The Best Facial Hair Styles for Men | Ultimate Guide

Facial hair is one of those things that can transform a man and make him look like a total badass.

A beard, mustache, or some random scruff on the side of his face—all have their own unique style and mystique. But as far as these styles go, there’s no right or wrong answer; it all comes down to what you want your overall aesthetic to be.

What’s your favorite style? Let’s find out!

How to Choose the Right Facial Hair Style

There are so many styles of facial hair, but how do you know which beard style is right for you?

  • With choosing a facial hairstyle, think about what your personality says. Is there a particular type that coincides with the way you dress and carry yourself? If not, then consider going with something more rugged, looking like an unkempt beard.
  • If going clean-shaven is too mundane for you, then try growing mustache or sideburns by starting out small and growing them out.

The key is to find the facial hair style that suits your personality and lifestyle.

Growth Potential

There’s no one-size-fits-all for your growth potential, therefore you it’s best to set realistic expectations. Everyone has their own unique needs and growth challenges, which must be considered when creating an individual beard growth plan.

This includes considering factors such as length, thickness, and density. Moreover, all individuals go through different stages of beard growth – some will experience more rapid hairline expansion while others might see less visible changes initially but eventually grow thicker and denser beards with time.

As long as you’re patient with the process and keep following a regimen religiously, your beard can definitely reach its full potential!

Face Shape

You need to choose a beard style that’s in proportion to your face shape. So, before choosing your perfect facial hair style, make sure it really suits your face shape and consult a professional stylist or local barber first. They’ll help you determine the best style for your facial features. Here are some tips:

The first is to make sure that the beard style you choose will make your head look as oval as possible. This can be achieved by keeping the beard shorter on the sides and longer beneath the chin.

You also need to consider your hairstyle when choosing a beard style. A beard that’s too long will make your head look even longer, like Beaker from the Muppets.

  • If you have a round face, one way to make your face look longer is to choose a beard that’s longer than usual and avoid really short beards or stubble.
  • With a rectangle face, you want a shorter beard that’s tight on the chin or stubble.
  • A square-shaped face is a classic masculine face shape and can be attractive with well-cropped hair. Avoid beard styles that make your face look wider, such as those with a lot of width in the beard.
  • A diamond-shaped face requires a chin beard that’s just slightly longer (but not excessively so). This will hide your chin and square off your jaw’s natural curves, giving you a more defined jawline.
  • Triangular faces start with a wide jawline, narrow as it goes down the cheekbones, and then narrow even more at the forehead. A beard will make your face look wider and more masculine. If you want facial hair, go with stubble.

Skin Type

There are a few things to consider when choosing the right facial hair style, especially if you have sensitive skin.

There are four types of skin that need to be considered when choosing the right facial hair style. Oily, dry, combination and sensitive skin can all benefit from different beard styles.

  1. For oily skin types, go for a stubble or full beard style.
  2. For people with dry skin, a clean-shaven look with medium length beard or sideburns only is best.
  3. And for those who have combination skin, go for something that works well in all areas of the face (beard, mustache, etc).
  4. It’s important to choose a style that’s easy to maintain and doesn’t require a lot of trimming or shaving. Avoid full styles that might cause skin irritation. Try the anchor beard.

Daily Routine

The right facial hair style for you will depend on how much time and effort it takes to maintain.There’s no need to go overboard with facial hair grooming, as a well-kept beard will look nicer and more polished than any other effort. However, here are some steps to incorporate into your daily routine.

Washing

Make sure to wash your beard daily using a gentle (non-sulfate) cleanser that won’t strip away the oils; this will keep it looking fresh all day long.

Trimming

It’s important to keep your facial hair trimmed. This will help it grow in evenly and prevent any patches. With a decent hand trimmer you can knock off stray hairs and tighten up your lines.

Shaping

For shaping your beard into the desired style, use a quality trimmer for the best results, or if you prefer, you can use a pair of scissors.

Combing & Brushing

Beard combing is also an important part of keeping your beard clean and healthy. Not only does it remove dead hair, but it will help reduce dandruff buildup. So, to help manage your beard or mustache hair properly, it’s necessary to use a beard comb or beard brush for longer styles like the ducktail or yeard.

To do a proper beard combing, start by carefully separating your beard into three sections: the front, middle, and back areas. Then use the comb to move through each section gently and evenly. Be sure to brush on both sides of the beard hairs in order to fully detangle.

Now brush or comb your facial hairstyle into shape and repeat with your daily grooming.

Conditioning

We can style facial hair styles with beard oil and beard balm. Beard oil will keep the beard hydrated, while a beard balm will provide some protection from the elements and help tame unruly facial hair.

