To shave or not to shave: that is the question.
Suddenly, it’s the 11th month of the year. This represents a significant time of change for most men. No Shave November has continued to gain notoriety for a while now.
But what does No Shave November signify? What is the defining cause and the rules? Why is there not more brand awareness?
No Shave November + Brand Awareness
No shave November is also known as Movember. Individuals who commit to the cause refrain from shaving their facial hair for 30 days to raise cancer awareness. Once the participants grow their beard or moustache, they can then use the opportunity to speak about men’s health.
No Shave November Cause
No Shave November’s cause is a righteous one. In 2009, a family created a Facebook campaign as a way of raising awareness for cancer. The 8 Hill siblings got the inspiration to honor the passing on of their father, Matthew Hill from colon cancer in 2007.
Many years later, the No Shave November Charity foundation continues to be a trending topic every year globally.
No Shave November Meaning
No Shave November aims to create awareness for men to put down their razors and allow their facial hair to grow. No Shave November’s meaning is for all men to embrace their hair, which most cancer patients lose during chemotherapy.
What next after dropping the razor and growing their hair?
Most men, if not all, mind their grooming and self-care. This means a majority of men’s money go toward shaving materials or a professional barber. By refraining from shaving for the whole month, men donate those funds to No Shave November charities globally. This money will save lives, raise awareness, and show support to those battling cancer.
However, the fundamental meaning of this movement is losing its significance. Men are now competing to see who can grow the longest beard, forgetting the initial meaning.
No Shave November Rules
No Shave November rules are generally straightfoward
- Shave first before starting the challenge. Then, put down the razor from November 1st through December 1st.
- Take a photo without the facial hair on November 1st.
- Take weekly photos to show the progress of your hair growth.
- Donate your month’s shaving and grooming money to any cancer center.
- Take the last photo on December 1st, when the campaign ends.
Most importantly, your participation in No Shave November should be personal. Therefore, ensure you keep your beard clean for the month as you carry on with your usual duties.
Why Don’t More People Know About No Shave November?
Even though it’s a global campaign, not everyone knows about the true meaning of No Shave November. Here’s why:
How to Measure Brand Awareness
People don’t know about No Shave November because they haven’t heard of it or don’t know what it implies. Lately, it’s common to see men growing beards as a fashion statement. There hasn’t been enough awareness of the campaign’s true intention. Most men know they have to keep the beard for a month. However, they don’t know they need to donate the money for the month’s grooming.
Embarrassment
According to a study, men die at a higher rate than women. The leading cause of this high mortality rate is men’s mental health risks. Usually, men grow up with the conditioning that they need to hide their emotions and avoid seeking help. So, most men think it’s embarrassing to participate in the campaign. This campaign is for all men, those with or without cancer or health risks. It’s about men coming together to create awareness on all major health issues affecting men.
Misconceptions and Potential Sexism
This campaign mainly targets men’s participation. That’s why most women feel as they don’t have any part to play in the movement. There is stigma around women who forego shaving in support of the cause. However, most don’t see anything wrong with a man’s overgrowing beard.
Create a Brand Awareness Strategy with Web Content Development
At Web Content Development, we care about boosting brand awareness and changing minds. If you’d like to give your brand or campaign a much-needed boost, contact us today.
