A pointed beard is a popular facial hair style that has been around for ages. It’s primarily a styling feature to customize any other style by giving it a pointy edge at the chin.
You can add a pointed edge to about any beard style and create a subtle change. These changes make a big difference to your look. It is also easier to keep up with trends because of the flexibility.
So, why not learn a bit more about the pointed beard? It might be the change you’re looking for.
What Is a Pointed Beard?
Pointed beard style is a style or style feature where the beard comes down to a pointed end, which should be noticeable even from a side-view profile.
This style is the midpoint between a big, wild full beard. It’s on the high-maintenance side since you must trim it often to maintain its shape.
Another thing to remember is that you need at least two months of growth to pull off this style.
If you’re a fan of the Vikings, you might have seen Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) rocking a long, rugged pointed beard. But you can also keep the style neat and polished if you prefer.
How to Style Pointed Beard?
If you’re trying the pointed beard, you might wonder if it’ll suit your face shape. Here’s a general guideline on which face shapes can be complemented by a pointed beard:
The pointed beard can help balance a round face by adding length vertically. Those with a square face can grow a pointed beard too as it can divert attention from the broader sides of the face.
However, the pointed beard isn’t the most flattering choice for particular face shapes.
For instance, it can make a narrow face look even longer. Similarly, a pointed beard can make the chin appear more prominent if you have a triangular face.
Here are some tips on styling your pointed beard according to your face shape:
- Allow your facial hair to grow. Patience is key, as you need enough length to shape the beard into a pointed style.
- Once you have a good amount of growth, use a trimmer to outline the shape. Shape your beard keeping the facial hair on the chin longer than the sides to create a pointy look at the chin.
- Feel free to customize the look. Adjust the thickness or combine it with a mustache to make the style uniquely yours.
Different Pointed Beard Styles For Men
You can wear a pointed beard in several styles. Here are some of the most popular variations:
1. Viking Ducktail Beard
A pointed beard rocked by Jason Momoa is known as a Viking beard that resembles—you’ve guessed it—a duck’s tail.
Despite its goofy name, it’s a sophisticated style seen in celebrities like Mel Gibson, Charlie Hunnam, and Brad Pitt. The hair is shorter along the cheeks and down the jaw, then tapers into a sharp or rounded tip.
When nicely kept, a ducktail beard can give you a sharp and polished appearance for the office. Off work, it’s a fantastic way to show some personality.
It’s best to wait until your beard has grown about 3–4 inches from your chin before getting a ducktail. Getting a ducktail beard is easier if you’ve already grown a full beard.
If you haven’t already, it’s best to let your hair grow out first to avoid a patchy or uneven outcome. A thick beard makes the ducktail style look better.
For a professional-looking ducktail, leave it to an experienced barber to create the look for you. But if you have a steady hand and an eye for symmetry, there’s no reason you can’t style your beard on your own.
How to Shape a Ducktail Beard
Are you ready to give your beard a ducktail makeover? Here’s what you’ll need:
- Beard trimmer
- Comb and brush
- Scissors
- Facial hair products
Follow these steps if you have your beard kit ready:
- Make sure your beard is completely dry before you start trimming. Wet hair looks longer, and your beard will change shape as it dries.
- Untangle your beard hair with a comb.
- Trim the hair on the sides of your face into a rough V shape using a beard trimmer.
- Use a beard brush to comb your hair upward and outward from the bottom. This will puff the hair for a better view of your beard’s shape.
- Make a clear line for your ducktail with a trimmer. The hair along your jawline should have a straight edge pointing to your chin.
- Trim your neckline in a curved line above your Adam’s apple and stop at your earlobe. You can even give your neck a close shave to make it look polished.
- Make your cheekbones stand out with clean lines. You can also fade the hair or let it grow naturally for a rugged look.
- Trim your ducktail every 3–4 weeks, or sooner if your hair grows quickly, to keep it looking good.
