Having a beard or going straight clean-shaven is totally a personal choice and there’s no convincing one in favour of either one of them. But the beard trend definitely seems to have lingered on. Zoomers, majorly, prefer to keep beards and even a lot of millennials have followed suit. And it isn’t just about the look anymore.

You may have your own personal reason, right from making yourself more appealing to the ladies, going for that mature look, donning your raw masculine side for everyone’s benefit to simply giving an illusion of a stronger and more well-defined jawline. Whatever the reason, more and more guys are relentlessly levelling up their beard game now – trying different beard styles, exploring beard essentials like beard oils, beard wax, beard combs, popping pills for improving the health of their hair follicles, and so on.

But what’s the point of it all? Is it anything beyond just a vanity optic? Interestingly, both scientific and social research shows a beard contributes in more ways than you can superficially imagine. Let’s go about understanding each one of them strand by strand.

The Mind Game Behind Growing A Beard

A well-groomed beard can enhance your facial symmetry, making you look more attractive, while also hiding any shortfalls like a rounded jawline or marks on the skin. All this contributes to a guy’s self-esteem, which is directly linked to his confidence. A study published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology found that a man with a beard is perceived to be more dominant and attractive than his clean-shaven counterparts.

Think of growing a beard as an Instagram filter. Worried about a weak chin? There's a beard for that! Feeling too baby-faced for that big promotion? Beard it up! It's amazing how some strategic styling of facial hair can transform your appearance. Whether it's a neatly trimmed goatee or a wizard-worthy long beard, it's like wearing your personality on your face - think of it as arts and crafts, but manlier.

While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, science suggests that a bit of stubble might tip the scales in your favor. A 2013 study in Evolution & Human Behavior found that women rated men with heavy stubble as most attractive for both one-time flings and happily after love stories. So, here’s the sign to put down that razor, your face (and possibly your love life) will thank you!

Experience The Therapeutic Essence Of Grooming Your Beard

From untangling your beard with the comb to trimming it off and everything in between, is the art of single-tasking that you practice unknowingly.

That relishing feeling when your beard smoothes out at the end when you follow your daily grooming ritual. It not only rejuvenates your beard but also massages away all your stress and relieves your anxiety.

In a world, where people brag about multi-tasking. The way you move up on the ladder of beard grooming is nature's very own stress-buster, right at your fingertips.

Many beard care products are infused with essential oils like lavender to soothe known for their calming properties. As if each scent is inviting you to immerse yourself in the mini-aromatherapy session.

In our super-duper fast lives of digital screens, the space beard grooming offers you can be the “digital detox” you need every day. Besides screen-free time, you actively engage and bring back your focus into the present moment which helps to reset your thoughts in the mind.

How Beards Become Your Cold Weather BFF

Who would mind wearing a custom-fitted scarf in the chilly winter days? It is none other than your beard! It gives warmth to your skin, keeping your face warmer than the frosty air around you.

In the winter, your beard plays a clever game of hide-and-seek with notorious dryness. It hydrates your skin by holding onto the natural oils. This god-gifted moisturizer keeps your skin happy, even when the weather outside is frightful.

A Beardy Tale of Culture and Faith

Back in the old days, beards were a strong symbol of power and masculinity. They were known to have divine authority during Egyptian Civilization. But in Greece, a full-fledged beard is used to signify how intellectual a person was. The curled beards were all about the rage in Mesopotamia. These ancient theories of beards weren't just fashion statements; they had some or the other meanings associated with them.

Coming back from the time machine to today, it all started with the trend of keeping ‘hipster beard’. The real boom came into action in 2020. From celebrities to not-so-famous personalities, everyone channeled their inner beard stylist.

From meticulously groomed 'corporate beards' to ‘wild and free beards', most of the men try to stand out from the crowd by exploring and trying new beard styles. It has become an expression rather than looking wise anymore. And yes, sometimes hiding a double chin on Zoom calls.

But throughout all this, one thing remained constant with beards - its spiritual significance. As we see many Muslim men grow beards as a sign of devotion. The uncut beard of Sikhs represents one of the five articles of faith, accepting God's will. Particularly in Judaism, long beards are seen as fulfilling biblical commandments. These faith-based beards serve as living reminders of spiritual commitments.

Beard is not just a mere fashion trend

From the grand aura of ancient times to the office boardrooms of today, growing and grooming a beard serves as the standard men have set to create narratives they like to flex.

In short, the beard has its unique complexity of identity, masculinity, and rebellion. It personifies the manifestation of our inner worlds and communicates our aspirations. Growing a beard and grooming it, continues to be a fascinating exploration which has its own roots and depths - probably having no end.