How to pick a beard style: Exploring different types of beards

7 min read

A young man with a perfectly trimmed beard smiling at himself in the mirror with a plant in the background.

Beards can play a fundamental role in a man's physical appearance. A beard is often the first facial feature that people will notice, so it is important to make a positive impression right out of the gate. There are many types of beards and popular beard styles for men to explore - which styles you prefer is ultimately up to you; there is no right answer.

That said, it’s only natural to wonder how to choose a beard style that flatters your face. The answer will depend on your beard growth, hair type, and head shape: which is exactly what we’ve covered in this guide! Discover the different types of beards, different beard shapes, and different beard styles you have to choose from to elevate your appearance and confidence.

How to pick a beard style that works for you

Choosing a specific style can be difficult, especially as there are so many different shapes for beards . The best way to determine the types of beards that will help enhance your appearance is to take these 3 factors into consideration:

1. Beard growth

You may be unsure about how to pick a beard style that suits your beard growth. Some men’s beards can grow long, thick, and coarse, while others may appear patchy and uneven. With a thicker beard, you have a wider range of beard styles to choose from but that’s not to say there aren’t beard styles for men with even the patchiest of beards.

Different beard styles for a patchy beard

Chin strap: Consists of a thin strap of hair along your jawline that joins with your sideburns. By using a high-quality shaver like the Philips Norelco OneBlade Pro 360 you can effortlessly achieve a clean and precise line thanks to its skin-level closeness.
Goatee: The goatee style features a chin patch with a mustache. Essentially, the beard and mustache connect with two clean lines. If you have patchy growth on your cheeks, the goatee is great for making the most of your chin hair.
5 o’clock shadow: Refers to the light stubble growth that appears on many men when their beard hair is beginning to regrow. This is an increasingly fashionable style that can help conceal patchiness.

Different beard styles for a thicker beard

Hipster: A highly versatile style that typically consists of a full beard, paired with a mustache.
Classic full: A traditional style that starts at the cheeks and is left to grow naturally, with little styling.
Corporate: Also known as the ‘business beard’, this full beard is short and subtle. It requires regular maintenance trims which you could achieve using a handy trimmer, such as the Philips Norelco Shaver Series 7000 Wet and Dry Shaver. This trimmer utilizes motion-sensing technology to track your shaving technique, effortlessly enhancing it while reducing irritation when trimming close to the skin.

2. Head shape

Now you have an understanding of how to choose a beard style based on the thickness of your facial hair; but this is only one piece of the puzzle. Another way to determine which types of beards will look flattering on you is to consider your head shape. There are seven basic head shapes, and very few of them work for every beard style. Let’s find the best beard styles for face types.

How to identify your head shape

To determine the shape of your head, stand in front of a mirror and use a tape measure. Take note of the measurements of your forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and overall face length and compare it to the descriptions below. There are a couple of different beard shapes for face shapes with sharp or soft features that you can then choose from:

Oval: You have an oval face if your face is longer than the width of your cheekbones, and your jaw is rounded rather than sharp. Those with oval faces will find plenty of flattering shapes for their beards: your naturally proportionate features can support classic styles such as a full beard or a modern short-boxed beard that accentuate your features.
Square: You have a square face if your face measurements are relatively similar but you have a sharp, wide jawline. With wider jawlines, it is best to avoid fuller beards. Instead, go for a style like a circle beard or goatee can help create the illusion of symmetry and soften your jawline.
Round: You have a round face if your face length and cheekbones are similar in measurement but your jawline is softer. When choosing the shapes for beards on a round face, you’ll want to go for sharper styles that will compensate for your softer bone structure. A Van Dyke beard or balbo beard are great styles for slimming the face and leaving a lasting impression.
Rectangle: You have a rectangle face if your face length is greater than that of your cheekbones and jawline. To show off your strong facial structure, go for a style like a chin strap or duck tail beard that give a chiseled look.
Diamond: You have a diamond face if your chin is sharp, and your face measurements decrease as you move down your face. Avoid pointy beard styles that will take away from the sharpness of your jawline. Styles like the goatee or the circle beard will help balance your facial features, and square off a sharp chin.
Triangular: You have a triangular face if your jawline measures greater than your cheekbones. Short beard styles work best with triangular faces; avoid anything too full on the cheeks, which will make the jawline look even wider. A popular style for a triangular face is the beardstache, but the 5 o’clock shadow is another trendy choice.
Heart: You have a heart face if your forehead measures greater than your cheekbones and jawline and your chin is more pointed than rounded. As your features are naturally soft, opting for a shorter beard like an anchor beard or a simple stubble style will prevent your face from appearing visibly smaller.

See more below ↓

What you need

OneBlade Pro 360

Face

QP6531/70

Rechargeable Li-Ion battery

12-length precision comb

Wet & Dry use

Battery indicator
4.6 (67 reviews)

Overall rating 4.6 / 5
View product
Shaver series 7000

Wet & Dry electric shaver

S7887/82

Nano SkinGlide Coating

SteelPrecision blades

Motion Control sensor

360-D Flexing heads
4.4 (459 reviews)

Overall rating 4.4 / 5
View product
All-in-One Trimmer

Series 7000

MG7910/49

19 pieces: face, head & body

Precision trimming guard

Self-sharpening steel blades

Premium stainless steel handle
4.5 (541 reviews)

Overall rating 4.5 / 5
View product

3. Hair type

Finally, your hair type can also influence which beard styles will suit you best. Let’s quickly run through the most common hair types and their top styles:

Straight facial hair offers a multitude of styling options tailored to suit your own style preferences. To make the most of your options, consider using high-quality tool like the Philips Norelco All-in-One Trimmer Series 7000. This versatile trimmer features 21 quality tools and accessories to effortlessly trim and style not just your facial hair, but any other areas you wish to shave.
Wavy facial hair prefers versatile and low maintenance beard styles like a short-boxed beard. Use a beard comb to maintain a neat and tidy appearance.
Curly facial hair works brilliantly with the versatility of classic beard styles like the goatee. Invest in a trimmer, such as the Philips Norelco All-in-One Trimmer Series 7000, to provide you with the necessary tools to keep your goatee looking sharp. This trimmer comes with a multi-guard set offering 19 different length settings from 0.5 to 16mm as well as a precision shaver attachment that ensures you achieve an even trim and well-defined edge: perfect for a refined and polished look.

Now you know how to determine the best beard styles for face types, beard thickness, and hair texture. Interested in styling your beard at home? Check out our guide on how to trim your beard.

How to pick a beard style: Exploring different types of beards