After an experimental Movember in 2013 when guys across the country sported a variety of facial hairstyles in an attempt to change the face of men’s health, we were transported not only into a new year but yet another hair-raising challenge…the year of the beard! After dazzling us with anything from the simple moustache to the more adventurous handlebars splayed across the top lip, once again the male species began to grow their facial hair and transform their reasonably maintained appearances to that of a more Neanderthal figure.

 

Now, less than halfway through the year some of us may be wondering the significance of this trend and the catalyst that continues to drive some of our young men to cover their handsome faces with whiskers. It may be useful to start by looking at the history of the humble beard and draw conclusions from that; the Ancient Greeks, for example, favoured beards believing the wearer to look more philosophical. However, as the years progressed, the beard lost its appeal and Henry VIII, although he wore one throughout his adult life, made beard-wearing a taxable offence which Queen Elizabeth maintained due to her general dislike for facial hair.

 

For a long time a clean-shaven face was that of a gentleman and bearded men were mainly limited to religious types and ruffians. That was until the swinging ‘60s arrived when hippies decided the more natural look was preferable and the beard made a comeback among young males. More recently, the designer stubble or manicured facial hair, made popular by rappers, has been seen on many a face, returning swiftly back to a full beard in 2014. The popularity of this progression can not only be seen on the more gentrified streets of London but has recently been represented in a beard ranking of the 2014 BAFTA Awards ceremony, where Leonardo DiCaprio secured 7th place, and Michael Fassbender nailed the title ‘Beard King’ at number 1.

 

Yet I can’t help but doubt that the mere desire to follow in the footsteps of male celebrities is what has made this trend so popular; I suspect something deeper in the male psyche is what keeps the beards growing. Perhaps we should blame the recession? With so few job opportunities and so much competition among our young men maybe growing a beard is an unconscious attempt to appear more intellectual and philosophical Greek God-like in that all important interview?

 

Or perhaps it represents our men’s urge to rebel against conformity and return to the freedom of the hippie lifestyle? Whatever the reason and whether we like it or loathe it, the beard is back! Let’s just hope the summer months don’t leave our loved ones too hot and sticky under all that hair.