Fans of the facial fuzz: Gotye, LMFAO's Redfoo and Ben Affleck. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
Our very own Chris Paine is a pro beard man. Picture: Chris Paine / Instagram Source: Supplied
IF you are planning on waltzing down a red carpet anytime soon or just heading to the pub, there is only one accessory you need. A beard.
Judging by the hirsute blokes who have wandered down the BAFTA and Grammy ruby rugs today, membership of the burgeoning Beard Club is at an all-time high.
Whether the it's the Full Monty, cave-man inspired beard, or the full and rather furry garden variety, executed perfectly by George Clooney and Ben Affleck, man hair is, quite simply, hot.
Hugh Jackman has been a long-term member of Beard Club, seemingly having one on and off, depending on whether he is between film sets and making movies.
Mr Affleck and Mr Clooney were more like brothers in beards at the BAFTAs today; the ridiculously good looking gentlemen were the perfect poster boys for fantastic furry faces.
Others in hair mode include Bradley Cooper, who has opted for a half-stubble kind of facial vibe while Grammy Award-winning Gotye (never one to be a mere follower of fashion) has sported his fuzz well before fame came knocking.
By tradition, beards are meant to convey a kind of grown-up status, a "I am very wise and mature and virile" kind of vibe. (Well, that's what the bearded would like us believe anyway)
Having asked a few bearded gentlemen why they've gone down that path - I think it's more likely a dose of laziness - the Hollywood pack is saying that it's the perfect "off season look". They're easy to maintain too because, well, there isn't much maintaining.
Our very own beard-loving senior reporter at news.com.au, Chris Paine, reckons it's more laziness than fashion behind his growth.
Flattered I even referred to his a beard, Chris likens his beard (pictured) to "pre-pubescent facial scruff".
"My motivation for wearing a beard is three-fold; because I'm lazy, because my girlfriend likes it and because I can use the phrase 'wearing a beard'", says Chris.
"I also think it gives me a notional claim to masculinity. I shaved it off last Christmas and was mistake n for a 14-year-old choirboy. I was the choirboy at 14 so I don't really want to go back."
Someone with not as much growth as our Chris is that OTHER Chris, Chris Brown. Although you couldn't call the hair on his face a full-on beard.
In Brown's case, perhaps it's a subliminal attempt to cover up scandal. And let's face it, Mr Brown is usually plagued by one, the latest involving a car and an accident.
Grammy winner, Zac Brown band and Mumford & Sons are walking billboards for beards, (the one guy in the band without a beard looking kind of bare and uninteresting without one) while the likes of Billy Connolly, rappers Riff-Raff and LMFAO’s Redfoo and would be rendered unrecognisable if they removed their fine examples of facial topiary.
What do you think? Are you pro beard or all for the clean-shaven look?
Beards galore: George CLooney, Chris Brown and Mumford & Sons all favour some facial hair. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
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