Beard-ology: A Look Into the Possibilities of Facial Hair

I am a man who loves his facial hair. In my mind I have been given a canvas of hair and should see what possibilities are in store. In my time shaping and forming beards I have done many things. Some traditional like a Van Dyke. Some far-fetched. Like having shamrocks of facial hair on my cheek. I would like to present to you a photo-documentary of some of the things I do with my facial hair.

First off I would like to apologize as the first pictures will not be straight razor shaven as my experience is just starting. I will say some of the styles will be recreated when I believe sufficient skill has been attained.

Attachment 101108Chin Puff/Handlebar
Attachment 101114Candy Canes
Attachment 101115Irish Flag with a Shamrock
Attachment 101116Chinstrap w/Goatee?
Attachment 101117Captain Morgan
Attachment 101118Sparrow without the braids
Attachment 101119Van Dyke

I do plan on recreating some of these and trying out other styles like muttonchops. I hope the fun ones like candy canes are easier with the straight razor. Feedback is always welcome.

Very nice, Pyrateknight. I've had countless varieties of mustaches, beards and sideburns myself over the years. Nowadays I go clean shaven for much of the year (influence of straight shaving :)), always sport the 'burns, but being Canadian means that facial hair season is in late Fall/Winter. I can't give up entirely on my beard lol....

Have fun,

Ryan

I have decided that I will turn this into an album and let this turn into feedback on my beard pictures as I upload more. There will be a post when I post more beard pictures to the album.

I've been trying to get a buddy of mine to take up an asymmetrical beard. He's not too hip on the idea however. I was saying a Burnside on one side connecting to a mustache that becomes a trucker mustache, or a handlebar on the other side. It's an idea whose time has come!

Back when I did a winter pelt, it was often an Amish beard (no mustache). Come spring, I'd have to refight the temptation to leave the beard and shave my head, but for a continuous strap up over the top so I had a tonsure at 90 degrees to the normal one. Or, I suppose, a mane. But every year some friend or another managed to talk me down.

Pyrateknight, I do admire your creativity.