It’s November, er, my mustache got in the way. Make that, Movember.

The month of harvest, fall decorations, Thanksgiving, and yes, hairier faces. Sure, beards are hot these days. But in Movember they are actually doing more good than just looking good.

As part of the Movember campaign, Mo Bros let their mustaches grow for a cause by setting aside their razors to raise money for men’s health issues. (No Shave November is a different campaign that encourages men and women to forgo their facial and body hair maintenance for the month, and donate what they would have spent on razors and waxing to the American Cancer Society.)

Great causes, but all of this extra hair needs some tending to. Unless you plan to get your Grizzly Adams look on, you are going to need some good grooming products. And thanks to the facial hair fad, natural men’s grooming products abound.

Movember Natural Beard and Skin Care Essentials for the Hairy Man

Beard Oils: As with facial oils, beard oils are hot on the organic personal care scene. These healthy oil combos keep skin and hair soft and moisturized, and help to maintain a well-groomed look. They also smell terrific. Some to try are Brooklyn Grooming Beard Oil – Red Hook, Honest Amish Classic Beard Oil, and Valor Beard Balm – Firewood.

Beard Balms: If you like a bit more structure to your ‘stache or beard, or have a longer beard you need to wrangle, a balm may be more up your alley. Emollient like an oil and not quite a wax, a decent balm will help with hair maintenance while giving a smoothed effect. Try Beard Balm’s selection of waxes, or Badass Beard Balms in an even wider selection.

Mustache Wax: So you’ve decide to go full on handlebar for this whole no shave deal, huh? Okay, you are going to want to invest in a ‘stache wax. Get some firm hold going with Badger Mustache Wax. It also gives a glossy shine.

Beard Soap: Keep your scruff sparkly clean with the help of Brooklyn Grooming Beard Soap. The perfect way to start your day. Or suds up with a slab of Honest Amish Beard and Body Soap.

As for you ladies…if you do decide to take on the no shave challenge, at least it is pants and long sleeve season. To help keep your spirits up while enduring the fuzziness, have a scroll at these hairy beauties.

Related on EcoSalon

Poop Beard: Myth or Fact? Only Science Has The Answer to This Mystery

The Ultimate Movember Survival Guide: ‘Stache Rash, Beard Burn, and Dating Ron Burgundy

Mustaches Through the Ages: Naming Dali, Hogan and Depp’s Whiskers

Image of man with beard and mustache via Shutterstock

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It’s Movember, the month when men grow out their facial hair to raise awareness for testicular and prostate cancer, or as my friend calls it “Natural Birth Control Month.” 

Whether you’re suffering from facial-hair-overload, or basking in the scruffiness, we’ve rounded up 13 things women love and hate about Movember.

We Love

The rugged manliness of facial hair (scientifically proven, especially after ten days of growth).

We Don’t Love

Your cheek cactus raking our skin as we cuddle up against you.

We Love

The raw biological signals your beard subconsciously sends us: Full facial hair is an indication of maturity, health and fertility.

We Don’t Love

When you wonder out loud about styling your facial hair like Ron Jeremy, Dali, or the hipster banjo player that is often mistaken for a bench-sleeper.

We Love

Your unwavering dedication to Movember and your fellow man.

We Don’t Love

When you run your fingers through the scruff upwards, and momentarily morph into Zach Galifianakis.

We Love

When you stroke your beard in deep thought like ye olde college professor.

We Don’t Love

The Instagram selfies of your beard’s progression.

We Love

A month of not having to clean up your fallen warriors out of the bathroom sink.

We Don’t Love

When you ask if you might as well keep going until December, and get a part time job as Santa Claus.

We Love

That yes, your facial hair is sexy.

We Don’t Love

When you think we are just jealous because we can’t grow facial hair. Trust me, we have plenty of stuff to shave already.

We Love

When the month is over, and your clean shave reminds us of a dashing James Bond or one of the 98% of men working in a fortune 500 company.

Keep in touch with Juliette on twitter @spadesandsiLK

Related on EcoSalon: 

Mustaches Through The Ages: Naming Dali, Hogan and Depp’s Whiskers

Men’s Grooming: 7 Naturally Sexy Products Sans Fake Scents

Waxing vs. Shaving: Which One Is Better For Pubic Hair Removal?

Image: rowenawaack

The post 13 Things Women Love (And Hate) About Movember appeared first on EcoSalon.

Did you know that your dog or cat’s fur is a renewable resource? No matter how often you groom your furry friend, their pesky hairs appear all over your furniture, in your car and on that nice black blazer you just had cleaned. Instead of wearing out your vacuum trying to fight your fur problem, here are three ingenious ways to harness the shedding power of your dog or cat.

Crafty Clothing and Accessories

In the market for a colorful clutch? Catty Shack Creations in Simpsonville, South Carolina, found a clever way to keep the mounds of fur from their grooming salon away from landfills. Founder Danelle German collects cat and dog fur and whips them up into purses.

Feeling crafty? Collect your pet’s fur and send it off to a company like VIP FIBERS INC. to be woven into yarn, which you can then knit into clothing. Pick up a copy of Knitting with Dog Hair to learn how to make your own sweater from Fluffy’s fur.

Soak up Spills

Consider donating your pet’s fur to be incorporated into a simple technology utilized to clean up oil spills. Matter of Trust is a nonprofit organization that utilizes both human hair and pet fur to sop up oil spills. The Hair for Oil Spills program collaborates with groomers to collect fur, but individuals can donate their pet’s fur, too. Check out the Matter of Trust site for donation details.

Grow Green with Composted Pet Fur

The general rule for composting is if it rots, it’s good to go, which makes pet fur a great addition to your compost heap. To prevent it from clumping, be sure to use small amounts at a time, and thoroughly mix the fur with your existing compost. Keep in mind that it will break down slower than food and yard scraps. Some gardeners also think that incorporating pet fur into your garden adds the scent of your pet, which deters wild critters. Another simple option? Collect small clumps of your pet’s fur and leave it in a basket on your porch or in piles near the base of trees. Birds will collect the discarded fur to build their nests.

Images: Ed Yourdon, The Moonstone Archive, tomnono, andy carter

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