How to Grow and Maintain the Perfect Franz Josef Beard
Growing a Franz Josef beard is very similar to growing mutton chops, but you’ll trim it slightly differently.
1. Grow out your facial hair.
If you’re starting from a clean-shaven face, start by growing all your facial hair out to at least half an inch. If your facial hair grows slowly, use a beard oil that contains natural vitamins and essential oils to moisturize your skin and hair. This will promote healthy hair growth and prevent patchy or dry facial hair. You can also add growth supplements to your daily vitamin routine.
2. Shape the top half of your beard.
When you have a good amount of growth, use a shaping tool to create the triangle shape that connects your mustache and sideburns. Using a razor or trimmer, shave a straight line down your sideburns, all the way down to your jawline.
Then, comb your mustache slightly down and out to angle away from your face. Use the straight edge of the shaping tool to create a 45-degree angle connecting your mustache to the bottom of your sideburns. Using your razor or trimmer, remove any leftover hair within the space.
3. Shape the bottom half of your beard.
Next, you’ll want to remove all the hair from your chin, leaving only the angled portion that creates the line from your mustache to your sideburns. Then remove the stubble below your neck. Always use a safety razor and shave lube to prevent knicks, cuts, and razor burn.
4. Brush and style it as it grows.
If you’re planning to grow your facial hair out beyond half an inch or so, be sure to brush your beard daily, directing your mustache hair down and out so it blends into the lines of your sideburns. You can also use trimming scissors to remove stray hairs and finish up with beard butter for soft, smooth facial hair.
Here are some of our favorite product recommendations to help you get the perfect Franz Josef beard:
- Beard Growth Gummies: to promote healthy hair growth.
- The Edge Beard Shaping Tool: to achieve straight sideburns and angled lines.
- Wild Willies Shave Lube: to get a clean, close shave.
- Beard Butter + Beard Balm Combo Set: to maintain soft, healthy facial hair.