Category Archives: growing a beard

Gentlemen, start your beards: It’s Not Too Late for No-Shave November 2020

What if you are still shaving this late into No-Shave November? All right then: Gentlemen, start your beards.

It’s not too late! You can still start growing. Sure, any time is a good time to start growing your beard. But No-Shave November is a great time to start a new beard. If you are a hesitant potential beard grower, No-Shave November gives you some cover along with justification and support for growing a new beard.

Even this late into No-Shave November you can still explain that you’re growing your beard to support the cause of men’s health, especially the fight against prostate cancer and suicide. To learn more about No-Shave November’s focus on men’s health issues, see No-Shave November: More Than An Opportunity To Grow Your Beard.

First-time beard growers during No-Shave November benefit from the strength in numbers provided by all the other new beard growers. New beard growers see that they are not alone in their beard-growing adventure. You feel less isolated when you see others growing new beards at the same time. You feel the strength that comes from growing as part of a group. This boosts new beard growers’ confidence and helps you stay the course.

John, full beard
Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. Grow your beard.

All you new beard growers can become permanent beard growers. And you should! You will add to the ranks of established beard growers, increasing our strength in numbers. The more bearded men there are, the more common beards are. As beards become more common, people become more accustomed to seeing beards and being around them. With the increasing familiarity of beards, beards naturally become more accepted. As acceptance of beards grows, more men feel empowered to grow their beards. Remember, strength in numbers. Join us.

You don’t need No-Shave November as an excuse for starting to grow your beard. You should start growing your beard whenever you like. However, if you could use a boost of courage to get growing, No-Shave November is one of the best times to start a new beard. Go to our expert guide to growing your beard and start growing today! Then, be sure to keep growing through December and into the next year. Consider becoming a permanent beard grower. That would be GREAT.

2020: Happy new beard year and new beard decade!

Every year should be the year of the beard. And every decade should be the decade of the beard. So let’s make it official. From here on out, every year is the Year of the Beard and every decade is the the Decade of the Beard: each one stronger than the one before. Let’s keep it that way by continuing to grow our beards and encouraging all others to grow their beards. There is strength in numbers. The more beard growers there are, the better it is for all beard growers. While beards are more commonly seen these days than they have been for a long time, we still have a long way to go and grow!

Beard acceptance and even beard appreciation are on the rise. But the old anti-beard bias still persists, often more than you might think. Anti-beard bias may pop up unexpectedly at any time and anywhere. One way to fight anti-beard bias is simply for more men to grow their beards. As beards become increasingly more common, increased acceptance generally follows. More and more people see beards as something normal. And as beards are viewed more and more as something normal, they arouse less suspicion or negative thoughts.

Vincent: grow your beard.
Take a stand for the bearded brotherhood and grow your beard!

Another way to deter anti-beard bias is to politely and respectfully challenge it whenever it arises. View this as an opportunity to maybe change someone’s negative opinion of beards or at least to get them to re-examine their perspective on beards. If someone makes a negative remark about your beard, the beards of others, or just beards in general, ask them why they hold such negative views towards beards. See if you can engage them in a constructive conversation and get them to reconsider their bias against beards.

Meanwhile, let’s continue to grow, grow, grow our beards and encourage as many others as we can to grow theirs. Keep this up and every year will be an even better year of the beard and every decade will be a better decade of the beard than the one before.

If you started growing your beard for No-Shave November and shaved already, start growing again! If you haven’t yet started growing your beard, start today! The beginning of a new year is always a great time to start growing your beard. Really, any day is a great day to start growing your beard. Just make the decision and commitment and start growing.

All about beards has been helping men all over the world grow better beards since 1996. Be sure to grow your new beard the right way by following our tried-and-true guide on how to grow a beard.

Happy beard-growing and best wishes to all for a wonderful new year 2020!

The mysterious disappearance of Jimmy’s beard

Jimmy, our favorite avid beard-growing attorney on a Mediterranean island, is famously dedicated to his full beard. Jimmy’s full beard is a hallmark of his appearance. So when one day it suddenly was gone, what could have happened? I had to investigate this baffling mystery. To get answers, I directed my questions to the source, Jimmy himself.  Read below to learn what happened and see a series of progress photos in Jimmy’s new beard growth photo album.