2. Van Dyke Beard
The Van Dyke beard is a distinctive facial hairstyle named after the 17th-century Flemish baroque painter Anthony van Dyck. Its defining features are smooth cheeks and a gap between the mustache and beard.
The classic Vand Dyke has a pointed goatee, but you can wear it with a soul patch, chinstrap, or stubble.
You can also pair any type of mustache with a Van Dyke, like a handlebar or a twirly. However, a natural-looking one complements this style best.
The Van Dyke beard has a regal history, worn by influential people like Roman emperors and English royalty. Even Vladimir Lenin and Colonel Sanders were fans.
How to Shape a Van Dyke Beard
Ready for a Van Dyke? Learn the steps below:
- Comb your beard and mustache downward. Even out the length of your chin hair to reduce tugging and pulling during shaving.
- Shave your sideburns and most of the hair on your cheeks, leaving around 2 inches on each side of your mouth. Proceed to shave the hair on the sides and bottom of your neck.
- Cleanse and rinse your face. Wash off all traces of shaving cream.
- Trim the hair on your neck to achieve a pointed goatee. Shape and define the outline of your chin hairs with scissors or an electric razor.
- Trim your mustache just below the corners of your mouth to create a gap above your chin hair. Shape your mustache any way you like.
- Leave the area around your soul patch smooth for a classic Van Dyke.
- Wash your face again to ensure you haven’t missed any visible hair.
- Glide your hand over your cheeks and around your beard to check for rough spots. If you find any, go over them again with a razor for a smoother finish.
3. Gray Goatee Beard
The pointed goatee is a V-shaped tuft of hair on your chin. This goatee is for older men who can’t grow a full beard.
Like the ducktail, the “goatee” got its name from another farm animal, the goat, precisely because it looks like the hair on its chin.
Usually, the hair on the cheek is shaved or trimmed short. Tommy Flanagan and Nici Larson flaunt the best examples of a pointed goatee.
The pointed goatee hasn’t always been widely accepted. It used to have a bad rep because of its inverted triangle shape, which is associated with the devil. In medieval books, images of Satan often showed him wearing this exact type of beard.
How to Shape a Pointed Goatee
Here’s your guide to getting the style:
- Give your beard enough time to reach your desired length before shaping it. Regularly brush it downward to train it to go that way and keep it tidy.
- When your beard is long enough, decide what to do with the hair on the sides of your face. You can clip it short or keep it stubble-free.
- Hold the chin hair in place with a beard comb. Using a clipper or scissors, trim along the comb’s edge to create a narrower, V-shaped beard.
- Make the sides of the goatee meet at a central point. If you don’t want an overly pointy goatee, trim a bit of hair from the tip.
- Check for any stray hairs sticking out. Gently brush your trimmer along the surface to catch and tidy them up.
- Shave the area beneath the neckline for a polished look. To reduce irritation, apply shaving oil or gel.
4. French Fork
The French fork beard is essentially a ducktail split in the middle. Contrary to its name, this beard style originated in the Middle East, not France.
The Persians loved styling their beards, and the French fork was one of their fanciest looks. Eventually, this unique style made its way to Europe, where it earned its name. It resembles the original two-pronged utensil used in France.
The French fork has enjoyed bursts of popularity throughout history. It was around during the time of the Vikings, through the 14th-century Renaissance, and even among the German aristocracy in the 1800s.
Johnny Depp made the style look cool, and his Jack Sparrow character even has a braided version of the French fork.
How to Shape a French Fork Beard
A full beard is the perfect canvas for a French fork beard. Here’s how to copy the look:
- Let your beard grow out to a sufficient length. This style requires ample beard to create a distinct forked look.
- Split your beard into two parts. You can do this by pulling the hair apart and using beard wax to set it. You can also cut it into shape with beard scissors.
- If you choose to use wax, apply a small amount to the area where you want the split. Pull the hair apart to create the forked effect.
- Use trimming scissors to shape the split for a more controlled and polished look. Make sure both sides are even and neatly separated.