Beard Styles

Beard styles are all the rage right now and for good reason. They offer men a unique look that can set them apart from the crowd and create a unique look.

Whether you go for a stubble beard, a long beard, or maybe something trendy like a Balbo beard or Van Dyke beard, there are many advantages and disadvantages to consider. The best way to find the right beard style for you is to try a few out and see which suits your facial features and personality the best.

Best Beard Styles

We can find the best beard styles for men by using a bit of creativity and through experimentation. You shouldn’t let your facial hair style solely dictate how you feel about yourself, but it’s it can definitely have a positive influence for sure!

I’ve carefully curated the top mentions for best beards:

  1. Stubble beards are the most popular for its rough, unshaven appearance.
  2. Short beards are popular for those who want a tougher look.
  3. Trimmed beards are popular for those who want a more refined look.
  4. Ducktail beards are popular for those who want a more natural look.
  5. Circle beards are popular for those who want something tough and masculine.
  6. Anchor beards are popular for those who want something more subtle and stylish.
  7. Other mentions: Balbo, Van Dyke, Verdi, Yeard and Chin Strap (aka Chinstrap beard)

Full Beard Styles

A Full Beard is beard plus mustache that’s at least 1-month-old and covers the cheeks, chin and neck fully. However, most full beard styles may require hair growth for at least 3 months depending on your growth rate. A full beard is also known for its longer length, wider width, and the lack of any styling.

This style of beard is great for most face shapes because it includes a beard, moustache, and whiskers that will grow together to cover your cheekbones, upper lip, chin, and neckline. A few ideas:

  • Classic Full Beard
  • Old Dutch
  • Garibaldi
  • Verdi

Long Beard Styles

Typically, any beard 6 inches or longer is considered a long beard and can be a great way to express your confidence. And for others, it may simply be an aesthetic preference to display your masculinity. Here are a few to get you started:

  • Yeard
  • Long Ducktail
  • Harden Beard
  • Bandholz Beard
  • Lumberjack
  • Viking

Medium Beard Styles

Medium length hairstyles work well with beards, as they are more versatile than shorter hair styles. This length is perfect for experimentation with different beard lengths. To maximise the effect of medium length hair and a beard, go for trendy haircuts that will boost your beard’s appeal.

Medium beards, as the name implies, are halfway between a long beard and a short beard. They’re also not considered a full beard either, because it’s not quite long enough. It typically sits around 3-6 inches long with medium-length hair. They’re considered by many as one of the top beard styles. Check these out:

  • Rounded Beard
  • French Fork
  • Ducktail Beard (classic)
  • Hollywoodian
  • Balbo

Short Beard Styles

There are many short beard styles that can be worn for any occasion. Short beard styles are neat and individualistic, perfect for those who struggle to grow a long beard. There are multiple short beard styles to choose from, and the ideal minimalist style is just trimmed neatly. You can find many pictures of different short beard styles online to choose from, so you can find one that suits your own personality and style.

A short beard starts at half-inch stubble extending up to 2-3 inches in length. Typically, short style beards have the most length around the chin area while the cheeks and sideburns are kept tightly cropped.

To reach this length, you will need to grow your beard out for 5 to 10 days, depending on your growth rate. Simple and easy to achieve, this style is distinctive and can accentuate your bone structure well.

  • Long Stubble
  • Anchor Beard
  • Chinstrap Beard
  • Short Boxed Beard

Beard Advantages

Some men choose to grow facial hair for a variety of reasons. Maybe they enjoy the texture and feel of beard hair, or maybe they want to take advantage of some advantages offered with facial hair. Here a few examples:

  • They add mystery, masculinity, and attractiveness to your look.
  • A well-groomed beard can make you look older and more distinguished.
  • It can hide blemishes and may improve overall complexion.
  • A well-groomed beard is less likely to be itchy.
  • Protects your face from the elements like sun and wind.
  • Beards are natural insulators and keep your face warm in colder climates.
  • Beards may help you look more intellectual or powerful due to their rugged appearance.

Beard Disadvantages

Though we love facial hair, there are still a few disadvantages.

  • Grooming is an added step in your routine.
  • It’s sometimes challenging to keep clean and looking neat.
  • It can be hot and itchy in summer.
  • Growth isn’t always uniform and may develop a patchy beard in certain areas.
  • It’s sometimes difficult to style if your hair is thin and wispy.
  • It may harbour bacteria that can cause skin issues.
  • Beard growth can be affected by things like genetics, hormones, and stress.
  • Shaving can also cause skin irritation, ingrown hairs, and razor burn.

