Yeard Challenge: A look back at a year of beard growing

[@wt460]

The hat absolutely is better with the long beard.

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks. It's the 'Albus Dumbledore' effect I think.

[@billsalsbury5931]

A beard is always better than no beard. And the eccentricity of your vlog sits well with me. Keep growing the facial hair!!

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Bill. I suppose that 'eccentric' is at least 'entertaining' . Think of Robin Williams.

[@WelcomeTooo]

The yeard definitely has balanced out large face features......you look amazing

[@earlgreybeard]

You are too kind. As you may be aware, I have now gone for a shorter, smarter beard, but kept the moustache intact.

[@vlogoftheyeard4194]

I'm 25 weeks into my yeard, almost half way and those of you who have completed the challenge have been my inspiration.

[@earlgreybeard]

That's great to hear. Here is to the next 27 weeks! Best wishes, Ray

[@AaronOBryan60]

I admire anyone who has the patience needed to grow such a handsome beard...I fail after the first patch of itching..kudos...Plus, I really appreciate the guide thru your year...And, Once again..the beard looked magnificent..The look overall is awesome...The long beard suits you well..Love the wave in it...

[@cali5ive124]

It IS true, if i didnt see it with my own eyes i’d have never thought a big bearded man can get away with more eccentric styles simply by wearing a big beard. Great video Sir thank you!

[@earlgreybeard]

Yep. We have the secret of life all sorted :o) Thanks Eric.

[@revfearolution]

Congrats, I recently finished my Yeard so I understand your joy...it may seem trivial to those whom have never embarked on such a journey, but for me it was a great achievement. Your beard looks great and has reached an excellent length. Nice moustache too.

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks. I am really pleased with it. It is an odd sort of achievement, isn't it? I didn't have to study for it or go into training. It's more about what you don't do rather than what you do.

[@revfearolution]

Earl Greybeard haha, indeed... brilliantly put. Overall you have a very likeable manner, good luck for the future. I will definitely be subscribing

[@gabriell.5075]

Hilarious sense of humor and yet very informative yeard video. You have tackled very important beard thoughts that I have never heard or seen before. I appreciate and respect all of the hard work you put in your videos. It is almost 11 months since I started my first yeard ever. Your channel is one of a very few ones that I watch to learn about my beard. Looking forward to seeing more soon. Thank you.

[@earlgreybeard]

You are too kind. Thank-you so much. Ray

[@JuanSLS]

Great! Thank You for sharing your experience.

[@beardastra721]

Came for the beard, subscribed for your accent. Good going sir.

[@earlgreybeard]

Ha ha. Nice one. Perhaps I should give online elocution lessons :o)

[@stevepeet9841]

"Uniformly eccentric." I love it! I'm glad I found your channel.

[@Wallaby1961]

Ray, just finished watching from the beginning & you have become my new favourite beard channel. Looking forward to seeing your onward journey. Will you be documenting for a designated time? Keep up the good work😎😉👍🏻

[@JonoSolo]

Excellent video, the hat looks ten times better with the beard. Keep going.

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks. I do still have a beard, but after my yeard was accomplished, I went back to the rather shorter King George V style. Not everyone will be pleased with that decision, but it is a better reflection of my personality!

[@JonoSolo]

@@earlgreybeard A beard is a beard. Just go with what you like.

[@earlgreybeard]

​@@JonoSolo Thanks. I certainly like where I am with the beard. And the big plus of growing for a year is that I was able to take note of the points along the way that I liked best.

[@zacheagle7522]

The hat most definitely goes with the long beard

[@thedegmeister2437]

I was jus thinking of you yesterday and wondering if we were going to get a "beard trim/styled" report soon! Low and behold...here you are! Love the update and learnings! Got my "Yeard" trimmed and shaped by George Bruno last weekend. I shortened it by about 2 1/2 inches, which made it look fuller. If I were to give it a "style name"...it would probably be a "Robert E. Lee"...but a tad longer. It looks and lays great! George did a fantastic job! Excited to see what you end up with! Don't leave us hanging for too long. BTW...GREAT creative video!!

[@earlgreybeard]

That sounds really intriguing. Robert E. Lee! Do you have a picture of what it looks like? It would be interesting to see. Cheers, Ray

[@Flipperthesnailman]

EG, found your channel a few days ago and have been enjoying watching your progress. Hat w/ longer beard is definitely an eccentric look. Don't know if I can pull that off in the states. I'm at the 6 mo. mark and looking to grow the "full yeard" and beyond. I too am taking biotin and notice that my nails seem to be growing faster than the beard or hair. Looking forward to more videos from you as some of the folks channels that I've been watching in the states have shaved or changed the content of their videos. I'm hooked on the bearded lifestyle. Thank you for sharing your journey. Can't wait to see what you have in store for us next.

