Hair of the god...

Our creative director and co-judge of the 2014 inaugural NZ Beard and Moustache Competition, Rose Jackson, gets the scoop on the hirsute happenings for the most hotly contested hair-honours this year which will be held on the 28th August at Kings Arms Tavern in Auckland...

The NZBAMC Judgement Crew from 2014 - from left Kerry from The Bloke, Ygnacio of the NZBAMC, yours truly, Julian from Maloneys and Carl from MoBro photographed by Zandy J Photography

I had the honour of being one of the judges for the inaugural NZ Beard and Moustache Competition and what an honour it was! I completely underestimated the number of passionate facial hair fans that would present themselves at the Kings Arms last year to cheer on their favourite follically blessed competitor. 

And as for the entries... there were so many incredible examples on show! It was a very tough decision that Julian from Maloney's Barber Shop, Carl from MoBro, Kerry from The Bloke and I had to make. The supreme winner, Sam, (pictured at the top of this Telegram) was fittingly dressed as a Greek god and his mighty beard was a unanimous favourite of the judges and public alike. 

With the next event coming up in less than two months, I requested Ygnacio's top tips for growing award winning facial fur.

• Consistency, a good beard will take time, and won't happen in a week or two, not even in a month.
  
• Check out different styles, with so many shapes and forms you need to find the one that suits your face! A musketeer moustache, a goatie or a full beard might be the one that raise you to the top level.
  
• Research! Beard grooming is growing and growing, there are always new products (wax, oil, masks) to test and they will help you to achieve your goal.
  

The creator of the NZ Beard and Moustache Competition, Ygnacio Cervio, takes his beards seriously. Seriously enough to travel 18,000 kilometres to Europe to compete in the World Champs two years ago! Check out the documentary on his journey from New Zealand to the world beard stage below...

Ygnacio's most admired beards past and present - he loves Leonardo Da Vinci (left) from back in the day, and Jeff Langum (far right) is his favourite these days.

This year, the categories for the second annual NZBMC are:

-Best Beard
-Best Moustache
-Crowd Favourite

But fear not ladies, the champs are an equal opportunities event. For the first time there will be a Whiskerina section (ladies wearing fake beard/moustaches), so wherever you sit on the gender spectrum, hirsute heroism can be yours for the taking!

Keep up to date with all the competition details on the NZBAMC Facebook page and to get you ladies into the swing of things, we are looking for a wonderful Whiskerina to represent the event in the Central Leader. Visit our Facebook page and submit a snap of yourself or your lady bearded up to be in with a chance to win!

The official NZBAMC poster

Whiskerina Constance Craving donning her fabulous 'tache at our Winter Vintage event last year!