It’s no secret that beards have become one of the most popular trends for men, with their ability to completely change your aesthetic. The remarkable thing is that there is a beard style for every man. Whether you’re after something tough or a little more subtle, this guide to different beard styles has got you covered.
For those who aren’t ready to commit to a full beard, stubble can make an excellent alternative. Sitting between clean-shaven and a short beard, stubble is both practical in length and stylishly rugged. Depending on your hair growth, the perfect stubble can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to grow.
If you’re trying to stay cool in the summer sun or your boss has decided that long beards don’t ‘work’ in their workplace, then a short beard is a style for you. For many men, it presents a perfect way to try something new, while still maintaining rugged, masculine facial hair. For a short beard, simply keep the hair on the cheeks and on the neck trimmed short and neatly combed. Regular maintenance is required to ensure your beard remains polished rather than patchy.
A longer beard can work well when done right, but approach this style with caution. It is a gradual process to perfect the longer beard, so be patient. Also, be mindful of your grooming. You want to ensure that your hair is styled appropriately, so you don’t end up looking like Tom Hanks in Castaway. Ensure that your barber gets your haircuts right – opt for more modern, youthful styles to prevent an aged aesthetic. Beard oil is also a good idea to stop irritation and dryness and also to make your beard hair more manageable.
Masculine and stylish, are two ways to describe the ducktail beard. It is a full beard that resembles a duck’s tail, hence the name. The style tends to have a pointed appearance at the chin and looks best when worn between two to four inches. It is flattering on most face shapes and can be adapted slightly to suit your preference, with varying thicknesses. The beauty of the ducktail beard is that it can have a very sophisticated finish and is easier to wear than some of the more daring styles. That said, the precision of the look makes it a little more maintenance. You will have to regularly groom your beard to have it look its best.
The right beard can transform your face, highlighting your best features and giving you a masculine finish. Circle beards could be just what you’re looking for if you want a stylish beard that can complement your face shape. This beard has a circular shape, which can be subtle or more dramatic, depending on your preference. It usually has a very neat appearance, although those who prefer a more rugged approach may wish to experiment a bit with varying lengths and thicknesses. This is the perfect choice for older men.
Beards are sexy and cool, but some are more difficult to grow and maintain. The Chevron mustache is one of the easier options to try out and can make a subtle statement with minimal effort. The style features thick facial hair covering the top lip. It can angle downwards at the corners of the lip but has a very natural appearance. This is the focus of your look because the rest of the face is clean-shaven or has only a little stubble; the contrast will draw even more attention to your lips. This facial hair has a decidedly 80s feel, but you can modernize it with how you choose to wear your hair.
What better way to find a balance between a mustache and a beard than with a beardstache? This is a modern and cool way to wear your facial hair that Henry Cavill perhaps popularized. The style focuses on the mustache but with shorter hair on the cheeks, jaw, and chin. The thick mustache and stubble create a nice balance instead of a sharp contrast that would be the case if you were to keep your face clean-shaven. Depending on how noticeable you wish it to be, you can experiment with varying lengths and thicknesses of your mustache. The look can be incredibly flattering and highlight your facial features. Although, it is best worn by men with full upper lips.
The Imperial beard style is for the man who wants to make a statement. If you are not shy and do not mind the attention that this daring mustache will bring you, then this is the look you have been searching for. It is a thick mustache curled upwards at the corners. The mustache enjoyed popularity during the 19th Century and was worn by men who wanted to portray the image of wealth and sophistication. These days, you can adapt your Imperial to suit your preference; this could be with a thick and full beard or with a chin strap. The facial hair you choose to pair with the Imperial can balance out the mustache or draw attention to it.
Another popular and easy-to-achieve beard style is the Van Dyke (sometimes spelled Van Dyck). It gets its name after the 17th-century Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck and is defined by a mustache and Goatee, with the cheeks being clean-shaven. It is a stylish and masculine option that remains popular with men of all ages. The finish is very distinct and can be somewhat challenging to maintain. You will regularly need to keep your cheeks and jawline shaved and trim the length of your mustache and Goatee. However, this style will suit most men and has been favored by some of the most handsome men in the world, including Pierce Brosnan.
