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The History of Mascaping

The expression “manscaping” is a newer term that has only been around since the 21st century on account of the well-known Bravo Television program, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” yet the movement of primping for men goes back several centuries. Let’s take a look at the true history of manscaping.

The Egyptians

Grooming was a loved hobby for Egyptian men. Having an excessive amount of hair was seen as boorish and unfavorable, so it was common practice for men to tweeze and pluck. Egyptian pharaohs likewise were portrayed with long, fake facial hair as a symbol of eminence even in death. Be that as it may, manscaping was functional in battle. The Egyptians learned from Alexander the Great, who kept a shaved face so the enemy had nothing to grab onto, however the Egyptians ended up incorporating facial grooming into a daily practice.

The Greeks and Romans

Some may surmise that the goatee initially showed up amid the Renaissance because of William Shakespeare, however this meticulously shaped beard and mustache dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. The Greeks copied the Greek god Pan, who was portrayed with an evil looking goatee. Despite the fact that the Romans appropriated the goatee from the Greeks, they favored a perfect look and kept it flawlessly cut. They are also responsible for the daily routine of shaving.

The American Civil War

Manscaping your facial hair for the ideal “side stubbles” was an indication of stature amid the American Civil War in the late 1800s. Major General Carter Littlepage Stevenson was famously known for his eccentric sideburns. Today, this in vogue style is connected to hipsters and rock stars. The expression “sideburns” can be credited to Union Army General and Senator Ambrose Burnside, who wore big bold sideburns. His trademark sideburns were so influential that the term “sideburns” is simply a twist on his last name.

World War I

Writer Rebecca Herzig notes in her 2015 book titled “Plucked: A History of Hair Removal in America” that the clean shaved look can be credited to World War I. Men shaved their faces clean to fit into their gas masks easily. Because of this clean-shaven look, the razor turned into a great grooming device and is still utilized today.

Men today have world history to thank for inspiring the term manscaping. If you’re suffering from hair loss it may be putting a damper on your manscaped look. At Transitions of Wisconsin we have over 50 years experience with successful hair restoration. If you’re interested in scheduling a free consultation, contact us today!