Ever since I can remember, my daddy wore a mustache—from way before me or my siblings were born, until the day he died. It suited him. I think he looked rather dashing—can’t blame my mom for falling for him.
This time of the year has men sporting styles they normally don’t … on their dials. Yes, it’s Movember, the month of the mustache (or moustache if you’re British, Australian, or South African, like me).
While researching for this blog, I come across some interesting buzz about facial fuzz, thankfully most not currently seen on my colleagues, or my husband. I’ve listed and described them below, but I have to confess, only one (or two) tickle my fancy. I now see there’s good reason why I write contemporary romance, not historical. Of course, we all have our own personal tastes regarding the mustache, the beard, sideburns, or clean shaven faces. One woman’s nightmare, is another’s dream.
Ambrose Everett Burnside. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Wily Whiskers: Think sideburns on steroids. Named after Civil War general Ambrose Burnside, his sideburns—or burnsides as they were first called—were so long, they connected to his mustache. Imagine this hero brushing his cheek against the heroine’s? Not my cup of tea. Maybe yours?
Muttonchops: No, they’re nothing you can eat. They don’t even look good enough to eat. This facial hairstyle resembles cutlets of mutton—full sideburns extending down the jaw to the corners of the mouth, and not connected by chin hair or a mustache. Muttonchops can grow outward, or trimmed close to the face, and are often wider at the ends than where they start at the ears. The style of Pride and Prejudice-type heroes, and some of Hugh Jackman’s roles (although I do prefer him in the last facial style mentioned on this blog).
Sir Anthony Van Dyck: Charles I, King of England (detail), 1635-36 Source: Wikimedia Commons
Van Dyke beard: Personally, I’d rather see my aristocratic heroes NOT sporting this short, pointed beard and thick upturned mustache. Let this style rather stay on 17th-century Flemish painter, Anthony Van Dyke’s works of art.
Fu Manchu: This Chinese-style mustache, drooping to the end of the chin and beyond, belongs where it came from—China, or the 1920/30 crime novels of Sax Rohmer.
Goatees: There are goatees, and there are goatees. Brad Pitt wears a short goatee well, but the goatee that has this long tuft of hair growing on human chins from just below the bottom lip…well, that one definitely belongs on the animal from whence it was named.
Daniel Fallström (1858-1937), Swedish poet, writer and journalist. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Handlebar mustache: Famous wearers of this style with its long curved ends that resemble a bicycle handlebar, include artist Salvador Dali and Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. When I was at Dallas airport in September this year, I saw the fanciest, largest handlebar I’ve ever seen. But then, they do say that everything is bigger in Texas. Standing in the check-in line, I tried to imagine the young man sporting this monstrosity as a romance hero. Although he was interesting, I just couldn’t. But I did wish I had a free hand and the gumption to take a photograph, he was that intriguing.
Chinstrap beard: Abraham Lincoln’s signature look is exactly as its name suggests—full sideburns, beard, no mustache. NO mustache? Still not my style for a romance hero.
Horseshoe mustache: Some men may think this Hulk Hogan mustache that extends in two thick vertical lines to the chin (sometimes with a goatee thrown in the middle), is lucky, but I doubt a hero looking like that would be lucky enough to land in one of my stories (perhaps luck is on their side, after all?)
Chaplin – A Dog’s Life. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Toothbrush mustache: Charlie Chaplin, Adolf Hitler … they loved this one. This mustache looks like it’s been drawn onto their faces. It hasn’t really been a popular choice with the men. I wonder why.
Pencil mustache: The choice of movie stars like Errol Flynn and Clark Gable, this ultra-thin mustache requires impeccable upkeep. I like this one—probably because it reminds me of my Dad.
Errol Flynn. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Of course, forget the upkeep on this one, and you’d have the likes of Omar Sharif and Tom Selleck, which are totally acceptable, too.
I’ve left the best for last, and for me, the only choice (unless of course you like clean-shaven heroes, which do just fine by me, too).
The five o’clock shadow (or designer stubble): Late afternoon stubble, if the hero shaved that morning, or a very short beard. I love this rugged Indiana Jones look made popular in the 1980’s with a comeback in the early 2000’s.
Wikipedia Public Domain
While I thought I ALWAYS wrote heroes with five o’clock shadows, it’s come as quite a surprise to me to discover that of my four published books, three of the heroes were clean shaven. My current hero, however, certainly sports this facial shadow, as does the hero of my third Passport to Romance—Glasgow Grace—which releases in 2016.
It’s Movember, so let’s chat about fuzz. What kind of fuzz gets your toes curling in delight? Or does all that facial fluff turn your stomach? What’s your hero’s style?
USA Today bestselling author, MARION UECKERMANN’s passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. Marion and her husband again live in South Africa and are setting their sights on retirement when they can join their family in the beautiful Cape.
I love Sam Elliot and Tom Sellecks mustaches.
I agree with you–clean shaven or 5 o’clock shadow only!
I prefer the clean shaven and smooth look. Years ago, I worked with a guy with a full beard. We could always tell what he had for lunch. :(
Wow! A great way to think about mustaches. I never realized there are so many different kinds. :-)
When I tried to write a hero with a mustache, my kids told me to look around at young men. More in style is the overgrown 5-o’clock: short mustache and closely trimmed beard, so I allowed that particular hero a short beard as well. A couple of the other heroes are fans of the slightly unkempt look: longish, tousled hair and, of course, the 5-o’clock that might be a couple of days old. Most seem to be cleanshaven though!