Abundantly bearded: Jimmy.
Attorney Jimmy is normally fully bearded in abundance.

I thought you were clearly happy with and proud of your beard. What led you to rid yourself of your illustrious beard?

It was more a necessity than a choice because of minor issues with dry skin. I felt I needed the skin on my face to re-balance and, although products do help, I have been raised on an island that believes in fresh air and sunlight and that idea is too ingrained in my personality to ignore.

Jimmy is seen here with his usual luxuriant full beard.
Jimmy’s usual appearance features his luxuriant full beard.

Did you reduce your beard in size before the shave?

I took it down gradually, starting the shortening process about three weeks before the actual shave down to a stubble. The reason was for me to transition slowly into the drastic change since when I did the same some years ago, I had gone straight down from a full beard to stubble and the change was shocking to the point where I could not enjoy the re-growth; I was just anxious about it.

What was the process you used for the beard shave-off?

The fact that the beard was considerably long demanded that the shave-down take place in stages. This was to avoid the pain of pulling hairs, mostly, but also to secure the stubble look I was after. I didn’t want to go full clean face with a traditional blade shave. Henceforth, I started trimming off the length over some weeks.  Also this was for me to get used to the shortening, until it was short enough that I could go right in and trim it off to a stubble, always using a trimmer. The trim-down also gave me the opportunity to treat the skin on my face with some good skin products and to assess the situation. I am happy to report that the skin was, and is, in very good shape, hence the re-growth commenced the day of the shave-down!

How did you see yourself when the beard was gone? How did you feel about suddenly being beardless?

Shocking! And way too young! I must be one of a handful of people in the world who actually prefer to look older than their years. Perhaps this is also because in my profession experience is still attributed to age. So the shave down brought about a drastic change in appearance which I cannot say I liked, or like, but which I knew was necessary. The fact I trimmed the length down in stages did, however, help in reducing the shock factor I had experienced in the past and helped me enjoy the short-beard look while it lasted!

Jimmy's beard after a few days of re-growth.
Here’s Jimmy’s beard in the early stages of re-growth. Be sure to scroll down for the full set of beard re-growth progress photos.

You are growing the beard back soon, correct?

The re-growth process started the day of the shave-down. I shaved down intending to re-grow straight away. So it was a matter of necessity and responsibility towards my facial skin, too. I do use skin products while I am fully bearded but I do feel that the application thereof is not as easy with a beard as long as mine was.  So I know my skin appreciated the effort.

Are you eager to resume your full-bearded status?

I am! And always will be! The full beard is my aesthetic and I cannot quite see myself without any sort of facial hair any time soon.

Do you have any specific plans for your new beard?

I am aiming at a tapered-at-the-chin look which I have had before and which I feel suits my face and gives me added character. What I do wish is for my beard to go whiter at the same fast rate as my hair is.  But it seems to be taking its sweet time!

How long did you have your beard prior to your recent shave?

I am actually not entirely sure since I’ve had some form of facial hair for a very long time. But I think I’ve become more aware of my “bearded-man” status in the last six years. This does not mean I would not be trimming my beard and experimenting with styles.  But it’s been a time when I certainly had a full face beard rather than just a goatee or ‘stache and also an actual beard, never having gone down to a stubble in said period of time prior to the recent shave.

What was the biggest or longest you let your previous beard grow before the recent shave?

The longest my beard has ever been is five inches on the chin but shorter on the sides of my face (about two inches on the sides). The reason I’d have the sides shorter is to decrease volume and take the full beard from a spherical shape beard to a more tapered look. I loved the length and I am thinking I might go that long again with this current growth. In fact, since the last shave down to a stubble I’ve not touched my beard in any way, no trim, no shaping; just pure growth into a spherical shape until I feel there is enough length to taper it at the chin in the look I wish to achieve.

Jimmy's bigger beard.
Here is Jimmy’s beard at one of its bigger sizes.

How did you like your beard at its biggest or longest?

Better! The only reason I shaved down (and to a stubble no less!) is because I felt I needed my facial skin to be exposed to sunlight and also more air. I was having some minor issues with dry skin on my chin and shaving down helped. But I much prefer the full beard and I feel it is such a big part of my aesthetic now that I feel a lack in my identity without it; no matter what anyone else has to say about it.

