Choosing to grow your beard is a huge deal. Choosing the correct style is imperative and will greatly impact your look. So, how do you decide on the ideal beard for your face shape?
Whether you’ve tried growing a beard before or this is your first time, it’s always good to have an idea of what you could look like in different styles, especially since not all styles suit all face shapes.
If you’re thinking to go as the trend suggests, then it’s best to follow some specifications, instead of going for what you think looks best on you.
Since beards and mustaches are a matter of taste and a lot of times reflect your personality, they make a huge difference in terms of complimenting your face shape by grabbing attention towards them. And so, you should be careful when choosing which style to acquire.
Let’s look at how you can accomplish the perfect beard.
How to Identify Face Shape for Beard
There are so many beard styles and it’s important to choose the right one that’s suitable for your face shape.
First, it’s best to understand your face shape and size before deciding which beard style will best work for your face. There are a few steps you can take to help you decide. You would want to take accurate measurements of your face. You only need a measuring tape and a mirror. Start with measuring your forehead and go down this list:
Forehead
Hold the measuring tape horizontal across your eyebrows. Make sure the arch points of your brows are where the tape ends. From one arch to the other, is the measurement.
Jawline
Start measuring from the point of your chin up to the bottom of your ear. Ensure you follow the angled direction of your jaw and simply multiply this measurement times two.
The Face
Simply measure from the center point of your hairline down to the point of your chin.
Cheekbones
Hold the measuring tape from the point of one cheek to the other. The tip or point of your cheekbones will be located directly below the corner of your eyes.
After you’ve got these measurements, ensure you write them down. Because you’ll need to use them by comparing to see which beard type best suits your features.
Understand Your Facial Hair
The interesting thing about beards is how many different textures there are. You may think that your beard will grow in the same texture as the hair on your head, but it’s actually the opposite.
Beards grow in a completely different texture from your hair. Beards can also vary in thickness and texture.
These characteristics usually depend on your ethnic background. Here are the different textures of beards and how you can best maintain them.
Curl
Curly beards are very thick in texture and full of tiny curls. While this can be sightly, it also means the maintenance is a little more demanding. You have to make sure a curly beard doesn’t get tangled. This can be done by ensuring it remains soft and manageable.
Here are some maintenance tips that will significantly help you take care of your curly beard.
- Gently untangle it without pulling or tearing hairs out
- Don’t straighten it with unnatural techniques
- Keep it oiled to prevent dry hairs
- Brush frequently with a boar bristle brush only
The morning time is where you will experience the most knottiness and tangles with curly beards. Again, soaking it with water helps with combing these out.
Wavy
Wavy beards are very unique in their texture and patterns. It’s like a mix between curly and straight and it grows in an interesting way. It has a slight curl to it which means it may become slightly entangled at times. Here are a few tips on how to manage wavy beards.
- Comb in the direction of the hair, not in an opposing direction
- Using beard balm or wax will help to prevent frizz
- Allow it to grow in the direction it’s going
- Use a comb to untangle
- If you use a brush, do so gently
Straight
Straight beards are common and grow faster than any beard texture. They also grow the longest, but you may experience thinning and patches initially. You may also experience some uneven growth. However, there are some things you can do to help combat issues when growing a straight beard.
- Make sure to evenly and neatly grow the cheek hair by using trimmers
- Use conditioner to grow thicker hair into thinning patches fast.
- Use a beard comb instead of a brush to combat tangles.
Choose the Right Beard Styles for Your Face Shape
There’s always a face shape and beard style that go well together. No matter your face shape, there’s a beard style and mustache that’s ideal for you. A beard that properly fits every aspect will enhance and balance your features.
A lot of face shapes have more than one style that goes with them. But as long as you know which styles compliment your facial features, you can concentrate and modify the beard style so that it enhances some aspects of your taste and personality.
This guide will suggest several face shapes and which beard styles go with them, so make sure to take a few minutes to see which styles suit your face and taste best.
Beard for Round Face
When your face is round and you have full cheeks, then your aim would be to make it appear more slim and oval. To do so, you should avoid growing the sides of your face and instead concentrate on growing it longer on the bottom.
If you have a round face shape, you mustn’t choose a beard style that will add to that rounded appearance. Instead, go for types that will add angles to your face. For example, a triangular or squared-off look would suffice. Also, throwing in a Van Dyke beard length and flattering angles to your face.
Consider adding a sharp mustache that meets your goatee for a narrower look. If you prefer a goatee without a mustache, that’ll look good too.
Ideal for: Goatees, Mustache, Van Dyke.
Avoid: Full beard, bushy sideburns, mutton chops.
Square face
A square face will have a sharper angle at the jawline. Therefore, a square face shape can be challenging when choosing the right beard style. To have a beard that properly complements a square jaw, the beard itself mustn’t be too sharp. However, any mustache will do for square faces—even traditional style.
- To make your facial appearance look softer, go for a beard that has short sides and is a bit longer on your chin. This way your beard will soften the edges of your face and make it look more round instead.
- To make your face look edgier, or at least not lose its edges, then go for a short beard with hard lines.
Ideal for: Full beard, goatees, mustaches.
Avoid: Depends on whether you want an edgy or a soft look.
Beard for Oval Face
An oval-shaped face has a slight advantage over other face shapes. They are versatile and can get away with square and round beards. There’s not much to be done other than ensuring the beard is defined, balanced, and well taken care of.
