Different Beard Styles for Face Shapes: A Complete Guide

A beard is not merely a fashion statement; it can completely change the way your face is perceived, highlighting your best features and minimizing others. But there's a catch—not every beard style will suit every face shape. Having the right beard for your face can improve your style quotient, while the wrong beard can destroy your look altogether. If you’re unsure where to begin, it’s helpful to understand the concept of beard shapes for face shapes.

Best Beard Styles for Oval Faces 

If you have an oval face, well done. It's the "universal" face shape, meaning roughly any beard shape will work on it. From a neat stubble to a luscious, bushy lumberjack beard, your well-proportioned face can take it all. If you want to frame your face evenly, a short-boxed beard or light, trimmed stubble gives a classy but low-fuss look. Try experimenting with different beard styles and face shapes to find your ideal look.

Square Faces: Best Beard Styles 

Square faces boast well-defined, angular jawlines that are perhaps the quintessential masculine facial structure. To offset and soften such crisp lines, utilize beard shapes that lengthen and make the face more round. A circle beard or goatee accomplishes this by lengthening out the facial appearance without widening the face. If one wishes to make the face fuller, add a short side beard and long chin hair, as in the "ducktail" style. Understanding the face shape for a beard is key to achieving the perfect balance.

Best Beard Styles for Round Faces 

For round faces, the goal is to create angles and make the face appear longer. Steer clear of fuller cheeks. Beards like a Van Dyke or a chiseled chin strap can help define your soft features. Another classic choice is a tapered beard that follows the jawline closely but is fuller at the chin, drawing the eyes downwards. For more inspiration, read our blogs on this topic to find what works for you.

Rectangular Faces: Best Beard Styles

People with rectangular faces usually have long, thin features, and your beard needs to work against the length. A full beard with an equal level of volume on the chin and cheeks gives a sense of width. In order to achieve a more angular appearance, a well-groomed mutton-chop beard, along with dense sideburns, can help break up the length of your face. This is one of the best beard styles that each face shape can benefit from when length is an issue.

Best Beard Styles for Diamond Faces 

If you’ve been blessed with prominent cheekbones and a narrow forehead and jaw, focus on balancing these proportions. Beards with fuller volume on the chin and jawline are ideal for adding presence to those narrower areas. The classic goatee or a thick stubble look can ensure your strong cheekbones remain the center of attention without overwhelming the rest of your face. When it comes to beard types for face shapes, this style really stands out for diamond faces.

Heart Faces: Best Beard Types

For heart-shaped face types with a wider forehead and a narrower, pointed chin, the way out of this face shape is to place weight on the jawline. Thicker beard looks, such as a Garibaldi or a classic full beard, balance by offsetting the narrow chin and bringing it up to par with your forehead. Be sure to get the sides in order so that the overall look is tidy. Mastering beard shapes for face shapes like this can elevate your grooming game.

Shape Your Beard, Shape Your Confidence 

A beard accomplishes more than changing your face in the mirror; it will also increase your own self-confidence when you find the perfect look to suit your face shape. If you are attempting to set off your jawline, soften your features, or accentuate your cheekbones, there is a beard cut that suits perfectly. Take some time to familiarize yourself with your face shape for a beard, and experiment with a look that makes you feel like the best version of you. 

Now, take that trimmer and start working on your grooming masterpiece!