Jimmy’s new beard growth photo album

From day one to eight weeks and a day, here are photos of Jimmy’s new beard growth progress.  Click on or tap any photo below to view a larger version and for the number of days of growth.

Jimmy’s beard mystery solved

Jimmy reminds us that taking care of one’s facial skin is important. A healthy beard grows out from healthy skin. By trimming his beard down to the stubble, Jimmy could give his face’s skin all the best care it was needing. With his dry skin issues quickly addressed and his facial skin fully refreshed, Jimmy was well prepared to take on his next big beard-growing adventure.

The disappearance of Jimmy’s beard came as a shock, especially because he is known to be fiercely dedicated to carefully maintaining his full-bearded appearance. But he had a good reason for taking such drastic action. Jimmy shows us just one example of why a dedicated beard man might need to temporarily shave off his beard.

Shaving off a well-established beard sounds unthinkable. However, it doesn’t have to be permanent. It just opens up the opportunity to grow out the beard again. And if you ever find yourself needing to shave off your beard for whatever reason, follow our expert guide to shaving off your beard. Just be sure to grow your beard right back again — like Jimmy!


Be sure to also see Jimmy’s beard feature interview and photos:

Jimmy's excellent, strong beard, featured image
Jimmy’s excellent, strong beard

No-Shave November: more than an opportunity to grow your beard

Last updated: November 1, 2023

It’s November. Make that No-Shave November.  In the United States, Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is fast approaching.  No matter where you are, 2019 is nearing its end.  The next couple of months are a favorite time of year for many thanks to the holidays and traditions of time spent with family, surrounded by laughter and good food. It’s also when No-Shave November rolls around.

Now is the time when we can all get on board to help raise awareness for men’s health, including men who are battling cancer along with the common side effect of hair loss associated with their treatments. No-Shave November is a great way for us to join together, similar to American Heart Month and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in February and October, to support those living with illness.

What is No-Shave November?

A lot of guys may not be aware of what No-Shave November is really about. Some see it as an opportunity to save time each day by not shaving and maybe gaining a little extra sleep every morning. Others  just think November is a month to let their beards grow because the weather might be getting colder.  Or they might see it now as the traditional month to start growing a new beard.

Of course No-Shave November offers the perfect excuse for growing a new beard.  But the real purpose of No-Shave November is to support men fighting prostate and testicular cancer and to prevent men’s suicide.  No-Shave November means raising awareness about men’s health and the importance of early detection and prevention. To do this, men are encouraged to grow out their facial hair as a symbol of support and donate the regular costs of grooming to the cause.

No-Shave November: more than a beard, featured image 2 -- Chris

Why is it important?

Men’s health is often brushed aside. But the causes that No-Shave November support are important concerns for all men.

Prostate cancer begins in the prostate gland where it may grow slowly or it may grow aggressively and spread quickly to other organs and tissues. About one in nine men will be diagnosed with this disease in their lifetimes, making it one of the most common cancers for men. Early detection is key for the best treatment outcomes.

The Mayo Clinic classifies testicular cancer as being relatively rare. Yet it is the most common cancer for American men between the ages of 15 and 35. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor to see if you should give yourself regular testicular self-exams to aid in early detection.

No-shave November men's suicide prevention: crisis counseling sign
Never let suicidal thoughts overtake you. There is always hope and there is always help, even if you feel that there is none. Resources are available. Please reach out to someone for help.

Men’s suicide rates are alarmingly high.  It’s a disturbing crisis that is difficult for many to acknowledge. Reports indicate that women are more likely to think about suicide while men are more likely to carry it out.  Recent data revealed that men died by suicide 3.5 times more often than women. If someone you know is in crisis, reach out to help connect them with resources to prevent a potential tragedy.  In the United States if you are in crisis, or know someone who is, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline anytime, 24/7, at 988. In other countries, please seek out appropriate suicide-prevention resources.

What if you can’t grow a beard?

Growing a beard fit for a lumberjack isn’t always realistic. Some guys have never been able to grow one. If that’s you, don’t worry. The lack of ability to grow a beard is genetic and you just can’t help it.

