Minneapolis ranked 6th friendliest to facial hair

Beard and mustache trends come and go. But Wahl, which makes gadgets designed to trim facial hair, wants us to believe that furry faces are once again in style.

The company released the results yesterday of a market survey from the Opinion Research Corporation of the most facial hair-friendly cities in the United States.

Minneapolis, which has hosted a beard-off for the previous five years and boasts a Minneapolis Beard and Mustache Club, was ranked sixth in the country. St. Paul apparently didn't make the top 20. 

I'll let the press release speak for itself on this important survey's methodology:

The study included in-depth analysis of the online universe over the past two years for beard and mustache positivity. Conversations and searches surrounding facial hair were measured, and cities were ranked based on overall interest and positive sentiment.

Boston ranked first. The company does acknowledge in the press release that the rankings could be influenced by "facial-hair-related events" like last year's beard-growing spree by players of the Boston Red Sox.

Michael "MJ" Johnson, founder of the Minneapolis Beard and Mustache Club said he's excited that the city scored sixth in the ranking.

"Facial hair is being accepted left and right in a number of professions," Johnson said. "Golden age of beards in Minneapolis -- I said so."

Wahl is touring the country on a big marketing campaign. In fact, if you need a shave, they're visiting the Minnesota State Fair later this month with a 30-foot tall mobile barbershop.

Here are the rankings:

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• New Minneapolis logo: Now with fewer sailboats
• St. Paul saves dilapidated billboard