Jan 26, 2012 at 1:33PM | By El Beardo Red Hot Chili Peppers have just released their video for the first single off of 'I'm With You,' the troupe's latest album... Love it/them or hate it/them (the new guitarists is a robot, we are sure of it), what we absolutely love is the now permanent (and prominent) stache on the upper lip of front-man Anthony Kiedis. Kudos!
Jan 16, 2012 at 4:28PM | By Buildabeard "The time is always right to do what is right." Martin Luther King Jr
Honoring the memory of Dr. King we often forget, the man also rocked a pretty amazing stache... we musn't forget Dr. King's willingness to not conform to the fresh faced madness of the 50s and 60s and rock what he wanted, when he wanted, because it was the right thing to do... The memory of his daring actions, ideals and ideas should linger longer than one day a year.
MLK, Martin Luther King Jr, do what's right, mustache, stache | in Moustache, Mustache Dec 21, 2011 at 12:52PM | By El Beardo Thanks to the myriad of beard scouts we have out in the field, whether they are aware of their roles or not (in this case Mido Aboshihata aka @mid0 is not) we find or stumble on awesome gems... we love them even more if they are in New York or San Francisco (B-a-B home markets)...
Check out this awesome (and accurate) ad by Braun, a frenemy of B-a-B, near NYC subways.
Dear Braun, we'd support you buddy, if you ditched the 'shave' part of this 'business strategy' of yours... style and trim is ALL you need. Take note, Braun... if that is your real name.
Mido Aboshihata, NYC, Subway, beard, braun, chin strap, goatee, handlebars, mid0, mustache | in Twitter Dec 15, 2011 at 3:38PM | By El Beardo All praise be to Sacha Baron Cohen and his forthcoming new film The Dictator. Cohen, who plays a Middle East dictator who is very well represented in the hairy chin area... Keeping up his support of facial fortitude he started with other characters from such classics as Borat (stache) and Ali G (chin strap).
We approve this movie, without support of the actions Cohen is so capable to pretend to endorse... Tyrants are bad, beards are good. Dont blame the beard and enjoy the show!
Sacha Baron Cohen, The Dictator, ali g, beard, borat, chin strap, mustache, stache | in DBTB, Don't Blame the Beard, YouTube, beard Sep 28, 2011 at 11:14AM | By Buildabeard We have always said at B-a-B that facial hair transcends politics. Our love and devotion to promoting global hirsute appreciation goes beyond and above any other social issue (or fiscal)... that said, it should be the goal of all beardos and stachemates to eliminate pogonophobia from all corners of the world. Arguably, the best way to do this is to elect officials with facial hair.
Those mates are hard to find (and even harder to find are the gals)... but, we have found one. If you haven't met or heard of him yet, please meet Herman Cain, he is currently running for president of the United States. Like or dislike his politics, or that of his GOP compadres (all of whom, including Michele Bachmann) are facial hairless.
Herman, who recently won the Florida Straw Poll, you have our support... just don’t shave. Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can grow for your country.
Jul 14, 2011 at 10:18AM | By El Beardo So, Spotify has finally hit the US... The award-winning music service that’s taken Europe by storm has now come to U.S. shores. Millions of tracks ready to play instantly, on your computer and your phone. the site boasts it's awesomeness by this tagline gen: Any track, any time, anywhere. And it's free!
That's cool and all, but what's cooler is this 'about' video who's lead role is a stached drummer! From this day forth, to us, you will be known as Stachify. Way to prove it brethren.
May 13, 2011 at 11:51AM | By El Beardo You already know we know, we know that you already know... we all know what's going to happen, but most importantly WHO will make it happen for US at the World Beard and Moustache Championships?
Phil Olsen, founder and self-appointed Captain of Beard Team USA, has announced the starting line-up for this year’s World Beard and Moustache Championships taking place in Trondhjem, Norway, on May 15, 2011. The line-up includes five current and former world champs. While we are told to expect additions as the big day approaches, we wanted to showcase the confirmed sampling of the heroes on whom shoulder the hopes of America.
