Facial hair in the workplace
I have this problem where if I don't let my facial hair grow out for at least 3-4 days before shaving, I break out with ingrown hairs and pimples.
1) Is having facial hair in the office accepted today in the business world? I know GS is considered to be more old school, but could a SA get away with a little stubble there?
2) Anyone have any recommendations for electric shavers/creams that will help stop the ingrown hairs? I've tried multiple, nothing has worked.
3) Am I better off pulling up to work with ingrown hairs all over my neck and zits, or some solid stubble. ( I rate my stubble a 6.8/10, it gets pretty sexy around day 1 & 2 but starts looking kinda trash in day 3+)
You can probably get away with reasonable stubble if you otherwise look put together. But dude just splash your face with freezing cold water after you shave and then put moisturizer on after. It will prevent the above-referenced issues from happening.
Make sure you’re changing out your blades often enough. Dirty/old blades really fuck up your skin. Not shaving for 3-4 days probably won’t kill your chances though, just as long as you’re not rocking a blonde pedo stache on day 4.
It sounds to me like you need to learn how to shave better and maybe improve the skincare routine. Get a good shave repair gel. I use a Kiehls brand one along with a jack black face lotion. Shower I use a Kiehls exfoliating apricot scrub and la roche foaming cleanser. Highly recommend the last thing for oily skin.
Maybe something similar to Patrick Bateman's skin care routine. Seems to work pretty well for him. But in all seriousness, thanks for the tips.
I’m at a BB bank. Don’t think anyone cares quite frankly. I’ve seen senior MDs without proper shaving going to meetings where clients didn’t shave either. But of course, check your group and see what people do - and if you feel that everyone shaves, just mention that you have very sensitive skin and don’t shave (except for client meetings, if needed). Don’t think it’s a big deal.
OP, are you black or have very curly facial hair? unfortunately, most kids in finance are white, east Asian, or southern Asian without curly hair so you need to check forums for other hair types. this was a problem for me as well when I first got to corporate world. I would wear a beard, but my hair is black and my occasional patchiness is amplified by this fact, so gotta go clean shaven.
couple tips:
1. shave at night, irritation for me was better by just a little overnight growth and not exposing it to the elements immediately
2. do not go so close to the skin that it's smooth. try a DE safety razor, or just 1-2 passes with a gilette, if you shave clean with a curly beard, it'll re-enter the skin almost immediately and make the problem worse
3. moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
4. when you free an ingrown hair, DO NOT PULL IT OUT. resist the urge, just shave it a little and then leave it alone overnight
5. I can't imagine this is the case, but limit the amount of skincare products you use on your face. your body has natural oils which regulate a lot of this stuff if left alone, the only products you should be using in my opinion are soap, water, shaving cream, and moisturizer
6. for acne, mind your diet - skip dairy and processed sugar (yes, this includes your protein shake)
I know a couple of guys that have curly or coarse hair, they use a detailer to trim the stubble on their beard. Consider buying a wahl detailer or another reputable brand. The detailer is what barbershop and hair stylist use to line up your neck line. The detailer would get pretty close to the skin without cutting the hair below the skin which can cause inflammation. Or you can just buy regular clippers and trim with no guard if the detailer still goes to short.
Fyi, since some may use this thread as a grooming guide. It's important that everyone knows the trimmer you use on your face should never be used on your body. Keep one trimmer for the neck up and one for the neck down.
unless you look like this, don't bother
Why?
Because you either have good-looking facial hair, or not. It's binary. In a sales role (such as IB), appearance matters
I do not think it matters all that much but guys in finance do not usually have beards. I could be wrong but I think goatees are kind of popular in certain environments. I have not had a beard (if you call it that) since college. I do not think my facial hair would grow in well enough to have a full on beard. I would just look sloppy.
I think facial hair could work well, if you look young and want to look older. It probably helps to have some grey on the buy side.
I think it's more accepted today for men to wear facial hair in the workplace, but it should looked groomed. I'm not at GS but there's a handful of guys sporting them in a short length at my shop. I don't know what the perception would be for a SA or an intern for the matter. I'd say nothing too distracting, 2-3 day stubble seems like it could be fine. If your stubble grows in evenly and nicely, then it should be fine.
If you're having trouble at day 3 where your beard is a bit unkempt looking, shave your upper cheeks and under your chin to create clean lines that make it look more groomed. You'd still have to do this daily, but it will help tidy the appearance.
If you choose to be clean-shaven, maybe opt into using a good acne facial cleaners or exfoliator before you shave? That should help reducing ingrown hairs and pimples, if aftershave isn't helping. Make sure you're changing your razors regularly.
I got shot down in the IB forum for my opinion on this, but I believe facial hair is pretty much accepted in the workplace now. Just make sure you can actually grow one, and keep it short and tight to the face.
I've had mine since I graduated and I think it adds to my professional appearance, but I keep it trimmed.
Did you ever get any comments from others about your facial hair? I didn't clean shave for my internship and no one said anything about it, but it was virtual and people generally care less about appearance when they're zooming from their bedroom/living room. Thinking about leaving the facial hair on after graduation, but I'm worried it might not sit right with some folks.
I usually get compliments, and my beard isn't amazing. It's mostly due to the fact I can actually grow one. I've never heard anyone say anything about it.
If I were you, I would ask friends and family for opinions on your beard first.
Try a foil electric razor
Facial hair ok now
I hate how this topic keeps coming up - it's insane to make a generalization here, because every guy's beard grows differently, and beards look different on different guys. I'm a brown dude and I look like I'm 12 years old when I shave, so I've kept a short beard (barely above stubble length, even, regularly trimmed, etc.) and nobody has had any issues. I've gotten comments that I look a lot more mature and put-together with a beard actually.
Now for some of my white/asian friends out there, not shaving for a few days makes them look super unclean and scruffy, even if the beard is well-maintained. I'd say ask your friends/family how they perceive your facial hair, and if you're going to rock it then just commit. If you keep growing it out for a week then shaving, you'll have this problem for half the week - but if you just invest in a solid Philips trimmer and maintain a certain length, people will stop noticing you even have a beard after a few weeks.
I do the same: short, bit longer than stubble beard, regular trims, lots of moisturizing. I really like Blind Barber's products and Harry's. No issues at work.
Grow a beard dude. It’s 2021.
Consequuntur unde consequatur in rerum possimus. Recusandae sit iste animi modi consequuntur. Itaque rem officia voluptatem minus amet praesentium adipisci.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Sed vel facere aperiam. Culpa voluptatem quis nihil neque. Sed aliquid est quis illo temporibus saepe tempora dolores. Minima alias delectus iusto adipisci quasi cum est. Amet sequi aliquam id.
Corrupti et ut labore et facilis quis consequuntur. Facere quo voluptas mollitia impedit non et.
Blanditiis et sed optio ipsum et. Laboriosam doloribus voluptatibus officiis est. Consequatur veritatis voluptates voluptas esse tempore ut. Asperiores sed error vero sunt totam distinctio repellat. Nihil aut ipsum sunt modi.