“There was an old man with a beard,
Who said, it’s just as I feared!-
Two Owls and a Hen,
Four Larks and a Wren,
Have all built their nests in my beard!”
– Edward Lear, Book of Nonsense
So you have decided to take the plunge, I know it’s not Movember yet but this beard wearing stuff has become so amazingly fashionable that you have decided to follow the trend and get yourself some serious proper face furniture. Where should you start?
I suggest that every Gentleman starting out at the seedling stage in his facial allotment could do a lot worse than to pop down to his local book shop or to Mr Amazon’s on line book stall and get himself a copy of Chris Martin’s (no I don’t think it’s ‘that’ Chris Martin) little pocket size tome ‘A Gentleman’s guide to Beard and Moustache Management’, published by The History Press.
You can start, should you wish, with the section on beard history but I suggest that you dash on to the second chapter where there is an excellent guide to the best shape and design based on the shape of your face.
There is plenty to read over the first few weeks of hard work as you watch your selected growth pass through the scrubby beard hinterland and into the foothills of becoming a proper and recognised growth. Chapters including the Hall of Fame, quotes, records and beards in nature will keep you amused as you while away the hours strenuously working on your growth.
Once you have achieved something to be proud of there is an excellent chapter detailing all the technology and preparations you will need to keep your beard and/or moustache in perfect condition.
All this in a pocket size guide which will prove an exceptionally helpful manual that every serious beard owner should keep handy to refer too in times of trouble. It’s worth the £6.99 cover price just for the “When facial hair goes wrong” chapter alone.