Godspeed beardos and stache-mates, we are with you even if not right by your side... make us proud, and we know you will. USA USA USA USA!
Starting Line-Up brought to you by Beard Team USA:
;)
;)
Apr 25, 2011 at 10:20AM | By El Beardo Picture is worth 1000 hashtags.
Have a happy #mugshotmonday, #mustachemonday and #stupidweekday. Stay strong and hairy.
#mustachemonday, awesome., mustache, stache, weekday | in #mugshotmonday, Moustache, Mustache Manliest Drink, mustache | in Mustache Nov 29, 2010 at 2:52PM | By El Beardo Ben (or Benjamin as facebook calls him) Davidson is a man who needs an introduction... his stache however, does not.
;)
At the 2009 World Championships, By Mathew Rainwaters
I first met Ben back stage at the National Beard and Moustache Championships in Bend Oregon this past summer, and his stache followed him everywhere, so i met it too, and what a stache it was... while of course not a match to the winner of the natural stache category in Bend, Ben's tache is something to behold, envy and of course in our case, commend.
This gent is a quiet yet fierce competitor whom has taken the gold (and bronze) both nationally, locally and even internationally (full scorebox for Ben's stache is as follows, all for natural stache category: 1st place, 2009 NYC BMC; 3rd place, 2009 World Championships in Anchorage AK; 1st place, 2010 Coney Island BMC; and most recently 1st place in the 2010 Ohio BMC, Dayton OH).
Given this track record and this being the month of the stache (Movember), we decided to award Ben the coveted (and arbitrary) title of "Beardo of the Month!" I sat down with Ben and talked bearding (or stache-ing), grooming, thunder, arm wrestling, and much much more... read on!
When did you first grow or start growing it? how long as it been since your upper lip saw any sun?
I started growing facial hair in 2007, I think. I had a small beard for a while and then shaved that off leaving just the stache in the summer of 2008. So it's been about 3 - 3 1/2 years since my upper lip saw some sun.
How'd you get into competitive bearding (or staching in your case)?
I basically just happened upon an ad for the First Beard and Moustache Competition in Coney Island, NY in September of '08. I really had no intention of entering the contest, and just wanted to check out some crazy and hilarious facial hair. When I got there everybody said I should enter, I did, and won first place in the natural moustache category. That spurred me on to go to future competitions.
The staches are always well represented at competitions, but think often also get a back seat to the beards, why is that?
I assure you, I don't know. I suppose it could be because it can take a lot longer to grow an immense beard. I can grow my stache out in 6 months or so. Also beards are easier to see from a distance.
Aren't you happy/thankful that (THE) Jack Passion trims his stache and does not (yet?) compete in your category... be honest.
Haha, I love Jack's beard as most people do, but he derives most of his power from his beard's immense volume, and the fact that said volume is bright ass orange. If he were to shave down to just the stache he would lose some of his shock and awe. I think it would be a pretty close competition between us. I don't think I've ever seen a large orange handlebar moustache. That would be pretty sweet. But I suppose in the end, I'm pretty content with him competing in the beard category.
You had to arm-wrestle a guy at the Coney Island BNC for your title... not quite the traditional way to win, but it seemed to work in your favor (what was the age of that guy, 95?). Do you like traditional rules of say the national Competition or those on the local circuit like at Coney Island?
No way, that guy was 75 at the most! I'll take traditional rules any day. At least arm wrestling could be considered kinda manly. If anybody asks me to start singing and dancing it's over for me. I don't go there.
Let's talk grooming... Your stache is glorious, and it really really suits your face... how'd you train it to do what you want, or are you just blessed with the coveted stache gene our scientists are working tirelessly to isolate?
