With odes to facial hair sprouting everywhere from iPhone cases to holiday gag gifts, a new wave of beards and mustaches has taken the world by storm.
But the world of competitive bearding is, to some, a serious sport.
As of late, the facial hair community in Louisiana is growing, especially in Baton Rouge. The Bayou Beard Association, Baton Rouge’s only facial hair club, has participated in many competitions in the South, even competing with the stars of the popular IFC series “Whisker Wars,” while also hosting its own events. In addition to facial hair competitions, the Bayou Beard Association members also meet monthly to discuss their beards and facial hair products.
Boone Wilkinson, psychology junior, followed cues from the character Bill Cutting in the film “Gangs of New York” for an unconventional Halloween costume, and Russ Andre, 29, of Blank, La., continued growing his as a bet. From then on, it became a lifestyle.
Some greater inspiration for growing facial hair, though, came from their families.
“My uncle had a beard, and he used to tickle us with it when we were younger,” Wilkinson said.
Like Wilkinson, Mitchell Garsee, accounting senior and co-founder of The Bayou Beard Association, also credits family as inspiration for his facial hair. His father, who had facial hair throughout Garsee’s youth, was a great influence on Garsee’s facial hair.
“When he shaved it, I didn’t think it was the same person,” Garsee recounted.
Wilkinson usually competes in the category of full beard natural or in Mustache. And despite appearances, Wilkinson does not rely on the aid of hair products to style his mustache in peculiar patterns — a great accomplishment in the world of competitive bearding. He was awarded best in show at the 2011 Bayou Beard Competition.
Andre, on the other hand, leans more toward the Freestyle category, with a full beard but no mustache.
“It takes a certain confidence to have it,” Andre said. “You have to be able to deal with personal questions.”
Despite popular belief, according to Garsee, society’s newfound fascination with facial hair isn’t new at all — people’s perception of the fashion is simply growing.
“It’s like tattoos,” Garsee said. “They’re more acceptable now than they were 100 years ago. This is a way to be unique and have your own identity.”
A greatly noticeable difference, Garsee said, was how he was viewed after shaving his beard.
“I guess I’m more approachable now,” Garsee said. “I’ve noticed that people are more likely to sit closer to me in class.”
For these beardsmen, especially Andre, facial hair has become an indispensible part of their lives.
“It’s become a part of me,” Andre said.
“This is a way to be unique and have your own identity.”