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Mike. I actually got the 'hat' concept from the 'Sultan of Silver' over in the US. But maybe, like me, he doesn't wear outlandish gear outside the house :o). I can understand the channels that change focus after the year. It is a dilemma I have too. After that year, you have said everything at least once, and you start to run out of material. All the best with the beard!

[@teej2376]

Congrats good sir, I’ve loved watching your videos from across the pond. The hat does look better. I’ve not done a yeard, but similar to you I’ve found different techniques work better at different stages. Carry on!

[@earlgreybeard]

Thank-you sir. I will be carrying on of course, but I am not yet sure in which direction :o). All the best, Ray

[@kenwicks6540]

The hat and the big beard.... perfect together !

[@earlgreybeard]

Ha ha. Everyone seems to like that hat. Thanks.

[@maduran31]

Like the editing in this video. Yeard looks awesome.

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Michael. As you have seen, I was having a bit of fun...

[@ptopping2012]

Great comprehensive video yet again....Keep up the good work...😁🙋👍🍻🎅

[@earlgreybeard]

Cheers. I will certainly try :o)

[@Eldude2112]

Fantastic job sir! I have actually started to make my own beard oil after seeing you give it a try. Keep it growing and all the best!

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Michael. Which oil recipe have you gone for?

[@johnerickson3336]

The beard looks great! I’m looking forward to seeing the professional trim/style.

[@earlgreybeard]

Ha ha. Me too :o)

[@bavarikus4103]

Good evening Sir and greetings to England. I appreciate your calm and honest way of reflecting. Interestingly the topic biotin. I'll give it a try. The hat actually looks better with a long beard, in my opinion. BTW, SeaSalt, from whatever manufacturer, I will not use anymore. It is not worth the money. However, I find that a good Bartshampoo really helps. So much of me, I'm looking forward to your next video. Best regards from Bavaria sends you Alex.

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks as always for your warm greetings and remarks. Someone suggested on my seat salt video that it tends to make beards curl. I think that was good advice. I will probably stop using it too.

[@ronwissinger2678]

Very sound advice refreshing video thanks for your efforts

[@charlywolfson5436]

Great video! Great beard!

[@earlgreybeard]

Thank-you sir 😉.

[@TheoGijzen]

Good video, nice to see how you look upon things and having a little flashback during the video. The smoking hat looks better with your long beard, you can get way with that without a problem. I am at day 150 today, beard growing nicely, only made a misstake with blowdrying it today, had it on the hottest setting and that was really hot. But wasnt for very long, maybe 5-10 seconds, i accidetly selected the wrong heat setting. Looking forward to your next video after you visited the barber.

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Theo. I sometimes do the same with the heat settings, but have now got used to the dryer so that I can tell by touch how it is set.

[@KevinQualls]

Very nice look back! On my way to the yeard, I encountered many phases in my beard as it was growing out. That kind of caused me to do some things differently during one stage and then change things up during the next stage. I think because of the way my beard hair grows, I found that the 4th & 5th months were particularly hard for me when trying to keep my beard looking presentable. After I got into the 6 month beard it was easier to style but I think that will be different depending on each guy's beard. Great video! Looking forward to seeing your style video.

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Kevin, as always. You have been a great support.

[@ag-ik2mw]

Your beard looks great, I have had a very patchy beard and never grew it out, until I finally decided to go on a shaving strike and after 6 months, to my surprise, it all filled in, so guys who think they can't grow a beard, give it 6 to 8 months growth, don't trim any of it, especially the side burns. You'll be surprised

[@earlgreybeard]

That is the real benefit of a 'yeard challenge'. You never know what you will end up with after 12 months, and it is often a pleasant surprise. Well done!

[@aidanbradypop]

Wonderful video sir. Look forward to the next!

[@earlgreybeard]

Many thanks.

[@JRBox-ls2od]

Another stellar video, sir. Very cleverly done!

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks John.

[@JRBox-ls2od]

Actually, I was working a a yeard myself, progressing rather nicely about a month behind you , when right after Christmas I was watching "The Hunt for Red October" with Sean Connery. In that movie, he is sporting a very nice (but rather close-cropped) beard. And for some unknown reason, just out of the blue, I decided to see if I could trim my beard to look like Connery's in the movie. Not a smart move on my part :( Anyway, I started a regrow immediately, and am now back to probably equivalent to a 3, maybe 3 1/2 month beard. My coverage is similar to yours, so in seeing your yeard and your patience and determination, I really think I'm good to go this time. Again, congrats on the yeard. Looks great!

