Alfred.

Name: Alfred
(Beard) Age: Four years since I have been smooth.
Do you miss your chin? No, I think it is better this way.
Beard grooming routine: For someone who wants to grow a beard, they should know it takes time. What you need is patience.

Holy smokes! You can’t write this stuff. I only bloody went and met a bearded Alfredo followed by a bearded Alfred, adding fuel to the wicked urban myth that is: Alfs love a chin-cosy.

I nearly shut this Alfred in the slidey door at Manchester Press. I then proceeded to shake his hand and introduce myself whilst holding my lens cap in my teeth. We’re still working on the interview behaviour BUT, crucially, what Alfred has brought to my attention is that unique brand of patience a bearded man exudes. They’ve whiled away many an hour of mirror time waiting for the thicket to form. In all honesty, in this society of instant gratification, I think they’re better people for it.

Alfredo.

Name: Alfredo
(Beard) Age: One month….it’s very fast growing.
Do you miss your chin? No!
Beard grooming routine: No rules. Just do it. 

I’ve encountered huge swathes of prejudice against covered-cheeked men in the 78 hours since Daily Beard was born. It seems the Great Unbearded so oft take the standpoint of ‘never trust a bearded man’. What folly! Must I remind you that it was not a beard that Hitler chose to make his face-statement with?

Thankfully I don’t have to resort to Hitler chat, because instead I have the wonderful Alfredo here to restore the warm, hairy glow. No need to be afraid-o when Alfredo is around; for what a gemstone he was. Look into those eyes and remember that beards belong on Santas, not Hitlers.

*It hasn’t escaped my beardar that Harold Shipman was indeed a grower. But I am 73% sure that he had a real care-giving phase before he went and got all mass murder-y.

Mads.

Name: Mads
(Beard) Age: The beard is a year old, but I’ve shortened it for the heat.
Do you miss your chin? Not at all. In fact, it’s better to not have it. There isn’t anything wrong with my chin, you can just create a better shape with a beard. 
Beard grooming routine: I have three rules. 1. Symmetry on the sides. 2. It’s nice to get a 90 degree angle under the chin. 3. Never should it stick out further than your nose.

Imagine if you will: you’re sat eating roast capsicum infused humus when a beard so  noble strolls past that you choke on your rice cake. Fortunately for the Daily Beard, it wasn’t the death knoll and I got to have a chat with this wonderful Dane, fresh off the boat from Copenhagen. Mads and I didn’t actually discuss his mode of transport into the country, because we didn’t need to. That beard not only fits the face of a man who got off a boat, but one who rowed that boat from his native land. Mad-props to Mads’ beard etiquette, he’s the first grower to comb his chinwares before the shoot. Not so mad-props for me forgetting everything my YouTube tutorial taught me about taking someone’s picture. Excuse the blurriness, I was giddy.

A few minutes later Mads and I met again – the intrepid explorer returned for some Melbourne tips cementing our belief that beards form social bonds. I’ve got a beady eye and noting Mads’ trendy watch, I sent him off into Fat. But Mads, I want you to know, there’s nothing in Melbourne’s shops so cool as that face-rug you grew yourself.

Liam.

Name: Liam
(Beard) Age: This one has been going since November, but before that I had a four year old. 
Do you miss your chin? Definitely not.
Beard grooming routine: No rules, just keep it tidy around the edges. 

To snap Liam’s face-growth I bolted across Little Bourke street without checking for traffic, which serves to highlight the dangers I’ll go to to bring you beard. Luckily, once I’d coerced Liam into a safe laneway, he was a charming chap and well worth risking my life to capture his hirsute chops. Thanks Liam!

Prior.

 

Name: Prior
(Beard) Age: 2 months
Do you miss your chin? No. No.
Beard grooming routine: I shampoo and condition, maybe around once a week. But it’s weird because it makes it go all soft.

Prior has a lovely depth to his beard, with a myriad of shades in amongst that bush. Every beard featured gets to pick the location of their shot, and I like how Prior chose an actual bush backdrop for his hella natural beard. Props for authenticity!

Arnie.

Name: Arnie
(Beard) Age: 3 weeks
Do you miss your chin? No. Not at all
Beard grooming routine: Not much, you just gotta keep the neck tidy.

Thanks Arnie for being bearded and for being the first bearded entry. Keep up that excellent growth.