CHENNAI: T he tiny specks of uneven hair are starting to appear. The patchy facial hair on the otherwise clean shaven, after-shave-scented men is close to a nightmare. When ‘love failure aa?’ or ‘enna pa, kaasu illaya?’ make their rounds, you know that it’s time for ‘No Shave November’ and ‘Movember’!
While we agree that a man with a proper, groomed beard is nothing but hot, what about those whose face is graced with scattered hair all over?
Well, it’s all for a good cause. No-shave November is a web-based, non-profit organisation devoted to spreading cancer awareness and raising funds to support cancer prevention. Though a participating man is required to donate the money they would have otherwise spent on shaving products, many don’t do so. It has become a fun challenge but hey, the awareness is still passed on through social media if not the donation.
We decided to check out trending posts on ‘No-Shave November’ and ‘Movember’ in our city and it was overwhelming. On accepting the challenge, enthusiastic men were tagging more nominees, some were even talking about the awareness and a few girls were waiting for the sudden bursts of hotness!
While No Shave requires you to put down your shaving equipment and donate the money for a cause, Movember is only about the moustaches. But unlike the former, Movember is a foundation that was started in Australia back in 2013. It invites charities to create awareness on prostate and testicular cancer. Participants here are called Mo-Bros. Pretty cool, right?
For the women who think they can’t grow a mush and want to participate in some way other than eyeing other men, here is what you can do: Donate money, don’t wax (giving up already?), let your hair loose all month or talk to your father, husband or boyfriend about his health. After all, it is about opening up to the possible health issues.
Before wishing you a healthy, hairy month, here is an interesting fact to boost your ‘machoness’ a little more.
According to a detailed report by Time News organisation, in the mid-to-late 19th century in the US, men had a different reason for growing out their moustaches and beard in November: to show that they were old enough to vote!
Also, according to Lincoln Lore, the most important piece of advice that Abraham Lincoln ever took from a little girl was to grow a beard. How about that?!
Shivakumar (27), software engineer, Tech Mahindra
It is not a Herculean task. Use BEARDO, men beard growth oil and always have a small, separate comb. My girlfriend tends to pluck my beard hair and take selfies with it. That’s a winner!
Vithun Ravindhran (27),
freelance fashion photographer
It was war at home. Mom never liked my four inches beard and while eating, she’ll pour something on it. I won’t care and continue eating. But when I do shave it off, it’s weird to even touch my cheeks!
Padmanaban SP (24),
brand specialist
It’s quite an experience! Once, when I walking towards Ram Cinemas, Vadapalani, a peddlar approached me and asked for weed! My long hair adds on to my appearance. My advice to first timers would be to never use a trimmerin the beginning. Use a razor.
Rama Krishnan (24),
process associate, TCS
I wash and comb it ten times a day. It grows slowly for
me but when the time comes to shave it, it’s hard. I grow
it like mypet and it makes me feel like I’m losing something very dear to me.
Srikant Verma (26),
software engineer, Tech Mahindra
I generally prefer to be clean shaven. But I take this step to support the cause and donate my shaving costs to cancer patients or NGOs. The day after November, it feels like heaven!
No itching, no irritation, no problem!
K Harish,
student, College of Engineering, Guindy
One November, I had to meet a senior of mine. I was only in my first year but when she saw me, she stood up, mistaking me as a college alumna. Though women tend to like men with beard, they are less expressive when it’s on
my face. When it’s gone, they realise how much they miss it.
Pradeep (22),
tattoo artist, Ink Society
Every time I spill ice cream on my beard, my friends tell me to eat with my mouth and not my beard. My advice to first-timers is if you are going to trim your beard yourself, use the right tools and scissors or just go to the barber!
How to Participate?
Sign up at www.noshave.org to officially participate in No-Shave November. Stop shaving and start fundraising! If you’ve got that competitive edge, get a group together and start your own team. Thinking of going solo? Sign up as an individual and set up your personal fundraising page today.
Rules
Put down your razor for 30 days and donate your monthly hair-maintenance expenses to the cause. Strict dress code at work? Don't worry about it! We encourage participation of any kind; grooming and trimming are perfectly acceptable.