Why is your beard red and your hair isn't?

It’s one of the great questions of our time. Is there life after death? Do we have free will? And why the bloody hell is my beard red when my hair isn’t?

If what’s on your chin doesn’t match up with what’s on your head (and you didn’t have spaghetti for lunch), then it falls to science to explain this follicular phenomenon.

The genes that determine hair colour are so-called ‘incomplete dominant hereditary traits.’ This means that there isn’t one single gene that’s dominant over the rest, but all genes influence each other.”

Put simply; genes get passed down from parents, grandparents and earlier ancestors. Combinations of these genes present differently in different people, which allows for lots of possibilities including having different colour armpit hair, pubes and beard.

No big surprise there, but why does that result in so many ginge-tinged gents? It turns out red whiskers are the outcome of a gene known as MC1R. When someone inherits this from both parents, they get red hair and fair skin. However, if they only get one MC1R gene, ginger traits are only sprinkled into their genetics and so can appear in other (unwanted) places.

So there you go, you can sleep easy knowing your mother didn’t have it off with the ginger postman. And if it still bothers you, just hold out for the greys to set in.Keep that red beard moisturized with FATS Beard oil $34 At Urban Male

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The best haircut for a man with a widows peak

Ever wondered what would be a good haircut for a guy with a somewhat rounded face and a widow’s peak? 

A widow’s peak is the v-shaped point in the hairline in the middle of the forehead and is thought to be genetic. 

The name comes from a belief that it was an omen of early widowhood thanks to its similarity to the peak of a widow’s hood – worn as indication of mourning since the 16th century. On men, in modern popular culture it has become associated with villainy. Think of The Joker, Count Dracula and, of course, Eddie Munster.

If you have a round face you are advised to balance it out by making it appear elongated. So, make sure the sides are shorter than the top and avoid short fringes.

You should also definitely not consider growing it at the sides as you'll risk looking like a cantaloupe melon.

There is no reason to hide it, as a widow’s peak is a sign of a strong hairline and preferable to receding. However, if it does bother you the quickest way to hide it is to adopt a side parting. If you have a round face do not attempt a side parting unless you want to look like a pair of curtains.

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