10 Questions for RickiF***in Hall

At Beardrevered we truly believe that all beards are wonderful. Even the straggly, balding sort gets points for effort. But every now and then we come across a beard so glorious that we want to shout about it from the cyber-rooftops and post many pictures of it.

It helps that 25 year old beard baron and tattoo titan, Ricki Hall, was blessed with the sort of angular features and ice cool attitude that lands you all over ad campaigns, but it turns out that Ricki’s good fortune extended to his hair follicles. Espresso-dark, glossy and thick, Ricki’s beard has been instrumental in his shooting to fame as a male model.

You will be relieved as we were to hear that this level of splendour requires good grooming as well as good genes. Beardrevered caught up with Ricki to pick up some tips…

Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for Beardrevered, Ricki.
Can you tell us about the impact your beard has had on your professional career and personal life? Does everybody like it?

I’ve had the beard for about a year and a half. I was signed to Nevs without the beard and just a moustache but as soon as I grew a beard I started getting a lot more work coming in. I think I just landed a look at the right time. Not everybody likes the beard, no; it’s similar to the marmite situation. I like it and that’s all that matters. However a lot of people love it and tell me daily on Twitter/Instagram etc. which is really cool. I get a lot of people sending me pictures of their beards at different stages over time; it’s really nice that people take the time to do that and listen to what I have to say about their beards!

You have said the beard and tattoo combination has been the making of your career. Would you consider shaving it off for the right job or has it now become a part of your identity?

It depends what job, but that’s something my agency and I would have to talk about. My model book has come a long way since I was first signed and have done some amazing shoots, so that would all have to be changed once I shaved it off. I don’t think I could though – it’s my identity and an extension of my personality.

Beards are currently huge in the fashion press. How do you feel about beards being considered a fashion accessory?

I didn’t grow mine as a fashion accessory, I kind of grew it as an experiment at first then I found that I was getting more attention. It grew fast and thick so I stuck with it as I know how hard it is for some people to grow beards. Once I started I just let it grow naturally; I didn’t shape or trim it once – that’s a main mistake people new to growing a beard make.

What’s the best part about having a beard?

My face wash lasts twice as long!

How much time (on average) do you spend grooming your stubble each morning?

I spend on average about 15-20 minutes. I shampoo and condition it, I also put on a beard lube (from Murdocks of London) www.themurdockman.com or a great smelling beard oil from my friend Jeremiah Newton thebeardedbastard.com

You’ve had both, so what are your views on beard vs. moustache?

I do miss my moustache but I’m all about the beard. It was nice to be able to eat burgers/soups/ice cream and burritos without getting stuff all over my beard but that’s a small price to pay for what it’s brought me.

 ‘This is one of the hardest questions I’ve ever had to answer, but I would have to go with beards. Urgh, I feel dirty after that question’.

Do you have any more special tips, secret salons or any advice for our beard aficionados?

Make sure your beard and skin beneath the beard is always hydrated, use a good quality moustache wax and bear lube and oils. A great moustache wax I use is from Uppercut Deluxe www.uppercutdeluxe.com. It smells great too, which is a plus since it’s under your nose all day. Also I always spray a bit of cologne in the air and walk my beard into it as the cologne stays in there all day and is not as harsh. I have my beard and moustache trimmed at Murdocks of London, they always do a great job and always sort me out with a cold beer whilst I wait. Sterling.

Beards or tats (if push came to shove)?

This is one of the hardest questions I’ve ever had to answer, but I would have to go with beards. Urgh, I feel dirty after that question.

Who are your ultimate bearded idols, past and present?

Gerard Butler really rocked a great beard in 300, but apart from that I don’t really have a bearded icon. I’m not much of a trend follower.

Would you shave your beard off for love?

No!! A beard is for life not just for Hipsters.

Images by Darren Black at http://darrenblackphotography.com/

For more on Ricki Hall visit: @rickifuckinhall on both Twitter and Instagram