All About BEARDS for twenty-seven years, featured beard image: Chris

All About BEARDS For Twenty-seven Years

Why advocate for beards? I’ve been making the case in favor of beards online since launching All About BEARDS on January 17, 1996. It might be considered an unusual cause to support. But it’s a worthy cause, an important cause. That’s because beards mean a great deal to men who grow them. Beards also mean a lot to men who are unable to grow a beard and wish with all their might that they could grow a beard.

What about the beardless and broken hearted?

Beards mean a lot more than people realize. One’s feelings about beards can run inexplicably deep. Beards are an important part of being a man. Yet, not every man is physically capable of growing a beard. It doesn’t seem to make sense. Beards are an important part of being a man, but not every man is included. Seems unfair!

A man incapable of growing a beard is no less a man than one who sprouts an abundance of hair from his face. The man who desperately yearns to be able to grow his own beard and experience this aspect of manhood for himself often suffers in silence. Pain and frustration can run deep. Many feel sadness and depression with nowhere to turn for support. They may believe that others would view their fervent desire to be able to grow a beard as frivolous or silly. So they keep it to themselves, suffering in silence.

From the start, All About BEARDS has respected and empathized with those men who physically are unable to grow a beard. I wish I had an easy solution for them. Many long for a special cream or pill that would bring beard growth to their faces. At this time, there’s nothing quite like that available. I always recommend that you consult with your doctor if you feel that you might have a medical condition that inhibits your potential beard growth. Apart from that, you might look into methods for stimulating beard growth, keeping in mind that there are no sure “cures” for the lack of beard growth. Proceed with caution.

My best advice to all is that you make the best with what you have. Your beard growth pattern is yours and yours alone. Emphasize the strengths you have and make the most of them.

Grow your beard for those who can’t

All About BEARDS for twenty-seven years; beard image: Chris
Beard superstar Chris’ fierce beard.

Those can grow their beards should. Those who cannot grow a beard will appreciate it. Does this sound stupid? There is a lot of truth to it.

If you’re blessed with good beard genes, why not grow that glorious beard for all to see and admire? In a way, not growing that great beard is something of an insult to those who would give anything to have your beard-growing ability. I’ve not come across anyone who can’t grow his own beard being against beard-capable men growing their beards. I’ve only heard them express respect and admiration for those who can grow their beards. Those bearded guys even provide inspiration for those who cannot grow beards.

Be a source of inspiration. Grow your beard for those who can’t.

All About BEARDS: still on a mission

After twenty-seven years, beards have come a long way. I’m happy to see greater acceptance of beards and a greater prevalence of beards in the world. However, much work remains to be done. All About BEARDS will always continue its mission to advocate for beards:

  • Promote acceptance of and appreciation for beards.
  • Provide solid, helpful information on how to grow and care for your beard.
  • Work to reduce anti-beard bias.
  • Encourage and inspire men to grow their beards as they like.

All About BEARDS: selected beard photo shoot memories

On this twenty-seventh anniversary I’d like to share a look back at a sample of memories from the beards.org official photo shoots. Documenting beards through photography is an important component of the site. Scroll down for a photographic trip down memory lane. Click on any image to view larger.

The first: Paulie

First All About BEARDS photo shoot: Paulie at Guadalupe River Park at the Interstate 280 and California State Route 87 interchange, San José, California.
First All About BEARDS photo shoot: Paulie at Guadalupe River Park below the Interstate 280 and California State Route 87 interchange, San José, California.

Salvatore

All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Salvatore with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Photographed at the summit of Mount Caroline Livermore, Angel Island State Park, California.
All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Salvatore with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Photographed at the summit of Mount Caroline Livermore, Angel Island State Park, California.

Brian

All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Brian at the Embarcadero, San Francisco, California.
All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Brian at the Embarcadero, San Francisco, California.

Michael and John

All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Musicians and friends Michael, left, and John, right, showed up in freezing weather for joint and separate beard photo shoots along the Riverfront Heritage Trail, Kansas City, Missouri.
All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Musicians and friends Michael, left, and John, right, showed up in freezing weather for joint and separate beard photo shoots along the Riverfront Heritage Trail, Kansas City, Missouri.

Nate

All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: From SA to SF, longtime friend and correspondent from South Africa, Nate Maingard did a photo and video shoot for the site during a visit to the USA. Mission Dolores Park, San Francisco, CA
All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: From SA to SF, longtime friend and correspondent from South Africa, Nate Maingard did a photo and video shoot for the site during a visit to the USA. Mission Dolores Park, San Francisco, CA

Conner

All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Conner did a mid-winter beard photo shoot at Lake Fayetteville Park, Fayetteville, AR.
All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Conner did a mid-winter beard photo shoot at Lake Fayetteville Park, Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Vicente

All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Big beard in the big state of Texas: Vicente.
All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Big beard in the big state of Texas: Vicente.

Scott

All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Scott at the Minnesota State Fair, Saint Paul, Minnesota.
All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Scott at the Minnesota State Fair, Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Virgil

All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Amazing bearded barber Virgil. Tulsa Arts District, Tulsa, OK
All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Amazing bearded barber Virgil. Tulsa Arts District, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Wade

All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Wade met up for a great photo shoot with his fantastic beard. Boomer Lake Park, Stillwater, Oklahoma
All About BEARDS photo shoot memory: Wade did a photo shoot with his fantastic beard at Boomer Lake Park, Stillwater, Oklahoma.

It’s been twenty-seven years. Grow your beard!

I wish to thank all of the friends, fans, and site contributors that I’ve met over the years. You have been a blessing. Thank you.

Grow your beard!

4 thoughts on “All About BEARDS For Twenty-seven Years”

  1. What a great job, story and service to the cause of beards. I have learned all about beards from your website. Thank you Steven.

  2. Hey there! Congratulations on twenty seven years of beard promotion and support. After 46 years of some facial hair, and 26 bearded, it still gives me satisfaction to see more men letting their beards grow, which encourages others to allow this natural expression of masculinity to show and be accepted.

    Thanks for your part in the de-stigmatization.

    1. Hi, Barry! Thanks! It’s always great to hear from you. Thanks for your twenty-six years of being bearded and serving as a role model for others to grow their beards!

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