A beard is the closest thing men have to contouring: by keeping hair fuller in some places and shorter in others, you can make a face look longer, wider, sharper or softer. This guide covers the main beard styles and which ones suit each face shape.
The main beard styles
- Stubble (light, medium, heavy): a few days to two weeks of even growth.
- Short boxed beard: neatly trimmed, short on the cheeks with a defined cheek line and neckline.
- Corporate beard: a medium-length, well-groomed full beard.
- Full beard: grown out evenly, rounded or squared at the bottom.
- Long beard: several inches of growth; shapes include spade, garibaldi and long wizard styles.
- Goatee: hair on the chin only, sometimes with a mustache (circle beard).
- Van Dyke: a pointed chin beard with a separate mustache.
- Balbo / anchor: a chin beard with a floating mustache, no sideburns.
- Chin strap: a thin line following the jawline.
- Faded beard: sideburns and cheeks fade from short to longer to blend with a fade haircut.
Beard styles by face shape
Not sure of your face shape? Trim short and use the free face shape detector, or read face shapes for men.
Round face
Goal: add length and angles. Best: goatee, Van Dyke, extended goatee, short boxed beard trimmed shorter on the sides and longer at the chin, anchor. Avoid: full, round beards with lots of width at the cheeks.
Oval face
Goal: keep balance. Best: almost everything: stubble, short boxed beard, corporate beard, full beard. Avoid: very long beards that drag the face down if your face is already long-ish.
Square face
Goal: soften or frame a strong jaw. Best: stubble (shows the jaw), circle beard, rounded full beard, goatee to add focus to the chin. Avoid: squared-off full beards that make the jaw look even boxier.
Oblong (long) face
Goal: add width, avoid length. Best: fuller cheeks with a shorter chin, mutton chops, medium stubble, mustache to break up length. Avoid: long, pointed beards and goatees that add length.
Heart / inverted triangle face
Goal: add width at the narrow chin. Best: full beard, extended goatee, garibaldi. Avoid: chin straps and very thin beards.
Diamond face
Goal: add width at the chin and soften cheekbones. Best: full beard, goatee, chin-focused styles; keep the cheek line natural. Avoid: very thin chin straps.
Triangle (pear) face
Goal: avoid adding width at the jaw. Best: short boxed beard, heavy stubble, mustache-focused styles; pair with a haircut that adds volume on top. Avoid: big full beards that widen the jaw further.
Quick table
| Face shape | Best beards | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Round | goatee, Van Dyke, chin-focused boxed beard | wide full beards |
| Oval | most styles | very long beards |
| Square | stubble, circle beard, rounded full beard | squared full beard |
| Oblong | full cheeks, short chin, mustache | long pointed beards |
| Heart | full beard, extended goatee | chin strap |
| Diamond | full beard, goatee | thin chin strap |
| Triangle | short boxed beard, stubble | big full beard |
Short, medium and long beard ideas
- Short: stubble, short boxed beard, faded short beard, goatee.
- Medium: corporate beard, Balbo, circle beard with longer chin.
- Long: full beard, spade, garibaldi, Viking-style braided beards.
Beard and haircut combinations
- Fade haircut + faded beard: the sideburn fade blends into the beard for a clean look.
- Quiff or pompadour + short boxed beard: balances height on top with structure below.
- Buzz cut + full beard: a classic high-contrast look, especially on oval and square faces.
- Bald + beard: a full or long beard adds balance to a shaved head.
Preview haircut and beard combinations with the hairstyle try-on and the beard filter.
Grooming basics
- Grow for 4 to 6 weeks before shaping, so you can see your natural growth.
- Set the neckline about one to two fingers above your Adam's apple.
- Choose a cheek line: natural, or trimmed slightly lower for a cleaner look.
- Trim weekly and use beard oil or balm to soften hair and skin.
FAQ
What beard style suits my face shape?
Round faces suit goatees and chin-focused beards; square faces suit stubble or rounded full beards; long faces suit fuller cheeks with a short chin; heart and diamond faces suit full beards; oval faces suit most styles.
What beard is best for a round face?
A goatee, Van Dyke or short boxed beard kept shorter on the sides and longer at the chin to add length.
What are the most popular short beard styles?
Stubble, the short boxed beard, the faded short beard and the goatee.
Can a beard make my face look slimmer?
Yes. Keeping the sides short and the chin slightly longer creates a longer, slimmer-looking face.
How long does it take to grow a full beard?
It varies, but most men need two to three months of growth for a full beard.