One way you might participate in No-Shave November is by letting the rest of your hair grow for the month.  For some, that option presents its own challenge.  As we get older, it can get harder to grow our hair like when we were younger.  And even young guys may experience male pattern baldness much earlier than they might have ever expected. Unlike the inability to improve beard thickness, you can treat hair loss, if it’s right for you, with a doctor’s prescription for male pattern baldness. This could help you show your support for the No-Shave November movement without having to stress about lacking the genetics for beard-growing.

Another way to participate in No-Shave November if you cannot grow your own beard is to suggest to beard-capable men that they grow their beards.  Encourage them to grow and support No-Shave November themselves.

What if you already have a beard?

If you’ve already got a beard and are a pro at beard growing, don’t scoff at No-Shave November as “amateur beard month”.  Encourage all the first-time beard growers out there and welcome them as newcomers to the bearded brotherhood.

Not a necessity, but a way to make a big statement would be to shave your beard and start growing again.  You can think of it like that old saying which states that the only reason to shave off your beard is to experience the pleasure of growing it out again.

No-Shave November: more than a beard - photo of John's beard
Bearded already? Give encouragement to the rookie beard growers and recruit others to grow their beards for No-Shave November!

Even if you’re already fully bearded and opt not to shave and regrow, you can participate in No-Shave November by reminding everyone that it’s all about raising awareness about men’s health issues.  Amplify your participation by recruiting others to participate  as well.

How can you support the cause?

Be a leader. Don’t be afraid to keep the conversation going around these significant men’s health issues. Keeping the focus on men’s health issues helps to press  for needed research to improve treatments and prevention.

Taking part in No-Shave November is a great way to show that you stand for something. People will follow you. People will want to hear your story and know what you represent.

Relevant charities

Two relevant No-Shave November charities are:

You can check them out on Charity Navigator to learn about how they rate as charities:

When the month ends

Although No-Shave November ends at the month’s close, your support doesn’t have to end. Spreading your message, beliefs, and support for those fighting prostate and testicular cancer as well as men’s suicide can be a year-round effort.  And the end of No-Shave November does NOT mean that you automatically should resume shaving.  Keep growing your new beard!

To continue the mission of No-Shave November, consider volunteering at your local hospital or participating in races or walks that support men who continue to fight these awful diseases.

If you feel that a month off from shaving is enough for you, then you might think about getting rid of your new beard growth.  If so, stop.  Think again.  Don’t make a hasty, automatic decision that your new beard growth must go. If after careful consideration you decide that your new beard absolutely cannot remain, do the deed the right way by following our expert guide to shaving off your beard.  Then make a commitment to grow again during the next No-Shave November.

Grow your beard! It’s No-Shave November 2019.

Welcome, new beard growers! Don’t be shy. If you’ve never grown your beard, now is the time to boldly grow where you’ve never grown before.

Although, any time is a good time to start growing out your beard, there’s no better time to start than during No-Shave November. There is strength in numbers. You won’t be alone in your beard-growing effort. And if your beard-growing confidence gets a little shaky when confronted with objections or criticisms by others, you can justify your new beard growth by pointing out that it’s No-Shave November.

You can grow your new beard with confidence and success by following our proven guide on how to grow a beard. So don’t delay. Start growing out your beard today!

Chris shows off his new beard growth as an example for No-Shave November.
Grow your beard for No-Shave November…and beyond!

And when November ends, don’t stop there. Keep growing! We hope that once you go beard, you’ll never go back.

Be sure to go here and grow your beard:

How to grow a beard
How to grow a beard

Grow your beard: No-shave November 2018

Another No-shave November has arrived. No-shave November is always one of the best times to grow a new beard, especially for first-time beard growers. No-shave November gives new beard growers a ready-made justification for growing. Just say that it’s No-shave November!

Even if you miss out on starting to grow your new beard at the beginning of the month, don’t let that discourage you. Start anyway at any time during the month.

And don’t think that the end of November should automatically mean the end of your new beard. Let your November beard growth serve as motivation to keep growing through December and beyond.

No-shave November 2018. Beard: Scott with a shorter beard

Growing a beard for the first time can be daunting. Never fear, however! Growing that first beard should be a fun adventure and a true growth experience in more ways than one. You can learn a lot about yourself and others by growing your beard. One of the most important keys to successful beard growing is to stay committed. Do not let others convince you to give up and shave with their criticism and teasing. Stay strong and grow your beard!

