The Best Beard for Your Face Shape

Man who is trimming his beard
Photo: Shutterstock
Haircuts look best when they are tailored to a man's face shape. The same applies to the various types of facial hair. There are five basic face shapes and certain beards look better on some than others.
 
Growing beards has become trendy again and is a classy way to change one's appearance and to spice up any look. Facial hair can help you to draw attention to your favorite features and also to divert from areas you find less appealing. BBeards, short and long, full or stubbly, are masculine, sexy, romantic, adventurous, or classy, sophisticated, and they express a man's personality like nothing else.
 
It grows for free, and you don't need a fancy stylist to tell you what looks great on you. Take a look at our suggestions for the different face shapes, get some ideas, and let it grow!
 
Square Faces
 
What to look for: Square faces have strong, angular lines around the chin and jaw that have about the same width as the forehead. The best look for facial hair balances out these lines and brings a masculine, yet smooth element to the equation.
 
David Beckham with a short stubbly beard
David Beckham - Photo: s_bukley/Shutterstock
Who did it: David Beckham not only has strong soccer legs, but also very distinct lines shaping his square face. The fashion-conscious star wears a short, stubbly look on his head and face. The hair is clipped close to the skin with a smooth transition between the facial hair and the super-short crop on his head.
 
Even though it looks effortless, there has been some shaping and targeted grooming to give it distinct lines around the mouth and on the sides. It is your luxurious version of the scruffy 3-day beard.
 
Oblong Faces
 
What to look for: Oblong or rectangular faces have similar edgy lines as the square face, but are a bit longer. The perfect beard style for this face shape is one that visually shortens the face while at the same time balancing out sharp angles and strong lines.
 
Tom Ford with a well shaped beard
Tom Ford - Photo: Ovidiu Hrubaru/Shutterstock
Who did it: Fashion icon Tom Ford makes a statement with a light and well-shaped, super-hot, scruffy shadow beard. The shape and thickness of the beard is dominant enough to draw the eyes away from his slightly receding hairline.
 
If you like Tom Ford's look, just put away that razor for a few days and then make sure to trim it regularly and to keep a neat outline.
 
Round Faces
 
What to look for: The name says it all. Round faces have smooth lines and can handle more distinct outlines and shapes of beards to boost a masculine appeal and lengthen the face. Be careful, however, to not go "overbeard" with the growth.
 
Kanye West with a debonair moustache
Kanye West - Photo: Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock
Who did it: Kanye West balances his look with a debonair mustache that is connected to the chin hair by thin, well-shaped lines on the sides of the lips. Together with the very short hair on his face, the outlines give him a smooth, masculine, and sophisticated look.
 
With this style, it is important to keep the neck and cheeks clean-shaven and the outline of the facial hair crisp and clean. Once the contours outgrow, the style loses its effect.
 
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