stubble

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A man with facial stubble.

Stubble is the unshaven hair growth that exists before it becomes long enough to cover the skin and be considered fully grown. The term stubble is most often used to describe facial hair that is too short to be considered a full beard or moustache, although it can also refer to any regrowth of shaven hair (e.g. on the legs), or to the short stalks left in a field after crops have been harvested. Electric clippers have rendered facial stubble growth an easily maintained style. Facial stubble had been a German fashion at the beginning of the 16th century, when many young men sat for their portraits sporting a week's stubble growth.^{[citation needed]}

Five o'clock shadow

The term five o'clock shadow usually refers to beard growth visible late in the day on a man whose face was clean-shaven in the morning, although more recently, it can also refer to visible underarm hair growth on a woman whose armpits were clean-shaven in the morning. The term comes from the traditional end of the work day at 5pm.

During the 1980s, inspired largely by the television series Miami Vice and its unshaven lead character, James "Sonny" Crockett (Don Johnson), two-day stubble became trendy. This is also known as designer stubble, particularly if it is groomed, shaped, and maintained as a regular beard would be. At one time, a modified electric razor was sold as the Miami Device, which would trim stubble to simulate one, two, or several days' growth.^[1] George Michael from Wham! is also known for his trademark five o’clock shadow.

A recent study in the U.K. found that women rated men with facial stubble as tough, mature, aggressive, dominant and masculine - and as the best romantic partners, either for a fling or a long-term relationship.^[2]

Stubble on other areas of the body

Stubble can also appear on any other areas of the body that grow hair often, such as the arms, armpits, and legs. After shaving and then going a while before shaving again, as the hair grows back, stubble will appear. At this point, the regrown hair is too short to cover the skin again. In order to prevent stubble from appearing on these areas, one must shave every few days.^[3]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Stubble

1. ^ Money Magazine, 1986, Hair's The Look That's in These Days.
2. ^ The Telegraph, Women prefer men with stubble for love, sex and marriage.
3. ^ Shaving Tips and Techniques; Removal of Unwanted Body Hair