[@earlgreybeard]

That's quite a story. And I know what you mean. The "Marko Ramius" two-tone look is very dashing. Do you think you might have succeeded if you got the barber to do it for you?

[@JRBox-ls2od]

Oh yes a barber would probably have made a better job of it, but I hardly even thought about it. When the movie was over, I rose from my recliner, went into the bathroom, got out the clippers, and had at it. It was really just a whim, an impulse that cost me several months of growth. Seems I'd know better at 67, doesn't it? And to top it off, my wife, who really likes me heavily bearded, was more than a little ticked off. Lesson learned (again).

[@rolldeepNASA]

everything looks better with a beard! u rockin that smoking cap!

[@earlgreybeard]

Ha ha. Thanks. Owing to the cost of power now, I am wearing that cap a lot!

[@DamianAriel717]

Really great beard....a life style!!!!

[@earlgreybeard]

That's the idea. Growing a beard is a great way to begin afresh, or at least to feel like that is what is happening.

[@thetazman6]

Hat looks great

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks. I have a smoking jacket now to match. :o)

[@junkyard-p1s]

Great beard!!

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks old chap!

[@rodneymanwaring9396]

Great yeard beard

[@zacheagle7522]

I use a very wide bristle brush and it works fine on my beard

[@earlgreybeard]

At my current length I am back to using a plastic circular brush for blow drying. But your brush does sound just right for a long beard.

[@rodrickdavidson6815]

Can anyone tell me how to get my beard very long up to my belt buckle. Please, much appreciated.

[@earlgreybeard]

Not a lot you can do other than wait. Then it depends on whether your particular beard will actually go that long before it refuses to go longer. If you have a few years to spare, it might be good fun to try though!

[@jasonroberts5288]

Great video 👍

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Jason. Glad you liked it.

[@jasonroberts5288]

Been growing mind for 3 months and love it

[@earlgreybeard]

That looks pretty lush for 3 months. Looks like you have great times ahead!

[@58gennaro]

Great video. Also just finished a year. Couldn't have a beard if not for oil. For those on a budget, i buy 4 oz. bottles on Amazon and mix my own. Far cheaper.

[@earlgreybeard]

Me too. I made a video about home oil mixing kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmmwdoCqjdKhr9E Trouble is, people buy me presents of oil, I get oil as part of deals etc. So I have ended up with a load of commercial oil as well as my own stuff :o)

[@shbsuri]

I think it looks great with your beard

[@earlgreybeard]

Many thanks.

[@mountaineerbrand9395]

You have a royal shaped head and nose, you are probably a descendant of some royalty. But I love love love the beard, it turned out to be quite spectacular, and does improve your look (which was not bad before)!

[@earlgreybeard]

Sadly, I do seem to be from very ordinary Saxon/Viking stock. But in many ways that is quite relaxing :o). My beard is now a lot shorter, though my moustache is a lot thicker. I have a style now like King George V used to have, which is about as close as I am likely to get to being royal, I think :o)

[@mountaineerbrand9395]

lol...you never know...the population used to be MUCH smaller, and take Edward III for instance-he has over 40,000 descendants now-some even estimate more, so you never know!

[@earlgreybeard]

Edward III. I am a big fan. You have given me hope :o)

[@mountaineerbrand9395]

the "Dark Prince" ;)

[@AaronOBryan60]

Beard looked epic

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Aaron :o)

[@SimonLadd-t1y]

Got beard envy..u look wonderful and seem a lovely gentleman ❤

[@earlgreybeard]

Ha ha. You are too kind. "Grumpy old git" my wife would say...

[@xplicitone4555]

Great video

[@earlgreybeard]

Thank-you, O Xplicit one :o)

[@xplicitone4555]

@@earlgreybeard ....during that yeard, what do you feel was the most valuable learning lesson or discovery about yourself???

[@earlgreybeard]

Wow! I should explain that I have Asperger's syndrome, which means that I have a high background level of anxiety. One thing I tried during the Yeard was to stop caring what people thought of me. That was a fair success. In fact it so much reduced my anxiety that I could provide far better care for people whom I had stopped caring about, so to speak. A really odd way to get to a desirable result.

