Why the beard is still in

So beards have been all over magazines, blogs and the red carpet this year but most women still hate them. But not, Ellie O’Byrne, a unapologetic beardophile

It’s all too common for women to roll their eyes at the forest of manly facial foliation that’s sprung up in recent years, but I have a suspicion I’m not really alone in being delighted by the trend for men to grow a “full set” and wear it with pride.

David Beckham had to shave or face a kissing ban from Victoria Beckham in March. In May, a pseudoscientific story that beards had been found to contain fecal matter went viral, despite the story later being debunked by offended beard fans. Graham Norton, Brad Pitt, Roy Keane and heck even George Clooney have bearded up but many female columnists continue to bemoan the beard, claiming they’re unkempt, distasteful and uncomfortable to kiss.