So the weirdest thing that I’ve experienced – and still experience – is being asked, “Can I touch your beard?” “Uhhhm, sure,” he says confusedly. It’s always women, of course, and most of the time they’re close enough to be comfortable to ask; but it’s still always a weird experience.
Last Friday I was in the shower thinking about what I was going to write this week. Whilst I stood there lathering my beard with that Cantu moisturizing shampoo, I had an epiphany (I think I used that in its proper context).
Why not kick things off talking about it? It’ll probably save me from having to answer all the questions I get about it anyway. How long have you been growing it? Why do you have a beard? Does it itch? Doesn’t it make you hot? Why don’t you cut it? Are you just a part of the new “beard epidemic”?
Bruv, no! I am not a part of any “beard epidemic” or “beard trend” (unless you’re calling me the trend setter, eh heeehhh). I started growing my beard, this current beard, the summer of 2013. That’s an important fact to point out because I’d grown it out and shaved it twice before that same year. I believe I started that January and I shaved it in March, and then I let it grow out again and shaved it off that summer when I came home (NYC to SXM). Finally that summer, I decided to let it grow out completely – and here we are now.
I remember one of the shavings was because I was in an accounting club and they preferred us to be clean shaved, but I’m not sure what happened the second time. Of course, doing the math, I’ve had it four going on five years. Trust me when I say that guys were barely growing beards when I started, so I definitely wasn’t following a trend. DA Truth was my inspiration (tell me that doesn’t sound weird, lol). He is a Christian rapper who had a crazy beard at the time; and when I realized that I had potential to grow one… well, I took the step. I’ve kept it for so long because it has just become a part of me, and a part of my identity. AND, of course, knowing that it takes some really good genes, to grow something this godly, is most definitely good incentive to keep it.
Like anything else, I’ve adapted to it and it doesn’t bother me in any way – I mean in terms of itching or feeling additionally hot because of it. Well, sometimes when I sweat a lot during training, it can cause a bit of an itch if I don’t get to wash it that same day, but that’s hardly normal with me. That Cantu be poppin’, nah mean. There are some other products that I’ve tried, but Cantu is just the one that stuck (Hey Audge, with the recommendation!). I use the moisturizing shampoo when I shower, followed up with a leave-in conditioner post shower, and I have a coconut moisturizer that I use when I’m leaving the house.
There are guys that probably do a bit more with theirs, but I really prefer to keep my grooming techniques simple. Also, a blade only touches my beard about once a year. When I realized how many guys were getting into growing beards, I decided that I needed to do something to separate myself from the “trend-ers”. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying it’s bad to grow a beard because it’s the in-thing, because I mean (eh heeehhh) if you got the genes, you got the genes. So I only trim my beard once a year (maybe). Personally, I enjoy the rugged, uneven, wild beard look. My barber even told me that I must have Viking in my blood (maaaaan that went to my head, lol).
The other weird thing that I’ve experienced, which is also extremely fun, is walking into a store or a room with other guys that have beards and get the “Chuuups… Why he here?” look. I kid you not. It’s like we’re in a bathroom urinating in urinals, and guys are looking left and right measuring. And man’s just there like “eh heeeehhh”.
It’s been a fun journey, though. I don’t see myself shaving it anytime soon, because I can’t afford to look 16. And if I did have one tip to give guys that are trying to grow a beard, it would be to leave it alone. Don’t shave it; don’t trim it; don’t let your barber touch it. Let it grow, let it grow; the cold never bothered you anyway.
Cues Rich Ross’ BMF
