National No Beard Day – October 18, 2022, history, significance,
National No Beard Day is an annual celebration observed on October 18th of each year. You would have started growing your beard a long ago, or you might have let it grow a few days ago. Take this day to clear away your beard by shaving it as whatever the reason be. Let your face look smooth, soft, and delicate. National No Beard Day encourages you to shave your beard to look even more beautiful without your beard.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL NO BEARD DAY
It appears that National No Beard Day is one of those internet-generated holidays which we have all come to love (or in the case of bearded men, really really hate!) But this day, which is an annual event every October 18, does open up the discussion on the history of hair removal in general and beards, specifically.
In the 1800s, barbers used straight razors to remove beards from patrons. Though that was a standard practice, most men wore beards as the fashion of the day. But according to the National Museum of American History, beard removal came into vogue in the United States around the early 1900s.
There were numerous reasons for cutting those beards. It sounds gross today, but those large, lush beards that were commonplace in paintings and photographs, were also “breeding grounds” for parasites like lice. Beards also trapped bad odors from perspiration, especially for those men who worked together in close quarters without an opportunity to regularly take a bath. So, when a man sported a clean look sans beard; women took that as a sign that this person practiced good hygiene and could be marriage material.
Enter the Gillette Company in 1904 with its “safety razor” which encouraged men to take their beards in their own shaky hands to remove excess facial hair. (No need to find a barber, when you could do the job yourself!) Eventually, men were looking for ways to keep the hair off for longer periods of time. By 1930, Jacob Schick introduces the electric razor as the “Schick Dry Shaver” and another milestone in the hairy history of men’s hygiene was surpassed!
NATIONAL NO BEARD DAY TIMELINE
4th century B.C.E.
Alexander the Great pushes his troops to shave
Alexander the Great makes his troops shave their beards so that enemies couldn’t grab onto them during battle.
1860
Lincoln grows a beard
An 11-year-old girl wrote to Abraham Lincoln when he was running for president — saying she would get her brothers to vote for him if he grew a beard because she thought it would look better on his thin face and history is made!
1913
The last president with facial hair left office
When William Howard Taft leaves office, he takes his famous twirly mustache with him. Since then, no sitting president has had either a beard or mustache.
1930
Electric shaver was born
Though the first idea for an electric razor came in 1898, Schick patents the first successful shaver decades later.
NATIONAL NO BEARD DAY ACTIVITIES
Shave it off
Assemble all the right products, like a new razor, shaving cream, and moisturizer. A good exfoliant can’t hurt, either. Trim your beard to a manageable length, soften up the remaining hair by taking a steamy shower or applying a hot towel to your face, and then apply shaving cream. Shave with the grain while holding your skin taut to get the best results. Exfoliate and moisturize that awesome skin below and voila!
Enlist a bearded friend to join you
Shaving off the beard that took you so long to perfect can be scary. Why not convince a hairy friend to do it with you? Take some “before and after” Instagram shots and cherish the memories.
Hire a professional
Getting a straight-razor shave from a barber is one of the most relaxing, manly, old-fashioned things you can possibly do. So sit back and leave the shaving to a professional. Self-care is cool and you’ll leave smoother than if you DIY’d it. Next thing you know, you’ll be open to a pedicure!
WEIRD BEARD FACTS
Some people are genuinely terrified of them
Pogonophobia is a real thing, which means anyone who suffers from a fear of beards is freaked out by the mere sight of one.
Ninety-eight percent of America’s richest men don’t have one
If you want to get on the Forbes list, it’s time to start shaving.
The same chemical, dihydrotestosterone, promotes both beard growth and balding
One theory postulates that having a beard contributes to baldness due to the body’s increased thermoregulation effort.
They’ve been subject to tax
Both Peter the Great and the state of New Jersey tried to cash in on facial hair in the past.
Beards are like velcro, trapping food and bacteria inside them
Let’s all admit it: The thought of leftovers and viruses lurking in facial hair is a total turn-off.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL NO BEARD DAY
Shave more – kiss more
Remember your facial hair can give beard burn to those who love you and love to kiss you gives them. You know how cool you think your beard looks? That’s how uncool the rash it gives us looks. Go clean-shaven and get more kisses!
You look younger
Maybe you grew a beard to stop getting carded every time you ordered a beer. But if it’s been awhile since you went clean-shaven, people (especially potential romantic partners) might go ga-ga for that babyface you’re hiding underneath all that hair. And if you just grew it recently? Take pride in slamming your ID down and telling the bartender you’re going to be a very youthful-looking senior citizen someday!
Your career might get a jumpstart
Most executives are clean-shaven, especially the higher up the ranks you go. So, if you’re gunning to be your company’s next CEO? Losing the beard can’t hurt. You have to look the part to get the part.
