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Men Protest Economy With 'Recession Beards'

Trend could actually mark return of clean-shaven faces

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 3, 2009 2:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – Some newly unemployed men are willing to take it on the chin—literally. The “recession beard” has emerged as the new act of “playful rebellion” against being a “corporate slave,” Esquire’s grooming editor—who also works for Norelco—tells Advertising Age. Despite the trend, the industry is sitting pretty, with Norelco seeing a 24% jump in sales of grooming products.

Men “desire to be a little more natural and casual,” says the Esquire editor. The chin-sweater trend could be the peak of a decade-long face-fuzz sea change; the logical next step would be the end of the stubble trend. “Let's face it,” said one industry rep, “the guy who's clean-shaven and showered has a better chance of getting the job than the scruffy, grungy guy.”

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Some guys are protesting the recession by letting their beards grow. (Shutter Stock)

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I don't think everyone decided all of a sudden to grow a beard. A lot of people are coming in, they've lost their jobs, and this is their time to let go a little bit. - Robert Cutler, Esquire grooming editor

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Men Protest Economy With 'Recession Beards'