By Will McGuirk
Hot dang, Dave in the City, back of the beard feeling fresh and pretty.
Dave in the City is a beard balm created by Birch Babe Naturals for David Hughes, co-operator of the Toronto Facial Hair Club and a member of the rocking rolling band, 20 amp soundchild.
“It's a coconut based product with almost a big city by the beach smell,” Hughes says. The name was suggested by his fiancé.
Hughes has been bearding for over a decade, the last time he shaved, he says, was when he was 24, he’s 36 now. His love of the beard grew from a meeting with Beard Team Canada, in particular the Crawford family of Bowmanville.
“Getting involved in the facial hair community all started when the band put up a package on our pre-order for the album 'Outside the Marketplace'. It was listed for $1100 to shave my beard but also came with all the glitz and glamour from our pre order. Lucky no one did it and my beard was saved!,” he says.
“From the there, a little social media, and word of mouth comes the Crawfords, the family who runs Beard Team Canada. We were playing a show in Oshawa opening for USS. So you know the place was packed and from standing on stage seeing all the people inside the venue I see three dudes, one my age and two older gents around my dad’s age with nice big beards.”
Darrell Crawford and Dave Hughes
Hughes says the spoke with the Crawfords after the gig, discovering they all liked beards, beer, weed and music. He became a member of the Beard brotherhood. A move from Durham Region to Toronto brought him in touch with the folks of the Toronto Facial Club which he now runs with Sam Zen.
As his profile in the facial hair community grew via charity work and competition wins, Hughes says, he has received many offers of free products but it was Birch Babe Naturals who suggested a collaboration and a customized product.
He says there are many products on the market now for beard grooming and styling but for beardy newbies it can be difficult to know where to begin.
“They all do something different and most smell different. They do make you facial hair softer and less dry and with oils, you get a nice shine in the light. If you're going to try one for the first time, take my word and go with Birch Babe! If my scent doesn't flip your whiskers then try Woodsy Jay, more of a tobacco, outdoors smell.”
Cool town, evening in the city
Dressing so fine and looking so pretty - The Lovin' Spoonful