One of the hardest parts of growing a beard is deciding exactly what kind of look you want to have. A beard can say a lot about who you are as a person, and give off a lot of different impressions based on how you style and groom it.
Luckily for you, great men of the past have already discovered, through trial and error, which are the best beard types out there. Here are a few of the most popular—and what they say about you.
SHORT BEARD
A short beard is a common look for a lot of reasons. First off, it is one of the easiest and quickest styles of beard to grow. It is easy to maintain, which means less time grooming and more time for work or play. Speaking of work, a short beard is also a great option because it is one of the most professional beard types out there. It is neat, easy to clean, and in many places office-friendly. A short beard tells people that you value neatness and chic look, but that you still have a natural, manly side as well. This is also a great option for people whose facial hair is a bit too sparse to grow out long without looking scraggly.
LONG BEARD
Think lumberjack, 19th century scientist, or hardy old man living off the land. The long beard is one of the manliest looks out there, and it puts off equally strong vibes of confidence and reserved calm. It is such a universally accepted symbol of manliness that other aspects of your look like what you wear might start to matter a little less. This look works best for people whose beards have filled out and are able to grow thick, but it can work for most men with a little bit of work and patience.
GOATEE
A goatee can say a lot of different things about you. It can be stern and strong, fun, or neat and professional. Now that we are getting into styles of beard other than a regular, full beard, it is time to talk a little bit about face shape. The shape of your face plays a major role in determining which kind of beard works best for you. The goatee is a great way to go if you have a more square or rectangular face shape, because it allows you to show off a stronger jawline. The full beard, on the other hand, is a better look for men with thin or round face shapes because it helps fill out the shape of your jaw and cheeks. However, in the end, it is you who will decide which look suits you best, so play around with your facial hair a little bit and find out!
STUBBLE
Stubble, otherwise known as the 5 o’clock shadow, is a sultry look that gives off strong private detective vibes. While some men have stubble simply because they can’t find the time to shave every day, other men embrace the look as an easy way to add some manliness to the clean-shaven lifestyle without having to spend a great deal of time grooming.
BEARDSTACHE
The beardstache is a bold look that is equally suited for a bohemian artist or a working family man. This look is basically achieved by growing a thick, bold mustache and keeping the rest of your hair somewhere between stubble and short beard territory. This is another great look for men with a square face because it allows you the freedom to show off the natural shape of your face while still growing a bodacious beard. You can think of this type of facial hair as a mustache for beard people, or a beard for mustache people.
BEARD WITHOUT MUSTACHE
While this is not the most popular beard style nowadays, it is a classic that we are all hoping will make a comeback. Great men of the past like Abraham Lincoln and Henry David Thoreau pulled it off, so don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it too. The beard without a mustache is a great look for men who aren’t afraid to go a little bit old school.
