I have to agree. The photos aren't exactly that fair but still in many cases I found the first photo, esp with stubble (and not beards) way more attractive.

I agree with everything you said

I don't understand what I call beard Nazis. People who reflexively hate beards. Maybe you/they are envious because of inability to grow a robust one? Same with hairy chests. A man with a hairy chest should be proud to show it. Say what you will, a hairy chest IS a symbol of manliness, of virility. F**k fashion trends. They're not a measure of a man. They're a measure of how other people judge a man based on arbitrary criteria. Sorry if you can't grow one. I can, I do, and I'm proud of it. And my beard, too. And well over 50% of people I know seem to agree. Maybe it's not the beard or the chest but, rather, the total package. You may find it hard to believe but i don't have a big ego about my appearance, I just know what works for me. I'm proud to be a man, hair and all. Especially with hair on face and chest. I'm not egotistical about it and I don't lord it over others. I just refuse to allow others to try to demean me based on what's "fashionable" at the moment. Good taste is eternal.

It's more like an option to change the overall shape of your face, long beard for a wide/round face, short wide beard for a long face. There is plenty of exposed skin left to see if it's good or bad. For me it's just about not being bald on the top and bottom and on top I'm genetically screwed :)

All guys look better with facial hair... and studies have proven that females find facial hair on men to be most attractive... and clean shaven to be least attractive... because facial hair shows high testosterone levels and sexual maturity..

That's ridiculous. It's shaving that is the "makeup" for most men. In the sense that it is not your natural state.

Except beards are natural and it's unnatural to shave them and makeup is also fake.