IT’S NO QUESTION THAT BEARDS ARE MORE COMMON THAN EVER IN SOCIETY. GUYS ARE GROWING THEIR FACIAL HAIR TO BOTH EXPRESS THEMSELVES AND IN SOME CASES CREATE A PERSONA OF BEING MASCULINE OR UNIQUE. AT GENUINE, WE WANT TO CLEAR UP THE MISCONCEPTION THAT BEARDS ARE SOMEHOW DIRTY OR CAN’T LOOK SHARP. THERE’S NOTHING THAT SAYS BEARDS AND SHARP SUITING CAN’T WORK. IT’S ALL ABOUT WHAT YOU WEAR AND IF YOU WEAR IT WITH CONFIDENCE.
WE’RE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE A WONDERFUL PARTNER WITH MEN’S GROOMING BRAND, MURDOCK LONDON. OUR FRIENDS FROM LONDON KNOW MEN’S GROOMING. WITH OVER 7 STORES, THEIR ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS WORLD CLASS AND REALLY OFFERS MEN A ONE-OF-A KIND EXPERIENCE FOR HAIRCUTS, SHAVES AND/OR BEARD SHAPING. ENTER INTO ONE OF THEIR WARM AND WELCOMING LOCATIONS (ONLY IN ENGLAND) AND YOU’LL BE TAKEN CARE OF FROM THE MINUTE YOU WALK IN. WHETHER WAITING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT OR JUST HANGING OUT, ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY WHISKEY, BEER OR COFFEE AND PREPARE TO BE REJUVENATED WITH THEIR LUXURY SERVICES. THE SPACE, THE BARBER’S, THEIR ATTIRE…EVERYTHING IS MADE FOR THE SHARP DRESSED GENT WHO’S LOOKING FOR THE ABSOLUTE BEST.
MURDOCK LONDON WAS AWESOME ENOUGH TO SET US UP WITH THEIR DAILY BEARD REGIME AND ASKED US TO PUT IT TO THE TEST.
OUR LONG-TIME FRIEND AND OCCASIONAL CONTRIBUTOR, CHRISTOPHER O’HANLON, WAS NICE ENOUGH TO TAKE TIME AND BE OUR TESTER AND MODEL FOR THE PIECE. CHRIS HAS BEEN GROWING HIS BEARD SINCE 2013 AND REALLY HAS GROWN TO BE A PART OF HIM SINCE THEN. DURING THE DAYTIME, HE IS A TEACHER WORKING WITH KIDS ON EVERYTHING FROM MATH TO ENGLISH, AND EVEN THE ARTS. BY NIGHT, HIS PASSION FOR CREATING MUSIC COMES ALIVE WITH HIS BAND, THIS HOUSE HAS ROOM FOR EVERYONE. SINCE A TEENAGER, HIS LOVE OF MUSIC HAS REMAINED A HUGE PART OF HIS LIFE. DURING OUR SHOOT/INTERVIEW CHRIS TOUCHES ON THE MISCONCEPTION THAT HIS BEARD FREQUENTLY DISQUALIFIES HIM AS A TALENTED TEACHER AND EVEN HOW IT HAS HINDERED HIS OPPORTUNITIES AT FINDING BETTER PAYING JOBS. HE INSTILLS HIS KNOWLEDGE OF BEARD GROWING, GROOMING AND HIS ADVICE ON WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY SHARP WHILE HAVE A LARGER THAN AVERAGE BEARD.
FIRST QUESTION, DO YOU THINK YOUR BEARD HURTS THE PERCEPTION OF YOU THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE MEETS YOU?
Oh for sure! Sometimes it’s not as bad as other times, but there’s almost always a reaction. No one’s chasing me with pitchforks through the streets or anything, but it’s certainly a reality when you have a beard like I do. The reactions I get from kids are my favorite though! They’re always so fun! It’s the way I wish everyone reacted when they saw me for the first time.
A GREAT FITTING SUIT…A GREAT SMILE…CONFIDENCE… ALL OF THESE ARE ESSENTIAL WHEN SOMEONE MAKES THEIR FIRST IMPRESSION. WHY AREN’T YOU FAZED BY WHAT OTHERS THINK OF YOUR BEARD?