Adding a Dali mustache, if you dare, can add on some flair and boldness.
Ideal for: Anything and everything.
Avoid: Whatever you don’t like.
Beard for Rectangular Face
A rectangular face shape is typically much longer than other face shape types. Therefore, you would need to be sure you don’t give an appearance of more length. To achieve this, you should focus on ensuring the cheeks look wider so go for beards with a short bottom and mustaches. A horseshoe mustache will help further balance the length and width of your face.
Ideal for: Short box beard, chin curtain, different types of mustache.
Avoid: Goatee.
Beard for Diamond Face
Perfectly symmetrical jawlines and wide cheekbones characterize a diamond face shape. You must keep the hair on the chin very square in shape.
If the chin hair should also be short and not extended, it will appear too pointy. Make sure you also keep the hair on the cheeks broad. A pencil mustache will bring everything into perfect stability.
Square up your face a bit or make your chin less prominent then opt for full beards or extended goatees, these two will cover your chin and broaden it. If you are a fan of Wolverine, try these styles.
Ideal for: Goatee, full beard, mustache.
Avoid: Long goatee (if your aim is to broaden your chin).
Beard for Triangular Face
A triangular-shaped face isn’t a specific length and is characterized by a pointy chin, a tiny forehead, and broad cheeks.
The goal of a triangular face is to draw attention away from the chin. You can accomplish this by keeping the hair on the low cheek cut and square-shaped hair near the chin. Also, adding a Balbo beard keeps everything nice and light.
Popular beard Styles:
Beard for Heart Face
A heart-shaped face is unfortunately on the smaller side. Because of this, you don’t want too much of a hair beard. A heavy beard appearing on a heart-shaped face will only cause the face to look even smaller. The best way to shape the beard is by having some stubble and leaving enough hair on the chin.
A pencil mustache complements it as well since it’s small.
Below is an infographic showing different facial shapes vs beard styles which will help you decide what you should try.
How to Shape Your Beard
Shaping a beard is certainly considered a skill since not everyone can do so in a defined and clean manner. It takes a steady hand and a concentrated eye to get those perfect lines and a neat fresh-cut look.
Start at the Neckline
Properly define it with the double chin or two-finger method. Use your index and middle finger to create more definitions for the neckline. The double chin method is slanting your head in a downward direction for a better view of the neckline. This way allows for better visibility to accurately trim.
Use the Proper Tools
The best tools for keeping a nicely shaped beard are clippers, beard trimmers, and if you have a steady hand, razors. Trimmers and beards, however, are the main tools for creating beard shapes.
They allow for better control and you can cut hair into any length you’d like.
Trim at the Right Time
The best time to shape up your beard is when your skin has moisture in it, after a shower, for instance. Or you can use a warm rag or towel to open your pores.
Always be sure your trimmers are made for either dry or wet skin beforehand.
Tips for Growing and Maintaining Beard
Growing a beard and taking care of it the right way takes work. It also takes being conscious of what you put in your body. Here are some tips on how to keep your beard in tip-top shape.
Embrace the Natural Oils
Don’t overwash your beard. This strips its natural oils, which irritate the skin and dries the hairs. It’s best to wash it only two times a week to keep it smooth, manageable, and shiny.
Keep It Moisturized
Keeping a beard moisturized is essential. Using beard oils can help alleviate the itching while keeping it soft and revitalized.
Make Sure It’s Neat
Keep your beard neat and pristine. Don’t allow it to grow past the neckline, and keep the perimeter neatly trimmed. Also, keep all stubble maintained and tidy.
Be Patient
Patience is a must when growing your beard. Maintaining it and growing it both take effort and time. It would help if you also remained consistent with your care routine.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy diet promotes hair growth. A balanced diet loaded with proteins and working out can provide your body with the nutrients it needs to help your beard thrive.
Mustache Vs. Beard: for Your Face Shape
Choosing the proper mustache for your face shape is as essential as the beard. Both either add flattery or take away from your features.
It’s important to remember the size when choosing your beard and choosing a mustache that suits your beard and faces shape. Anything too large or too small can easily ruin your look.
Finding a suitable mustache and beard is all about creating that balance between proportion and style.
FAQs
Still, looking for more information about beards? Take a look at the answers to some common questions.
Yes, but to a certain degree. If appropriately shaped and groomed, it can successfully hide a chubby face.
Research shows that men with beards are viewed as more mature, have higher social status, and are masculine. They are also seen as better suitors for relationships and parenting.
Unfortunately, not every man can grow a beard. Studies show that only 33% of US men can grow a beard. Globally, only 55% can grow beards.
No matter the style, you have to maintain facial hair. However, you can combat this by choosing a low-maintenance style.
According to one study, both are preferred. The results showed that 41% of women preferred facial hair while 54% preferred a clean shave.
Although there is a lot to know and learn, growing a beard is entirely worth it. When you understand your face shape, it’s easy to choose the beard style that compliments you best.
If your face shape doesn’t fall into any of those categories and isn’t sure how to style your beard, then follow the mere basics of whether you want to soften the edges or make them sharper, elongate your face or make it look shorter.
The good thing about beards is that you won’t reach a point where you’ll regret a style since it can be shaved up and regrown within days. With these given basics, try to create your own style or combine several styles together, in a way where it’ll reflect your image and follow the trend.