The beard issue is never an easy one to answer. On a general level it's good with the fellas and bad with the ladies, but there are enough exemptions from the rule to not be satisfied there. Those ladies that want their men a bit rugged and masculine often enjoys a beard, as long as it is a manly beard and not some teenagers foolish attempt at masking his youth to be able to buy beer at the local gas station.

From having had a beard of varying sizes throughout almost my entire adult life I have found out that the most negative aspect of a beard is the somewhat prejudice idea that it sticks and itches. That's depending on the texture of the beard though. Those of you with rough, pointy hairs that claws at the girls necks when you (or on this site it is perhaps more suitable with - if you) kiss them you might want to reconsider. It's likely not very attractive. Mine however is soft enough to make the ladies purr with delight, or so I tell myself.

Another aspect to consider is of course the length of the beard. The typical male approach is to boast a big beard. Other guys will grunt in respect for such a brutishly masculine symbol. Most women however will disdain it. I had a period where my beard got the thumbs up from muslims in Southern Thailand and questions regarding my faith from the New York customs, but what I didn't have during that time was any form of positive remark regarding my beard from women. Nowdays I have cut it short and that seems to be much more to their liking.

The third and most important aspect to attract the fairer sex is to keep it neatly trimmed. And to respond to the man who started this whole beard blogging event; Chewie, those moustache strands going down over your lips has to go. No woman without an equally ill kept moustache of her own would want to spend that exciting evening waiting for Santa Claus in company with that. Personally I would cut the beard slightly shorter as well...and since you have opened up the whole criticism of your appearance thing I would seriously recommend a hair cut. With the beard you escape looking like a little girlie girl, but why not go for something a little less fantasy inspired? If you play the guitar and/or is a Metallica fan you might want to keep it though.

I wish you the best of luck! In Sweden I would have serious doubts of waking up next to someone good looking or even simply self respecting on Christmas morning, but maybe traditions are different in the UK.