Some might say that a man's life can be divided into two parts: the part when he has a beard, and the part when he doesn't. Personally, I tend to go clean shaven because facial hair gets crazy itchy, but I'm also quite lazy about shaving, so I have been known to sport some stubble at least.
But dang if some dudes don't weave their facial locks into their very identity, trimming it up on the regular and treating it with special oils and lotions and musks.
If you ever doubted how strongly some dudes feel about their facial hair, look no further than this study of what some men would be willing to give up in exchange for the "perfect beard."