If there’s one thing that will never go out of style for men, it’s beards. While moustaches and sideburns have been in and out of vogue, classic beard styles have been an essential part of many men’s grooming for hundreds of years.
Here are a few of the best beard styles that can work for anyone.
RELATED: The Best Beard Trimmers For Men In 2024
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Know Your Face Shape
Determining the different beard styles for you isn’t exactly rocket science, but just because it’s relatively simple doesn’t mean you don’t need to think about it. The first thing you need to do to perfect the look of your facial hair is to work out what your face shape is.
The simple way to do this is to take a couple of measurements of your face, including your forehead, jawline, face length and cheekbone width. These can be done as follows using a tape measure:
Forehead: Find the distance from the highest point of one eyebrow to the highest point of the other.
Jawline: Find the distance from the top of your chin to the pointiest part of your jaw below the ear. Multiply by two for both sides of your face.
Face Length: Find the distance from the tip of your chin to the middle of your hairline.
Cheekbone Width: Find the distance from the pointiest part of your cheekbone below your eye, to the same point on the other side of your face.
Once you’ve got those measurements written down, order them from longest to shortest and use them to determine the shape of your face:
- For a diamond-shaped face, the face length is the longest measurement. The cheekbones and forehead follow this measurement, and then the jawline.
- For those with a heart-shaped face, the width of the forehead is more significant than the jawline and cheekbones.
- Oval-shaped faces have a longer face length compared to the cheekbones. Their forehead is also more prominent than their jawline.
- Men with square face shapes have a very pronounced jawline, which is greater than the cheekbones and similar to the forehead.
- For those with a triangle face shape, the jawline measurement is wider than the width of their cheekbone. The cheekbone is also more prominent than the forehead.
- Lastly, those with round-shape faces have roughly the same face length and cheekbone width. These parts of the face are usually large and have the same size as the jawline and forehead.
Now that we know the shape of our face, let’s get the beard trimmer out of the drawer and into the best beard and facial hair styles for you.
Diamond-Shaped Face Beard Styles
When it comes to men with diamond-shaped faces, their goal should be to have a beard that is a little longer than their chin, although not too long. With this beard style, they can accentuate their jawline, which is one of their best features. They can also cover their chin and give an illusion that squares off the natural contours of their jaw.
If you have this face structure, you should avoid beards accentuating your pointy chin. The moustache must also be kept short. You can also choose a beard style that won’t add unneeded width to your sideburns because it will make your face look wider.
The middle ground beard choice for diamond-shaped faces includes stubbles. Although these look good, they may not do the best job of balancing your features. Celebrities with this face structure include Johnny Depp and Robert Pattison.
Garibaldi
The Garibaldi beard is a fantastic choice for men who want a full-face beard to highlight their cheekbones and balance their chin. One of the best things about this beard is its low maintenance.
The Garibaldi beard has a rounded-out jawline, natural moustache, high cheek line, and short sides. The length can depend on your style, although it can be grown from 4 to 8 inches. It will take a while for this beard style to grow.
Verdi
Another beard style that is perfect for men with a diamond-shaped face is the Verdi beard. The moustaches are styled and curled up from the ends for this beard style. It also features a full beard that does wonders to round up the jawline. If you want to try out this beard style, keep it reasonably short for a sharper look.
Ducktail
This full-face beard has short sides and a well-maintained moustache. However, the major highlight of this beard is the jawline that tapers to the chin area. Considering what we suggested above about not choosing beards that accentuate your chin, this beard style surprisingly works because letting the jawline taper gradually to a broader point will balance out the proportions of your chin area.
This style will also add more width to your jaw and cheekbones. If you choose this beard style, keep in mind that it is high-maintenance and needs a couple of months to grow to its ideal length.
Boxed Beard (Short)
If you want to look sharp and put together at all times, this is a great square beard style to rock. It has everything that a bearded guy would want. The moustache is well-groomed, the jawline is sharp, and the beard is precisely cut.
This beard style is unique because it has a very pronounced jawline, which only adds to the high-end look that this beard offers. For this beard style, keep your chin square by cutting your facial hair to a medium length. Doing this will also help round your jawline while keeping it balanced at the same time.
The boxed beard also features a trimmed moustache and a higher neckline that hugs your jaw. Growing this beard takes roughly one month.
Heart-Shaped Face Beard Styles
Men with heart-shaped faces must look for beard styles that will highlight their jawline. They must also put a bit of width on their chin to balance it out. Doing this will add squareness to the face’s bottom half without disrupting the cheekbone’s structure.
In many ways, this face structure is like a combination of a round and triangle face. It is similar to an inverted triangle where the forehead narrows to the cheek and the chin. However, the features are softer.
If you have a heart-shaped face, avoid beard styles that emphasize your pointy chin, such as the Van Dyke or Goatee. If you choose this style, your forehead will look more prominent. Unless you are bringing focus to the bottom half of your face, do not grow facial hair at all.
Celebrities with this face structure include Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ryan Gosling, and Chris Pine.
Full Beard
When it comes to men with heart-shaped faces, a full beard (or Viking beard) will make them look good. This beard usually has a length that falls between two to six inches. It has short sides and a trimmed moustache.
This beard style is a fantastic choice because it accentuates the jawline. It will also hide your chin, which will make it look bigger than it is. Finally, having a full Viking beard will make your features look more proportionate.
Hollywoodian Beard
This beard is reminiscent of many Hollywood stars, which explains its name. It features a long goatee grown an inch above the jawline and under the ears.
The upper cheeks and sideburns of this beard style are kept neat. Therefore, the definition is prominent in the jawline and chin. When you have the Hollywoodian beard, you will not be adding more width to the cheekbones. In turn, your face will look more proportional, and the width of your cheekbones, jaw, and forehead will look similar.
Boxed Beard
This short and medium beard style will suit men with diamond-shaped faces. It’s also nicknamed corporate beard because its cheek and neckline look very neat. Therefore, you can sport this beard style in your office if you keep it trimmed short.
For the boxed beard, you can choose from two variations. The first one is the high-boxed beard, where the cheekline will remain high and where it naturally grows. The second choice is a low-boxed version, where you must shave down the cheek line to 1 inch or lower.
If your face falls on the shorter side, the low-boxed version will look better on you because it will create the illusion of a longer face.
Oblong-Shaped Face Beard Styles
For men with an oblong-shaped face, their face length is twice as long as their face width. If they don’t prioritize getting the proper beard styles, it can make their head look longer than average.
One feature of having an oblong-shaped face is the cheekbones, jaw, and forehead are close to each other, and their chins are slanted instead of pointy.
So what does this mean? Are men with oblong-shaped faces not allowed to enjoy having a beard? No. Many men with this face structure look amazing with a full beard, but the secret lies in choosing the beard styles that complement their face shape instead of making it look disproportionate.
If you have an oblong face structure, your primary goal should be not to add more length to your face, which is why it works perfectly well in stubble styles. Having this style will add more definition to face features without hiding anything.
Celebrities with this face structure include Ben Affleck, Jon Hamm, and Hugh Jackman.
Stubble
A recent study found that women rated men with light stubble as most attractive, cementing it as one of the ideal beard styles for men. Whether you choose a light stubble of around 0.4mm in length, a designer stubble around 2mm to 3mm in size, or a longer stubble that is 4mm to 5mm, it will look excellent.
One of the benefits of this type of facial hair style is that it’s effortless to grow. Depending on your choice of length, you can grow your stubble in one day, especially if your facial hair grows fast.
Beard-Mustache
A beard-moustache is one of the most common beard styles today, especially among older men. It gives out a sophisticated vibe. The beard moustache refers to a full face of medium or heavy stubble growth, with the addition of a full moustache that frames the face.
Although the stubble will only take a week to grow, the moustache will take time. It usually takes four to six weeks to grow to a decent length.
Wolverine Beard
Are you the type of guy who wants to make a statement? If so, you can channel your inner Wolverine fan and grow this facial hair. The Wolverine beard has 1-inch extended mutton chops, complimented by a shaved chin gap and a stubble moustache. Remember that this beard is hard to pull off, but it’s still possible.
Because it adds a definition to the side of the face instead of the chin, it can balance out the length of your face. If you try out this best beard style, your face will look more oval.
Oval-Shaped Face Beard Styles
If you have an oval-shaped face, you’re in luck. Many people consider this one of the best face forms for men because it is very balanced. Almost all beard styles will look good on anyone with this face shape, except those with long sides.
The main characteristic of this face structure is visible yet not angular features. The primary goal of these facial hair styles should be to add sharp edges on the face, specifically the jawline and chin area. No face feature will stand out without these because everything is rounded or sloped.
Men who want to look good with this face structure must not have long sideburns or a short beard around the chin because this can mess up the shape of the face. Considering this, you can try out almost all the beards listed in this article, and you can still look appealing and turn heads.
Celebrities with this face structure include Adam Levine, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Idris Elba.
Stubble
One of the best choices for men with this face structure is to grow stubble. This beard style does not heavily accentuate any proportional features. It only complements your look and adds a masculine element.
Maintenance is critical in choosing light, medium, or heavy stubble. Invest in a quality trimmer so your facial hair will always look tidy.
Goatee or Circle Beard
Some men cannot grow facial hair fully on their cheeks; if they do, it will only look patchy. If you’re one of them, try growing out a goatee or circle beard instead. A goatee is a circular beard around your mouth, and the length usually falls between 10mm and 14mm, which means it takes roughly about a month to grow. It has shaved sideburns and cheeks.
With this facial hair style, your oval face structure will look better because it will define your chin more. It will also make your jawline appear more angular.
Square-Shaped Face Beard Styles
For men with a square-shaped face, their face height is longer than their face width, although it’s not by much. In many ways, having a square-shaped face is similar to a round-shaped look, but the significant difference is this face shape has more angular features.
If you have this face structure, you may think you don’t need a beard since it may hide your chiselled features, but you’re mistaken. With the proper facial hair, you can look more masculine and put together. Men with square-shaped faces also tend to push out their masseter muscles on the side of their faces, making them look more angular than usual.
This face structure is considered attractive, which is why it will look good with stubbles, and trimmed beards. For those with a more angular jawline, a longer and fuller beard will look better to round out the angles.
But because this face structure is not considered tall, it is best to avoid styles that add more width to the face since it would make you look boyish. Remember that your jawline is your most prominent asset, so do not hide it.
Celebrities with this face structure include Brad Pitt, Henry Cavill, and Tom Cruise.
Stubble or Beard with Mustache
As we highlighted earlier, having short and well-maintained stubble will look amazing on this face structure. A moustache will do wonders if you want to take the extra mile and look more serious.
Other full beard styles, apart from the stubble and beard moustache, will hide your great natural angles. This facial hair style takes only a couple of days to grow, except for the beard.
Goatee
The goatee is a great style that fits the square-shaped face. Although it can hide your chin, it will emphasize your masseter muscles and jawline. If you have a shorter face, having a goatee will also help make it look longer.
Balbo Beard
This beard is named after Italo Balbo. It has a chin beard and a full moustache, which don’t connect. The ½ to 1-inch gap will ensure that your jawline is not hidden, and the hair length on the chin will also add an illusion of height to the face. When growing out this beard style, keep it at least one to two inches only.
Van Dyke Beard
The Van Dyke Beard used to be very common in the 17th century. Named after painter Anthony van Dyck, the Van Dyke beard best fits men with square-shaped faces because it doesn’t hide the jawline.
Triangle-Shaped Face Beard Styles
The main characteristic of the triangle face structure is a broad forehead. For this, the best beard styles for men must add width to the jaw to distinguish their point chin. Men with this face shape must also avoid adding width to their wide cheeks since it will only make them look disproportional.
This face structure is like an inverted triangle where the forehead is the greatest, compared to the cheekbones, jawline, and chin. It is similar to heart-shaped faces, but what sets this apart is its angular features.
Creating balance is best for this face structure, which can be focused on adding definition to the sides of your jaw. Doing this will make you look more oval-shaped.
It is best to avoid exaggerating the cheekbones for face structure since it will make the jawline look narrow. Considering this, lengthy sideburns and mutton chops are not a good choice.
Celebrities with this face structure include Kevin Bacon, Bradley Cooper, and Ryan Reynolds.
Heavy Stubble
Although the best recommendation for those who have a triangle face structure is to make the jawline look narrower, a heavy stubble will still look good since it will help make the angles of your face look more defined. A heavy stubble usually takes ten days to grow.
Garibaldi Beard
The Garibaldi beard is another excellent style for people with a triangle face. This beard’s main characteristic is its wide rounded-out bottom that will transform your chin and jawline to look more proportionate.
With this beard style, your jaw shape will change and look better. Unfortunately, this beard style takes a couple of months to grow, so patience is vital.
Classic Full Beard
The classic full beard is a versatile style that looks good with any face shape, including a triangle one. This type of beard is around two to four inches long. Cut it to create roundness on the face and fill your jawline to help balance your sharp features.
Round-Shaped Face Beard Styles
For this face structure, the main issue is the lack of height in the forehead and jaw. Because men with round-shaped faces also have wide cheekbones, having the wrong beard style can make them appear like a ball.
Men with rounded faces must add length to their faces but never add more width. Emphasizing the chin and jaw will also create an illusion of a longer face structure, which looks great.
If you want to add more flair to your beard, go for faded beard styles. This style usually starts with short lengths and gradually becomes longer as it tapers to the jaw and chin. As long as the sides are kept tidy and sharp, it will look great.
Men with this face shape should not go with stubble, whether light, medium, or heavy, since it will not accentuate their chin. The same is true for sideburns that make the head appear rounder than average.
Celebrities who have this face structure include Zack Galifianakis and Leonardo Dicaprio.
Hollywoodian Beard
This full beard with shaved sideburns and lowered cheek lines will look amazing on men with round face shapes. Because it doesn’t add width, it makes your face appear more oval-shaped. However, this beard style takes a couple of months to grow.
Ducktail Beard
This beard style is a little like the Hollywoodian beard, but it has a full moustache, beard, and a bold trimmed jawline to make the chill look pointier.
It is a great beard style for those with round faces because it can make a face look more angular. It balances out the roundness thanks to its long chin, defined jawline, and minimal sides.
This beard takes a long period to reach two to four inches. Hire a professional barber to trim it to ensure it looks great, especially if it’s your first time growing it.
Classic Full Beard
The full beard is a classic that will never go out of style. It matches any face shape, including round, because it accentuates the jawline and makes faces look longer. These beards come in a variety of shapes and sides.
A safe choice is to grow a beard between one to four inches long and shape it to make the sides appear shorter.
Goatee
Considering the primary goal of men with round face shapes should be to make their faces appear more oval, this circle beard or goatee will indeed look fantastic on them. While it takes a certain amount of confidence to pull off the circle beard style, it will do wonders to accentuate the chin and jawline area.
Tips To Remember For The Perfect Beard
Any man who has grown a beard knows it’s not for the faint of heart. The most critical thing is to commit to it. After all, there’s no way you’ll wake up with three inches of beard growth the moment you decide to rock a goatee.
Whether you’re a devoted beard connoisseur or a low-maintenance stubble guy, one thing’s for sure – the right beard style has the power to transform your look. Some men even feel more attractive and confident if they have a beard.
When it comes to beard styles for men, the possibilities are endless. Because of this, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, but the main trick to finding your ultimate facial hair is to consider a few different factors. Here are other things to remember when growing out or styling your beard.
Be Patient
Beard growing is a slow process. Facial hair only grows 0.3mm to 0.5mm per day. It will take time, so don’t let impatience get the better of you.
No matter how many products you use, how many techniques you read, or how many vitamins you take, it will not happen overnight. Give it a few weeks and watch how your beard responds.
Don’t Forget To Trim Your Beard
This tip may sound counterproductive to the previous advice, but it’s important to remember that beards must be taken care of and maintained even in their early stages. Otherwise, it will become crooked and appear like a bird’s nest.
As the beard grows, use your beard trimmer to keep clipping the hairs that are out of place until you’re happy with its appearance. Doing this will also make your beard look fuller.
Use Beard Oil
Healthy beard growth is desirable. No matter what length your beard is, having it styled is a great way to show off your facial features and make you feel more confident. Investing in beard oil and other products is a great way to strengthen the hair and leave it looking thicker, fuller, and healthier.
Unless your beard hair is light and sparse, you will start to see a difference in the texture of your beard after around three weeks. Using products is also a great way of preventing split ends and dry patches.
Train Your Beard
Did you know that it’s possible to train beards to grow only in specific directions? It is a skill that is learned over time, and it will help your overall grooming process.
The truth is that the direction of beards is hard to control, but you can train your hair to only grow in a downward or sideward direction by using a comb or soft hold styler. Even running your fingers along your beard will help.
Wash Your Beard And Mustache
One of the best ways to take care of your moustache and beard is to wash them. Doing this will help eliminate any accumulated dead skin or oils.
If you don’t wash your moustache and beard, you will find that your facial hair will get dirty and very coarse, and that can affect its overall appearance.
Eat Right
As the saying goes, you can’t build a house without bricks. The same is true regarding getting the best beard styles to look sharp. If you are eating healthy foods, you will find that your facial hair will grow faster and in a healthy direction.
Trim the Borders
When growing out your beard, do not forget to clean the neckline and cheekline. If you overlook these areas, your beard will look unruly. It may take a little practice to do this, but the trick is to find a device that will allow you to trim your beard comfortably and efficiently.
Remember Your Beard Style Goal, But Be Realistic
You may have a great idea of the beard style you want to achieve, but don’t forget to have a realistic perspective. If you think you can have a beard as dense as Jason Momoa, but your beard growth is sparse and slow, it will not happen instantly.
As with other things in life, you have to start somewhere. Your beard will eventually grow to the length you desire, but it will take time, so don’t give up too quickly.
There’s no universal beard style that will look good on everybody. Whether a short beard style is more up your alley or a long beard style, there is an option for you. But now you know that the best beard styles rely on your face shape, you can narrow down your options.
Did you find this guide helpful? Check out some of our other grooming guides.