My husband looks best with a short beard and mustache. Every once in a while he shaves the whole works off. Thankfully it regrows!
For the first 10 years of our marriage my husband would shave once a week (he has sensitive skin). I always looked forward to Sundays for the smooth face because frankly, stubble hurts! A couple years ago, he considered wearing a short beard and I was okay with giving it a try. I LOVE IT! His face is always kissably soft and he doesn’t have to spend time shaving every week, just a trim about as often as he needs a haircut.
My husband has a full beard (with mustache) and I like it. I think he would look funny with any of the other styles mentioned, though I like clean shaven too (maybe I just like him?). My dad has had muttonchops (in high school), a full beard, and now has just the mustache. I like the full beard best, but my mom doesn’t, so her vote definitely wins. =) Some people should not have beards though – like Jill’s coworker =), and a friend of mine who had blond curly facial hair. Thankfully he shaved it.
What an interesting post. My hubby had a mustache when we first got married. He shaved it off, and I didn’t realize it for a couple of days. I am not very observant! I agree with Beth stubble hurts.
I love the scruffy look and was thrilled when Harlequin started adding that 5 O’Clock shadow to my cover heroes.
My husband Joe has worn a short beard ever since we first started dating. I distinctly remember one day when for some unknown reason he decided to shave it off, and he showed up at my door with a mustache. I was in such shock (not in a good way!) that I marched him right into the bathroom to shave it off and start from scratch to grow that beard back.
There are three exceptions for me in mustaches, and two have already been mentioned. Tom Selleck, Sam Elliot, and the grandfather on Heartland. They have my permission to keep the cat on their upper lip. Everyone else, not so much.
I just like my dad’s fuzzy beard!
Yay for such a fun post!
My husband has sported various styles of facial hair in the years we’ve been married. I’ve loved most of them though kissing a stubbly face can get a little painful.
I bought him a proper razor with a brush and lather bowl two years ago for Christmas and he LOVES the close shave it gets. Me too <3
They do look good in them, Linda :)
We have good taste, Linda :)
Oh, Jill, I laughed so at your comment :)
Thanks, Melissa. And I don’t think I even covered them all.
Wise advice from your kids, Valerie. I have a character in a book I’m completing who’s 5 o’clock shadow was at midnight on his chindial :)
I think your hubby looks dashing w=with his short beard, Beth. And yes, stubble does hurt!
Your dad sounds quite adventurous with his facial fuzz, Katy :)
Glad you enjoyed the post, Merrillee. You sound like me when my hubby has a haircut. I usually only notice days later :)
I love it when my hubby get’s the five o’clock shadow (although it scratches), but when it gets just that little too long, it needs to go (or be trimmed … usually he shaves). You see, his dad had a red tinge to his beard, and that has come through the genes. Besides, I don’t like anything much past 5 :)
What a fun post… especially since I just had a date with a guy with a mustache. As the evening progressed, I wondered what it would be like to kiss him goodnight. Whether or not I found out… I’m not telling!
I think dad’s get a pass on the fuzzy beards, Sara. They, and only they, are allowed to keep them :)
Glad you enjoyed it, Jebraun. Talk about shaving … well, that’s an entire blog on its own there waiting to be written :)
LOL, Lee. But it’s good not to kiss and tell :) Glad you enjoyed the post.
Haha, very true!
Lovely post, Marion! To me, the essence of Romance heroes has to be Orlando Bloom’s short goatee-style in Pirates of the Caribbean!
I fell in love with my husbands neatly trimmed gotee. It accentuates his dimples and sweet smile. Melts my heart every time!
Oh, yes! Now you’re talking, Chiara :)
It certainly does, Stacey :)
Fun post, Marion! :)
I have always loved some nice “face fuzz”. ;) My sister claims that it’s partly because my dad has worn a full beard & mustache my whole life. The one time I remember him shaving it, I couldn’t wait for him to grow it back! And mom agreed– keep the beard! ;P
Personally, I prefer the five o’clock shadow look– only, a bit longer. There’s just something about it….. ;)
When I met my husband-to-be, I remember seeing him after a short hiatus sporting a goatee and my “love” was cemented. Up until a few years ago, he had to be clean-shaven for his job and I missed that facial hair. Now, it’s peppered with gray and it looks even better. :)
There is just something about it, Aerykah :) Glad you enjoyed the post. I remember a boyfriend I had once who wore a beard and mustache, and then shaved it off … I was like “Ew. Put it back!” LOL.
Cute :)
My husband has sported a full beard and mustache or a goatee depending on his mood. He always keeps it well trimmed & washes it regularly with shampoo and conditioner so it’s never scartchy & always soft :-) I like running my hand over it because it feels nice.
The one thing that drives me batty about men’s facial hair….those who have the scruffy 5 o’clock shadow thing. Either shave it or grow it out for Pete’s sake…haha!! Guess it’s not my cup of tea. I also don’t like a shaggy face, it reminds me of a grumpy bear! I’ve been spoiled by my husband’s well kept & trimmed facial hair. :-) For me, whatever the man chooses, reflects his other hygiene habits. I know, I know….just like not judging a book by it’s cover, I shouldn’t judge a man by his facial hair. But I do! :-)