Men and manliness

Being presented with multidimensional choices among a mustache, a goatee, sideburns, and a hybrid (of all possible combinations), men have struggled to find the perfect set of whiskers to convey many messages including, but not limited to, I'm probably smarter than you, I have a disagreeable jaw line, I can't believe I'm finally a man, and I'm cursed with multiple chins by the witch of the modern life. Here we are, to help you with the struggle and tell you up front that the chinstrap with two thin lines cut off diagonally is probably (for the sake of politeness) not a good idea. So, just take some time and consider these displays of manliness. 

The Full-beard: 
This style can be the easiest or the hardest to grow depending on the type of your beard. If you are a committed, non-patchy beard fellow, a full-beard will make you look like the man in charge.

A top bun with the full beard will instantly change it into a modern artsy look. It takes very little effort to maintain but cautions have to be taken. Don't let it run too wild as it might become inappropriate for your social life (a.k.a. little girls scream and run away when they see you).

The Handlebar: 
It's the full mustache usually waxed at the tips to curve them upwards. Imagine Mughal Maharajas and wonder why you haven't had that grown yet. While you're at it, caress your invisible handlebar. Feels good, doesn't it? It's even good for the spectators. They'll know that you are a perfect mix of serious and playful. Add a fedora for emphasising on the playful part.

The Balbo: 
It's a mix of a goatee, a mustache and a soul patch where the goatee meets the soul patch and stays away from the mustache (look at Iron Man for reference). A lot of young men in the country have already adopted this style for many good reasons. It's a versatile style that can make you look handsome, intelligent, youthful, and serious all at the same time and the shape of your face will decide what adjective it'll add to you.

The Mutton-chop: 
Remember Elvis Presley and let the sideburns loose and stop right before the place where a normal beard would be. The mutton-chop is a risky style. With the right structure and hairstyle, it might make you look like The Wolverine (oh the temptation!) but when it goes bad, it might also look like the uniform of public offenders.  Also, do not, in any circumstances, connect your sideburns to a mustache. It's called a friendly mutton-chop and yet it looks like the only person friendly with this style is the devil himself (provided he has horrible taste in fashion which is unlikely). You've been warned.

The 5 O'clock Shadow: 
It's basically the stubble with a fancy name and might be the most widely acclaimed style of facial hair. This style walks on the thin line of looking effortless and taking much effort to maintain that look. A good trimmer is a must in this case. If you want to look professional, a tightly kept 5 O'clock shadow is always a good choice.  

Looking good in facial hair and making people around you believe that it does make you look good might take some time and efforts. Good products will help you to maintain the balance. Ultimately, your choice based on your facial structure and expressions will decide whether you have become a cool cat.   

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed