Now I had my beard since Halloween of...2005, when I was a pirate. I grew it for the costume, then decided I liked it and kept it. In 2006 I was Silent Bob, so the beard still worked. Then last Halloween I was Super Mario, so I had to shave. I shaved a week before so I would get used to it, and I hated it. My face felt weird, and I looked mad weird. I keep it in nice shape though, trimming it almost twice a week and shaving daily to keep it well-groomed. Its not irritating at all.