![\"](\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/\/2014\/03\/beards.jpg\")
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Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a yes or no answer to every question of aesthetics?<\/p>\n
It’s certainly how magazines and pop culture presents things when it comes to how a man should or shouldn’t look.<\/p>\n
But that’s rarely how the human brain works. As we’ve discussed before in regards to style, there are definitely some black\/white rules, but for the most part each man needs to discover what works best for him. He needs to express himself through his style choices, within some basic frameworks.<\/p>\n
One fascinatingly complex issue that has come back into the spotlight recently is that of facial hair. It’s not something you can break down into basic good\/bad or right\/wrong strategies. It all depends on the individual.<\/p>\n
Forget anyone who tells you that beards are a 100% guarantee to be an alpha male lady-killer. Also forget anyone who says they’re an automatic job-loser and impossible to pair with a business suit.<\/p>\n
It’s just not that simple.<\/p>\n
With a little bit of research, you can figure out the length and style of facial hair that’s right for your life, your career, and your goals.<\/p>\n
![\"Vintage](\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/\/2014\/03\/beard.jpg\")
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Does a beard look good on you?<\/p>\n
Should you shave the stubble before your date?<\/p>\n
Do you need to give yourself a trim before the big interview?<\/p>\n
Scientific research can tell you what other people are thinking when they look at your beard, which should give you a good idea of whether a beard is the right choice for your life.<\/p>\n
Here’s the most basic breakdown. When you have distinctive facial hair (anything visible, even stubble), these are the traits people tend to associate with you:<\/p>\n
A clean-shaven man, on the other hand, is associated more with the following traits:<\/p>\n
Aggression & Facial Hair<\/strong><\/p>\n This man is aggressive. And yes — that is an understatement.<\/p><\/div>\n A beard is a sign of active testosterone in the body, and human brains recognize that as coming with the potential for more aggression.<\/p>\n As a result, men with beards are often seen as more angry, aggressive, or dominant, even if their personality has none of those traits.<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/\/2014\/03\/aggressive-man-beard.jpg\")