As you can see, grooming is half the battle. Keep a good beard care routine and you’ll be looking great.

Best Beard Styles for Black Men

The beard fade is one of the most popular beard styles for black men. The goatee and the full beard are also popular styles among black men as they complement personal attributes with a masculine touch.

Keep in mind for those with black textured hair, hairstyles with tapered fades or dreads are a great option and add a special dimension to your look. So, black men have several great options when selecting facial hair styles.

Especially think about layering your beard so it looks textured and rough-around-the-edges. There’s no wrong way to go for a beard, as long as you’re confident in the style and you look good in it!

Celebrity Beards

There’s a beard style for everyone these days, and that includes celebrity beards. Celebrity beard styles are all the rage these days, and for good reason. They add personality, depth, and style to any look.

Whether you’re a fan of stubble, mustache or goatee, there’s a facial style for you modeled by your favorite celebrity. We’ve showcased styles from the biggest Hollywood stars like Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) to rappers like Kanye (Ye).

So, if you’re looking glam it up this year, make sure to try out some of these celebrity beard styles.

The best celebrity beards this year are:

  1. Sean Penn
  2. David Beckham
  3. Jared Leto
  4. Ryan Gosling.

Goatee Styles

If you’re still undecided about how to style your whiskers, then a goatee may be the perfect option. IMHO, it has the best balance of intrigue without being too overbearing for first-timers.

Often confused with the circle beard, the goatee actually has distinct breaks between the chin beard and mustache. Technically, a goatee is simply classified by only sporting the chin hair – without the mustache – just like a billie goat! However, perception of the classic style goat beard almost always includes a mustache.

A goatee beard, because of its rounded look, is ideal for softening hard facial angles. So the moustache and goatee combination will complement the wider look common with square faces best.

That all being said, it’s a must have and an extremely popular look to go with any hairstyle. It’s easy to clean and easy to shave around. It’s also a snap to keep it tidy with your trimmer or scissors. Some of the best styles:

  • Classic Goatee
  • Full Goatee
  • Stubble Goatee
  • Extended Goatee
  • Goatee with Chinstrap

Mustache Styles

A “mustache in the US” or “moustache in the UK” is defined as facial hair grown above the top lip, most common today for esthetics but also sometimes for religious beliefs.

There are a variety of mustache styles you can choose from, depending on your face shape and facial features. One of my favorites – the Handlebar Moustache. It can be described as an English Style, made popular in the 19th century, that features a full, bushy moustache, resembling bicycle handlebars and held by wax.

Here are some other popular stache styles to get started:

  • Horseshoe
  • Chevron
  • Pencil
  • Walrus

Sideburns

Sideburns (aka sideboards or side whiskers) are facial hair that extends from the hairline downwards. They range in length and style, running beyond the ears and growing on the sides of the face parallel to each other.

  • Mutton Chops
  • Faded
  • Long
  • Stubble

Soul Patch

A small single patch of facial hair located just below the lower lip and just above the chin is known as a soul patch (aka a mouche). Originally made famous by jazz artist Dizzy Gillespie, it’s been seen on stars like Howie Mandel and John Travolta.

Though it can be worn solo as a standalone statement, it’s more commonly paired with bearded facial styles like a circle beard or mustache.

Over to You

Men have been sporting facial hair for centuries, and there are many styles to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a stubble style, goatee, mustache, sideburns, or soul patch, we’ve got you covered. Or, with our tips on daily routine, growth potential, and face shape, you can find the perfect style here.

Continue exploring our blog to find the perfect facial hair style for you and start looking your stylish best!

FAQ

Which facial hair style is best for me?

There are many different facial hair styles to choose from, and it’s important to find one that flatters your features. A beard should be trimmed regularly in order to keep it looking its best. It can be helpful to consult with a barber or stylist before making your decision.

What are the best facial hair styles for men?

Some of the most popular facial hair styles include goatees, sideburns, beards, moustaches, and stubble. A beard is a great style for men because it covers most of your face. Beards come in different styles, such as a full beard.

Which facial hair style is good for men with sensitive skin?

A short beard is best for men with sensitive skin. Men with skin sensitivity should also avoid facial hair styles that require a lot of trimming, shaving or maintenance. These activities can irritate the skin and cause discomfort. Instead, men with sensitive skin should choose a facial hair style that’s easy to maintain.

Does a Beard Make you Look Older?

Beard styles can make you look older, but depend on your facial features and beard style. Facial hair on a man is perceived as masculine and coming of age, especially with longer beards.