Meet the man with the official ‘world's best beard' — it's so big he struggles to eat
Trevor Mustafa, 44, has been recognized for his impressive facial hair — which he decided to grow out 'no matter what society said.'
Trevor began growing his current beard in February 2023 — before emerging victorious in the best in show category in July.
Although living with such an unruly beard presents daily challenges, Trevor says he embraces it as a symbol of self-expression and plans to continue competing.
6 Trevor Mustafa, 44, has been recognized for his impressive facial hair – which he decided to grow out 'no matter what society said.'
Trevor Mustafa / SWNS
Trevor, a maintenance worker for a post office, from Sacramento, California, said: 'I've been growing my beard out pretty much for about 12 years, occasionally cutting it all off and starting over again.
'But I've been heavily bearded like I am now for about 12 years.'
His journey to beard competition glory began unexpectedly after receiving encouragement from admirers both in person and online.
'I was growing the beard out and getting a lot of compliments in person, and then I'd post pictures online and people would tell me 'oh, you should compete',' he said.
6 Mustafa, from Sacramento, California, said, 'I've been growing my beard out pretty much for about 12 years, occasionally cutting it all off and starting over again.
Trevor Mustafa / SWNS
It led him to enter three Great American Beard and Moustache Championships in 2018, 2022, and 2024 – where he secured first place each time.
But the 2025 World Championship represented a significant step up in competition.
'When I went to the world championship, I had a feeling I would do well, but I didn't know if I would win first place, and I certainly didn't expect to win Best in Show,' Trevor said.
'It was a complete surprise.'
6 Mustafa one first place in the Great American Beard and Moustache Championships in 2018, 2022, and 2024.
Trevor Mustafa / SWNS
His award-winning beard – now approximately 11 inches long — requires dedicated maintenance to keep it in tip top condition.
His daily routine includes minimal brushing and application of beard oil, while his weekly regimen is more intensive.
'Weekly, I give it a deep conditioning with a hair mask,' he said.
'When I get out of the shower, I use a blow dryer on medium heat to dry my beard first, then apply beard products before combing through with my detangling brush.'
Trevor swears by a Crave natural detangling brush, which he describes as 'about $10 off Amazon' – noting it allows him to 'comb through my beard with little to no damage or hair loss'.
Maintaining such an impressive beard comes with unique challenges, particularly when it comes to dining.
'Eating is a real challenge. I can't eat ice cream, I can't eat soup — pretty much almost anything – just because of how thick and wide my beard is,' he said.
'I've had to learn to take soft first bites because there's been more than a few times where I've swallowed my beard and been choking myself on it.
6 Maintaining such an impressive beard comes with unique challenges, particularly when it comes to dining, Mustafa said.
Trevor Mustafa / SWNS
'I kept thinking that has to be the most ridiculous way to die.'
Beyond the practical challenges, Trevor acknowledges that sporting such distinctive facial hair can affect social interactions.
'It's not just a beard, but it's a big beard, so it pushes away people that don't like facial hair to begin with,' Trevor said.
'But I'm the kind of person who kind of likes having that filter. I don't judge people based on their looks, and I prefer to be treated that way too.
6 'Eating is a real challenge. I can't eat ice cream, I can't eat soup – pretty much almost anything – just because of how thick and wide my beard is,' he said.
Trevor Mustafa / SWNS
'So anybody who would judge me based on my looks — it's good for me that we don't interact.'
The champion beard-grower is dad to two teenagers — a 16-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old autistic son.
His initial beard-growing journey began as a personal statement of autonomy.
'The main inspiration for me was that it was kind of like an exercise,' he said.
6 Beyond the practical challenges, Mustafa acknowledges that sporting such distinctive facial hair can affect social interactions.
Trevor Mustafa / SWNS
'I wanted to decide what I was going to look like, no matter what society said.'
Following his world championship victory, he plans to continue competing, with his next event scheduled for Los Angeles at the end of August.
'I feel like it's a good omen for my beard to win first place and best in show,' he said.
'So maybe I should keep going.'
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