Movember Pros and Cons

Some call it No-Shave November. Some call it Movember. Regardless, hair follicles abound. The difference, though semantic, is important: No-Shave November is inclusive to any and all people who grow hair, while Movember is reserved for those who can grow a mustache. From the official Movember website:

"Movember is the month formerly known as November, where men and women across the globe join together to raise awareness and funds for men’s health. Men grow and women support a Mo (mustache) for 30 days becoming walking, talking billboards. Movember supports world-class men’s health programs that combat prostate and testicular cancer.

Men who support Movember, called Mo Bros, start by registering at Movember.com. Mo Bros start Movember 1st clean-shaven, then grow and groom their Mo for the rest of the month, raising money along the way. Women who support Movember, called MO SISTAS, also start by registering at Movember.com. MO SISTAS champion the Mo by registering and supporting the Mo Bros in their life, spreading the important message of men’s health, leading a team and organizing events."

From No-Shave's website:

"The goal of No-Shave November is to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free. Donate the money you usually spend on shaving and grooming for a month to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle."

What does No-Shave Movember (yes, I combined them) mean for ladies across the globe? Well, there are bright sides. It's an excellent excuse to forgo the Brazilian or not shave your legs or pits for a month. If you like a good five-o'clock shadow, the first half of this month is awesome for you. If you like men with burly beards, the second half of the month is awesome for you. If you're into clean-cut, clean-shaven dudes, they become much easier to spot. Raising money for cancer prevention is also a perk.

The downsides? The excess lotion that you will have to buy to deal with beard-burn if your significant other/friend with benefits/guy you had a one-night stand with is participating. The vaguely lumberjack-esque quality that will sweep any and all areas where No-Shave Movember is also paired with men often found in flannel: see Brooklyn, Allston, Silverlake, parts of the Midwest, and Alaska. The itching that happens when you haven't shaved your legs in a while and are wearing tight jeans. Some truly (regardless of personal taste) heinous mustaches. And, worst of the worst, the increased possibility of finding a beard hair, or three, in the stuffing at Thanksgiving.