Thanks, Don, for the gentle encouragement. Here's an update, experimenting with the soft focus on my camera for the side shots:

image

I'm letting the mustache grow out but I keep wavering on how long to grow out the rest of the beard, especially since it's certainly not growing in any ruly way!
And yes, I've recently colored it "blond" though I left the color in for 15 minutes instead of five. My husband keeps advising me that it looks too dark, though it looks fuller when it's less gray.
Anyway, that should be my biggest problem in life!
Hope everyone is enjoying the end of the summer season (or late winter if you're in the southern hemisphere).
 

Eric's beard journey
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