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Ahh, November, the month where every fresh-faced college student and bored twenty-something decides, “Well, shit, maybe I shouldn’t shave this month. I bet I’d look cool with a beard!” Thus, No Shave November and its mustachioed counterpart, Movember, were born, with the mission of promoting truth, justice, prostate cancer awareness, and the Grizzly Adams way. Between this, the “fear the beard” campaign in baseball and the recent female fascination with facial hair, there’s never been a better time to be a beard fan.
That is unless you’re in the business of making razors and other shaving products. According to the Washington Post, American spending on shaving razors and blades has fallen to $2.3 billion a year, the lowest it has been since the recession.
This isn’t just a result of No Shave November. It’s also because it has become increasingly expensive to shave. Analysts from the consumer research firm Euromonitor put it bluntly: “Men, tired of putting up with the ever-increasing prices of refill shaving heads from the top producers, have fled to cheaper options. Some have even stopped shaving altogether.”
We’re also seeing a major shift in workplace culture and the acceptance of a more Chuck Norris-esque attitude towards what a man wears on his face. “Facial hair is a lot more acceptable now, especially in the workplace. It’s no longer required that everyone shave every single day,” said market researcher Gabriela Elani, who serves as a personal care analyst Mintel.
Guys are switching to cheaper shaves, including subscription start-ups like Dollar Shave Club, which is on track to earn $60 million in revenue this year, triple what they made in 2013. This definitely bucks the trend of the major razor companies like Gillette, which continues to make crazy razors with like 12 blades, “flexball” technology and cost about $24.95 per blade, which wears off after 10 shaves. It’s no wonder sales are down.
So folks, if you want to save the poor, starving razor conglomerates, shave your beards. Please. Keep them in diamonds and furs while your face is freezing and you look that much less rugged. Or don’t. Fuck ’em.
Me? I can’t grow a beard because after a few days without shaving, my face starts itching like a motherfucker. I’m a pussy. But I’m secretly envious of every badass beard I see..
[via Washington Post]
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Are womens razor sales affected by the Decembeaver campaign?
Invest in a straight razor and shave like a man.
There is just something about the ritual of using a shave brush and straight razor that makes you feel like a man.
What name-brand razor cartridge lasts 10 shaves?
I (Shittily) rock a beard more often than not. Jay-Tas, if your face is itchy, you just need to moisturize your skin underneath for a few days. Boom, past the itch and well on your way to looking ruggedly handsome.
This is great. Next we should ban ties before 5pm. F the British and their rules.
Just move to Colorado. I work for a huge REIT and they gave me shit in my interview for wearing a tie.
I usually just trim my facial hair with clippers. I just got tired of shaving. I don’t think I’ve clean shaven since late June.
I haven’t shaved since Oct 30, 2013
I haven’t had a carb since 2004.
I’ve been a part of no-shave November since May.