Lifestyle

Men are using lockdown to experiment with facial hair and grow quarantine beards


Jack, Luke and David showing their quarantine beards (Picture: Jack Wright/Luke Carthy/David Owen)

Beards aren’t a new trend. We’ve been falling in love with facial hair for years.

But there are some men who aren’t able to grow their beard because of work or others who have just been too scared to take the plunge before.

Lockdown is allowing men to experiment with facial hair in whatever way they’ve always wanted.

Not going outside for weeks, means they can get through the awkward patchy phase without relentless teasing and they can get a real sense of whether it’s something they want to stick with long term.

Jack’s beard (Picture: Jack Wright)

Jack Wright, 27, normally sticks to a weekly shave to keep it short but decided to give growing it out a try during isolation.

He explains: ‘I normally have a grade one that I let grow slightly during the week and trim back every Sunday prior to work. On the neck would be slightly shorter around a 0, so generally speaking it’s ‘business smart’.

‘I actually debated shaving it all off or growing it and picked the latter as I wanted to know how it would turn out. My friend Jamie had a really good beard and said it took three months to grow and I would have the time to do it now. If I looked stupid I could shave it off before anyone else sees me again.’

Growing a new beard does cause itchiness and it does need some love and care.

Jack adds: ‘The skin underneath got pretty dry. I’ve just stated to use some beard oil and moisturisers which helps but the dry skin was something that was a major change.’

Jack says he’s just going to let it keep going and will assess what it looks like when quarantine is over.

David says it’s great to try it out in isolation (Picture: David Owen)

It’s a similar story for David Owen. He says: ‘I usually keep some stubble but don’t usually let it grow too long. I’m not going into the office or seeing anybody at the moment (I live alone) so I thought it was a good opportunity to grow it out!

‘I’ve done it in the past so no real problems, though it’s now reaching the point where it floats in my drink which is pretty grim. I don’t have any specific aim, I’m just curious how long I can get it before lockdown ends and I have go back to the office and look vaguely respectable.’

Laziness also has a part to play in the trend – in the same way lots of women aren’t wearing makeup while their at home, it takes a lot of motivation to get your facial hair looking fancy when you’re just sitting around.

Sean had a bit of a beard before but isn’t trimming it in lockdown (Picture: @AnginThat)

Seán says that his beard has just sort of happened because he doesn’t want to trim it as much.

He says: ‘I usually keep my beard trimmed and generally maintain it to a shorter length. The reason I decided to grow it out is predominately laziness, trimming a beard can be quite an arduous and messy task, so I could excuse to just let it flourish!

‘I’ve noticed the odd spot appearing underneath the beard which probably isn’t good news I’ve no real aim, just curiously really, to see how long and dense I can get it, no better opportunity than now.’

Luke Carthy is hoping for an Idris Elba look (Picture: Luke Carthy)

Luke Carthy says he is aiming for the Idris Elba look but is struggling with some itchiness.

He jokes: ‘The kids hate it. I feel I need a hairdryer for my chin now.’

Others are using it as an opportunity to raise some cash for charity, like an impromptu Movember.

Carl Prinzel before lockdown, and now, with his beard (Picture: Carl Prinzel)

Carl Prinzel, 55, has already raised £1128 for disability charity Scope with his no shave challenge.

Before the lockdown, he had just some light stubble but he’s growing out his beard as much as he can.

‘I wanted to do something different and raise money for this great charity, whilst having a bit of fun at the same time. My main goal is to raise the awareness of Scope, to let disabled people know we are there for them,’ he says.

‘I have had to buy beard oil due to the itchiness and discomfort.  I have also been offered to switch on Christmas lights in one of my shops.’

So if you are growing a new beard during these weeks inside, what is the best way to care for it?

You need to wash it and condition it like you do the hair on your head.

Stock up on a good beard oil and apply it every day to make it softer. Apply it after you come out of the shower as your pores and hair cells will open up and absorb the oil. It’s a good idea to give your beard a quick dry with a towel first and then add a few drops of the oil and spread it through with your fingers.

It’s also a good idea to wash your beard a few times a week. You don’t need to do it every day as that will strip away all the natural oil but wash it with soap and water because you will get things caught in it. Use a shampoo that is formulated for beards. It’s a good idea to use a beard conditioner too.

It’s also important to brush it. It stops it becoming tangled and spreads the oil throughout.

And lastly, a little bit of a trim is good. Although you might want to grow it, trimming it helps it to grow evenly and gives it a little shape. Get a good beard trimmer to keep it looking good, no matter what length you grow it to.

MORE: The dos and don’ts of making a dramatic change to your hair during coronavirus lockdown

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