November recalls images of kids playing in piles of leaves, winter jackets coming out of hiatus and families gathering around the dining room table to give thanks.
On CU’s campus, things are a bit different.
Here in Boulder, November is synonymous with hair. No-Shave November has shown its bearded face once again on campus. Everywhere you look, manly Buffs parade their rugged whiskers as if they were peacocks prowling for a mate.
The exact origins of this ritual are not clear, but what is clear is that many Boulderites are participating. Patrolling the campus in search of unshaven students is an eye-opening experience. On the bus, in the library and on the neighboring treadmill—they are everywhere.
With so many wandering bewhiskered men, it was rather difficult to distinguish who was growing it for sport and who was simply a fan of stubble. Although there is no proven way of differentiating, it often seems to be the case that those participating have untamed beards.
Keeping that idea in mind, the CUI took to campus in search of three furry Buffs to profile this November.
Buff # 1
Samuel Twynam, 19, a History major, shows off his scruffy face for the CUI. (CU Independent/Alaina Ambrosio)
Name: Samuel Twynam
Major: History
Age: 19
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Samuel Twynam said he is growing out his facial hair because of “peer pressure.” It looks as though Twynam has been a victim of peer pressure for a while, since this is his third No-Shave November. Luckily this stubbly challenge doesn’t hinder Twynam too much.
“At first it itches, but once it gets to a certain point it stops.”
When asked what affect his stubble had on the ladies, Twynam chuckled and said, “Some people like it and some people don’t.”
Buff # 2
Ian Harold, 21, a evolutionary biology major, with some no-shave November stubble. (CU Independent/Alaina Ambrosio)
Name: Ian Harold
Major: Evolutionary Biology
Age: 21
Hometown: Loveland, CO
Occupation: Resident Advisor
Ian Harold’s blond chin hair is barley visible, but said that doesn’t bring him down.
“I have mixed hair, blond and dark, which makes it look like I have less hair than I really do,” Harold said.
Harold’s confident responses give the impression that he’s an expert on beards. One of his more convincing theories is that everyone has misunderstood the rules of No-Shave November.
“No-shave, that means I can’t shave, but it doesn’t mean I can’t trim it all to an even length,” he said. “I also strongly believe in keeping normal hygiene routines this month.”
Harold said he offers this advice because he knows how greasy a beard can get during this harrowing growth-period. Maybe this guidance will help those hoping to begin their own beard quests.
Buff # 3
Nicholas Sophînos, 19, a psychology and sociology major, in his attempt to go all of November without shaving. (CU Independent/Alaina Ambrosio)
Nicholas Sophînos
Major: Psychology and Sociology
Age: 19
Hometown: Littleton, CO
Nicholas Sophînos last shaved at 12 a.m. on Nov. 1. He’s competing with a group of friends to see who can last the whole month without shaving. Despite the fact that Sophînos is winning, he came across as distressed by how much stubble has grown.
“It’s only grown for a week and it’s pretty soft,” Sophînos said. “It’s even stopped itching. I’ve never let it grow more than a week and a half. I don’t like it.”
On a positive note, Sophînos said he is looking forward to how many styles he can shave his facial hair into before he’s clean-shaven.
Think your beard is exceptional? Are you rocking funny facial hair after no-shave November?
Contact the Entertainment Editors at www.cuindependent.com/contactus.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Alaina Ambrosio at Alaina.ambrosio@colorado.edu.
