Jedi facial hair?

[FunjoRebur]

Here's an unusual question regarding Jedi costuming: Beards.

I'm not a big fan of beards, and I've kept my face clean-shaven ever since it started growing hair. But the more I think about Jedi costuming, the more I think that my costume really needs a beard to be complete.

I'm confident in my genetic ability to grow a quality beard. My whiskers come in pretty fast and thick when I get lazy about shaving for a day or two. What I'm not as confident about is my ability to make it look as impeccably well-groomed and well-trimmed as Jedi beards always are in the movies.

Since I don't like facial hair otherwise, I wouldn't want to keep it any longer than I had to, so I'm thinking something along the lines of starting to grow it about a month before a major costuming event and then shaving it immediately afterwards. Unfortunately, this doesn't give me much time to practice grooming and trimming.

Sigh... If I do decide to go the "bearded Jedi" route, I should probably seriously consider experimenting with facial hair sooner than later. Just so I know what I'm getting into before the fact. Does anyone have any Jedi beard grooming tips? Remember, I have zero experience with facial hair beyond shaving it off the moment it appears.

[Shatir Lavan]

I'm in university and I followed one of the stereotypes of not shaving (or just trimming) for a couple of months. I found that after about two or three weeks of not shaving my facial hair was substantial (remember, it takes different times for different people), and I could style it several ways. If you use a fine comb, that can make it look very classy. My mom bought me a beard trimmer for my birthday last year, so I use the little comb that came with it, but any fine comb should work. If you want it to look good and not just scruffy, I suggest shaving your cheeks and neck, but maintain growth on the sideburns, jawline, and chin (moustache is optional, depends on personal opinion). I found a picture of me that illustrates this a bit, but I hadn't combed it, so I look a little nerfherderish.
www.freepichosting.com/Albums/421571937/25.html

[Mon-Jas Charan]

Except for a few months, I have has a beard since I was 18, the best way to trim and groom is buy a groomsmen or similar electric trimmer. Quick easy and no fuss, plus it makes it easy to take it off when need be. For me, from clean shaven to full beard, 2 weeks.

Remember a man with a beard is never alone.

[DietVanillaMike]

ive found that if your just trying to get the beard to (especially short ones) to look neat, then brush it with an old tooth brush (or a new, just dont plan on using it)

this may sound kind of weird but it works really well

[Cem-Ji Pobroo]

Luke didn't have a beard, so its not really necessary. Besides, I would think that's taking it a bit far. My own opinion. If someone wants to grow a beard for their costume, then that's fine. Good thing, Jedis were not bald. ;D

[Shatir Lavan]

Good thing, Jedis were not bald.

Then I suppose you haven't seen Anakin Skywalker when he's redeemed from the dark side in ROTJ? Or Mace Windu in any of the prequels or Clone Wars? There were indeed bald Jedi.

[Cem-Ji Pobroo]

Sarcasm noted. Please see smiley face, that meant I was making a joke. So, let me rephrase this for people who are going to be technical; not a lot of Jedis were bald. Does that work ok for you?

[lazlototh]

Since my scalp is crawling down my face, I have been going bald on top, shaving my head... My beard I've been going a couple of different ways. For the premiere, I don't know if I want to lose the beard (and about ten years off my appearance), a goattee (which was on my earlier pics here, or a full beard (which I have now).

Much like Mon-Jas, except for military service, I've always had a beard. About two weeks from clean to bushy for me, too.

[kivaanzion]

I've been growing a full beard for the first time in my life for the premiere of Ep III (I plan on going in costume).

I had a goatee once about 7 years ago, and it lasted about 6 months. Otherwise, clean-shaven all my life.

I don't think I'll keep the beard after I see the movie: I work in the food service industry and they make me wear a net over my beard. It looks ridiculous and itches like mad (I think it is part of the motivation for the workers to stay clean-shaven).

I might just grow a mustache and buy a high quality costume beard when I go to conventions in the future.

Hey that toothbrush trick really works well!

I think what was meant by the bald Jedi comment is that it is a good thing Jedi do not have clean shaven heads as part of their look (much like the ancient Samurai who shaved the tops of their heads). Otherwise us die-hard costuming fans would have to shave our heads to be true to the look.

I'm not sure if there is a correlation between male Jedi and facial hair. Obi-Wan started growing a beard after he became a Knight, but he may have just been following in the footsteps of his former Master Qui-Gon.

In the Geonosis battle there are several Jedi without beards, so it might just be personal preference.

Kevin

[Cem-Ji Pobroo]

Kevin,
Thanks for getting my joke. That's all I meant were that if a lot of jedis were bald, we'd see some people shaving their heads instead of growing beards for their costume. That must look really funny (sorry) wearing a hair net on your face;) Good luck with your costume.

-Jim

[Seda Navilli]

Its my theory that Jedi grow beards and hair because when they are padawans they are restricted from growing excess hair. Once they become Jedi, they have the freedom to grow their hair, and because of this alot of them do.

Then again Mace Windu might just come from a race of people that don't have any hair at all

[Anthalas Hydara (Stinger)]

I never really thought about beards and things as i've always really had a wee goatee, i also found that after about 4 months of growing it, it seems to keep itself tid and neat which is handy, shame i can't say the same for my Side Burns lol, there begging to look like something sported b wolverene of X-Men fame lol, also on the subject of hair mine is now about shoulder length but rather than let it hang loose i tie it up into a Samurai Style Top knot, looks much neater and far more practical for battling as the hair doesn't get in your face lol

[kivaanzion]

Makes it more credible. well, at least in my opinion. But I look like crud in daily clothes... lol.

LOL!

Yes the "Jedi mullet" doesn't really work in everyday fashion. I'm glad Obi-Wan was sporting a neater hairdo in Ep III. LOL!

Kinda makes you wonder if the Anakin hairdo will start a new trend. I had that kind of 70s hairdo when I was about 9 or 10 years old.

[Solinbeb Newau]

Well, as my picture shows...sort of.

I kept my beard and mustache as well as leaving my hair long, though I did keep it pulled back for the most part (like Qui-Gon's.

[Seda Navilli]

Is that you in your avatar Solinbeb? i seriously thought that was Silent Bob