No-Shave November. Novembeard. Call it what you want, but the time is upon us. For one month, men and women across the nation will ditch their Gillette and Venus razors to let the natural beauty flow from their faces, legs and any other optional body part.
Some do it for the cause. Some do it for the challenge. The rules are simple: Go natural for November.
This year, the Avenue wanted an inside look into the hairy ambitions of No-Shave November partakers, so we’re following two UF students who are kissing their shaving cream goodbye for the entire month. By Nov. 30th, their faces will look like Robin Williams’ knuckles — and they’re OK with that.
The two No-Shave November insiders will blog about their monthlong journey. Read on to learn about these brave souls, who have decided to grow out a food trap and potentially risk their sex lives in the spirit of the challenge. Then follow-up on their mustached missions throughout the month at www.avenuechallenge.wordpress.com.
The partakers
Danny Ramos, 20
Ramos, a 20-year-old political science major, is no newbie when it comes to No-Shave November. This year will be his second time going sans razor. Last year, he participated just for fun and ended up growing a beard from December to May.
He said that so many people approached him about his beard, he decided to grow it out for Invisible Children, a movement dedicated to helping children in Uganda, this year. He said this will give him an opportunity to raise awareness about an issue that’s important to him.
Ramos said he thinks beards are tough and that all the great, rugged men in history, including all of the greatest presidents, have had beards (think Rutherford B. Hayes). His definition of a manly man is someone with a big, strong jaw line, a flannel jacket, a beard and probably some sort of ax.
Ramos has one word for first-timers: “Persevere.”
What are your expectations?
“I’ll probably keep it going even after November because it gets cold. People don’t think about it, but my face was nice and toasty because I had a huge mane while theirs were cold. I think I’ll keep it out of practicality more than anything.”
Who is your celebrity inspiration?
“Rutherford B. Hayes, the president, Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra and Rick Ross — being from South Florida and liking hip-hop. My beard actually grows in like Emile Hirsch from “Into the Wild” and then kind of gets a Geico-caveman look.”
What is your favorite beard-friendly food?
“There isn’t any really. Everything gets caught into it. I’d have to say raw meat. Or actually to follow the manly trend, I’d have to say steak … with a side of steak. That’s just what I feel like people with beards should eat.”
Do you feel more or less attractive with a beard?
“Realistically, I know I’m really shooting myself in the foot looking homeless, but I’ve been given a gift, and I’m going to use it. If whomever I’m dating doesn’t appreciate the fact that I have a sweet beard, I don’t want to be with them anyway.”
Ian Seabrook O’Connor, 20
It’s time for a change: O’Connor, a mechanical engineering student, is a first-timer to No-Shave November.
He’d heard about it in the past and decided that this year he wanted to try new things and experiment with his looks. He says he is anxious to see what his beard will look like because he has never grown one out for more than a week. Dedication is important to him, and he wants to stay committed — he’s not about to break down and break out the razor.
When he thinks of beards, age and wisdom come to mind. However, it’s not a look he plans on rocking year-round, and he said he will lose the facial hair at the end of the month.
“Not shaving will be a dangerous precedent to set,” he said.
What are your expectations?
“I expect to really want to shave my face Nov. 30. I haven’t told my family. I’ve only told my roommates and a few other people, so we’ll see
Who is your celebrity inspiration?
“Zach Galifianakis ... from ‘The Hangover.’”
What is your favorite beard-friendly food?
“The best thing to eat would be through a straw, like a milkshake or something. I’d never eat a frosted doughnut.”
Do you feel more or less attractive with a beard?
“Girls I know will be shocked, and the ones I don’t know will just recognize it as a part of me. I think it definitely depends on the girl. Maybe this way I can attract older women.”
