Show us your beard!

[Razor X]

 are you going for a really long length now but don't want to deal with a large mass of hair?

I'm undecided. There are limits as to how long I can let it go.  I may let it get a little longer; just not sure.   

[Razor X]

l used to be self conscious about my skunk mix but at least its symmetrical and I get compliments on it.

Same here.  I like mine better now that it's evened out some.  I get compliments on it, which I aways find a bit surprising.  Lately it seems to be turning much more quickly.

[Cave Dweller]

Cave Dweller, you've got a great beard also. Nice to see all these guys rocking the grey mix in their beards. It really does look distinguished.

Wow, thanks.

My wife convinced me to shave down to just the goat in 2008 as the gray was starting to seriously invade the brown. I saw how gray the goat was in August of this year, and decided there was no reason not to see the gray on the rest of the face as well. So far, my wife has not said anything.

[MunkyMunk]

I don't know what it is (probably just aging myself), but I'm really starting to view gray differently over the past few years. I've got a bunch of grey in my beard and my wife is starting to go gray and I don't mind it a bit.

I'm appreciating older looks alot more than I used to. In fact, I'm starting to feel that many younger people don't look "finished." It's not like I'm an older version of myself; it's more like I'm becoming more and more my actual self over time.

I'm also trying to teach my kids not to fear aging, so I'm trying to be a good role model of getting older gracefully.

[reddog]

I guess it's the fact that I turned grey in my early 30's, but I'm tired of the grey. That's one of the main reasons I like the shaved head, no more grey.

I've recently thought about coloring my beard, but I keep reading so much negative about coloring. So....that leaves one choice, shave it off. Last time I did that I hated the way I looked. That was about 20 years ago. Oh well, like we tell everyone thinking about shaving their head, it will grow back.

[slybeard]

Reddog, beard color does require maintenance.  The issue is, with a totally white beard like you and I have, the white roots show quickly.  When I was going totally dark, I needed weekly maintenance to keep the white from showing too much.  I did stretch it out to 2 weeks a few times, but did not like it.  But using the JFM "Touch of Gray" I can go two weeks.  Since it leaves some gray, the white roots are not as noticeable.  It also fades quicker.  So, if you want to try something, I recommend it.  If you don't like it, it will fade out in a matter of weeks.

With other dye, it is hard to stop because you will have white roots and dark tips.  That may require you to shave and start over if you want to transition back to white.

[Razor X]

I'm appreciating older looks alot more than I used to. In fact, I'm starting to feel that many younger people don't look "finished."

Who wants to be "finished"?   

[Razor X]

I've recently thought about coloring my beard, but I keep reading so much negative about coloring. So....that leaves one choice, shave it off. Last time I did that I hated the way I looked.

I last shaved mine seven years ago because it was getting very grey. Or it seemed very grey at that time; it was actually very little compared to how much I have now.  I tried for about three months but could not adjust to a clean shaven face. I decided that a grey beard was better than no beard.  Like you, I realized the options were:

1.  Dye
2.  Shave
3.  Learn to live with a grey beard

I used JFM for a few years.  It worked OK for camouflaging small grey areas here and there but when I really started getting grey, it was simply not adequate.  It faded too soon and I did not want to start using a regular permanent hair dye, so option #3 is the only one available to me.   It's taken me a long time to come to terms with it but I think I'm finally getting there.

I have to say though, with your olive complexion, a nice thick grey or white beard is a great look. With my pale skin, I will probably look very washed out and colorless once my beard is fully de-pigmented. 

[TheSlyBear]

I've recently thought about coloring my beard

That, in my opinion, would be a crying shame.

[Sly Red]

Here's my very white beard after about three months growth.

Red

[Sir Harry]

Suits you well, Red, looks great!

[Razor X]

Here's my very white beard after about three months growth.

Red

Looks great!

[SlyMike]

Looks amazing Red

[rodey201]

Looking good Red!

[Cave Dweller]

Looks good, Red.