Well, I could go on all day about this, but I'll keep it short. I do have good moustache genes cause my hair grows fast and really straight. If you have really straight hair and a somewhat thick moustache, you can probably have a moustache similar to mine. Anyway, make sure you condition it in the shower but not too much. I have to find a happy medium, if you condition too much or too little, it frays out a lot and is harder to manage in general. Immediately when I get out of the shower I smooth it into the general shape, and put two little clips into it to hold it back away from my mouth. I leave them in just a few minutes then take them out and add some lotion. Regular hand moisturizer will do, you may have to try a few different kinds to see what works best. That's basically it. If you want to know more, hit me up on facebook or at a competition.
Seriously though, what are top 3 tips you can give on stache growing and upkeep?
Who are your top 3 stache wearers through the years?
Rollie Fingers for sure… Ben Davidson (a football player from the 60's and 70's, he had a great stache)… I don't know... Tom Selleck?
It's Movember, or nearly the end of it, why do you think it's the staches that get the largest facial hair donations to charity each year? Our good friends at Bearduary is a distant second, but overall Movember is in a class all its own... is it just because its' easier to show the growth progress on a daily basis with staches, or is there something magical in the wax?
Because moustaches are funnier? Maybe because you have to make a concerted effort to grow a moustache. You could accidentally grow a beard, but you have to make the effort of shaving most of your face to have a stache. Also, people just want an excuse to grow a moustache.
Would you ever shave yours and start again if you couls have some high paying sponsors?
Oh Hell yes! I'd do it for low paying sponsors as well, if anybody has an offer.
Are you going to bring the thunder for the New York BMC?
I will be in attendance although, I'm still undecided about bringing the thunder…
P.S. While Ben's stache is amazing, and awesome, and hairy and all that... dont be fooled, Ben can grow a pretty sick ass beard too. Kudos!
;)
Benjamin Davidson, Competitive Bearding, Coney Island Beard and Moustache Competition, Jack Passion, New York City Beard and Moustache Competition, Tom Selleck, facial hair, grooming, mustache, nNational Beard and Moustache Championships, rollie fingers, stache | in 10Qs, Moustache, Mustache, beardo of the month Oct 25, 2010 at 8:18PM | By Riss Build-a-Beard spotted on the Twitterverse that social media & tech guru Aaron Strout , host of ZDNet's Quick'n'Dirty podcast, was participating in Movember. What is Movember? Come on now... it's been the buzz since 2004 (started in '99) and even supported by our favorite Rocky & Balls, but for those who have been living under a beard, it's the month formerly known as November - dedicated to growing a mustache for 30 days while raising funds and awareness for prostate cancer.
How big is it? Well, in 2009, global participation of Movember (Mo Bros and Mo Sistas participated) climbed to 255,755 - with over 1 million donors raising $42 million dollars for Movember’s global beneficiary partners!
Aaron has rocked a soul patch for well over 10 years - a public demonstration to his "commitment to staying youthful." Learn more about this Mr. Movember participant below & let's help inspire him to go handlebar or go home!
BaB: How did you hear about Movember?
My friend, Todd Defren (principal at SHIFT) roped me in 2 years ago.
What inspired you to participate?
It's a great cause and I felt like it was a way for me to use my social megaphone to give back to the community.
Do you think you'll rock the 'stache after or be inspired to keep growing?
Last year, I couldn't wait to shave come 11/30. This year, I am considering keeping my mo for at least a week or two after.... I might even try and go handlebar.
Have you always had facial hair in partic the soul patch?
I've had facial hair (soul patch OR goatee on & off for a good part of the last 10 years). Not anticipating changing that any time soon. ;)
What does the patch mean to you?
I work in a space where many folks are younger than me. I also live in Austin, TX -- a city that has a very hip vibe. My soul patch is one way to show that "I get it" and can visibly demonstrate my commitment to staying youthful.
Do you feel Quick'nDirty would have even more listeners if they knew you were planning to grow it out?
You know, that's a good question. I may think about making that announcement on today's show.
How does your wife/family feel about this dedication to the 'stache during November?
