BlueJay, be careful! I worked in a lab which required respirators, and the rule was that the the men could not have beards. Every year we were fitted and tested for our respirators. The testors used a strong banana scent ...if we could smell it, then we didn't have a tight fit, and I could smell it with the half face respirator but not the full face. The testors said that it was because I had small facial bones. Another guy who broke facial bones playing softball had to use the full face. One other problem with the full face respirator was that glasses had to have the skinny frames that would allow a tight fit. We couldn't use our safety glasses. Since I didn't have a serious vision problem at the time, I could get by without my glasses as long as I didn't have to read anything! BlueJay, when your safety is at stake, be careful. I was once several blocks from tear gas, and it was very sickening.

As far as the topic of this thread...I guess I'll have to vote for no facial hair. Because...Hubby can't grow a beard! When we were first married, he grew a moustache (or tried) then shaved it, and I didn't notice for 10 days!