Beards.

If you’re a guy, they’re the Holy Grail of man-dom; if you’re a girl, they’re either the bristly source of beard-burn or the mark of
attractive masculinity.

Take it from Nathan Bullis, a senior advertising major who hasn’t shaved during a single November since he got to college.

“Beards are the ultimate sign of masculinity.  If you have a hairy-face, you probably just did, are currently doing, or are about to do something manly and awesome.”

Over the past few years in popular culture, November has come to mean more than the end of daylight savings time, the first snow, Thanksgiving and Black Friday — it’s also become No Shave November and Movember, depending on how much facial hair occupies your face.

Movember differs distinctly from No Shave November, as it revolves around the moustache.

Movember, a movement that started in Melbourne, Australia, in 2003, is an organization devoted to raising both awareness of and funds for prostate cancer. As of 2010, the group had raised $174 million and boasted 1.1 million registered ‘Mo Bros’ and ‘Mo Sistas,’ according to the Movember website (us.movember.com).

How are moustaches related to money? Men act as walking billboards for donations by growing outlandish moustaches on their faces and asking friends and family to make donation pledges for each day they sport their ‘staches.

No Shave November, however,  wasn’t necessarily created out of laziness, though that’s an indirect factor. Rather, a person can also make pledges to support prostate health through the Movember website without limiting their facial hair to simply an upper lip.

It’s still revered by any man that wants a cozy face and an excuse not to shave.

“My face is never warmer than when it is covered in hair in the thick of No Shave November,” Bullis said, adding that participating in No Shave November is a great excuse to be unapologetically lazy. “Shaving is a hassle, and now I have a great reason not to do it.”

Burliness throughout November also creates a sense of unity, according to Bullis.

“When you see another bearded student on campus, you give them that acknowledging nod that says ‘Hello, fellow
manly-man,’” Bullis said.

Senior Joshua Jonas has also participated in No Shave November all throughout his college career.

“I participate in it because it’s a fun change-up that you can do with friends and it’s nice to give yourself a new look,” Jonas said. “I also get a kick looking at the guys who participate and can’t actually grow a full beard and it comes in all patchy.”

Jonas added that his beard “annoys” him by the end of the month, but his friends call it “glorious” and beg him to keep it year-round.

Bullis agreed: “His beard is so dense, glorious, and perfect, it’s known to make the ladies weak in the knees just seeing it. That young man has gift, and the women recognize it.”

And just how do the ladies feel about burly beards? According to Bullis, torn.

“The problem a lot of girls have with their guys’ beards is that it is itchy and scratchy when their fella kisses them,” he said.  “This has not been an issue for my girlfriends, as my beard is abnormally soft, and I’m told it’s like cuddling a puppy with your face.”

Whether they’re fighting prostate cancer with a perfectly-manicured moustache or simply putting the razor down for a few blissful weeks, males all over the world will resemble homeless lumberjacks by the end of this month.

Enjoy, ladies!