100 Beards. 100 Days.
Click images to enlarge.
Facial accessorising has always been an important part of male British culture. After a quick trim in the 80’s and 90’s (following the glorious beards of the 60’s and 70’s), we’ve returned to our prickly roots with aplomb.
London-based photographer Jonathan Daniel Pryce is fascinated with this re-emergence, due in part to his beard envy (sadly he’s folically flawed) and in part to his interest in how trends spread. To document this, he’s photographing a beard a day for 100 days, showing 100 individual interpretations of the growing trend. If your inspired and want to grow your own face warmer, or update an existing one, here are i-D online’s beard maintenance tips:
- ALWAYS be aware: Bushy beard owners will attest that they grow unruly quickly – in a day that dashing 5 o’clock shadow could become a toe curling, food catching, face mop. So be prepared and trim, often.
- Don’t let it take over: There is a sacred line where beard meets neck growth. Establish your boundary and stick to it.
- Shampoo and condition it regularly: cconditioner has less effect on facial hair but will still make your beard softer. Significant others and your itchy chin (we’ll return to this) will be very appreciative.
- Life’s an itch: As with any big life change, the first 6 weeks are the hardest. It will itch. It will be mocked by friends and family. You will not instantly become Chuck Norris. You will have to come to terms with these things. After 6 weeks, the itching and mocking will have, mostly, gone and a full fledged beard will have taken root. Becoming man enough for your new beard may take much longer.
Feel prepared? Get involved go to 100Beards.tumblr.com or email Jonathan here.
Text: Alice Louise Wadsworth
Photography: Jonathan Pryce
