14 DAY TRIAL // This year, the United States National Beard & Mustache Championships have been organized in New Orleans, Louisiana. The 2014 edition will be held in Portland.
According to Huffington Post, photographer Greg Anderson has produced the portraits above at his own expense.
He offers a unique view into a very unusual competition that rewards creativity in grooming facial hair.
"The images that came from it were well worth the time, effort and money," Anderson describes.
The mustache contest is divided into categories, such as the "Dali" or the "Hungarian." The former is, of course, "slender with long tips, straight up or arching up."
The "Hungarian" has to be pulled to the sides and be rather bushy and voluminous. Beard categories also have odd names such as the "Muskateer," the "Imperial," and the "Garibaldi."