Since I started third level education at 19, my chin hasn’t been completely uncovered for more than a few days at a time. The styles and amounts have varied. I used to sport a Van Dyke – fuzzy chin and upper lip connected together as one – but in more recent years the top lip has been exposed to the world and I now wear a goatee – fuzzy chin and a little bit beneath my lower lip. The Van Dyke returns from time to time, usually before I renew my driver’s license for some odd reason. I tend to get annoyed with it pretty quickly and revert to my regular style.

In recent times, I’ve read in a few places that the more manly style of facial hair is the solitary mustache. I can’t quite get with that. I “rocked the ‘stache” for a ’70s disco party in December, but it was purely for comedic effect. I went with a handlebar style that reached my chin. The recommended style, from what I can tell, is the “cop ‘stache” – full coverage on the upper lip and nothing else. This is a style my dad and uncles wore in the ’80s and it suited them just fine, but I think it looks absolutely ridiculous on my face.

To those who can pull it off, I say to go for it. I won’t be joining their ranks any time soon, partly because of the reason just mentioned and partly because I am not fond of the way my chin looks without a covering of hair. Perhaps that will change in time, but it’s unlikely for now.