It goes way deeper than that.
Some men grow facial hair for symbolic reasons. Think hipsters—they grow a mustache as an act of rebellion against conformity. At a very primal level, beards suggest authority. All things being equal, facial hair can be an optimal look for a leadership position. However, we’ve all seen it backfire when people try to establish manliness and authority with just a symbol.
Some men grow facial hair to assert masculinity, with a thick beard signaling a sign of testosterone and virility. Some men test their dating prospects by growing a beard, just like men bleach their hair to see if blondes really do have more fun. A healthy beard signifies sexual maturity and health, sexual selection, so to speak.
Females see a beard as a sign of strength, subconsciously pointing to a man more likely to reproduce. But why? Testosterone causes increased jaw size, which benefited mate competition in the past (resulting in sexual selection). Adding hair to the jawline gives the impression of a more prominent jaw. Think lion’s mane, a symbol of manliness and dominance. The hair makes the face appear more significant and imposing, giving big bearded males more reproductive advantage.
A biological study pointed out that beards can help soften blows to the face, which is well-known in fighting. A beard can dampen knuckle blows and create a false target to strike. But, if the hair is too long, it can be a target for grasping. Beard mandible fracture is much lower than non-beard mandibles under the same circumstances. In other words, a bearded face is less likely to experience a broken jaw when punched. Beards may have been involved in the feedback loop of dominance, not to mention warmth in cold climates.
Facial hair keeps the face warmer in cold weather and protects it from sunburn, allergens, and infections. A beard protects a man’s face from the cold while making him look more masculine. Facial hair is also preferred by men with sensitive skin. Without shaving, razor burns and the irritation of shaving every week are reduced or eliminated.
Some guys grow out their facial hair because it’s easier than shaving. Trimming a nice beard is significantly easier than complete shaving – less work, time, and money (blades can get expensive!). Some beards grow really fast, so sandpaper stubble appears by noon. These faces require shaving twice daily for smooth skin, which isn’t practical. Letting it grow out makes it softer (no more giving women a rash when kissing scratchy stubble). Letting it grow out made it softer, and it’s just so much easier. But maintenance is critical.
I think beards are a great idea for guys with a certain status, age, etc., and want to look the part—if you have a baby face or are a young person in a leadership position, for example. Facial hair can make a younger dude look more mature, and a well-marked beard with even length and a well-oiled brushed look is perfectly professional.
Remember that there will always be those who won’t like beards in professional (and personal) situations—but that is impossible to change. If you carry yourself with good posture and are well-groomed, your look will inspire maturity, character, and personality. But even more so than anything else, being confident in your look is imperative. Besides, a nice beard provides excellent stroking opportunities while thinking.
And about that sternum bush — you know I advocate unbuttoning one more button. A man who unbuttons his shirt three buttons down is considered more attractive and sexy. BUT, if you want to rock this look, make sure your manscaping game is strong. For chest hair, trim it short, but leave some because shaving a soft, doughy body will reflect light, making you look softer and doughier. If you’re lean and remove the hair, you will look leaner and more muscular.
