While there are various beard styles for men to consider, this doesn’t always mean that your features will be well suited to the style you have in mind. As a matter of fact, keep in mind that what looks good on others may not exactly look the same on you. Distinct face shapes call for individual beard styles.
We have created a list of the best beard styles for 2019 that will surely add oomph to your look. You can experiment as much as you want in order to find what really looks good on you. It’s important to have patience though, especially if you want to try a long beard style. You will look unkempt while waiting for it to grow.
Best Beard Styles You Should Try
1. Balbo
The Balbo is among the most popular beard styles these days. Robert Downey, Jr., a renowned American actor who starred in top-grossing films such as The Avengers and Iron Man, has been maintaining the Balbo look for years as it matches his features pretty well.
Face Shape
Men with a narrow chin
How to Achieve It
You need to grow a full beard in order for you to have ample hair for shaping. Do not shave for 4 weeks or until the beard has fully grown. You will also need to grow a mustache. This style requires careful sculpting so you need good razors to achieve the look. You can use a disposable or an electric razor to take off the hair on the sides, and a straight razor to create the Balbo style.
2. Bandholz
The Bandholz beard style was popularized by Eric Bandholz, founder of Beardbrand. He was working in the corporate world before he fell in love with beards. He got so many negative comments about his facial hair that he decided to quit his job and start Beardbrand.
Beardbrand was just a community before. Eric posted blogs, YouTube videos, and Tumbler entries to provide information to enthusiasts who would like to keep their beards in perfect condition. Later on, he decided to turn it into a business and now offers high-quality products that really work wonders. From beard oils, washes, and softeners, to scissors and combs, the Beardbrand is a one-stop-shop.
Face Shape
Triangle, Inverted Triangle, Oblong, Oval or Diamond face shapes
How to Achieve It
Growing a Bandholz requires patience. At first, you will look patchy and unkempt, especially during the first 4 months. You need to have the patience to keep it untouched. Throw away your razor and scissors; you won’t need them for months. Just let it grow until it reaches the maximum length you can genetically grow. You can start shaping and cutting it 7 months after you first start growing it, or you can keep it as is, depending on your preferences. What’s nice about the Bandholz is that you can grow it freely.
3. Clean Shaven
Well, most people would rather not grow their facial hair because it looks cleaner and tidier. This style will never go out of fashion, especially if you are part of the corporate world, which will require you to look your best. In fact, according to some surveys, women prefer men who shave.
Face Shape
All face shapes
How to Achieve It
Go grab your trimmers and razors – a disposable, an electric or a cartridge, just take off that growing facial hair!
4. Circle Beard
Also known as the “standard” beard, the circle beard is a combination of mustache and rounded goatee beard styles. It looks tidy, thus, making it a good option for men who would like to look presentable without letting go of their beards.
Face Shape
Oval and Round face shapes
How to Achieve It
Make sure that you have grown a reasonable amount of hair to avoid over trimming or shaving. It would be best to visit a salon to achieve the perfect circle shape as it can be a bit tricky. As soon as you have acquired the right look, you can do the usual trimming and shaving on your own.
5. Extended Goatee
Also known as the tailback or the Hollywoodian, the extended goatee is a combination of a goatee and a mustache. The style is different from the full beard as you are taking off the hair around the sideburns.
Face Shape
Square and oval face shapes
How to Achieve It
Make sure that you have some medium stubble before shaping your beard. Take off the hair around the sideburns and adjust the width according to your preferences. Do not take off your mustache.
6. Friendly Mutton Chops
Friendly mutton chops are also referred to as the sideburns or side whiskers. The term “sideburns” was derived from Ambrose Burnside, a renowned American Civil War general.
Face Shape
Circular or square face shape
How to Achieve It
Let your sideburns and mustache grow until they meet. Shave the hair on your chin up to the lower lip area. You can keep your sideburns growing until they become fluffy.
7. Full Beard
Manly and preferred by men all over the world, the full beard is certainly something you must try in 2019. Well-groomed full beards are more attractive as they accentuate your features better.
Face Shape
Diamond, Triangle or Inverted Triangle face shapes
How to Achieve It
The ability to grow a full beard depends on your genetics. If you grow hair all over your face, then achieving it is easy. You just have to let the hair grow until medium stubble starts to form and then shape it evenly using a razor. Stop shaving for 6 weeks to achieve this look. Trim right after to maintain the length.
