by RYAN BOLTON, originally published in Chill Magazine

Gentleman, facial hair is here to stay. Why? Well, in part, because celebrities made them cool again. (Read: George Clooney and his salt-and-pepper moneymaker and even Brad Pitt and that odd billy goat thing he was rocking). And, let’s admit it, we can be a little lazy at times, shaving every day sucks and it’s cold outside. There’s been a welcomed resurgence in the everyday stubble (thank you, Gosling). The mustache has its own dedicated month (thank you, Movember). And, not to forget, the classic beard popping up on A-listers all over the red carpet. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment of the resurgence, but while there won’t be any playoff beards (single tear) we still have Zach Galifianakis to keep our spirits high and our faces warm for these winter months.

Ryan Gosling and the Pretty Boy Beard

Gosling is able to make anything look good. Three-piece suits, magazine covers, poor boy caps, crushing skulls in elevators and sporting overgrown stubble on the cheeks. With a long angular face, Gosling is able to add a layer of well-maintained scruff while keeping the jawline pronounced. It gives him the “rugged” part in his patented pretty-boy-yet-rugged look.

Should you rock it?

Sure. This one is the easiest because you can also pass it off as being slightly lazy. Five o’clock shadow is dreamy and all, but a little more scruff gives you the “Yeah, I haven’t shaved for the past week, and I look damn fine” look. Aka. handsomely rugged. Read More