How to Choose a Beard Style

Choose a beard style that is right for you.

Beards and moustaches have cycled in and out of popularity over the past couple of centuries. According to the American Moustache Institute, facial hair is at its highest level of popularity and acceptability since the 1970s. Interestingly, both surges in popularity occurred during times that America was at war. There are dozens of different beard styles to pick from, allowing you to choose a style that is uniquely you.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Decide which beard styles you like and dislike. Look at photos of different styles, from the basic goatee to the Klingon beard. Make a list of possibilities to narrow down your search for the right beard.

2. Consider maintenance. Determine how much time you're willing to put into maintaining your beard. For example, a soul patch requires you to constantly shave all other facial hair around it, while a full beard requires much less maintenance. If you're looking for an easy, non-time-consuming beard, you may want to choose a larger, thicker style.

3. Consider your face type. Some beard styles look horrible on certain people because their face is simply not shaped in a way that makes the facial hair flattering. For example, if you have a round face, a circle beard will look great on you, but you may want to stay away from beards with long sideburns.

4. Try different styles. Sometimes the best way to discover your favorite style is by experimenting. Solicit the opinions of others. If you don't like your new beard, shave it off or trim it into a new style.

References

• Wilkinsons Word: What Style Suits My Face Shape?
• Beards: Growing a Beard
• University of North Texas: Beards
• American Mustache Institute