Supernatural Fiction Readers discussion

Since they are always clean-shaven,was just wondering,do they not grow facial hair?

Since vampires can't see their own reflections, they automatically cast a glamour of their own self-images, which are always completely beautiful. That's how you can always tell a vampire.

Marc wrote: "Since vampires can't see their own reflections, they automatically cast a glamour of their own self-images, which are always completely beautiful. That's how you can always tell a vampire."

say whaaat????

Vampires don't grow beards so they don't need to shave? That's the mythology I've seen most often.

Has that actually been mentioned,in book or film that vampires don't grow facial hair,that's what I wonder?

I've seen it mentioned in a number of books but my memory combined with reading around 200 books a year has me unable to point at specific books to give you sources. Sorry. I think it might have been mentioned in the TV series based on Tanya Huff's books. Not sure if it was ever mentioned on Buffy or Angel but we never saw shaving or facial hair that I recall. No shaving in Kim Harrison's books either but again I don't think it was mentioned specifically. Not mentioned in Varney The Vampire Or The Feast Of Blood, Volume III a penny dreadful written in the Victorian days.

There have been a number of bearded vampires (at least in film) John Carradine, Lon Chaney Jr, Mike Raven. (Even Angel has a moustache in a flashback scene.)

As for shaving, the obvious is that they get someone to do it for them.

Not all vamp mythology has them unable to be seen in mirrors. In those universes shaving wouldn't be an issues...

Thanks for the info,Tasha and Mike.I haven't seen any of the films with vampires with facial hair,will have to check them out!

Speaking of vampires with facial hair, Bram Stoker has Jonathan Harker describe Dracula as having a "heavy moustache" (like the real-life 15th-century Dracula, according to his surviving portraits). This fact tends to be forgotten, because more people are familiar with the classic 1930s movie adaptation (where the count is played by the clean-shaven Bela Lugosi) than with the book.

Werner wrote: "Speaking of vampires with facial hair, Bram Stoker has Jonathan Harker describe Dracula as having a "heavy moustache" (like the real-life 15th-century Dracula, according to his surviving portraits)..."

Oh, well see I would know that if I had ever read Dracula,and I can't believe that I haven't, but that's the case.I have it on my Kindle and have intentions to read it,but just haven't yet.Thank you so much for that info,though,I did not know that.A "heavy moustache",huh,ewww,I like them neatly trimmed so you can see the lip,lol!

Christine wrote: "Werner wrote: "Speaking of vampires with facial hair, Bram Stoker has Jonathan Harker describe Dracula as having a "heavy moustache" (like the real-life 15th-century Dracula, according to his survi..."

Christopher Lee played Dracula with a moustache in a non-Hammer movie.

Werner wrote: "Speaking of vampires with facial hair, Bram Stoker has Jonathan Harker describe Dracula as having a "heavy moustache" (like the real-life 15th-century Dracula, according to his surviving portraits)..."

A mustache but no beard? I so need to read my copy of Dracula. This is a light reading month so I think I'll add it.

Lee wrote:"Christopher Lee played Dracula with a moustache in a non-Hammer movie."

Which movie is that?

It's Jess Franco's Dracula (Also with Hebert Lom and Klaus Kinski)

Some books have vampires appearing exactly as they are when they die - sort of. They're usually healed of wounds, but are otherwise just as they are at the age they die. They're stuck even with the same length hair. Imagine dealing with a 1970's haircut now.

On "True Blood", that red headed gal that Bill turns into a vampire complains that she loses her virginity again each time she makes love.

One of the ways a supposed vampire can be identified in folklore is that the hair and nails continue to grow after death.

Lee wrote: "It's Jess Franco's Dracula (Also with Hebert Lom and Klaus Kinski)"

Ok,thanks for the info.

Lee wrote: "One of the ways a supposed vampire can be identified in folklore is that the hair and nails continue to grow after death."

Isn't this true of everyone after death?

I believe Mary Roach says it is in Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. Great book. Roach does a wonderful job balancing humor & decorum.

My review is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just because humans can't see them in a mirror doesn't mean they can't see themselves. Think about vampire women trying to put on makeup without being able to see their own reflection.

C.E., that's why they say that being Undead is a curse. Just ask any vampire woman. :-)

Werner wrote: "C.E., that's why they say that being Undead is a curse. Just ask any vampire woman. :-)"

ROTFL I don't wear makeup so no problems here.

Tasha wrote: "Werner wrote: "C.E., that's why they say that being Undead is a curse. Just ask any vampire woman. :-)"

ROTFL I don't wear makeup so no problems here."

are you admitting you're a vampire?!

C.E. wrote: "are you admitting you're a vampire"

I neither admit nor deny any claims that I'm a vampire

Depends on the author!

One notes that a vampire with a beard could have easily grown it before death.

Marc wrote: "Since vampires can't see their own reflections, they automatically cast a glamour of their own self-images, which are always completely beautiful. That's how you can always tell a vampire."

Love it!

Actually that is a great question. Maybe they ask their other vampire folks to shave them(?)

Jim wrote: "Some books have vampires appearing exactly as they are when they die - sort of. They're usually healed of wounds, but are otherwise just as they are at the age they die. They're stuck even with the..."

The hair and nails of normal humans visually appear to grow for three days after death. This appearance is caused by receding skin.

They are dead, but beautiful - perhaps we're meant to leave it like that and just accept their immaculate!!?