Beard Liberation Front
14th June
Contact Keith Flett 07803 167266
Hot Weather beard trimming permitted as campaigners advise against a Marxist approach
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has issued updated guidelines for trimming or shaving the beard, as hot weather continues across much of England and Wales.
The campaigners say that many will prefer to keep their beards, which can offer some protection from the sun.
However hot weather combined with high levels of humidity can make organic beards in particular problematic.
The updated BLF guidelines are based on what Karl Marx did following humid weather on a visit to Algiers at the end of April 1882 when he had his beard trimmed.
In a letter to Engels from Algiers in April 1882 Marx described the weather as very changeable with rain and high winds. He wrote to Engels on Friday 28th April 1882:
‘Apropos; because of the sun I have done away with my prophet’s beard and my crowning glory (but in deference to my daughters) had myself photographed before offering up my hair on the altar of an Algerian barber.
However, unfortunately, the photograph is not known to have survived
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, I’ve trimmed my beard, very much along the guidelines provided by Marx with the exception that I did not visit a barber. This is not advised.
June 2021 Hot Weather beard trimming and shaving guidelines
1 DO NOT visit a barbers. There is a serious risk of over-trimming
2 Before trimming, dampen the beard with a little water so that the hairs are supple
3 Use a pair of fine scissors and a comb. DO NOT use any form of battery or electric powered shaver.
4 Make sure you are in front of a good sized mirror in a well-lit room
5 Be sure to cover the area where beard trimmings may fall and collect these afterwards. They may be useful to spread on the garden.
6 Snip judiciously and lightly and take time to review regularly
7 Make sure that trimming is symmetrical on both sides
8 When satisfied, wash the beard and comb it through.
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