He looks like he walked straight out of a 19th-century logging camp or maybe a very intense dream about a forest. Honestly, when you first see Madison Rowley, you don’t just see a guy with a beard; you see a phenomenon. He’s the beard and mustache champion who didn’t just win a title—he basically redefined what it means to be a modern competitive beardsman.
It was 2014 in Portland, Oregon. The World Beard and Mustache Championships. You had guys there who had been grooming for decades, using enough wax to floor a ballroom. Then comes Rowley. His beard was massive, unruly, and somehow perfectly majestic all at once. He took home the Garibaldi title and the overall World Champion trophy, and the facial hair world hasn't really been the same since.
Most people think these competitions are just about who can grow the longest hair, but that's a total misconception. It’s about "the package." It’s the fit between the face, the personality, and the follicles. Rowley didn't just have a long beard; he had a beard that looked like it belonged to a legend.
The Garibaldi Style and Why It Matters
What actually makes a beard and mustache champion? In Rowley’s case, it was the Garibaldi category. Named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian general, this style is specific. It shouldn't be longer than 20 centimeters. It needs to be rounded at the bottom. It’s supposed to look natural. If you use too much styling product, the judges will sniff you out and dock points faster than you can say "beard oil."
Rowley’s win was a bit of a shock to the old guard. Portland is the epicenter of hipster culture, sure, but the World Championships are usually dominated by the German clubs. These are guys with meticulous, architectural facial hair. Rowley brought a raw, American West energy that felt fresh. It wasn't just hair; it was an identity.
The judges look for symmetry. They look for density. If you have a "hole" in your beard where the hair is thin, you’re in trouble. Rowley’s density is legendary. It’s thick from the cheek line all the way to the chin. That kind of growth is mostly genetic luck, but the maintenance is where the work happens. You can't just stop shaving and hope for the best. You have to treat the skin underneath like a delicate garden.
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Beyond the Podium: The Life of a Professional Beardsman
Winning the title changed things. He didn't just go back to a desk job. He leaned into it. He became the face of the "beard movement" during its absolute peak in the mid-2010s. He started a company called 7th Avenue West. He did acting. He did cinematography. Basically, his beard became his resume.
When you're a beard and mustache champion, you become a walking billboard. But it’s not all glory and free samples of balm. Imagine eating a bowl of soup. Or a messy burger. Or trying to use a zipper on a cold day. It’s a lifestyle commitment. You have to carry a comb. You have to be okay with strangers constantly wanting to touch your face—which, by the way, is a huge "no" in the community unless you ask first.
The Science of the Strands
Let’s get nerdy for a second. Hair grows at about half an inch per month. For a guy like Madison Rowley to achieve that level of mass, we’re talking years of dedication. The "terminal length" is a real thing. Every person has a genetic limit where the hair just stops growing and falls out. Most men can't grow a Garibaldi that looks that full because their terminal length is too short or their growth cycle is too fast.
Rowley’s hair has a specific texture—coarse but healthy. This is the result of avoiding harsh sulfates. If you use regular bar soap on a world-class beard, it’ll turn into a Brillo pad in a week. You need sebum—the natural oil your skin produces—but you also need to supplement it.
What the World Beard and Mustache Association (WBMA) Really Looks For
The WBMA is the governing body for these big shows. They have very strict rules. If you're in a "Natural" category, you can't have any "artificial aids." That means no wire, no hidden clips, and definitely no hair extensions. People have tried to cheat. It never works. The judges are often former champions themselves. They know every trick in the book.
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- Full Beard Natural: No styling aids allowed.
- Verdi: Short and rounded, but with a styled mustache.
- Freestyle: This is where it gets wild. People shape their beards into bicycles, stars, or even the Eiffel Tower.
- Garibaldi: The category Rowley dominated. Stressing a natural, un-tamed look that is actually very curated.
Rowley’s victory in the Garibaldi category was iconic because it bridged the gap between the "wild man" look and the "refined gentleman" look. It was the perfect middle ground. He looked like he could chop down a tree and then go direct a movie, which is kind of what he actually does.
