Ever wondered what it would be like to be bearded?

If so, you’re not alone. Beards have been growing in popularity over the past few years, (pardon the pun!) with one report finding that more than six in ten (61%) 18-39 year olds have some form of facial hair, compared to 43% back in 2011.

But why grow a beard in the first place? In this blog post, I’m going to give you 10 of the most compelling reasons why you should embrace facial hair in all its glory.

Try out a new look

Do you look in the mirror every day and feel that you want to change your look? You could get a new haircut. Or update your wardrobe and follow the latest fashion trends.

But one of the biggest statements you can make is on your face – by growing facial hair. With just a few months of growth, you will look like a new person.

The key to this is choosing a beard style that suits your face shape. For example if you have a square face shape, you should grow a long, but narrow beard so you can add length to your face without widening it even more.

With so many different styles out there, you have complete freedom to experiment and see what looks best.

Go against the grain, (literally!)

For lots of people, it’s the norm to shave for any important occasion in my life. Whether that’s a job interview, a wedding or a university graduation.

I used to believe this too. I would regularly shave for these events in my life and a lot of regret afterwards.

That was until one day, I decided to buck the trend. I grew my beard and didn’t shave. And guess what? I got offered jobs that I applied for and the people at the events I attended were mostly supportive.

It just goes to show, that you don’t have to follow typical social norms. By growing a beard, you can display a great deal of independence and confidence by standing out from the crowd.

They make men look more attractive….FACT!

This is clearly very subjective. You may think that for every person that loves a guy with a beard, there will be a lot of beard haters too.

But this is not the case. There is a clear divide between these two opinions and there is one clear winner – beards!

Studies back this up. Not only are bearded men more desirable for short-term flings, but they are also considered more attractive as long term partners, due to their supposed ‘increased ability to compete for resources.’

If you refuse to believe the science, then just take a look at some of the amazing transformations that people have made. It’s truly amazing what the addition of a beard can do!

Beards offer protection from common illnesses

If you’re unfortunate enough to suffer with hay fever or asthma, you will be pleased to know that beards can help to fight against these problems.

Hard to believe I know. But according to Carol Walker, hair medical expert and owner of Birmingham Trichology Centre, moustaches that reach the nasal area may stop allergens going up the nose and being inhaled by the lungs.

You never have to shave again (or at least, not as much)

This was one of the main reasons why I grew a beard for the first time.

I used to hate shaving. It seemed to take up a lot of my time and I just couldn’t bring myself to do it on a regular basis.

But with a beard, clearly you don’t need to shave. This is true to some extent. However, the fact is if you want a groomed look, then you will need to shape your beard using a razor or trimmer.

For me, this is a small price to pay to have a beard. Of course if beard trimming is not your cup of tea, you can of course choose to grow a yeard instead!

Appear more dominant

Having been both clean shaven and bearded at different points of my life, I can honestly say that I have felt much more confident with a beard.

Interestingly, studies appear to back this up. Beards not only help to boost an individual’s standing amongst other men, they also help men to appear older and stronger.
A beard gives you additional protection from the sun

But of course if you live in sunnier climes or when you’re abroad on holiday, you will definitely need your sunscreen. One thing you might not be aware of is the additional protection from the sun that a beard offers.

An article by the Huffington post revealed that beards are able to block up to 95% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. A huge number in anyone’s book!

You will know this already if you have grown a beard in the past and shaved it off after your summer holiday. All that’s left are pale patches, which look a bit silly compared to the rest of your tanned body!