1. Let your beard grow to the desired size.Â
Before you can style a beard, you have to give it time to grow. Leave it alone. Seriously, no trimming or shaving for at least a couple of weeks. It’ll look messy, but remember that your beard won’t look the same when it reaches full length. When starting clean-shaven, it takes at least two weeks to achieve short beard status. You can then begin trimming unless you want your beard to be longer.
- Every beard grows at a different rate and to different lengths. For some men, a full-length, natural beard can take up to a year to grow.
2. Trim the edges until your beard is tidy.
Let the beard grow for about a month before you try trimming it. Pick up a beard trimmer to refine the edges but be careful! Remember that you’re removing very little hair here. Too much means a look you’d rather hide from friends. Even out the neckline at your Adam’s apple. Cut hairs above the natural line of your cheeks until your beard line forms a curve from ear to ear.
3. Fade the hairs along your neck.
Trimmers with adjustable guards are needed to accomplish the fade. Start from your Adam’s apple with a low-number guard such as a two or three. Trim all the way up to where your neck meets your jaw. Switch to a one or two guard and shave up an inch (2.5 cm) from your Adam’s apple.
- The lower the guard number, the closer it cuts your hair. A one guard leaves behind less hair than a two guard, but using them next to one another creates a gradual fade.
- Anything below your Adam’s apple should be shaved. Carefully use a razor or remove the guard from your trimmer.
4. Trim the beard to maintain its shape.
Once you’ve established your look, all that’s left is maintaining it. Over time, it’ll grow and lose shape. When you notice this, trim the edges again and renew the fade. Trimmer guards make length maintenance simple. Find a guard that leaves you with the hair length you desire and stroke it downwards through your beard. Scissors are another option for shortening overgrown hairs.
- Establish a routine of washing, oiling, and brushing your beard if you haven’t already. Your beard will thank you by being plush and pliable.
5. Visit a barber for advice and maintenance.
Getting the opinion of a professional never hurts in matters of the beard. In addition to giving you advice on what style works best for you, they’ll keep your beard in tip-top shape. Ask for a beard trimming every three to four weeks. If you ever doubt what you’re doing at home, your barber will also be happy to give you advice.
Matching Your Beard and Face Shape
1.Match the beard to your facial structure.Â
Before you consider trimming, imagine how the beard will look when you’re done with it. The best-looking beards compliment your facial structure. Barbers recommend rounding your face into a balanced, elongated oval shape. You can search online for beard styles and the facial types they match.
- For example, if your head is more square than round, keep the sides longer than what’s under your chin. It’ll round out your face.
- For rounder faces, trim the sides and grow out the bottom. The hairs under your chin add length to your face.
2.Style your beard as a goatee to look sophisticated.Â
Sure, the goatee sounds standard, but it’s easy to grow and looks good on many men. It requires keeping the hair trimmed close. Your face stays barren besides the mustache and the hair around your mouth and chin.
- This style is perfect for oval-shaped faces, as they already have the ideal proportions. You may also grow your beard out a little, but don’t overdo it.
3.Style your beard in a Van Dyke for a round face.Â
The best options for round faces involve keeping your cheeks clear and adding length to your chin. The Van Dyke allows you to grow a full mustache while also leaving the hair under your mouth alone. Trim the hair so it stays at a short length and try shaping your beard into a point for extra fabulousness!
- For an oval face beard style, you may let the hair along your jawline to stay. However, the hair on your chin needs to be the focal point, since it elongates your face.
4.Wear a full beard to balance a triangular face.
 On a triangular face, your jaw is the prominent point. Maybe you’ve spent time thinking it stood out too much. Take advantage of it by using your beard to fill out the sides. Let your beard grow on your cheeks and down to your jawline. Trim the hair under your chin to a rounded shape, since you don’t want to make your point pointier.
- You can trim the beard short or keep it long. You may also clear off your cheeks and maintain your jawline short for a chinstrap look.
5.Wear a circle beard on a square face.Â
Circular beards are very common and are perfect for balancing square faces. The goal is to cover up your sharp angles, so there’s no better way than achieving a beard with that has no angles. Grow out your mustache and chin hairs. Keep those parts short and rounded while removing any hair beyond them.
