November First: The Day the Beards Died

I woke up the day after Halloween and was admittedly a little out of it after the previous evening's excitement. I left my house, and after having walked just two blocks, I became scared I was stuck in a nightmare. "Is this a prank?" I thought to myself. "Am I still dreaming?"

As I walked into Watercourse, I saw that a number of men I knew had shaved off their manly, sexy, beards and were walking around with pale, innocent, baby faces. The time had come, it was November first: the day the beards died.

I've heard the saying "never bring a mustache to a beard fight," but in November (known also as Movember) it is the mustache that does the fighting. Movember is a month-long mustache growing charity event, in which the participants raise funds and awareness in an effort to combat prostate and testicular cancer.

According to the Movember global charity, "Using mustaches as a catalyst, we want to bring about change and give men the opportunity and confidence to learn and talk about their health more openly and take action." The goal is for men to shave their faces on the first, and grow it out over the course of 30 days. Participants register their mustache online, and ask friends and family to donate to the cause. The end goal is to raise money for programs that increase awareness and education about men's health, and, in turn, increase the life expectancy of men.

In addition to providing registration and information, the Web site also offers participants different styles of mustaches to try and accomplish throughout the month, a fun way to make a statement. Styles and personas men can try while promoting men's health include "the rock star," "the undercover brother," "the trucker" and so on. I was surprised; however, to see that "the Ron Swanson" was not a listed option, as Nick Offerman's character on Parks and Rec maintains one of my favorite mustaches in show business.

Woman might be wondering how we can participate in this charity event. Well, for one we can donate and support a Mo Bro, as they are called. We can also register on the site and attempt to gain donations just by getting the word out. But, I'm thinking the best way for a woman to support Movember is to take one for the team, and give some lovin' to a mustache-wearing guy.

 I bet that fewer men get laid in November than any other month in the year. Consider it a charitable donation; support someone who supports the cause. Otherwise, these thoughtful men will have a very long month ahead of them.

It's not too late to join the fun! For more information or to donate or register, visit us.Movember.com.

3 Little Birds Salon Gets Bent for Addams Family Photo Shoot

Last Sunday, with the assistance of photographer Randall Bellows, stylists and makeup artists at 3 Little Birds Salon transformed a small group of men and women into the Addams Family cast, only with a twist — we swapped the gender of each character.

For this guerilla shoot, we shot in Riverside Cemetery, after expressing our condolences to the spirits around us, and also in front of one of Cap Hill's most beautiful mansions, at the corner of Pennsylvania and 12th.

We wanted to do this shoot, not only because we thought it was a fun concept (many thanks to Chi Chi), but also because we wanted to produce content that was visually engaging while containing a deeper message: gender does not define us.

Gender roles are a dangerous aspect to society, as they limit a person's potential; they create barriers and try to herd us like sheep into two categories: masculine or feminine. However, no two people are alike and, we cannot all fit into two classifications.

Its 2013 and now more than ever, we are redefining the roles and rules that we grew up abiding. As we age, we learn that these restrictions are bull shit put in practice years ago by people of power who felt threatened by the "other," or people who don't fit into their idea of normal. But I doubt any one of us wants to be considered "normal," as we are all unique individuals. We are each constructed of many facets – we are sparkly diamonds, none of which are alike.

Nowadays, people aren't just gay or straight, male or female. While, in the past, people have tried to stay within the predetermined personalities prescribed to their gender, the times they are a'changin. Gender simply defines a set of parts, not a set of rules. A majority of us are attracted to individuals, not specific genders. And the lot of us identify with both male and female characteristics. And, because of this, we bust out of the molds we've been pressed into, and flourish as individuals.

By switching the gender of these popular characters, we show that men can represent characteristics that are typically assigned to women: sexy, feminine, passive, and loving; and women can display traits of men: strong, masculine, powerful, and aggressive. And, better yet, that each woman and man can embody the traits assigned to either gender at the same time, as things are in the real world.

Get Bent: A Gender-Bending Costume Party
Sunday, October 27th from 6-9pm
3 Little Birds Salon – 837 E. 17th Ave.

Know your role, and then switch it! Swap genders for an evening and join us as we unveil the photos from our Addams Family Gender Bender Photo Shoot! Dress up as the opposite gender, or as an Addams Family character, or just be your fabulous self! Prizes for best costumes. Music and refreshments provided.

Your hair is hungry. Feed it.

Did you know that you can make an organic hair mask using items found in your very own kitchen? You can even tailor your hair mask to benefit your hair in different ways.

For example, if your hair is lacking moisture, anything mushy can provide relief. Examples include bananas, avocados, eggs, oatmeal and yogurt. Obviously olive and coconut oils are also great for this purpose.

Citrus fruits (like lemon, lime, grapefruit and orange), cleanse, cut oil, and brighten ones strands. Meanwhile, seaweed adds shine and softens ones hair.

If your goal is to soothe the scalp, oatmeal is calming, while cinnamon and clove stimulate pores and promotes hair growth.

And for volume, just wash or rinse hair with sea salt. How easy is that? So take a peek in your fridge or pantry, and mix up any of the following ingredients for a fresh (and, most likely, tasty!) nutrient-rich hair mask:

Banana
Avocado
Honey
Olive oil
Lemon
Lime
Grapefruit
Orange
Eggs
Coconut oil
Almond oil
Milk
Yogurt
Oatmeal
Cinnamon
Sea salt
Peppermint
Beer

Yes, even beer. And, while you’re at it, why don’t you drink one while your homemade hair mask saturates your locks? After all, you deserve it.