[@xplicitone4555]

Do you feel that you not caring what others think has allowed you too open your mind more and examine a wider variety of people in a more non biased point of view???? I recently started a yeard a couple weeks ago and up to that point I had a medium sized beard where I learned from ole George Bruno that I can't trim my way too a bigger beard and it just takes time; further teaching me how patience is a virtue and reminding me too not be in such a hurry in many aspects of my life....a quick stop to smell the roses kind of reminder at age 37 instead of 57 which is why I have asked the questions I have asked...as the old saying goes....when the older ones pass away, the library closes.....there's much too know about life in general when people are multi generations apart

[@thomasrobison6663]

Looks better with a long beard

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Thomas. That seems to be the general opinion. "It is better to be uniformly eccentric" :o)

[@TheDapperManUS]

Great video. Your beard looks fantastic. I hope mine turns out as good looking as yours. I'm just about to order my blow dryer and brush. I'm hoping they will help with the frizz on the sides of my beard.

[@earlgreybeard]

I am sure brushes and the dryer will help. I just found that it took some time to work out how best to use them.

[@earlgreybeard]

Good advice. I would just add that a 'cool shot' button on the dryer is extremely useful. It helps to freeze what you have done in place, and is especially useful with the moustache.

[@TheDapperManUS]

Thanks, I picked one up from Walgreens for $15, and a nice round brush for $5.

[@TheDapperManUS]

Thanks, I'm sure I will look like a fool the first few days. But I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

[@antoniovincitore3295]

Hi sir well done on the yeard it looks fantastic keep growing .I am at nearly 11 months and still find it hard to know how to handle my beard and whether keep hairdryeing the beard. I still only really use beard oil.i my self took biotin for about 3 months before stopping yes they might of helped a bit but decided to give them up and try naturally. I would really like to see your morning routine as 10 months on you would think I would have it to a tee by now but still struggling on days .I myself am still not very confident in my beard and wounder what people think .I hear a lot about co washing the beard can you just use normal hair conditioner and is this something you would do daily .at the moment i wash the beard once a week with beard shampoo and daily with grandpa's pine target soap.what do you use . Any help appreciated. Once again beard on

[@earlgreybeard]

Hi, and thanks for the feedback. If your beard looks like your avatar photo, then it really packs a punch. Perhaps others here can back me up, but if my beard looked like that, I wouldn't be worried what people thought. I guess when you are inside a beard (and are a bit insecure like me) you don't perhaps appreciate what an impact it makes on others. But to me that looks terrific. I have not heard too many good things about co-washing, so haven't tried it. I just wash it twice a week with beard shampoo. In fact I still have the 'By My Beard' shampoo I reviewed a year ago, and it will probably last another 3 months. But that seems about the right level of washing to me. I usually shower twice daily, so the beard also gets a twice daily rinse and dry. But only a twice a week wash with the dedicated shampoo. I can certainly make a beard routine video after my trim (which will be quite a significant change, I think). Best wishes, Ray

[@antoniovincitore3295]

Earl Greybeard would love to see a beard routine video thanks and hope your trim goes as you want .keep the videos coming sir .

[@antoniovincitore3295]

Stennis French thank man really appreciate your comment. As you know each bearded day brings new challenges. Keep growing and thanks once again

[@simonjackson245]

Straight away I thought you look like Professor Dumbledore from Harry Potter.. and yes the hat does suit you better with a longer beard.

[@earlgreybeard]

What higher praise can a man have? Thanks Simon.

[@1533ramsay]

I love that hat. It works.

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Mark. My mother has bought me a smoking jacket for Christmas to go with the hat. Dapper, eh?

[@earlgreybeard]

Ironically, I don't smoke.

[@grahamwilson7698]

Well done 👍 I agree these videos are fantastic. It would be nice if you could review products of some kind. You are so good at it that I am amazed you’ve not been poached from the bbc 😁

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Graham. I have done 4 or 5 reviews. But I agree that this is not many. My big issue is that currently I don't get many companies' banging on my door with free samples to review. so I have had to buy them myself, which is a bit of a barrier. I do however, have a free sample of the Robin Hood Beard Company's new multi-balm, so I will definitely be giving that a 'once over'. Take care.

[@michaelsentinel7412]

Salutations from Ontario Canada :-)........Earl GreyBeard .... Enjoy your Videos...and I, myself will be embarking on the Beard Growth journey. Find your videos inspirational and I, also watch the videos of the Sultan of Silver ( Excellent ) and The Beard Baron ( Excellent and Eric BandHolz / Greg / Jeff ..in my opinion ALL are Excellent and All Great Advice....from the Masters......Just wanted to say....THX :-) ...pip pip cherio...