She loves what Movember stands for and fully supports me...but as far as the 'stache is concerned, she (and my kids) are all more than ready to see me shave it off come December.
Are you doing a Team Mo or individual? Planning to be in the platinum club?
I am running Austin's entry for the digital challenge. We're facing off against 20+ cities from across North America.
Anything we missed/care to share?
Hopefully this year will be a stepping stone for Movember to make it an internationally recognized organization that's doing great things to create awareness around men's health issues.
Arron Strout, Austin, Movember, Quick'n'Dirty, Texas, cancer benefit, mustache, podcast | in Movember Sep 2, 2010 at 12:13PM | By Riss In association with Coney Island USA, Donny Vomit presents the 3rd Annual Coney Island Beard & Moustache Competition taking place on Saturday, September 11th, with pre-show/registration from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and judging/show to follow. Tickets are $15 at the door.
It's a celebration of facial hair - all lengths and orientations, artistic stylings, and unkempt scruff - highlighting our local favorite beardos and 'stache supporters. Contestants have the opportunity to enter their furry faces in the following follicle categories:
Jennifer Miller, the lady with the beard, will also be in attendance cheering on the contestants and scratching her own facial fuzz. In past interviews, Jennifer has been quoted as saying:
"You’ve got Hair Club for Men: they all want it! It goes all the way back to Samson and his big mane of power. That’s why men don’t want women to have too much of it in too many places. So, here I am, a gal with a beard, prancing around the streets of New York.”
Rock on, Jennifer. BaB realizes that September 11th is a tough date for our precious city, but this competition full of shock, awe, pride, and amusement, might be a much-needed distraction that offers some sort of relief for how heavy the city feels on that day.
Consider going - and growing. 
Larry Bird, mustache | in Mustache Jul 12, 2010 at 10:39AM | By El Beardo Oh, the wonders of our online communities! Every day it's something new, hairy (and at times blue) that we borrow from our legion of hairy fans. Today, it's an inside look at how the next generation of beardos is learning about facial hair. As always, Sesame Street is quite enlightening...
We stumbled on this awesome piece by way of our good friend Eric Harvey Brown (shown in his full BTUSU glory) none other than the 2nd place winner of the Partial Beard category at the first ever National Beard and Moustache Championships... and, he even makes a cameo in this stache filled segment (check him out at around the 4:50 mark).
Jul 7, 2010 at 12:37PM | By Riss It has come to my attention that El Beardo has done something crazy. I don't know how to break it to our loyal readers and supporters, but he shaved. There, I said it. Best to rip the band aid off quickly. But that said, to add more salt into our gaping wound, he shaved for a corporate work event.
The horror.
I remember when Alex did something like this two years ago - same corporate event - that resulted in the following look:
But it seems that today, July 7th, 2010, will be a date which will live in infamy as our beloved beard has taken a blade to his face and magically changed into El 'Stache:
Alex will write an update to this post once the corporate event concludes. In the meantime, please feel free to leave your condolences in the comment section.
May 27, 2010 at 6:12PM | By El Beardo Jack Passion entering a beard contest?! No... way...
Well, yes way. You heard it here first (3rd actually, counting Jack's and our earlier Facebook status updates)... all you competitive beardo enthusiasts, you may as well pack your bags now... to go to SAN FRANCISCO of course!
WHEN: TONIGHT (6/27), at 6-10PM PST ($5 at the door)
WHERE: Edinburgh Castle (950 GEARY ST., SAN FRANCISCO, 415.885.4074)
WHAT: "Art in Your Face": A Bay Area Beard and Mustache Benefit (aka Jack Passion's return to competitive bearding... for now)
WHY: Beards and Charity (to benefit Smile Train, a group that helps kids with cleft palates)... and to see Jack wipe the floor (and the competition) with his killer beard.
More info on this awesome event, the beardos behind it, and this important charity, check out this interview with event organizer Brian McGregor by SF Bay Guardian recently.
