Today, DC Beards is featuring Alex, a local artist (see some of his art at www.facebook.com/upcycleDC). Alex is originally from Ohio, but he has lived in many different places before moving to DC. Alex's facial hair history began 12 years ago with a goatee; he started rocking the full beard about two years ago. Luckily, his wife Larissa is a fan! He theorizes that there are two types of men with beards: the ones who let it grow wild and those who go to great lengths to keep their beards trimmed and shaped. Alex says he is in the second category, spending time making sure each hair is the right length so it stays neat. The only downside he's identified to being a bearded man? He hates getting food in it, so he says he is careful to use utensils even for foods most people would eat with their hands, like pizza and burgers. But for Alex, it's worth it: he says it has become an integral part of his look and he wouldn't be comfortable with a clean-shaven face.