Ever heard of a mooched? Or a jazz dot? Or jazz dab? They’re all nicknames for the soul patch, that little nest of facial hair that grows between the lower lip and the chin. This unique style has its fair share of fans and critics. Some people love the soul patch, while others have tried to label it as the most maligned facial hair style in history. Here, we celebrate the soul patch and support anyone who wants to sport this distinctive look Soul Patch What Is It And Why The Heck.
Embracing the Soul Patch
If you’re thinking of adopting a soul patch like Howie Mandel or Johnny Depp, go for it! The beauty of the soul patch is in its versatility. It can be worn all by itself or as part of a combo with other facial hair. It can be a pencil-thin strip, a small dot, or a prominent and luxuriously thick feature. The possibilities are endless, and it allows for personal expression in facial hair styling.
The Origin of the Soul Patch
The soul patch’s history is rooted in jazz culture. Jazz musicians in the 1940s and 1950s helped popularize soul patches. Some jazz flute players found that the bare skin beneath their lower lip would rub uncomfortably against their flute mouthpieces, so they grew tufts of facial hair there for comfort. Conversely, some jazz trumpeters grew goatees to make their mouthpieces more comfortable.
One of the most famous soul patches belonged to the legendary Dizzy Gillespie. His distinctive facial hair became known as the Dizzy Gillespie beard or as he called it, his jazz dab. The style quickly caught on with hipsters and beatniks and became a symbol of the cool jazz scene.
The Name “Soul Patch”
Tracing the exact origin of the name “soul patch” is tricky. The earliest written mentions date back to the late 1970s in publications like National Lampoon and Rolling Stone magazine. During this time, John Baluchi and Dan Aykroyd were developing their Blues Brothers characters on Saturday Night Live. They upped their game by involving high-level musicians who played R&B and soul music. Baluchi took style inspiration from blues legend John Lee Hooker, notably the Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses and the soul patch.
Tom Waits, another prominent musician of the era, also sported a soul patch, helping to shift the style away from its jazz roots. The name “soul patch” stuck from then on, even though Baluchi ultimately dropped the look for The Blues Brothers movie.
The Soul Patch in the 1990s
The soul patch saw a resurgence in the 1990s, appearing everywhere. Celebrities like Luke Perry in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, baseball catcher Mike Piazza, and speed skater Apollo Ohno sported soul patches. Even country music star Garth Brooks got involved, taking the image well beyond its jazz origins. The soul patch became common in various circles, although it wasn’t always respected, partly due to its association with the Mall Goth and Nu Metal scenes.
Despite mixed opinions, the soul patch branched out from its roots and took hold in multiple social and cultural circles, demonstrating its lasting appeal and versatility.
The soul patch has a rich history and remains a popular choice for facial hair enthusiasts. Whether you wear it alone or in combination with other styles, it’s a unique way to express your personal style.
The Soul Patch Today
The soul patch remains a popular style today. People who are confident style icons or prominent figures really make them work – like Howie Mandel during his long stint as a judge on America’s Got Talent. But the truth is, anybody can wear one. Some people still haven’t gotten over their sneering since the 1990s, but if we’d listened to them, we likely wouldn’t have The Rugged Bros and the beard renaissance we love today.
Self-Expression in Beard Culture
Some purists will insist that a true soul patch stands alone – no sideburns, no mustach no mutton chops, no goatee, no other facial hair of any kind. We say ignore them and do what you like. Today’s beard culture is all about self-expression, and that includes soul patches in any configuration.
6 Soul Patch Styles to Explore
A soul patch alone can look very sleek, but when other facial hair enters the arena to partner it, the elegance and ruggedness factors go way up. There’s a soul patch style that can work for any guy.
1. Tiny and Immaculate
Almost like it isn’t there at all. Grow the tiniest little triangle or strip below your lower lip, cultivate it immaculately, and remain clean-shaven otherwise. Or maybe include a tiny, equally sculpted horizontal patch at the bottom of your chin to complement it.
2. Long Soul Patch
Who says a soul patch has to avoid the chin? Why not let yours grow in one strip or patch from your lower lip to the front of your chin?
3. Soul Patch with Mustache
There are so many choices, especially in mustache styles and sizes of soul patches. David Beckham once rocked a sculpted mustache with the classic anchor-shaped chin beard and soul patch.
4. Soul Patch with Goatee
A classic goatee look but trim the outer parts down a bit to feature the soul patch as thicker and darker in the middle.
5. Soul Patch with Mustache and Jawline Beard
Johnny Depp has had this look going on for some time. The simple mustache and soul patch combined with a disconnected beard running along his jawline and lower chin.
6. Soul Patch with Mustache and Chin Patch
Brad Pitt sure looked suave and sexy with this. Every part was sculpted to perfection – like him, really.
How to Trim and Maintain Your Soul Patch
Getting the look just right takes practice, so if you’re new to this sort of thing, we recommend you let your full beard grow and then go to a professional barber with a picture of the style you want. Then listen to his/her expertise about how to keep it looking great.
If you’re going to do it yourself, still grow all your facial hair first. Then use electric beard trimmers and a razor with a lot of patience to work slowly at it. Remember to trim gently and slowly. If you trim off too much, you have to start growing all over again. Take your time and do it over a few days so you can get used to each look and get advice as you progress.
The great news is a soul patch requires almost no styling work. BUT… you can’t leave aside the regular routine of using Beard Wash, Beard Oil, and a Beard Brush. Facial hair is still facial hair – even the tiniest amount – and it must be kept healthy and soft with regular beard grooming.
Conclusions
The soul patch, a distinctive facial hair style, has been both celebrated and criticized over the years. Originating in the jazz culture of the 1940s and 1950s, it was initially popular among musicians for practical reasons. The style gained prominence through famous figures like Dizzy Gillespie and was later popularized in mainstream culture by celebrities such as Johnny Depp and Howie Mandel.
Despite mixed opinions, the soul patch remains a versatile and expressive facial hair choice. It can be styled in numerous ways, either alone or in combination with other facial hair, allowing for personal expression. Maintaining a soul patch requires minimal effort, primarily involving regular grooming to keep the hair healthy and soft.
FAQs
Q: Can anyone wear a soul patch?
A: Yes, anyone can wear a soul patch. It’s all about confidence and personal style.
Q: Does a soul patch require a lot of maintenance?
A: A soul patch requires minimal styling, but it’s important to keep it healthy and soft with regular beard grooming routines.
Q: How long does it take to grow a soul patch?
A: The time it takes to grow a soul patch varies depending on individual hair growth rates, but generally, you should start seeing a noticeable patch within a couple of weeks.
Q: Can I combine a soul patch with other facial hair styles?
A: Absolutely! The soul patch can be combined with various other facial hair styles, such as mustaches, goatees, or jawline beards.
Q: What if I trim my soul patch too much?
A: If you trim too much, don’t worry. Just let your facial hair grow back and try again. Take your time and trim gently to avoid over-trimming.