question for bearded/moustachioed DUers

[oustemnow]

I've decided to use my current state of unemployment as an opportunity to let me facial hair grow (actually, I plan to only keep the moustache, but I though it would look less silly if I let it all grow in until the moustache is full). It's been six days now, and it's beginning to look particularly ridiculous--the hairs are thick and long enough to stick out Shaggy-from-Scooby-Doo style, but overall it looks like pretty sparse growth; my face almost looks like a cactus.

My question is, what's a reasonable amount of time for it to start looking full and good? At what point should the decision be made to throw in the towell, if the patient doesn't show any improvement?

[punpirate]

1. Umm, the advice that...

... Jimmy Stewart gave Fabian in "Houseboat" still applies--trim the long ones....

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. Depending on the thickness of your beard...

Two weeks to a month. Be patient. Trim often. A good electric beard trimmer is a wise investment.

[Stew225]

3. For me it's a month for a beard and

two weeks for a mustache. As mentioned, though, it's pretty much an individual thing. I do believe that persistence prevails no matter what. I've seen some guys who just kept at it and eventually it looked good.

[oustemnow]

5. the moustache definitely seems to be coming in quicker

maybe because there's less ground to cover. Overall, that's a good thing, because the moustache is the only thing I plan on keeping. I guess you're right though, persistence is key. (Didn't Woodrow Wilson say that?)I should probably just weather the rough patches.

[anti_shrub]

4. As a beard veteran, some advice to ya:

Don't get discouraged if your first effort doesn't exactly stir images of ZZ Top. It took me a couple of attempts before I got some good plumage.

Normally, after two weeks you'll get a good idea of what you're up against.


PS: If you're just going to keep the 'stache, don't be afraid to bail out early. There's nothing creepier than that sparse child-molester looking 'stache.

[oustemnow]

6. Heh heh

Yeah, the whole child-molester implication is part of the reason I decided to grow everything out at first; I realized that it would look pretty creepy (or cheesy, take your pick) at first if I just tried to grow out the stache. At least this way, I'll just look like a hobo for a while.

I have no delusions of being able to grow a Billy Gibbonsesque Amish bib, as I've never been particularly prolific in the facial-hair department.

[TlalocW]

7. Whenever I get my hair cut

I always get my stache and beard trimmed too short to the point that it looks like I just haven't shaved for a couple of days. I'm back to full facial hair strength in less than 3 weeks.

TlalocW

[DS1]

8. I'd say let everything grow for ten days

and then cut out the bits you don't want.

[dweller]

9. the trimmer

is really good advice unless you enjoy clipping with scissors. Trimmers are pretty cheap now, rechargeable, with attachments for length etc.

My advice: unless you are going for the complete Steven Weed (points for recognition of that allusion) trim the bottom of the mustache while *smiling* in the mirror. Cut it straight across, or even with the upslant of the smile. There's nothing worse than a drooping hairy mustache when you are trying to look friendly. It will pay off with the look....

good luck hombre.
dp

[oustemnow]

10. the Patty Hearst guy?

I had to Google it, and found an image; yeah, if that's who you're talking about, I definitely don't want that. I'm thinking maybe a respectable Sgt. Pepper-era McCartney length or thereabouts.

Thanks for the advice re: trimming. I'm sure the first few times I won't have any trouble smiling in the mirror, as it will probably look so silly I'll burst out laughing altogether.

[dweller]

11. Points!

now that was a 'stache.

Wasn't it Will Rogers who said something about people pointing at others and laughing and looking in the mirror and never cracking a smile?...

trust me, a good 'smiling mustache' makes a great icebreaker and impression.

go for it.
dp