Fans and haters alike have been talking about Robert Pattinson’s new haircut, but there has been one style mantra that many have stuck to: “It’s not about fashion; it’s about sex.” While it’s true that Pattinson has been very open about his bisexuality and his sex life, his new haircut is actually about a lot more than meets the eye. Let’s take a closer look at what exactly happened with the “punishing” haircut and whether or not Robert Pattinson masterbated. 

He Had To Cut Off All The Clutter

When Robert Pattinson decided to go au naturelle with his hair, he knew that he had to make some sacrifices. One of the main complaints that fans had about Pattinson is that he’s always putting on a show. 

Well, the crux of the problem was that the actor’s natural hair was just too damn long. So rather than go through the hassle of trying to tame it, he opted to get rid of it. And you know what? It was the right decision. 

Yes, the 26-year-old British actor’s hair was almost certainly a major factor in his career. He first became famous for portraying the character Drake in the 2005 movie version of the crime classic Sherlock Holmes. Since then, he’s appeared in major films like The Twilight Saga, Good Will Hunting, and The Lost Honour of Christopher Bloom. But it’s been his more recent work that’s garnered him widespread attention and fame. 

First off, let’s take a look at his critically acclaimed performance in the 2016 movie, The Lost Honour of Christopher Bloom. In it, we see Pattinson play a charming, if somewhat misguided architect whose life is turned upside down when his wife abandons him and his children for a life in Paris. While he was initially devastated, we soon discover that his depression and anxiety have made him surly and cold, and he lashes out at those around him. In one particularly gruesome scene, he beats an elderly man to death with a shovel. It was a huge part in establishing his villainous reputation. 

Fans of the Sherlock Holmes movie will remember that while playing the character of Sherlock Holmes, Pattinson sported a long mustache and a full head of hair. However, when that particular scene from the movie was recreated for the 2017 sequel, The Secret Policemannn, Pattinson opted for a clean-shaven look. While initially confusing to film fans, it makes complete sense once you know the real reason why he went for a change. 

It Was About Sex

One of the major issues with Pattinson’s hair is that it always seemed to be in the way. When the actor was younger, he often kept it long enough to pull it over his forehead when he went to bed at night. But as he got older, he began to dread having to keep tugging it every night before he went to sleep. So instead of putting up with the hassle, he decided to go for a fresh new look. 

In fact, fans of the Sherlock Holmes franchise have speculated that when it comes to fashion, the actor may have taken after his famous detective father, Alfred. Not only is Alfred’s mustache similar in shape to Robert Pattinson’s, but so are his clothes. Of course, we can’t be certain what the elder Pattinson’s actual fashion style was, but his lifestyle certainly has influenced his adult children. 

One of the reasons that Pattinson has been so open about his bisexuality is that he wants to explore his sexuality more fully. Especially since he’s been single for so long. Back in 2014, he told Rolling Stone: “I’ve always liked women. I’ve loved kissing women and fucking women since I was 14 years old. The only thing that’s changed is that I now like having sex with men.” And when he found himself in a committed relationship with cinematographer Mathew Knowles, they certainly made their relationship public. In 2016, the couple were honored with a wedding ceremony in Paris. The ceremony was attended by a number of celebrities, including Chris Pine and Daniel Craig. 

He Also Cut Off That Pesky Beard

Apart from his hair, Pattinson has had another fashion faux pas that’s definitely earned him some extra attention. As we’ve established, the actor is very interested in fashion and often gives himself and his style a lot of airtime. However, when he decided to go au naturelle with his hair, he forgot to grow his facial hair. And you know what? He couldn’t be more wrong! 

For starters, when he was younger, the actor used to grow a very thick and full beard. One that covered his neck and almost his entire chin. But as he got older, he began to hate the way that it affected his appearance. Especially since he never felt fully comfortable with the way that he looked. He told Entertainment Weekly in 2014: “When I was about 12 or 13, I started getting this stupid rash on my chin. I kept scratching it and it kept bleeding, so my dad tried to figure out what was wrong with me. Then he heard about this magical oil that German researchers used in World War II to help them gauge the depth of a person’s facial features. And that’s when he knew what was wrong.” 

Luckily for Pattinson, he didn’t have to go under the knife (or needle) to fix his problem. Instead, he began experimenting with different techniques to shape his chin. Some of which, he admits, were quite extreme. Like applying electrical tape to his jawline. Or sticking a hook in his lip. While others, such as laser surgery, were more conventional. But no matter what method he tried, his chin would never look the same. So he decided to give up trying to make it look perfect and went for a simpler, but still stylish, look. 

What Is He Going To Use As A Replacement?

Now that we’ve established that the haircut and the styling of the actor’s facial hair were about far more than fashion, let’s take a look at what he’s using to replace them. Starting with his hair, the actor has gone for a simple yet stylish haircut that still follows the ‘80s hair trend. And as you might expect, he’s going with a similar look for his eyebrows: a thick arch that follows the ‘80s brow trend. For his skin, the 26-year-old British beauty has gone for a clean-shaven look: no masking needed! As for his clothing, he’s kept a lot of the ‘70s influences mainly in the color and cut of his suits, as well as the shirt and tie he wears with them. All of which he hopes will help him transition gracefully into being a full-time father. 

With all of this in mind, it would be a shame to ignore the fact that the haircut and the style of the actor’s facial hair have been a talking point among fans and haters alike. Especially since it’s opened a pandora’s box of discussion regarding his sexuality, his drug use, and even his role as a father. Regardless of what the future holds for Pattinson, it’s clear that he’s not going to be hiding himself away any time soon. Fashion-wise, it appears that, instead of following the trends of the ‘80s or ‘70s, he’s simply going with what feels right for him.