Hey everyone, I'm Rookie. Rookie is an old Army nickname.
Anyways, onto the Cliff Notes backstory. In the second half of my junior year in high school, I found out I could grow a Van Dyke, or a goatee as it was known back in the 90s. So I felt it my duty to rock it for those who couldn't.
I turned 18, enlisted, and spent the next 6 years of my life with enforced beardless 4am. shaving, sometimes in cold water.
So my service ends and a funny thing happened. I found I lost my razor! I found one when I was working as a line cook. (As a brief aside, everyone should at one point in their lives work in a restaurant. I'm also available for any culinary advice needed.) I kept a short goatee (see above) throughout.
In the end, I've had at least a mustache for 24 years straight and some form of beard for 18 years. I'm blessed with the kind of thick full beard that inspires confidence in wood related things like the building a house from, living in, chopping down. Or 70s soft rock singer.
But beard care was for me, until about this past November, was shampoo it sometimes. When I'm done brushing my hair, brush the beard. Oil is for engines, balm is for lips. And a pack of disposable Bics and a $.99 can of Barbosol saw me through service in Kosovo and Iraq, goddamnit! And get off my lawn!
I'm starting to appreciate different things now. From Boone's Farm to picturesque Virginia wineries. A ragged 25 year old Japanese cruiser motorcycle to a beautiful 6 year old Japanese cruiser motorcycle. In that spirit, I went to my local Art of Shaving and bought a brush, razor, and bowl kit with a bar of soap.
So I'm here trying to learn from cool people.
Anyways, onto the Cliff Notes backstory. In the second half of my junior year in high school, I found out I could grow a Van Dyke, or a goatee as it was known back in the 90s. So I felt it my duty to rock it for those who couldn't.
I turned 18, enlisted, and spent the next 6 years of my life with enforced beardless 4am. shaving, sometimes in cold water.
So my service ends and a funny thing happened. I found I lost my razor! I found one when I was working as a line cook. (As a brief aside, everyone should at one point in their lives work in a restaurant. I'm also available for any culinary advice needed.) I kept a short goatee (see above) throughout.
In the end, I've had at least a mustache for 24 years straight and some form of beard for 18 years. I'm blessed with the kind of thick full beard that inspires confidence in wood related things like the building a house from, living in, chopping down. Or 70s soft rock singer.
But beard care was for me, until about this past November, was shampoo it sometimes. When I'm done brushing my hair, brush the beard. Oil is for engines, balm is for lips. And a pack of disposable Bics and a $.99 can of Barbosol saw me through service in Kosovo and Iraq, goddamnit! And get off my lawn!
I'm starting to appreciate different things now. From Boone's Farm to picturesque Virginia wineries. A ragged 25 year old Japanese cruiser motorcycle to a beautiful 6 year old Japanese cruiser motorcycle. In that spirit, I went to my local Art of Shaving and bought a brush, razor, and bowl kit with a bar of soap.
So I'm here trying to learn from cool people.