Central Michigan University is covered in fuzz.

A person can rarely walk through campus without encountering a guy sporting some kind of facial hair. Perhaps it is because of recent trends and Mount Pleasant’s frigid temperatures.

Whether a man has a goatee, a mustache, sideburns or a full beard, the people around him are going to react to it. Opinions are not limited to the facial hair itself, but also the person wearing it.

Going for the growth

Why are so many men compelled to grow out beards?

“Because with just a mustache, I looked like a porn star,” said assistant journalism professor David London. “I did it because I could.”

Men grow out facial hair for many different reasons. Some for fashion, some for personal reasons and some for functionality and warmth.

“If I was a guy, I’d have a beard in the winter time,” said Mid-Michigan Community College student Meghan Borland. “It’s like a blanket for your face.”

Howell freshman Aaron Jiskra’s reasons for his goatee are more cosmetic.

“Mainly, I think I look better with it than without it,” Jiskra said. “I think I look too young if I don’t have it.”

Some men with beards said after they commit to growing facial hair, and people become accustomed to them wearing whiskers, it is difficult get rid of.

Facial hair is a defining trait, Jiskra said.

“When I shaved it off once, my wife wouldn’t let me in the house because she didn’t recognize me,” London said.

Observations of the unshaven

Self-expression aside, there are times when a big unruly beard just isn’t appropriate, job interviews being a prime example.

“I think usually, when you’re interviewing, your best bet is to be as conservative as possible,” said Nikki Acker, assistant director of Career Services. “Once you get the job, you can see how everybody else dresses, and if they do have facial hair.”

Facial hair also can make an impression on women. Unlike employers, many women may be positively impressed by attractive-looking facial growth.

“In comparison, a guy looks cuter when they have facial hair than when they don’t,” said Troy junior Catherine Joliat, “But not just a mustache or a goatee.”

Borland said a full face of stubble is more desirable than a partial-faced style, but only if it’s evenly grown.

“If they’re patchy, no way,” she said.

Remus freshman Elly Cotton said facial hair can be attractive, but it depends upon the person wearing it. She says having it or not doesn’t make a guy significantly more or less attractive to her.

“(Facial hair) wouldn’t be a huge make-or-break difference,” she said.

Trim and tidy

One of the most important parts of facial hair is growing and maintaining it. Although when and how to trim or maintain a beard is entirely the prerogative of the beard-wearer, neglecting it entirely will result in a messy, ugly disaster.

“It’s easier to shave than not to shave,” London said. “It’s like hedge-trimming, trying to keep it in order.”

Some people who would rather not hassle with grooming their own beards, will go to a barber shop to have it trimmed.

“A lot of the time, guys have a hard time standing in front of the mirror, trying to trim their beard,” said Brian Wood, owner of Woody’s Barber Shop, 616 N. Mission St. “A lot of the trimmers you’ll buy are cheap, so instead of messing it up themselves, people will just come have it done.”

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