The Anchor beard style is a short pointed beard on the chin paired with a mustache. Simply put, it creates the shape of an anchor with a strip of hair that extends from the chin to the jawline. The Anchor does require regular trimming and maintenance to keep the shape, but it looks great on most men and suits most face shapes. Those that will flatter and look especially good are square, round, and rectangular face shapes.
The Balbo beard style is classy and will add a touch of sophistication to your appearance. It features a combination of a goatee and a disconnected mustache and can be adapted slightly with varying thicknesses and lengths. That said, it is excellent for those with patchiness as the areas around the mouth are shaven. You can alter it to your style with how you choose to wear your mustache; it can be thick, long, or turned up or down at the corners of the mouth. The versatility makes this a popular choice. It is a look that male celebrities and style icons favor because it can be incredibly flattering and highlight your features. Plus, it is slim and clean.
The mutton chops beard style is for those who want a ruggedly handsome appearance. It is a look that was popular in the mid-19th Century and is often associated with the Wild West; however, the beard has most recently enjoyed a resurgence of popularity thanks to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine character. The beard features long sideburns down to the jaw, cut at a wide angle, and is joined by a mustache. The chin is kept clean-shaven, so the focus is on the side of the face. Although it is not for everyone, there are many variations of the look; some bold, thick, and messy, others more stylish and neat. You will need to regularly trim it and remove the hair from the cheeks and chin.
The Chin Strap beard style is the perfect option for men who do not want to grow a full beard and prefer just a little facial hair. It dates back to the 18th Century but is one of the most versatile beards and can be worn in various ways and paired with other facial hair, like a mustache. Or without a mustache, the choice is yours and should depend on your preference. The style can also help to define your jawline as it extends from each sideburn and under the chin. In addition, this is an excellent beard for men of all ages and will suit multiple face shapes.
If you want a beard that makes a statement, then look no further than the Garibaldi; named after the famed 9th Century Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi, who fought for unity in the country. This look is defined by being wide and full, although it should not pass 20 cm, and the mustache is thick but neat. A mustache joins the beard, and the facial hair looks natural, masculine, and thick. Beards can transform your face and highlight your features, specifically your jawline, and cheeks. It is best for those with rectangular or oval face shapes. This beard can also make you look sexy and masculine. You will require regular trips to the barber for trims and removal of split ends to ensure that your facial hair looks its best at all times.
The Bandholz beard style makes a statement because it is long and thick and features a mustache that joins into a full beard. It gets its name from beard expert and founder of Beardbrand, Eric Bandholz. Although the mustache has structure, the beard can grow freely and can be whatever length you wish it to be. It will usually take a minimum of six months to grow. You need the patience to rock this beard. You may not enjoy it while it is reaching the desired length, and it can look messy, but the finished appearance is incredibly stylish. It works exceptionally well with triangle, oblong, oval, and round face shapes.
The French Fork beard is a style that is not for the faint-hearted, and it will take some confidence to pull off. As the name suggests, this facial hair has a fork-like appearance, defined by the beard hair-splitting in the middle into two pieces; a French fork traditionally has two prongs. The beard is usually long, extending past the chin, but there are many variations depending on the length and texture of your facial hair. It can be neater and more subtle in appearance, or long, dramatic, and daring. The choice is yours, so find the look that works best for you. It is also a good idea to pair it with a mustache for a more balanced finish.
The bushy beard is great for adding texture and enhancing your face shape. If you are looking to exaggerate your jawline, a bushier beard will do just that. Beard oil is essential for this look, as it will prevent dryness and soften up the facial hair. A bushy beard can also make you look more mature. Much like a long beard, a bushy beard needs to be paired with a haircut that is styled appropriately. Joaquin Phoenix’s version of a bushy beard is a great example of a fuller beard with depth and texture.
Not all beards are created equal. So, while some gents can easily grow a big bush on their chins, others often struggle with patchiness. Don’t worry if you fall into the latter category, though. There are plenty of great patchy beard styles that look fantastic even with uneven hair growth. The trick to nailing the look is to opt for a very short beard for a smart style or grow it to a regular short length for a more rugged and stylishly undone appearance.
Viking beards are undoubtedly renowned for two things: their epic skills in battle, and their beards. For men looking for a masculine, no-nonsense way to style long and thick facial hair, a Viking beard is the way to go. To ensure you resemble a warrior rather than a wildebeest, remember to trim and shampoo your beard regularly. Finally, take a style note from the world’s favorite Viking, Ragnar, and rock your beard with long locks or a messy man bun.
