Exeter's Lush manager competes in World Beard Championship
This weekend will see hundreds of hirsute heroes come together in the world’s biggest beard and moustache growing competition.
The competition will see contestants from across the world come together in a competition of style, precision and natural ability unlike any other.
Among those hoping to impress is Nik Allebon, manager of the Lush Store on Exeter’s High Street.
“I’m going in fingers crossed”, said Nik “it’s an open competition as well as an international one.
"There’s a big team coming across from the US, and there are at least 20 that I know of coming from the British Beard Club.”
The championship is held this year in Stuttgart, Germany, the spiritual home of competitive beard growing.
“The Germans take it very seriously and its very popular over there” said Andy Teague spokesman for the British Beard Club
He continued “we tend to be quite relaxed in our competitions and mark as much on character as presentation.
“we get a lot of strong characters in our competitions as many you need to be to wear a beard full time.”
Competitors in 18 different categories across 4 divisions will vie for the chance of taking home a championship trophy.
“I’m entering Verdi, which to be technical a full rounded bushy beard not longer than 10cm from the lower lip with a styled moustache combination.
“In different categories you can use different products. In some you’re not allowed to use any. In mine, as you might expect, I’m using a range of different products from Lush.”
In his category Nik will face stiff competition from the defending Swiss champion Karl Roos and category winner at the USA Nationals in Las Vegas last year; Jeffery Moustache.
Nik is hopeful about his chances however as he has a strong family connection to beard growing, Nik said: “My beard growing inspiration is probably my dad. I recently realised that I’ve never seen him, in a photo or in person without a beard. So I guess it was something that I was destined to do.
"He’ll always say that it was due to laziness and not wanting to shave but it’s always worked for him.
He’s a big fan of the fact I’ve now got a beard, he tends not to do any style himself, he tends to just let it grow but I think he’s quite proud that I’m entering the beard completion.”
Nik will visiting colleagues at the Lush store in Stuttgart whilst attending the competition and will be helping to host several beard boosting product events.
“Part of the reason we’re going out there as well is to show that there is a lot of products that men can use” said Nik “we’re not just a shop for ladies and using products can still be a manly thing to do.
"I use American cream conditioner, R’n’B hair moisturiser, shine so bright split end treatment, dirty styling cream and, then I use one of our fragrances called Hellstone as a beard oil.
"I use Hellstone because it’s oil based which conditions the beard. I’m a particular fan of the product as it smells fantastic as well. It’s a lovely smokey one with some cumin in it.”
The main event will go on all day Saturday (2nd November) and will play host to beard growers from across the globe.
Andy Teague, said: “we have people from as far north as Glasgow to as far south as Plymouth competing over the weekend.
“Having the whole beard and moustache community in one place will be great so even if we don’t come away with any prizes the social side of it should more than make up for it.”
The completion has been held on and off since 1990 will be held this Saturday (2 November)
To get involved with competive beard growing in the South West visit: https://www.facebook.com/TheWessexBeardsmen
for more infomation on Lush's beard grooming products visit: www.lush.co.uk
