“Did you know that four of the 2011 winners of the World Beard Championships are from Washington state?” my friend proudly asked this as I entered the room the other day. I hadn’t, actually.
Now that I think about it, though, Washington state (well, the Pacific Northwest) does seem to have a very diverse culture when it comes to facial hair. In Seattle alone, I have seen long beards and short beards, rainbow-colored beards, handlebar mustaches, goatees and soul patches. I have even seen dundreary weepers, which I first read about in Moab Is My Washpot, the autobiography of Stephen Fry (though he calls them by another, even more colorful name.)
I’m sure the members of Beard Team USA would agree that for the hirsute, facial hair provides an almost boundless canvas for self-expression. If this seems like overstatement, do a quick Google Images search for “World Beard Championships” and you’ll see what I mean!
Inspired? You, too, can learn to sculpt glorious facial hair (or just read about its history) with the help of these books available at The Seattle Public Library.
One Thousand Beards: A Cultural History of Facial Hair and The Bearded Gentleman: The Style Guide to Shaving Face, both by Allan D. Peterkin, offer a look at the history of an astonishing array of facial hair styles as well as practical advice on how to achieve them yourself. 
For an authoritative look at which style would best suit your face, turn to page 179 of The Handbook of Style: A Man’s Guide to Looking Good, compiled by the editors of Esquire magazine. Then read the rest of this fascinating volume for valuable tips on things like masculine hygiene, attire, and comportment to complete your new look.
Happy grooming!
~Anne C., Central Library
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