Drawing the eye downwards, a beard can be the perfect way to elongate and balance out a round-shaped face. For this look, a full, thick beard and a mustache tend to work best. Fortunately, this style looks great both short and long, so experiment with the length until you find the one that’s right for you.
For dark-skinned men seeking a new look this season, opt for a full beard to redefine their appearance. Whether you choose a short, close-cut beard or a long, thick one, regular maintenance is essential to keep you looking sharp. Take a leaf from mega-rapper Drake’s book and add a sleek mustache to help blend the beard into the rest of the face. For day-to-day care, make sure to keep a few drops of beard oil close by for added moisture and to prevent irritation.
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For Asian men, a well-groomed beard can accentuate masculine jawlines and high cheekbones. If your dark hair has started to take on a lighter, whiter tone, embrace the path of the silver fox with a sophisticated, neat beard. For a more youthful approach, try a sleek man bun to complement a full beard.
When your hair is shorter, you will need to ensure that your beard is proportionate to your hair length. Stubble is failsafe – it particularly complements shorter hairstyles and gives an overall balanced look. It gets a bit tricky when you are growing your beard longer. With longer hairstyles, a longer beard works really well, but with shorter haircuts, you want to ensure that your beard doesn’t look too out of place if it is longer. The best way to ensure that your beard is proportionate to your haircut is to experiment with beard lengths – your face shape may be able to handle a long beard with a shorter haircut, but don’t go too extreme with your facial hair length.
Medium-length hairstyles work really well to compliment beards, as this length is typically more versatile than when your hair is cut shorter. To really amplify the effect of medium-length hair alongside a beard, go for trendy haircuts that will boost your beard’s appeal. Medium-length hair will also allow you the freedom to experiment with different beard lengths, so it is a failsafe length.
Length shouldn’t be feared when it comes to beards or facial hair in general. Longer hair is actually quite versatile and is very complimentary with shorter, medium, and longer facial hair. The important thing to remember about long hair and growing a beard is to ensure that your grooming is impeccable. You don’t want to look disheveled, so pay attention to how you style your long hair and appropriately trim your beard so you don’t look careless.
A beard can work well for an aesthetic influenced by the past. Slicked-back hair is a great way to incorporate retro vibes into your looks and will work well to make your beard more appropriate for formal or dressed-up occasions. Experiment with the finish of the product that you use for your slicked-back hairstyle, as different finishes can allude to varied aesthetics. A glossy, shiny finish is true to the 40s and 50s aesthetic, but a matte finish can work to modernize your hairstyle.
One of the most flattering haircuts to complement a beard is a fade haircut, it is well-balanced and lends a modern vibe to facial hair. The appealing thing about a fade haircut is that it hinges on precision, meaning that it can handle longer beards and will balance out your looks more appropriately. The modernity of a faded haircut will also make your interpretation of a beard more youthful and complement different dress codes.
Bouncier hair types like curls and waves work incredibly well with beards because the textures correspond well with each other. You will want to ensure that you are using a product with a shiny finish, as it will allow your hair to stand out when paired with a beard. Work your chosen product in with your fingers and concentrate on ensuring your locks stay in place with a medium-hold hairspray.
If you’re looking to toughen up a man’s ban, a beard is a solution. The depth of a bun alongside the masculine elements of a beard work well for a modern aesthetic. A thicker, fuller beard works to enhance the height of a bun, adding dimension. Alternatively, stubble is also an appealing option, lending texture that will bode well for the extra length of your hair. Our references for this combo? Orlando Bloom and Jared Leto, have both balanced out the length of their man buns with their stubble.
A blow-dried pompadour is one of the most appealing hairstyles to complement a fuller beard. Given the hairstyle is more youthful, it balances out heavier beards well and won’t leave you looking too mature. When styling your pompadour, opt for a sleeker finish and aim to add volume when you’re drying your wet hair. A glossy pompadour will effectively boost the appeal of a beard, making you look more put together.
This is a tricky one. Whilst messy hair has the potential to look effortless and textured with a beard, you don’t want your combination to look like you’re homeless or in need of a shower. The trick to pulling these two elements off is to style your hair with a product that has a hint of shine and ensure your beard is neat and trimmed accordingly. You want your hair to look effortless but you shouldn’t just roll out of bed. Keep in mind that sometimes achieving “messy hair” can ironically take longer than just blow-drying your hair, so if you can’t commit to making a messy mane work with a beard, stick to something more simple.
