Beards and Mustaches

[tenngun]

That stopped when protective masks became mandatory shipborne.
Some religious exceptions still exist today.

The main reason no a lot of men shaved was you have to go to town and see the barber.
Straight razors were NOT designed for you to use, but the barber to use, shave and a hair cut, 2 bits.
In 1903 Gillette came out this the safety razor, anyone even the woman folk could use them.
I use one every day.

I don’t know what policy in the navy is today. I joined the navy as you could have a beard in the 1970s. We just had to have neck shaved to fit the mask
Straight razors were sold on the frontier. So while it’s true that most people shaved with barbers, shaving did go on in private.
We see paintings of clean shaved but most men shaved twice a week back in the day. So a hipster shadow was popular back in the day

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I don’t know what policy in the navy is today. I joined the navy as you could have a beard in the 1970s. We just had to have neck shaved to fit the mask
Straight razors were sold on the frontier. So while it’s true that most people shaved with barbers, shaving did go on in private.
We see paintings of clean shaved but most men shaved twice a week back in the day. So a hipster shadow was popular back in the day

It was also easier to shave after a day or two then trying to do it every day. it was much easier on the face!

 

[springfield art]

Does any reenactor you know use theatrical facial hair to add to their persona? I have been thinking that theatrical hair applications would be preferable to growing my own facial hair and enduring all the itching.

Your thoughts?

I know Rev War enacting, the British Army is supposed to be clean shaven. I tend to think the Americans were clean shaven, too.

 

[springfield art]

The Hessian and similar impressions, don't they often have big moustaches? There's a Quaker burial yard near the Brandywine battle area that has a marker for some Hessians buried there; there's a modern plaque with a West German modern small flag placed. (Of course there were other German States "rent-a-soldier" troops, but modern popular usage kind of has them all lumped into Hessian, like the Yosemite Sam character in the cartoons!")

 

[Rod Man]

I don’t know what policy in the navy is today. I joined the navy as you could have a beard in the 1970s. We just had to have neck shaved to fit the mask
Straight razors were sold on the frontier. So while it’s true that most people shaved with barbers, shaving did go on in private.
We see paintings of clean shaved but most men shaved twice a week back in the day. So a hipster shadow was popular back in the day

Yep, like @LRB referred to Boone’s coming home. I get that, but it appears as you say that the portrait / paintings show a clean shaven fella. For a lot of them. Wonder how much “encouragement” these fellas got from their wives vs. Artist desires /interpretation? For the various portraits that were done.

 

[TarponStalker]

Sorry, Florida lingo...Disney..!!

Yes. When people ask where I live it’s “ 40 miles from the mouse house “

 

[TobJohn]

My initial question was to find out if anyone used theatrical applications in their reenacting pursuits? Facial hair aside, anyone who does historical "reenacting", by the definition of the word is acting and it follows that makeup including facial hair could be part of someone's persona, if they so choose to use it.

A lot of theatre facial hair is somewhat reasonably priced, so it could be worth getting a set to test out to wear in the house or grocery shopping.

It may also be worth trying to find a forum on theatre/cosplay/acting and see if they have any input. It may not be as helpful for practicality out in the field, but if they say its a pain in the butt onstage/at events, it can be extrapolated that it would be awful outside.

While you pointed out that it was not what you asked, I would second everyone else's advocacy for trying real facial hair. Once it gets past stubble, it softens out and doesn't feel scratchy. It is also fashionable right now haha.

 

[pmccoywss]

First grew mine in Summer 1973, to STOP itching from shaving every day. Spent 30 miuntes cutting it off and shaving in November (to get ready for snowmobiling), but when I went in the bedroom my wife threw the covers over her head ans said "Oh ick, put it back!". Been there ever since (with no itching).

Happy wife, happy Life! LOl,LOL!

Yup.

 

[Eutycus]

I'm a little puzzled who does the beard supposedly itch, the guy who grew it or the woman he's hugging? I never had anything but a trimmed mustache or a short goatee.Are long stringy beards itchy? And to whom?

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I'm a little puzzled who does the beard supposedly itch, the guy who grew it or the woman he's hugging? I never had anything but a trimmed mustache or a short goatee.Are long stringy beards itchy? And to whom?

My wife said they can be rough on her face and that was a No No. She also said they made me look older wonderer why I would want that?

 

[Rod Man]

My wife said they can be rough on her face and that was a No No. She also said they made me look older wonderer why I would want that?

And here all this time, I thought you had a patch over one eye...

 

[Eutycus]

I have yet to find any woman who actually likes long unkept beards and hairy throats. They may tolerate them but that don't mean they like them. Oh, in keeping with the original post on this thread, Nothing wrong with a phony or theatrical beard if it's realistic looking. But I would avoid that "phony look".

 

[Snake Pleskin]

And here all this time, I thought you had a patch over one eye...

I know, the myth is so much better than the reality!!! This is her preferred look for me!

 

[Rod Man]

^ Well, aren't we just Dapper and all that!!!

 

[Whiteoak15]

My wife said they can be rough on her face and that was a No No. She also said they made me look older wonderer why I would want that?

Snake, do you do your own beard maintenance or use a barber? Your picture looks really good. My "barber" who I married 53 years ago has maintained mine for me but is getting so that it is difficult for her. I don't think there are a lot of tonsorial specialists for beards around now (at least I haven't found one yet)! I'm hesitant to try it myself.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

^ Well, aren't we just Dapper and all that!!!

30 years in govt and the Corp world of Wall st required a different "uniform "!

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Snake, do you do your own beard maintenance or use a barber? Your picture looks really good. My "barber" who I married 53 years ago has maintained mine for me but is getting so that it is difficult for her. I don't think there are a lot of tonsorial specialists for beards around now (at least I haven't found one yet)! I'm hesitant to try it myself.

Thanks, I did my own. I used a Wally World small 1 in wide clipper to keep it trimmed. It is a lot of maintenance, more than most people think!

 

[Surfinator58]

Here is the beard and moustache I use to portray an 18 century french trapper in nouvelle france..
.I get alot of compliments on it and feel it is very accurate..It was very reasonable only cost me a
Buck and a half at Madame Fionas House of Hair...

 

[Brazos John]

Here is the beard and moustache I use to portray an 18 century french trapper in nouvelle france..
.I get alot of compliments on it and feel it is very accurate..It was very reasonable only cost me a
Buck and a half at Madame Fionas House of Hair...

Ou, la la!

 

[RLD090646]

Can't grow a decent beard. Had a mustache once years ago and it was passable, but the point here is that I do not grow robust facial hair and I don't want it when I'm not reenacting.

I'll figure it out. Was just thinking that someone else might have gone this route and could offer advice.