[@earlgreybeard]

Greetings old chap. All the best with your journey. I found all those fellows an inspiration too. Made me realise that someone ordinary like me could actually accomplish something, if only a beard :o) Cheerio my friend.

[@georgetreece9193]

Hey earl looking great am thinking about growing my beard long as well were are u from earl 😎

[@earlgreybeard]

George. I live in Nottingham in the UK. Nice city!

[@dougharitopulos9288]

Hat looks better with the long beard

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Doug. That does seem to be the popular conclusion.

[@CineGui]

you sound so calm, wise and confident. i wish i had someone like you to talk to. I really wish i was hired by someone as nice as you so that i wouldnt feel anxious. thanks for your videos!

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks for your kind words. I really appreciate them. Regrettably, I am anything but calm and confident. I had to retire from my job through anxiety and stress. But I have been training myself with mindfulness techniques to lower my anxiety. So it is good to know that this is working, at least whilst at the barber shop :o)

[@CineGui]

can you share your training?

[@earlgreybeard]

I use an online resource called "Headspace". Have a look. The first 10 sessions are free, so you can try it out. www.headspace.com

[@gabbyhayes1568]

Your "Day 1" picture was not really a clean-shaven "Day 1" as you already had a beard that had been growing for a while.

[@earlgreybeard]

That's correct. I did mention that in the first video. So my Yeard was a year of growth on top of a short beard, which I had had for decades. I look terrible clean shaven.

[@tonymalone4187]

Beard suits you Brilliant

[@earlgreybeard]

If only my wife felt the same way :o). Thanks Anthony.

[@allanjohns835]

That’s a beautiful beard,are you on Facebook?

[@earlgreybeard]

Hi Allan. I have a rather shorter beard now, so I hope you are not too disappointed. I do have a Facebook page that I tend to use to read other pages only. I don't post on it. facebook.com/earl.greybeard.9

[@Wallaby1961]

Just stumbled on your channel & found this video excellent, will check out others... Smoking hat looks better with big beard😉😎👍🏻

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Phil. That does seem to be the general opinion. I am not sure that the hat and beard combination makes me look any more sane though :o)

[@Wallaby1961]

Earl Greybeard I liked your comments on head dimensions as I’m in the same camp👍🏻 I’ve just completed around 18 months growth & apart from a trim at barbers around 4/6month point, I’ve not touched it since. It’s been v tempting at times to trim, but I think 💭 leaving it has been best decision. Do you still use Cut & Grind in London? What are your eventual end goals if any? I’m tempted to see what terminal length looks like! 🤣

[@earlgreybeard]

That does sound very similar to me, although it looks as if you have some nice deep colour with which to play. Cut & Grind are great, but it is an insanely long trip for me to go to London every time I need a trim, especially as I now have to take a cameraman (aka my son, Asher) with me. So, I am trying to set up a collaboration with a more local barber, who gets good reviews. More on this shortly. But my aim is to find a long but smart style. I did make a video on this, but in essence I like pointed beards with very clean lines. So I would probably aim to lose a couple of inches on the length to achieve all that, but keeping the moustache as is. The tache could probably go for another year before it gets to its full potential. Best wishes, Ray

[@Wallaby1961]

Earl Greybeard I live in N. Devon, so London is def out! The biggest challenge for me has been growing the moustache out! I'm still not there yet but again pleased I've not trimmed as I think a big stash goes really well with a big beard & totally agree re slim pointed/Wizard style. A bit like that Makesh barber from Cut & Grind/Beardbrand😎😉👍🏻🧙‍♂️

[@earlgreybeard]

Lucky Chap. Lynton/Lynmouth is my favourite place in the world. It is tricky finding a barber you can trust, isn't it? I guess there comes a point where you have to take a punt and see what happens. My original plan was to get to Cut & Grind for the styling, and then get it renewed locally when the style was in place. You could I suppose make a one-off, special trip when you get to your target length? What we could use as a community is a list of recommended beard barbers that we can all contribute to.

[@NicholasZbearded]

Great video ! Do you follow Dan c on his channel if not he has great info videos as well.

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Nicholas. I haven't seen Dan's stuff yet, but am encouraged to have a look.

[@NicholasZbearded]

@@earlgreybeard Nice his channel is called Dan c bearded

[@junkyard-p1s]

He would like George Bruno too. Those two are my favorites!!

[@awc723]

congratulations!!!!! now get that single white shedded beard off that dark sweater....

[@earlgreybeard]

Yes, I noticed that after the filming. I have to sack my continuity person. Drat. It is I!

[@luisbarrueta8207]

The hat absolutely is better with the long beard