More than a third of British men (35%) are keen to change their facial hair style, but don't know how to go about it – after sporting the same beard, moustache, or sideburns for an average of 10 years.
The top beard styles that men would like to bring back include the goatee (19%) and the “Zappa” (14%), according to a poll of 2,000 adult males.
And when it comes to moustaches, one in ten would like to try sporting a pencil or a horseshoe moustache, while 19% would opt for a Painter's Brush style.
But 15% admit they are “too scared” to try something new, in case it goes wrong – while 43% say they have avoided change as their current style is quick and easy to maintain.
And a further 15% admit they lack the confidence to update their look, with 12% not having the correct tools and products to successfully change up their facial hair style.
The research was commissioned by Royal Philips, makers of the new OneBlade 360, which adjusts to contours of the face to reach difficult areas.
The brand has teamed-up with TV personality, Pete Wicks, as part of its “Flip360” campaign, which aims to give people the confidence to change their facial hair look.
He said: “I’ve had the same look for years now. When I was younger, I used to try out all sorts of styles, including a questionable goatee and a load of different moustaches.
“But since I’ve been in the public eye, people have got used to seeing me with one look. I’ve decided it’s finally time to get out of this rut, and get myself and other people to mix things up with their facial hair.”
The study also found 31% of those with facial hair are so attached to their particular style, they claim they’d turn down £10,000 rather than go clean shaven for a month.
However, 30% of everyone polled would happily take the money – because they struggle to grow facial hair.
As such, 19% would give up alcohol to get the perfect beard, and 12% would give up sex for the same reason.
It also emerged 10% have been inspired by celebrities’ facial hair looks.
Freddie Mercury (14%), Elvis (14%), and Tom Selleck, AKA Richard from Friends (13%), were deemed to have the most iconic facial hairstyles of all time among those polled.
Hulk Hogan (11%), Jesus Christ (8%), and Craig David (6%) also proved to have popular looks.
The study, carried out through OnePoll, also found 41% of males polled got to the age of 31 before realising they’d had the same look for years on end.
Amy Boxall, male grooming expert at Philips, said: “It’s natural to be nervous of change – so it’s no surprise that people can get stuck in a rut and stick to what they know when it comes to their grooming routine.
“And it’s clear with this research that not having the right tools and products is a big barrier to feeling confident in trying a new style.”
MOST ICONIC CELEBRITY FACIAL HAIRSTYLES OF ALL TIME:
- Freddie Mercury
- Elvis Presley
- Tom Selleck
- David Beckham
- Sir Billy Connolly CBE
- Hulk Hogan
- Mr. T
- George Michael
- Sir Charlie Chaplin KBE
- Hugh Jackman (specifically as Wolverine in the X-Men and Wolverine movies)
- Jesus Christ
- Salvador Dalí
- Keanu Reeves
- Billy Gibbons
- Dusty Hill
- Sir Sean Connery
- William Shakespeare
- John Lennon
- Idris Elba
- George Harrison
- Tom Cruise (specifically as Captain Nathan Algren in The Last Samurai)
- Jason Momoa
- Olivier Giroud
- Samuel L. Jackson
- Craig David
- Sir Ringo Starr MBE
- Lemmy Kilmister
- Russell Crowe
- Jim Morrison
- Sir Paul McCartney CH MBE
