TDB Session: Nelson.

Name?
Nelson “Beardman”

How old are you?
33, almost 34

In your childhood what was your opinion of beards, was there any exposure to bearded men?
Even as a kid I thought beards were cool.

When your beard started growing were you an embrace it or fight it type of guy?
I always hated shaving. It hurt. I have sensitive skin, so shaving was just brutal. One day I just stopped. Haven’t looked back.

At what point did you decided to grow a beard, did anyone discourage you from growing?
My ex-fiancee discouraged me from it. After we split up, I did the whole “Notebook” thing and grew a dandy of a beard.

Whats your beard care look like - are you a wash and go, or a wash, condition, comb, style, and loving groom yourself beard wearer?
Oh god. I scissor trim often, comb often, primp and preen the thing all the time. I use cream pomade in my beard to get it to play nice. I shampoo and condition it in the shower with my hair. It’s a lot of maintenance. But it’s almost become somewhat of a ritual for me now.

Do you feel that your beard effects or filters to the friends you make?
Yes and no. It’s hard to explain. Some people love it. Some don’t. To each their own. If they don’t want to be buds because I’m hirsute, that’s too bad for them, because I make a great friend.

Have any of them tried to convince you to shave?
All the time. Mostly the girls. The dudes are pretty down with my face-carpet.

Do you get approached by random people with compliments or request to touch it?
Now and then. It’s flattering.

TDB Session: Joshua.

Name? Joshua
how old are you? 24 years old
in your childhood what was your opinion of beards, was there any exposure to bearded men? My dad has had a mean mustache as long as I can remember.
when your beard started growing were you an embrace it or fight it type of guy? I embraced it. I hated buying shaving products as well as shaving.
at what point did you decided to grow a beard, did anyone discourage you from growing? I started growing beards around 18. No one discouraged me.
whats your beard care look like - are you a wash and go, or a wash, condition, comb, style, and loving groom yourself beard wearer? [for myself, I’m a bit in between wash & go] I wash with shampoo and comb it into place.
do you feel that your beard effects or filters to the friends you make? God yes! People love a dude with a good beard. It’s a great conversation starter.
have any of them tried to convince you to shave? Mostly my elders try to convince me to shave but it has never worked.
do you get approached by random people with compliments or request to touch it? Absolutely. Almost daily.