It’s not that I’m not fazed by what others think of my beard, it’s just that I have confidence in my communication skills, my fashion sense, and I really love being able to change someone’s opinion about how they view men with beards. It’s really just become a part of my life.
THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NO REASON (ESPECIALLY BY LOOKING AT THESE PHOTOS) THAT YOU CAN’T CLEAN UP AS WELL AS OTHER GUYS WHO ARE TRIMMED/SHAVEN. WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT A GUY WHO LOOKS JUST AS GOOD, BUT HAS A LONG BEARD?
I’ve been fortunate to experience both having a beard, as well as a more trimmed version, so I can relate to both side of the tracks. I think for me personally the beard works in my favor because of the confidence it gives me. I try to maintain that confidence with staying true to who I am. I think people appreciate when someone is truly being himself and is an authentic character. It took me a while to feel as comfortable with my beard as I am now, especially in situations like interviews or first dates. Over time though, I began to really embrace it and now it’s hard to envision life without it.
WHAT KIND OF ADVICE DO YOU GIVE TO GUYS WHO WANT TO START GROWING THEIR BEARD BUT ARE HESITANT TO GROW IT BECAUSE OF A JOB OR BEING JUDGED?
I’d tell them that the hesitation is completely normal for guys and that I’ve been there. I’ve grown my beard several times before, but always cut it before it grew as full as I envisioned. I would get halfway to the size and then I’d have self-doubts and end up trimming it to a point I thought was “acceptable”. Then one day I remember asking myself, “why am trying to change who I am and get a job at a someplace that didn’t want me to be who I am?”
Once I became comfortable in what I wanted, then it was all about proper maintenance and patience. I urge anyone letting their beard grow to start taking care of it as soon as possible. That means trimming your beard no matter what size it is, it means washing and conditioning it, moisturizing it, and of course keeping it healthy with beard oils. It’s why I like having such a well put together daily beard regime like Murdock London has put together. The patience part comes in play while your beard isn’t quite where it needs to be; that part is a bit tricky. But be strong, it’s worth the wait!
YOU’VE USED A LOT OF BEARD PRODUCTS, WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT MURDOCK LONDON’S PRODUCTS COMPARED TO THE OTHERS YOU’VE USED.
For me, there are a few things that are super important to me when looking for products to help me in my bearded journey. The first thing I look for is whether or not a product was created specifically for beard care. There are a lot of products that will work, but only a few that will work really well. We’re luckily in a time where we can research about all different brands who make beard care specific products. The second factor that’s super important to me is the quality of ingredients and what exactly is in the product going on my beard and ultimately my face. Do yourself a favor and really look at what you’re putting on face. Lastly, one of the most important things I’m concerned with is the scent each product has when it’s first applied and the “after-scent” it carries throughout my day. If those 3 things are right, I’m usually a pretty happy guy about finding such a balanced product.
WHAT DREW YOU TO THE MURDOCK LONDON BEARD REGIME?
It’s just really nice to have things packaged together, especially when I have a need for all of the products they include. I’ve done my research and it’s convenient to have a company that provides such quality throughout their products. Before having the Murdock London Beard Regime, I was mixing and matching different products and that didn’t always sit well together. Sometimes scents didn’t mix, I was concerned with different ingredients from different companies interacting negatively and on top of that, things can get expensive when buying each product separately. Murdock London gives you products that work with one another and really give your beard the treatment it needs on a daily basis.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THEIR PRODUCTS THAT REALLY GIVE YOU CONFIDENCE IN YOUR MORNING GROOMING ROUTINE?
Having a lineup of products that is ready to go and I know that works is just one less thing I have to think about when I wake up in the morning. I know I’m getting quality and the results I want with their products. People may not realize, but having a beard isn’t always the easiest of ventures on a day-to-day basis. Just like your hair, you can have bad hair days if you don’t give it the attention it needs. As a guy who maintains a job, a relationship, my music, and my personal health, not having to worry about having the right beard product to help maintain my beard’s health is a great thing.
INTERESTED IN PRODUCT FROM MURDOCK LONDON?
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We want to thank our friends at Murdock London Grooming. It was because of them this feature was possible. Genuine Men’s Magazine was gifted product but was NOT given any monetary compensation for this article. We created this feature for the education of our audience in the hope that you’ll both learn from it and make your own purchasing decision based on what you’ve read. Thanks for your viewership!
