Shaping your beard isn’t always easy, but it will yield incredible results, making your beard look much better.
Getting the perfect shape for your face might take some experimentation, but it’ll be worth it.
Let’s start by determining your face shape.
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What’s Your Face Shape?
The first step to shaping your beard to match your face is understanding your face shape. First, take these measurements:
- Measure your forehead by measuring from one eyebrow’s peak to the opposite peak.
- Measure your cheekbones by noting the distance between the outer corner of your eyes.
- Measure your jawline by taking the distance from the tip of your chin to right below your ear on both sides.
- Measure your face length by measuring from the center of your hairline to your chin’s tip.
Related: Popular Long Beard Styles
Next, compare those measurements to the following list to determine your face shape:
- Oval: Your face length is greater than the width of your cheekbones, and your forehead is wider than your jawline.
- Rectangle: Your face length is the greatest number, and your other measurements are very similar.
- Triangular: Your jawline is longer than your cheekbone measurement, which is larger than your forehead.
- Round: Your cheekbone and face length measurements are similar and larger than your forehead and jawline (which are also similar in size).
- Heart: Your chin is pointed, and your forehead is wider than your jawline and cheekbones.
- Square: Your jawline angle is sharp, and all measurements are similar.
- Diamond: Your face length measurement is the largest, followed by your cheekbones, forehead, and jawline in that order.
You can also use this face shape calculator — all you have to do is input your measurements!
How To Shape Your Beard According To Your Face Shape
The next step is identifying the best beard shapes to complement your face shape:
Beards for Oval Faces
If you have an oval face, we have good news — you can rock any beard style! This versatility is because you have both square and round features; there’s nothing about your face that you must balance out.
And while you can choose any beard shape, we have a recommendation that always looks fantastic on oval faces: a beard that’s squared at the jaw, has clean cheek lines, and shorter lengths on the sides and underneath.
This look combines the weight of having a full beard with excellent definition.
Beards for Rectangular Faces
Don’t have a long face — if you have a rectangular face, you still have plenty of options for choosing an ideal beard shape.
Since rectangular face shapes are longer than others, having a long beard that’s pointy at the chin won’t do you any favors.
Instead, opt for a beard that’s fuller in the cheek area to help give the impression that your jaw is wider, taking away attention from the length of your face.
Because you don’t want to exaggerate your face shape too much, you want to give it some width by growing your hair higher up the cheeks, so it doesn’t look elongated.
Related: The Stubble Beard Style Guide
Beards for Triangular Faces
If you have a triangular face, the goal of your beard shape should be to draw attention away from your prominent chin.
The simplest way is to go with the Victorian strongman look — the beard stache — by growing a long mustache and rocking a shorter beard (or stubble). It’s a great look that draws attention higher up on your face..
Avoid full, thick facial hair on your cheeks, which gives the impression of a wider jawline. You also don’t want it getting too long on your chin; square your beard off at the bottom instead.
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Beards for Round Faces
Regardless of your face shape, beard grooming is essential — you must work the angles.
Round face shapes can benefit from having a beard that’s triangular shaped. However, the most flattering look is typically a beard that’s shorter on the cheeks but longer on the chin.
For example, a goatee with very short sides can help create the impression of a more pronounced chin.
Beards for Heart Faces
The worst part for those with heart-shaped faces is having a weak chin. Fortunately, the right beard shape can help.
Because this face shape is smaller, a full beard can make your face appear even smaller. The solution is to opt for a stubble beard. This look will help you look rough and ready without overpowering your bone structure.
Meanwhile, you want to leave the length slightly longer around your chin and mustache area to help add volume and depth to your jawline.
Beards for Square Faces
Many men would give anything for a strong, square jaw. However, it has some limitations when you decide to grow your beard.
You don’t want your beard to exaggerate your jawline (unless you want to look like Johnny Bravo). Beards with right angles and sharp lines will not flatter your square face shape.
Instead, you want to complement the square shape by making the chin area look slightly more rounded or triangular.
A goatee is a great way to help soften your thick, wide jawbone while still getting a manly, chiseled look. This beard shape helps focus people’s attention on other features of your face, giving your eyes a chance to shine.
Related: Beard Styles for Bald Men
Beards for Diamond Faces
With a diamond face, the goal is to keep the hair on your chin to help offset your wide cheekbones. Ideally, you’ll square off your prominent chin, creating an illusion of a more balanced bone structure.
But be careful trimming your beard — letting the chin hair grow too long will accentuate your face shape in a way you don’t want. Instead, leave your facial hair wider on your cheeks and jawbones so that it begins to square off when reaching the bottom half of your face.
In addition, going a little lighter in the mustache area will further emphasize your jawline and cheeks, making the perfect beard shape for a diamond face.