8. Garibaldi
Don’t have ample time to keep your beard looking kept? The Garibaldi is perfect for you! It is a bit shorter than the Bandholz, thus, you only need to trim it every now and then.
Face Shape
Oval or Rectangular face shape
How to Achieve It
You have to grow your beard for months, about 4 months depending on how quickly your hair grows until it reaches 15-20cm. Trim and shape the lower area from time to time to make it look round. The mustache’s length is something that you should also keep neat as the focus should be on the board. No styling aids required as it has to look natural.
9. Imperial
The Imperial became popular during the Second Empire. It is not actually a beard style but a mustache. However, you can combine it with your sideburns or chin beard, like what Mel Gibson has done with his beard. Just make sure that you keep the beard simple so that the imperial mustache is the highlight of your face.
Face Shape
Rectangular or Oblong face shapes
How to Achieve It
Do not shave for weeks, or even months, until you have acquired whiskers that are long enough to be shaped. Some enthusiasts say that they had to wait as much as 3 months until they could successfully achieve this look.
Shave your sideburns or the hair near your mustache. Never trim! Make sure your mustache looks natural, so even if it disrupts your eating or falls from time to time, resist the temptation to trim if you want to achieve this look. Now, start curling the ends. You can use beard oil or mustache wax to achieve this.
10. Short Stubble
The simplest among all the beard styles, the short stubble is something that you can easily maintain as there will be no “special” method just to achieve the look. It looks manly yet does not make you look untidy.
Face Shape
All face shapes
How to Achieve It
Just don’t shave your beard and mustache for 1 to 2 days. After that period, just trim it to keep the length short. If you grow hair above your cheeks, just shave it habitually to maintain the look. You can also shave the hair growing on your neck area, keeping the stubble on the lower area of your face.
11. Medium Stubble
On the other hand, if you are part of the group of men who forego trimming their short stubble, then you can go for the medium stubble. If it fits your personal style then, by all means, stick to it, just don’t forget to trim approximately 3 to 5mm long. This style will probably make you look a little scruffy, but if properly maintained, it will surely bring out your machismo image.
Face Shape
All face shapes
How to Achieve It
Make sure that your beard doesn’t go beyond your cheek and neck area – trim or shave all that excess growth. You will need to keep the length no more than 5mm, so you should have a good trimmer that you can use at least once a week.
12. Long Stubble
Measuring about 6mm, the long stubble is kinda tricky to maintain compared to the short and medium counterparts as it has to be trimmed well to get rid of stray hairs, especially those that grow on the cheek and above Adam’s apple.
Face Shape
All face shapes
How to Achieve It
Do not shave your beard for a week or two, until it reaches 6mm. Keep it well-trimmed so that it will look like a “shadow” on the lower third area of your face. Make sure that you get rid of any stray hairs using a trimmer or shaver.
13. Van Dyke
This beard style was derived from a popular Flemish painter from the 17th century, Anthony Van Dyke – it was his signature look. The Van Dyke is a mixture of a goatee and a mustache, only more delicate.
Face Shape
Men with a narrow chin
How to Achieve It
Wait until your beard becomes long stubbles. Slowly shape your beard using a good shaver. Shave off all the hair on your neck, cheeks, and sideburns. Leave your mustache untouched. Shape your beard on the chin area by forming an inverted T. Let the hair on your chin grow until it reaches about 2 inches. Trim once in a while to achieve the V shape.
Maintaining your Types of Beard Style
Beard maintenance is just as important as growing it long enough to style it. Longer beards require thorough care to keep them attractive. Keep in mind that you have to keep your beard clean at all times as it can turn into a haven for bacteria, making you susceptible to infection. Washing it regularly using a mild shampoo and conditioner will keep it soft and clean. After washing, gently dry it using a soft cotton towel. If there are tangles, use a wide-toothed comb to brush them out. You can also use beard oils and waxes to groom your beard and keep it soft. Here are our top beard oil recommendations.
For some additional beard maintenance tips, watch this video:
We hope this guide on beard styles has been helpful and that you have a better idea of what’s possible.
Badly needing a shave, believe it or not but Christian is a magician with scissors and razors. As sharp as he sharpens his blades and shaves his jawlines is unprecedented. He had his own barbershop for 12 years after deciding to take a break, travel and after meeting Nick, joining this team as the last missing link to help guys with their total make-over. Grooms up!
I would like to grow a beard,my wife likes beards…I’m 73,not that it matters
Pointers on beard styles
All the styles mentioned are so cool.