The Maintenance Routine of a Champion
If you want to reach the heights of a beard and mustache champion, you can't be lazy. It’s a ritual. Most of these guys follow a strict protocol. It starts with a wash, but not every day. Over-washing strips the oils. Then comes the hydration.
- Damp drying: Never rub the beard with a towel. Pat it. Rubbing causes split ends and frizz.
- Oil application: You have to get the oil onto the skin, not just the hair. This prevents "beardruff" (beard dandruff), which is the ultimate sin in a competition.
- The Comb: Use wood or horn. Plastic combs have tiny jagged edges from the mold they’re made in. Those edges snag and rip the hair. A champion uses a saw-cut comb.
- Boar Bristle Brush: This is for training. You have to train the hair to grow in a certain direction. Rowley’s beard has a downward flow that doesn't just happen by accident.
Misconceptions About the Championship Circuit
One of the biggest lies is that it’s a cutthroat, mean-spirited world. It’s actually the opposite. It’s a brotherhood. You’ll see guys with six-foot-wide mustaches sharing a beer and helping each other fix a stray hair.
Another myth? That beards are dirty. Multiple studies, including some often cited by beard enthusiasts, show that a well-maintained beard is no more "dirty" than a clean-shaven face. In fact, some researchers have found that beards might harbor bacteria that have antibiotic properties. So, being a beard and mustache champion might actually be good for your health. Kinda.
Rowley represents the shift in how society views facial hair. It’s no longer just for the "lazy." It’s a craft. It’s an art form. When he stood on that stage in Portland, he wasn't just winning for himself; he was winning for every guy who had ever been told to "clean up" for a job interview. He proved that you can be professional, successful, and insanely hairy all at the same time.
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How to Start Your Own Journey Toward the Podium
You don't just wake up and enter a world championship. You start local. There are hundreds of local beard clubs across the US and Europe. They hold "charity pulls" where they raise money for local causes. It’s a great way to get feedback on your "shape" before you try to go pro.
- Audit your genetics: Look at your father and grandfathers. If they couldn't grow a mustache, you might struggle with the "Full Beard" categories. But there’s always the "Partial Beard" or "Sideburns" categories!
- Invest in quality: Stop buying the $5 grooming kits at the grocery store. Look for small-batch producers who use jojoba and argan oils.
- Patience is the only way: There is no "growth serum" that actually works. It’s just time. You have to get through the "itchy phase" which usually lasts about three weeks. Most men quit during the itchy phase. A beard and mustache champion pushes through.
The legacy of Madison Rowley isn't just the trophy. It’s the fact that he made the Garibaldi cool again. He took a style that was nearly 200 years old and made it the gold standard for a new generation.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Beardsmen
If you’re serious about entering the world of competitive facial hair, you need a plan. Don't just let it grow wild.
- Define your category early. Decide if you are going for the Natural look or if you want to be a Freestyle competitor. This dictates how you trim—or don't trim—your mustache.
- Find a specialized barber. Your average "Great Clips" isn't going to cut it. You need someone who understands beard architecture. They should use a straight razor for the lines and shears for the bulk.
- Watch the greats. Study the photos from the WBMA archives. Look at Rowley’s symmetry. Look at the way the mustache integrates into the beard or stands alone.
- Join a community. Follow the British Beard Club or the Austin Facial Hair Society. These groups have the "intel" on where the next big shows are and what the judges are currently favoring.
The road to becoming a beard and mustache champion is long. It’s literally measured in inches and years. But as Madison Rowley showed the world, the result can be something truly iconic. It’s about more than hair; it’s about the patience to let something reach its full potential.
Next Steps for Your Grooming Routine
To take your facial hair to a competitive level, start by switching to a sulfate-free beard wash and a boar bristle brush. These two changes alone will significantly reduce breakage and increase the perceived density of your beard within thirty days. If you're aiming for a Garibaldi style, stop trimming the length for at least four months to allow the "bulk" to settle before you begin shaping the rounded bottom. Finally, track your progress with monthly photos to identify any asymmetrical growth patterns that may need professional correction.