To achieve an awesome beard, you also need to take your mustache into account. After all, unless you’re rocking a goatee, or something similar, the hair above your lip will always affect the appearance of your beard. As such, you need to ensure a coordinated look. So, if your beard is short and neat, you must ensure that your mustache is neatly trimmed to match. Also, it’s important to consider if and how your beard and mustache connect and whether you want to add any style details, such as curled ends on your mustache, or not.
A beard can look great on men who have grey hair. To rock a stylish grey beard, all you need to remember is to keep your look neat and polished. Doing so will ensure that you maintain a mature and sophisticated appearance that’s appropriate for your age. As such, you should select either a short beard or a long beard style for your look. As stubble and bushy beards can both sometimes appear a little unkempt, they are best avoided.
For teenage gents who have a knack for growing facial hair, a beard can make a fashionable addition to their look. All they need to do is pick an appropriate beard style for a teenager. A short beard or stubble look is usually the best option for those under 20 years old. Thanks to their minimal lengths, these styles are achievable for young men. They also look great and can project an appearance that perfectly blends maturity with youthfulness.
A beard is a fashionable look for men from all over the world, including India. Indian beard styles can be diverse with a selection of options that are suitable for all face shapes and styles. In particular, short beards and stubble can look great on Indian gents. As Indian hair is often thick and voluminous, keeping your beard trimmed and neat will allow for a balanced and complementary appearance.
The oval face is one of the most versatile shapes, which gives you versatility with how you style your beard. There are several options to choose from depending on your hair growth and preference, including the full beard. The full beard does not suit all face shapes but complements an oval face because it is longer. Other options include a beard stache or stubble. You can also opt for more distinct styles like the Van Dyke or Balbo.
The Mexican beard style is often categorized by a curled or handlebar mustache and a neat, short beard style. Generally, these bearded looks tend to be shorter and create a polished and sophisticated appearance. Styles to choose from include an imperial beard, a trimmed circle beard, and a pencil beard. For those who want something longer, you can create a contrast with a refined handlebar mustache and a scruffy beard for a more laid-back aesthetic.
A bald or shaved head can look great when paired with a beard because it creates a contrast and is an excellent way to complement the baldness. Many celebrities have rocked this look, proving it is a style that is masculine and effortlessly cool, and there is a wide range of styles to choose from, including Viking beards and full styles, to more subtle options like stubble. A beard can also soften the appearance of a bald head.
Like a faded hairstyle, a beard fade follows the same concept and is defined by a graduation in hair length from longer to shorter. Try a beard fade in different ways, including focusing it around the sideburns. This is an excellent way to shape the beard and give it structure. It can also be incredibly flattering and create a neat and polished appearance. However, this is a more complicated style to achieve and is often best created by professionals.
A beard lineup is an excellent way to give your beard structure and create a neat and polished appearance. This is a great option for giving your facial hair shape. It can be challenging to locate where to start the lineup and find your beard neckline, but it is usually around two fingers above the Adam’s Apple; you can enlist the help of your barber to create the lineup for you.
When it comes to the hair on your face, grooming is essential, and beard styling products play a significant role in that process. While trimming and cutting your beard is important to ensure the shape of your beard looks great, conditioners and oils are useful for keeping your beard healthy, hydrated, and soft. Wax, on the other hand, can be used to ensure your crazy crumb-catcher looks presentable and polished for formal occasions and business settings.
Your choice of beard style is going to depend on two main factors – your face shape and growth pattern. The first step is to work out what shape face you have. The seven main types are rectangle, oval, square, heart, diamond, round, and triangle. Once you have that, you also need to have a look at how your facial hair grows. There’s no point in aiming for a full beard if you have no hair growing along your jawline. A goatee style might be a better choice. Keep in mind, your beard growth will likely change with age, so just because you couldn’t rock a full beard in your 20s doesn’t mean you won’t be able to in your 30s.
Studies have shown that heavy stubble is considered the most attractive beard length. This length could be regarded as more hygienic than longer beards and also doesn’t hide the wearer’s face. It’s easy to keep tidy with overall lower maintenance, yet is still suitably masculine. Plus, it’s also past the horrendous pash-rash length!
