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Photos: Facial Hair Enthusiasts Face Off at National Beard and Mustache Championship

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Eric Brooks of Fort Collins, Colorado, poses for a photograph at the 2015 Just For Men National Beard & Mustache Championships at the Kings Theater in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, November 7. Elizabeth Shafiroff/Reuters
U.S. Beards Brooklyn

Facial hair was celebrated in Brooklyn this weekend as hundreds of competitors took to the Kings Theatre stage to prove their beard or mustache was the finest of the lot.

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Scott Metts of Orlando, Florida, celebrates after winning the 2015 Just For Men National Beard & Mustache Championships. Elizabeth Shafiroff/Reuters

"The purpose of the Nationals is to find and honor the best facial hair in America, but beardsmen from all over the world are invited to compete," the competition said on its website.

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Chris Bates of Detroit poses for a photograph. Elizabeth Shafiroff/Reuters

There are 18 categories, ranging from delicate mustache to "full beard freestyle" and Amish. Artificial facial hair is not permitted: only the real stuff.

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Overall winner Scott Metts of Orlando, Florida, poses for a photograph at the 2015 Just For Men National Beard and Mustache Championships. Hundreds of facial hair enthusiasts attended the event, competing in 18 different categories. Elizabeth Shafiroff/Reuters

Anyone with facial hair is welcome to participate, but only the first 300 people who register will make the cut to be on stage.

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James Mcmahon of Milwaukee poses for a photograph. Reuters

The beards included a bird cage, epic mutton chops and, as expected, some really, really long whiskers. They were judged by a facial hair expert, a music editor, a trend editor, a bartender, an employee of The Art of Shaving, a publication director and a beard-spotting-contest winner.

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Keith J. Haubrich of Seattle poses for a photograph. Elizabeth Shafiroff/Reuters

"The judges are asked to choose the contestants whose facial hair best enhances their overall appearance, style, and personality," the contest writes.

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Nayland Blake of Brooklyn poses for a photograph. Elizabeth Shafiroff/Reuters

Before taking the stage, those with the most lucious locks had to give them a brush:

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Contestants groom their beards backstage at the 2015 Just For Men National Beard & Mustache Championships. Elizabeth Shafiroff/Reuters
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