Sustainability junior Chris Moorman, theatre freshman Imran Malik and business sophomore John Tarbox are all participated in No Shave November. The idea of not having to get up every morning and shave really appealed to these young students. (Photo by Hector Salas Almeida)An onset of noticeably cooler weather in the first week of November is, as in years before, accompanied by significantly thicker 5 o’clock shadows, mustaches and beards.
in November men, and some women, put down the razor for a cause, though it helps that it is just appealing to those who enjoy the scruffy Adam Levine look or a full-fledged "Duck Dynasty"-style beard.
Marketing senior Abby Koier said she believes breaking social norms for the month should be encouraged.
“I’m all for it,” she said. “It’s for a good cause, so if you want to, I say go for it. I have no problem with mustaches.”
Two different beneficiaries stake a claim in the hairy charity.
The one that seems most commonly known is “No-Shave November,” which encourages people, either as individuals or a team, to grow out their facial and body hair for awareness and donate money to the American Cancer Society
According to the No-Shave November website, the movement was officially started in 2009 after Rebecca Hill’s father passed away from cancer.
Hill, her siblings and their spouses decided that if people were willing to forgo hair removal for one month and donate the money they would have spent on razors, waxing, laser hair removal and other methods, it would be a fun way to raise money to fight the disease.
The cost of razors alone was enough to make No-Shave November appealing enough to design studies junior Mariah Riney.
“Don’t buy razors; they cost too much,” she said. “So I guess I support No-Shave November.”
Mariah’s friend Brenna Gloetzner said she had forgone shaving for the past few Novembers and had no regrets, and even looked forward to it.
According to the website, in order to be considered an official participant, a person must donate $10 to the American Cancer Society. All of the proceeds raised will be put toward cancer research and providing information and services to cancer patients and their families.
The second movement, called “Movember” encourages its participants to grow mustaches in order to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues.
Movember, which follows the sea of pink that is breast cancer awareness month, aims to spread awareness of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and other health issues pertaining to men.
According to the rules posted on the Movember website, male participants must start the month with a clean-shaven face. Throughout the month, participants must keep only the mustache, and no beards or goatees are allowed.
The website encourages participants to use the mustache as a talking point to begin a conversation about an area that is otherwise an uncomfortable topic.
Movember raised $22.9 million in the U.S. last year, according to the website. Of that money, 84 percent went to funding men’s health programs and research, including LIVESTRONG, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and foundations managed by Movember.
Participants can pledge and raise money throughout the month and can create a team online where the funds can be tracked.
Political science freshman Bernard Drewno said he had no preference about the month, but believes people should feel free to swear off shaving for a month if they wish.
“I’m not for it or against it,” he said. “You should do it if you want to. I personally will shave, but just because in our society looking like a hairy beast isn’t always accepted.”
Reach the reporter at cvanek@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @CorinaVanek
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