I Mustache You A Question ... Or Two

Just in case you are quickly scrolling through my blog and you see lots of pictures of guys and you are thinking: "What the heck? Lori has lost it!" ... I do have a good reason for this post. As always, there is a point behind my random topic. Here's why this week's blog has been plastered with testosterone: 

It's the time of year when the Folkman menfolk turn from groomed hipsters like this:

OK, not like that. Um, what are they wearing? And why??? Do you think after the models get backstage, they cuss and say, "I can't believe I had to wear that ... in public! That better not show up on the internet!" (Is it just me or does the guy on the left look like he has a shoulder-strap tan-line?)

Anyway, my guys go from looking clean and stylish to looking rugged and seasoned like this:

It's the time of year when we turn boys into men as they go on a death march recreational hike through the Bob Marshall Wilderness. (If you're from around these here parts, you call it THE BOB.) This year, the guys are doing a 100 mile hike in THE BOB in six days. And I thought Insanity was hard!

Anyway, as grooming habits are forgotten while the men become one with nature, it's gotten me thinking about facial hair.

Facial hair has been around for centuries. (I know, I did my research. Yes, I'm awaiting my induction into the Mensa Society.) In one form or another, men have always had facial hair. It's actually kind of unfair, because women can change hairstyles, but we can never really change our looks as drastically as men can by omitting one simple step in their morning routine. Well, I guess I could stop brushing my teeth and have them all fall out and that would change my looks, but that wouldn't be an improvement. And for some guys, facial hair can be--for lack of a better word--hummina hummina.

Tom Selleck might be the only man to rock the stache. Without it, he's just not so ... Tom. (My verbiage is abundantly prolific in this post, isn't it?)

Johnny Depp has the perfect bone-structure for a goatee. Without, he's maybe a wee bit too purdy. But like that's a bad thing!

Scruff makes Chris Hemsworth look less less like a Fabio-esque bodybuilder and more like a super something or other. The haircut helped too.

But ... facial hair isn't always an improvement. These fellas need their razors like I need my toothbrush.

This one is for the Pitts. And the next one is for Orville Redenbacher's Grandson. Oh wait, that's just the bow-tie. But the beard? Too gruff. 

My personal opinion is that most guys can get away with some scruff, but once it gets beyond an inch or so, it makes them look too old and unkempt. Also, for the most part, when the facial hair goes gray, it needs to go. The exceptions would be Sean Connery, possibly George Clooney, and good Ol' St. Nick. 

What do you think? Do some guys just have the right look for facial hair, or is it something that all men can do if they do it right? Who do you think rocks the beard/mustache and who do you think is better without? Do you like facial hair on your man? I like the looks of it, but the feel, not so much. 

Hugh Jackman is one of those guys who can go either way, and I added him just because he might have been mentioned in the comment thread a time or two. Or three. I'm nice like that and do things to please my readers.

What men do you think can go either with facial hair or without?

How about women? Any chick you can think of that's got it going on with facial hair? (I added that just because I'm feeling super guilty about spending my night looking up images of men facial hair.)

And I just realized I have never seen my dad with any kind of facial hair whatsoever. I can't picture him with it. But, he did have a rad Michael Jackson perm in the 80's. Now that I've mentioned it publicly, I'm sure I'll never be allowed to get my hands on a picture of it. Dang.

Your turn: let's talk facial hair. And don't leave me hanging or I'll feel like a dirty old woman! (And when I say old, I mean old. But not as old as Paulashawn, who just turned 4-0. I don't think enough people wished her a happy birthday to mark this momentous occasion, so make sure you add it to your comments!)