It's mid-Movember, and since we're just past the November halfway mark, we hope everyone's mustache has grown in quite nicely by now. In fact, you might be starting to feel the dreaded itch, or you might be trying to figure out which barbershop is right for you to get a trim. And, if you haven't started growing yet for Movember, it's not too late to join.
In case you weren't aware, Movember started in 2003 when Travis Garone and Luke Slattery met up for a beer in Melbourne, Australia. They realized that the mustache--once a tried-and-true symbol of virile masculinity--had all but disappeared from fashion trends. Together, with 28 of their friends, they decided to grow 'staches, which inadvertently became a great way to start conversations. In 2004, Garone registered The Movember Foundation and raised funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Now, funds go to over 832 men's health projects, ranging in topics from prostrate and testicular cancer to poor mental health and even physical inactivity.
So now that you're growing facial hair for a worthy cause, you've got to take good care of it. To get expert advice, I turned to Daniel Mahony, founder of Melbourne-based grooming company TheGroomedManCo., which currently has customers in 64 countries around the globe. Having crafted and perfected a range of eight different beard oils that utilize pure to botanical and organic oils certified by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) for quality and safety, there's no doubt that Mahony really knows his stuff.
Whether you're growing a mustache or a beard, the best way to care for your facial hair is by keeping it clean. "Be mindful that too much shampooing can strip the beard and skin of its natural oils which leads to dry, brittle hair; irritated, flakey skin; and increases the itch," Mahony says. "Stick to using a shampoo twice a week in the beard, and then wash every other night with an organic conditioner as it will clean without disruption. Applying a high quality beard oil after a shower once the beard is dry is a great way to keep it soft, healthy, and moisturized." Naturally, these tips are also good for those who just want to grow a mustache too.
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Like beards, mustaches can be styled and groomed in a myriad of ways. This opens the gates for mustache waxes and all other kinds of products to be suggested by facial hair aficionados. "Mustache wax is great if you want to style it, which depends on the length you have and whether that interests you," says Mahony. "If you simply want to keep it feeling good, a beard oil will suffice."
And styling for facial hair can be quite confusing and overwhelming--something this bearded gentleman knows all to well. Do I keep it trimmed short? Maybe I let the goatee area grow longer and keep the sideburns and hair on the cheeks short? And most importantly, is it something I can maintain myself at home?
For my money, I entrust the shape and style of my beard to a barber. "Find a barber shop that you feel comfortable with. That is the most important part," Mahony advises. This is key, because you want to be able to ask your barber questions and trust they'll give you great answers. This is where Jameson Irish Whiskey and The Movember Foundation have truly got your back.
For Movember 2015, Jameson Black Barrel has partnered with The Movember Foundation to help out with Mo Maintenance. Every Tuesday they are offering free shaves at specialty barbershops across the country for men to keep their mustaches groomed throughout November. Likewise, for every person who joins the Jameson Black Barrel Network from now through the end of November, Jameson will donate $100 to the Movember Foundation, up to $100,000.
Don't let the dreaded itch or uncertainty about how to style and care for your facial hair get the best of your Movember. Treat your face and hair with any of TheGroomedManCo.'s pristinely designed beard oils and mention "Team Jameson" at any of the participating Fellow Barbers in New York City and select Floyd's Barbershops in Los Angeles and Chicago for a clean-up to help maintain your Mo, free of charge, courtesy of Jameson Black Barrel.