It may not be the National Championships... nor the World stage... but wherever Jack goes... the beards follow. As such, B-a-B will stay with the story, and keep you updated about the winner... though, I am wondering, maybe I can snag the B-a-B private plane to make it in time to report live... maybe, just maybe...
May 17, 2010 at 11:12AM | By El Beardo 
I guess we're 'sorry' to bring you such news this late... but it's because we're not going to pretend we watch the show...Yes, it's true. "Dr. Phil" McGraw... the twang-y, knee-slapping therapist... has parted ways with his stache of nearly 40 years. What's worse is the reason (O Magazine's 10th Anniversary Celebration Episode) and at whose hands... Oprah's.
Stache-acide (as well as Beardicide) are crimes punishable by banishment from our extended communities... but then again, we are more than 10 days late on these 'news,' clearly signaling that we've banished Dr. Phil from our psyche's long ago, so added punishment may be moot.
Besides, look at him now... kind of pathetic... not the therapist I'd like to treat me or my family... with or sans stache that is.
Either way, as you all know, you can slap a stache on a pig but it's still a pig.
Dr. Phil, Dr. Phil McGraw, O Magazine, beardicide, mustache, oprah, stache, stachicide | in Moustache, Mustache May 13, 2010 at 10:42AM | By El Beardo It was about 120 days ago when we first told y’all about the first ever Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships to be held on Saturday, June 5, 2010, in Bend, Oregon (Get all the Nationals info)… well, it is organized by, like every major bearding themed event in the US, the US Captain at World Beard and Moustache Championships, the father of American competitive bearding overall, and the headlining photo we used for our original story, Mr. Phil Olsen (aka @tahophil).
Phil’s the founder and self-appointed captain of Beard Team USA. His first WBMC was in Ystad, Sweden, in 1999. Noticing that the event was dominated by the Germans who invented the game and that United States was underrepresented, he dedicated himself to making the USA a powerhouse in international facial hair competitions. In 2003, he organized the worlds held in Carson City, Nevada.
Build-a-Beard co-founder El Beardo had the pleasure to meet and mingle with the captain at the recent Magnificent Specimens exhibit by Dave Mead; where they chewed the fat about World Championships, German tears, Jack Passion, the legality of hair spray in competitive bearding, and the potential of El Beardo’s Corporate Beard. Capt. Phil is not a man of many words (though we did spot him with 4 beers at one time at the exhibit… read: our kind of man), and chooses his words carefully (it’s the lawyer background)… but as scores of beard enthusiasts across from the world before us, we heeded his every word… and so should you.
#1) Oh Captain my Captain you are like Moses for the beardos of America (he who brought bearding to us all)… And how did it all begin?! (Hopefully no burning beard sights in the middle of a desert)
I wandered into the World Beard and Moustache Championships in Sweden in 1999. Wow! What an event! But America was underrepresented. And not enough people knew about it. Since then my mission has been to make the WBMC into the world class event it ought to be, with everyone included.
#2) So the Germans have occupied the sport pretty heavily until you came along… do they resent you, or do they welcome the competition (and their loses) with open arms?
Most of the Germans welcome the competition and all of them welcome the camaraderie. They also point out that they did better that us in Alaska when you consider the ratio of trophies to contestants.
#3) We understand that there are still some inconsistencies in the definitions and categories for the World Beard & Mustache Championships… who is the governing board, and have you been able to debate with and convince them in anything, given your lawyer background?
There is no governing body that everyone recognized. The host defines the categories. I have tried hard to address issues with the categories but without much success despite my lawyer background. I am hoping the simplified, inclusive categories at the Nationals will be an improvement.
#4) Well enough about the krauts… let’s talk about you. Yours is a Garibaldi Beard. How long have you had it? When did you decide to start grooming it, or was it never ‘natural’?
