How to Get a Chin Strap

To get a chin strap, you must shave strategically.

The chin strap is a style of beard that leaves the cheeks and mustache clean-shaven -- the remaining beard traces the jaw line and gives the face definition. Getting a chin strap is a simple matter of allowing your facial hair to grow in, then trimming it to the right specifications. Though this requires some general upkeep, the short style and minimalist look of the chin strap makes it lower maintenance than other, fuller beards.

Things You'll Need

• Facial shaving razor
• Electric beard trimmer

Instructions

1. Grow a full beard -- simply abstain from shaving for as long as it takes. When your stubble goes from being prickly to being soft, you have waited long enough.

2. Shave off your mustache. Shave your cheeks up to the sideburn line and shave the front of your chin, directly under the bottom lip. This leaves a basic chin strap shape on your face.

3. Trim the chin strap so that it is uniform in width. Since it is a continuation of your sideburns, it should be approximately that wide as it goes down either side of your face and under your chin. When you are finished, it follows your jaw line.

4. Trim your beard to maintain the length you desire. While chin straps are traditionally shorter -- a prickly length -- you may grow it out as much as you want. Use an electric beard trimmer with an adjustable clipper to trim off excess hair while maintaining the beard's shape.

References

• All About Beards: All About the Chin Curtain
• Hudson's FTM Resource Guide: Facial Hair: Growth and Grooming