- Regularly groom and maintain your French fork beard. Trim any unruly hairs and keep the split clean and defined. You can use beard oil to keep the hair soft and manageable.
Remember that you can sport the French fork beard style in a rough and rugged style. If you prefer a more natural appearance, allow some imperfections and unevenness.
5. Pointed Chin Curtain
Grow your beard evenly and ensure it extends along with the jawline. Trim the jaw area occasionally while growing, leave the chin area longer, and shape it to a pointed style.
Let your mustache grow independently, and spike up the highlighted blonde hair. The disconnected mustache, short hair, and pointed beard provide a stylish look together.
6. Pointed Dutch beard
If you are not a fan of mustache you can go for this pointed Dutch beard. You will need to grow the beard for several months to get this look.
Make the pointed shape at the chin using a scissor. Don’t make it too pointy if you have an oval face shape. Shave the mustache and cheeks.
7. Gray Curly Beard
This facial hair contains around a 1-inch curly beard that runs parallel along the jawline while it has a slightly long beard at the chin.
If you are a black man with gray beard, you can easily rock this style with your natural texture of facial hair.
8. Patchy Chin Strap
If you have a patchy beard in the jawline, you can grow it out to get a chin strap style. However, the slightly pointed tip of the beard on the chin set it apart. For a defined look you may shave the sideburns.
9. Chin Curtain + French Beard
The chin curtain gives the foundation of this look that has a line of beard along the jawline and fully covers the chin.
Further, this style combines with French beard style with a pointed structure on the chin. With the chin beard maintained at a medium length, it gives a polished look.
10. Pointy Full Beard
This style requires growing the beard full and thick, covering the entire lower face. The clean and lined cheeks accentuate the overall appearance while the pointy facial hair on the chin smoothly contrasts the upper part.
11. Hipster Beard
This hipster beard has a dark blonde beard with a long light brown horseshoe mustache. The mustache is curved gently and extends past both sides of the face toward the end.
Grow a full beard and round it up. Keeping the chin beard slightly longer gives it a pointy shape and it is great for men who want to have a fusion of vintage charm and modern style.
12. Medium Pointed Full Beard
Keep the central part of the beard longer, but trim the sides shorter to create a contrast with the pointed shape on the chin. However, regular maintenance is required to have the desired shape and length.
13. Neat Boxed Beard
The best part of this style is clean lines and maintained shape. Connect your beard and mustache to form a precise square or rectangular box-shaped beard around the jawline.
You can get the pointy feature by creating a subtle tapering effect at the chin’s tip. The result is elegant and sharp, great for men who value a neat appearance.
14. Long Pointed Beard + Handlebar Mustache
In this distinctive look, the beard has grown to an impressive length which falls over the chest and forms a slightly pointed tip.
The style also combines a handlebar mustache, which curls upwards at the ends. Eventually, it gives a vintage look with individuality.
15. Red Beard
Here is a bold pointed beard style with the beard cut in a geometric shape. The red beard and blonde hair give precision and flair.
The beard on the chin is shaped into a pointy look for a balanced appearance. You may dye the beard with red color for better visual impact.
16. Jawline Beard with Disconnected Mustache
Shaped like a full beard, this style has a medium beard and disconnected mustache. The beard is maintained at a shorter length to generate clean lines and a pointed shape to add sharpness to the chin.
17. Chin Curtain with Green Hair
Here is a colored pointed beard style for you. The chin curtain beard style features visible darker green facial hair on the chin and a subtle greener shade on the sideburns and jawline.
The light green hair on the top has naturally grown brown roots. You can also see the eyebrow ends are painted green too.
You need to be bold for this look as the contrast between different shades of green and the big metal frame rectangular glasses are not for everyone.
18. Pointed Curly Beard
The specific look begins with a full, curly beard, which ends with a pointed tip. Further, you may add blonde highlights at the pointed tip to draw all the attention to that part.
Eventually, it gives a rugged appearance and makes anyone look like a tough guy.
So, if you dig something fancy on your next grooming session, give the pointed beard a try and see how it suits you!