For years my beard came and went with the season. I was bearded in the winter and naked in the summer. But since I discovered the WBMC in 1999 I haven't shaved and have barely trimmed. As my beard got longer I gradually developed a method for grooming it that did not involve trimming. Unfortunately, my beard won't get any longer.
#5) What are your top secrets/advice for beardos looking to get past the itchy first few months and get the thickness and mass akin to yours?
Do nothing. Bearding is a great sport for couch potatoes. I have never had itching problems, so I am not sure what to advise. There are some kinds of moisturizers that supposedly work.
#6) The national championships are around the corner… give us your best pitch on why everyone who’s anyone in the world of bearding should be in Bend Oregon on June 5th.
It's THE event of the season. Bend is a great place with spectacular outdoor recreation opportunities, a super hip, welcoming local population, and more breweries per capita than anywhere else in the known world. And five beardsmen are going to go home $1000 richer.
#7) Jack Passion isn’t competing in the national’s so that to give others a chance to place atop the natty beard category… will this hamper the defense of the US title globally?
No, not at all. Like the Pack, Jack will be back. He's Woods, Ali, and Gretzky all in one.
#8) I can totally see Jack on the ice... No stick, he'll just slap the puck around with his beard... Anyway, can you describe the first time you met Jack and his beard, and perhaps comment on how he changed the game of competitive bearding?
I first met Jack when he came on the official BTUSA trip to Berlin for the 2005 worlds. He took third place, but all of the other beards in his category were older than Jack himself. The Euros were astounded that such a young person already had such a great beard.
#9) What is YOUR favorite facial hair style, you’ve surely seen your fair share of amazing chin manes, groomed follicles and elongated staches… is one better than the other?
Facial hair is about individuality. It's hard to say one style is better than another. Everyone has to find a style that fits his look and personality. For me, my favorite is what I have.
#10) Finally, how did my beard look to you at Magnificent Specimens exhibit… do I stand a chance if I enter into freestyle (or any other) category at Bend?
Your beard looked GREAT, Alex. Solid, thick, excellent color. But I doubt you will do well in Freestyle. You don't have enough length to do anything outlandish with your beard. I am expecting some crazy concoctions. And in full beard others beards have much more mass. Unfortunately there is no trophy for best potential. So wait 'til next year BUT remember there is a $1000 prize for a contestant chosen at random. That could be you!
Well Phil, it’s been a pleasure… I’ll see if Dave Mead agrees with your sentiment about my beard and whether I’m indeed a Magnificent Specimen… in the meantime, I WILL ENTER THE FREESTYLE CATEGORY IN BEND, as a Corporate Beard (and the Best Potential Beard)… after all, you are the perennial “also-ran” at these things, so I’ll be in good company at the bottom of the leader board!
Fantastic, Alex. See you soon!
Apr 13, 2010 at 4:24PM | By Riss Every car in America needs a Carstache™ - a $39.00 mustache you can proudly put on your car as you pick up chicks, dudes, groceries, and respect. The makers of Carstache created this hairy hood ornament "purely because we think it’s funny. No other reason. It’s unexpected and it makes people smile." Naturally, B-a-B cannot help, but love it as well.
We love it so much in fact that we'd like to interview the founders... so get in touch with us! To all the Carstache owners out there, don't forget you can submit photos of your glorious automotive 'staches HERE. Thanks so much to Whitney for bring this to our attention. 
Apr 3, 2010 at 12:05AM | By Riss Tonight, Nathan Lane was on The Late Show with David Letterman sporting one of the thinnest and closest-to-the-upper-lip mustaches we have ever seen. This two-time Tony and Emmy award-winning American actor of stage and screen might be starting a new trend with this look - it certainly would compliment the waist sizes (or lack there of) of most hipsters - the ultimate skinny 'stache balancing out the ultimate skinny jean.
But in truth, Nathan is currently starring in Addam's Family- The Musical where he is playing Gomez. Buy tickets and check out Lane's DIY facial hair: HERE.
The real Gomez:
