A man’s beard has been a symbol of self-expression for centuries. Facial hair can reinforce a man’s identity and add dimension to his overall appearance. Unfortunately, the vast world of facial hair can be very overwhelming. This ultimate guide to the classic, contemporary, and bold types of beards will help every man navigate the options. Whether you are a beginner with facial hair or a seasoned expert looking for the next big thing, this guide aims to help you understand the styles used to master the overall look.
Table of Contents
- The foundation: Beard staples for the modern man
- Sculpted & defined: The art of the trimmed beard
- Bold & statement: Beards that command attention
- Finding your match: How to choose the right beard for your face shape
- The non-negotiables: Beard care for every style
The foundation: Beard staples for the modern man
Here are the most common beard foundation types of beards that are versatile and easy to maintain.
The Stubble (The 5 O’Clock Shadow)
One of the most effortless and easy-to-maintain styles for all is the stubble look. A beard style with a length between 0.5mm and 3mm is considered rugged, low-commitment, and low-maintenance, suggesting. It is perfect for those who want distinctly clear beard lines without the long grooming rituals. This style does require a percentage of consistency, so setting a grooming routine and using a precision trimmer with a guard to keep the beard lines consistent across the cheeks, neck, and mustache will do the full job for you. This style is also extremely versatile and can complement so many face shapes, especially those with a more defined jaw and a rounded shape.
The Corporate Beard (The Short Boxed Beard)
Corporate beard styles are the cousin of the trim stubble styles, but with longer beard lengths & professionally sharp edges. Corporate beards also range from 10mm to 20mm, with defined edges along the cheek line and a clean neck. The sharpness of these edges demands a razor & a trimmer to keep the beard clean. These styles are ideal for rounder face shapes, since the beard structure softens & balances the sharpness of the features.
The Full Beard (The Classic)
The style most widely recognized & associated with beard styles. Full beards keep a lot of the natural growth that most men have, so lengths often go beyond the 1-inch mark. Full beards need spending care, with frequent washes, conditioning, oiling, and brushing, so the beard looks more intentional rather than chaotic. These classic styles are ideal for men with oblong or heart-shaped faces, adding contrasting balance to the chin. Full beards are a powerful style, conveying wisdom & the patriarch of types of beards.
Sculpted & Defined: The Art of the Trimmed Beard
Defined by the exemplary quality of the craft, these types of beards speak to the face as an art canvas for the designer.
The Circle Beard (The Goatee Variant)
This beard style is classified as a sophisticated hybrid, as the Circle Beard on the face is an artful designer beard where a round goatee and a mustache marry to form a perfect circle of sculpted lip hair, affectionately referred to as the circle beard. The relaxing curvature of the circle is unharmed by the presence of the goatee’s sharp angles that loosen the rest of the face. Of relaxing face sculpture. While the face’s form is unharmed by the goatee, the sharp angles soften the rest of the face, making this a versatile style. The circle beard is the perfect style for the art of the circle, face. Goatee sharp angles that the face.
The Van Dyke Beard
The Van Dyke beard is an art of the face, the perfect style. The circle posture of the face is unharmed by the presence of the goatee’s sharp angles that loosen the rest of the face, and the circle beard style of the face is an art of designer beard where a round goatee and a mustache marry to form a perfect circle of sculpted lip hair. The rest of the face’s relaxing curvature is unharmed by the upholstery.
The Anchor Beard
The Anchor Beard takes after the shapes of ship accessories. It features a narrow soul patch that reaches a small goatee and is complemented by a thin mustache. The cheeks are shaved, looking very modern and sharp. The look requires intense focus and trimming to get the right shape. It is one of the rarer types of beards and is perfect for men with heart- or triangle-shaped faces, as it elongates the face.
The Balbo Beard
The Balbo Beard exemplifies a fascist adopting a sleek, graceful style. It also features a floating mustache.
Bold & Statement: Beards That Command Attention
These are the types of beards that don’t just complement a look—they are the look. They require confidence, commitment, and serious dedication to grooming.
The Garibaldi
A full beard that widens and has a long, bushy bottom. The bottom of the beard is rounded. The beard is groomed to show the natural bulk, with some trimming to keep the bottom rounded. The full beard, with a bushy, rounded bottom, gives off a strong vibe. The Garibaldi is great for men with oblong or rectangular faces. The bushy beard adds to the lower half of the face.
The Ducktail Beard
A full beard that has been shaped and tapered to a point at the chin. It looks like a ducktail. The beard is longer at the chin and shorter at the sides. The sides of the beard are brushed downward. This style gives a strong vibe. The full ducktail beard gives off a sculpted vibe. This style is great for both round and square faces.
The Bandholz Beard
This style is named after Eric Bandholz, the founder of Beardbrand, and its name reflects his dedication to the style. The rules are simple enough to follow: let the beard grow. This includes no shaping for months, and not even trimming the mustache. Let the beard and mustache grow wild and full for a year or even years. An eventual goal for some is to shape the growth into a style of their own, or to be a full Bandholz Beard. This style is not for the faint-hearted and is a true commitment to the beard lifestyle. This beard creates its own gravity.
The Verdi Beard
The style was named after the composer Giuseppe Verdi. It is a classical look with a rounded, short style. It is a full, slightly tapered beard no more than 4 inches long, combined with a styled mustache. The cheeks are left full, and the bottom is neatly rounded. The mustache is allowed to grow fuller, then twirled to the side a bit. This style is balanced and refined, so it suits men with a weak chin or a longer face shape.
Finding Your Match: How to Choose the Right Beard for Your Face Shape
Matching different facial hair styles to varying bone structures is the second part of the challenge; knowing the basic types of beards is the first. Magically contouring is the trick: using facial hair to balance your proportions to create an oval face. An oval face is the most universally appealing.
Oval Faces
Most types of beards will work for you. Keep your facial hair well-groomed to maintain your natural balance. Feel free to play with everything from stubble to a full garibaldi.
Round Faces
Your beard should add length to your face, so opt for facial hair styles with a longer beard on the chin and shorter shaves on the sides. Great styles for elongating the face and giving you a strong jaw are the Ducktail, the Corporate Beard with a squared bottom, and the Van Dyke.
Square Faces
Your strong jaw gives you a square face, so soften the angles. To avoid boxy beard shapes that reinforce the squareness, opt for a rounded medium-length beard, like a Garibaldi, or a fuller Circle Beard to add curves and balance the sharp corners.
Faces That Are Oblong/Rectangular
Your face is longer than it is wide, so the goal is to add width to the sides, while avoiding length to the chin. Cheek lines that are fuller, Garibaldi styles, or a full beard with a horizontally trimmed bottom are ideal. Avoid a Ducktail or Goatee, as they will exacerbate the elongation of the face.
Heart-Shaped Faces
The face has a wide, rounded forehead and a narrow chin. Goatees, circle beards, and full beards that add volume to the jaw are best, and a Van Dyke is a great addition to draw the attention downward.
The Non-Negotiables: Beard Care for Every Style
When discussing the many types of beards, care is an integral part of the conversation. Sincere beard care is what differentiates careless stubble from an impactful full beard. Your routine will differ in length and style, but the core styles will remain the same.
Wash and Condition
The routine will depend on the length and style of the beard, but using a beard-specific shampoo (designed to be less harsh than regular shampoo) 2-3 times a week, followed by a beard conditioner to maintain softness, is ideal.
Hydration & Nourish
Put simply, this is non-negotiable. Apply a quality oil (for all lengths) or balm (for medium to long styles) each day to hydrate the skin under your beard. This will eliminate itch and beardruff and tame the hair.
Brush & Comb
Distributing oil and exfoliating the skin are among the many benefits of a boar’s hair bristle brush. It also helps train the hair to grow down. A wide-tooth comb is great for detangling all types of beards, especially longer ones.
Trim with Purpose
Get a good quality trimmer with guards. You’ll even want to trim split ends, trim the neckline, and line up the edges (defined by your style) if you’re growing a Bandholz. Sharp scissors will also be needed for any mustache detailing and shape work.
Diet & Patience
Your beard is a mirror for your health. A diet with plenty of protein, vitamins (especially Biotin, B, C, D, E), and omega-3 fatty acids will contribute to thick and healthy growth. Lastly, patience is key. It takes weeks or even months to grow and perfect any types of beards.
Every unique facial hair style tells a story, and exploring that journey is a personal experience. Tailor this guide to your personality and lifestyle. It’s recommended to start with a style best suited to your face shape and commit to its upkeep. A well-groomed beard adds a masculine touch and is a great way to express yourself. Wear your beard with confidence.
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