I always welcome new beard growers to the bearded brotherhood at any time. I especially like to welcome them during No-shave November. It is always a great opportunity to add more beards to the world. And that is a good thing!

So, welcome, new beard growers! May your beards grow and flourish and bring you great satisfaction.

To help you along your way, follow our tried-and-true beard-growing guide: How to grow a beard

Please help spread the joy of growing new beards and share this post with anyone who should grow his beard!

Happy No-shave November 2018!

The most important thing to do after shaving off your beard

Maybe you had to do it for a new job. Maybe you were obligated to do it for some other reason. Maybe you did it in a moment of weakness and self-doubt. Maybe you did it on a whim. Maybe you did it in a fit of temporary insanity. But if you’ve just shaved off your beard, what’s the most important thing to do next? Start growing it back, of course!

Brock grew his first beard for a charity effort in the fight against prostate cancer. Quite a magnificent and splendiferous beard it was. After a year’s time, however, suddenly Brock’s big beard was gone, wiped out by a shave.

Here Brock answers some questions about his beard-shave-off experience.

Was it hard to shave off such a big beard?
I had to fight many other bearded members to stop me from doing it. After doing so, I felt I’d done a great injustice.

How long did it take to decide to grow it back?
A few months.

Why did I decide to grow it back?
Just wanted a free pillow when I got sleep.

While Brock went without the beard for a few months after the shave, don’t wait that long if at all possible. Start growing again as soon as you can!

In the gallery below, we see Brock shortly after the big shave. The next photo was at about three months of growth for the new beard. The rest of the photos are at about five months of new growth. Click on any image below to see a larger version.

See more about Brock here: Brock: today’s beard, 2016/12/30.

Happy New Beard Year 2018!

All about beards wishes each and everyone of you a happy and prosperous New Year 2018.  This is the year to grow your best beard yet.  And we are here to help.

Let’s all grow strong.  Have a great beard and a great New Beard Year 2018!

No-Shave November 2017: Welcome, new beard growers!

If you’ve never grown your beard before, today is a great time to start. Today is the first day of No-Shave November. Did you shave today? If you did, it’s not too late to stop shaving and start growing your beard. You can easily justify your new beard-growing adventure by saying that it’s No-Shave November. And all about beards | beards.org can teach you everything you need to know to achieve beard-growing success. To get started, head on over to our guide on how to grow a beard.

We hope that growing your beard will be a satisfying and enjoyable experience. We are always pleased to welcome new beard growers to the ranks of bearded men worldwide. We’ve been doing it since 1996!

Be sure to keep in mind that once No-Shave November ends, you are encouraged to stay with your new beard and keep it growing. You have only just begun! Your beard deserves more than a month. We hope that you will keep on growing and will convert to a dedicated, permanent beard grower. And even if you end up shaving for whatever reason, you can always grow the beard again. And you probably should!

Happy No-Shave November and happy beard-growing to all!

Now head on over to our guide on how to grow a beard and start growing!

Sharp dressed beard: Archie Bradley

All About BEARDS salutes Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley for clearly demonstrating that a robust full beard can be part of a completely professional appearance. On February 3rd, 2017, Bradley served as the keynote speaker for the annual Oral Roberts University Baseball Diamond Dinner. The image he presented showed that a full beard looks great with a suit and tie. Bradley was not sporting a timid attempt at growing a beard, either. He has grown a full-on power beard that commands respect.

Thanks to Scott Pfeil on Twitter, Mr. Bradley shares a brief history of his beard:

Apparently, he has pretty much let his beard all grow out naturally, without butchering his beard’s cheek line or neck line. It’s turned out to be quite an impressive sight. Mr. Bradley’s done such a great job of growing his beard that I could say he’s achieved the beard-growing equivalent of pitching a no-hitter!

For more, check out this news report:
Archie Bradley Talks Giving Back At ORU Diamond Dinner

As you can see, Archie Bradley helps kids in the community and serves as a great role model for them, PLUS he sets a great example that proves that a power beard can be an asset to a well-dressed man’s professional appearance. Way to go, Archie!

Also see: