Which Beard Style Suits You
The right beard style can sharpen your jaw, balance your features and suit your lifestyle. Our senior barbers in Chesham explain how to choose the best style for you.
How Do You Know Which Beard Style Suits You?
Choosing a beard style is about more than following a trend. The best style for you depends on three things: the shape of your face, how your beard actually grows and how much time you want to spend on it. A style that looks perfect on a friend or a celebrity may not suit your features or your growth pattern at all.
Working out which beard style suits you starts with an honest look in the mirror. At Broadway Barbers in Chesham this is one of the most common conversations we have in the chair. Our senior barbers look at face shape, density and hairline before recommending anything. This guide takes you through the same process so you can make a confident choice.
Remember that a beard style can also change over time. Many men start with stubble or a short boxed beard and grow into fuller styles as their confidence and growth improve. There is no need to commit to one look forever.
How Do You Work Out Your Face Shape?
Pull your hair back and look straight into a mirror. Compare the width of your forehead, cheekbones and jaw. Then look at the overall length of your face from hairline to chin. The widest point and the length relative to width tell you your shape.
Width and length are similar with soft angles. Aim for styles that add length at the chin and keep the sides short.
Strong, angular jaw with similar width at forehead and jaw. Rounder styles and fuller chins soften the angles.
Face is noticeably longer than it is wide. Keep the chin short and add fullness on the cheeks.
Balanced proportions with a slightly narrower jaw. Most beard styles suit this shape.
Wider forehead with a narrow, pointed chin. Fuller beards at the jaw and chin add balance.
Wide cheekbones with a narrower forehead and chin. Fullness at the chin balances the cheekbones.
Which Beard Styles Work Best for Each Face Shape?
| Face Shape | Best Styles | Styles to Avoid | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Short boxed, goatee, anchor | Wide mutton chops | Keep cheeks tight and chin longer |
| Square | Full beard with rounded chin, circle beard | Very angular box beards | Soften the jaw corners |
| Oblong | Short full beard, heavy stubble | Long pointed beards | Keep length off the chin |
| Oval | Most styles | Very long unshaped beards | Choose based on density |
| Heart | Full beard, Garibaldi, chin strap | Thin goatees | Build fullness at the jaw |
| Diamond | Full beard, chin curtain | High cheek lines | Keep width at the chin |
These are guides rather than strict rules. Your hair density, colour and hairline all play a part. A barber can often spot what will work best within seconds of seeing your growth.
How Should You Choose a Beard Style Step by Step?
- 1Identify your face shape
Use a mirror or a front facing photo with your hair pulled back. Note the widest point and overall length.
- 2Assess your growth
Grow your beard for four weeks without trimming anything except the neckline. See where it grows thickly and where it is thinner.
- 3Consider your lifestyle
Think about your workplace, your sport and how much time you have each morning. Longer styles need more daily care.
- 4Shortlist two or three styles
Match the styles that suit your face shape with the ones your growth can support.
- 5Start shorter
Begin with the shortest version of your chosen style. It is easy to grow into a longer look and much harder to go back.
- 6Get a professional shape
Ask a barber to set the first shape. You then have clear lines to follow at home.
Our senior barbers can recommend a style and set the shape in one appointment. A beard trim at Broadway Barbers starts from £8, with a trim and razor shape up for £20. Open seven days a week in Chesham.
How Much Upkeep Does Each Beard Style Need?
Lifestyle is as important as face shape. The chart below compares the typical weekly maintenance time for popular beard styles.
Short styles need more frequent trimming but less daily care. Long styles need less trimming but more washing, conditioning and brushing. Neither is easier overall. It simply depends on which type of routine suits you better.
If you would like a barber to help choose and set the right style, see our Beard Trim Prices for beard trims and shape ups at Broadway Barbers in Chesham.
What About Patchy or Thin Beards?
If your beard is patchy, styles that focus on the chin and moustache often work better than a full beard. A goatee, an anchor or heavy stubble can make the most of your strongest areas. If the cheeks are thin but the jaw is full, a short boxed beard with a low cheek line can look great. Give any new beard at least eight to twelve weeks before deciding what it can support, as many beards fill in over time.
| Density | Recommended Styles | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Full and even | Any style including long beards | Growth supports every shape |
| Thick chin, thin cheeks | Goatee, anchor, short boxed | Focuses on the strongest area |
| Patchy throughout | Heavy stubble | Short length disguises gaps |
| Thin moustache | Chin strap, beard without moustache | Removes the weakest area |
Once you have chosen a direction, our guide on How to Shape a Beard explains how to set the outline so the style suits your face.
How Do You Look After Your New Style?
A new style needs a consistent routine to settle. Brush daily in the direction you want the beard to grow and use a few drops of oil to keep the skin healthy. Keep the neckline and cheek line tidy every few days so the shape stays clear.
If you are starting from scratch, read our guide on How to Grow a Beard. When the style is in place, How to Style a Beard covers the daily routine and How to Shape a Beard explains how to refine the outline.
Does Your Hair and Age Affect Which Beard Style Suits You?
Your hairstyle and your beard should work together. A short, cropped haircut pairs well with stubble or a short boxed beard for a neat, balanced profile. Longer hair on top can carry a fuller beard without the head looking top heavy. If you are thinning on top, a well kept full beard can shift focus downward and add structure to the face.
Beard colour changes with age too. Many men find grey or white hairs appear in the beard before the head. A short, well shaped beard often looks sharper with grey coming through, while a longer grey beard needs regular conditioning to stay soft. Whatever your age, a clean outline matters more than the length you choose.
When Should You Ask a Barber for Help?
A barber is invaluable when you are choosing a style for the first time or changing your look. They can see your features objectively, spot growth patterns you may not notice and set a shape you can maintain yourself. A quick consultation often saves weeks of trial and error.
At Broadway Barbers our senior barbers Dan, Harry, Ann and Catherine each have their own Booksy profile. You can choose your barber, check availability and book ahead. We are open seven days a week, with late opening until 8pm on Thursdays.
For more expert advice on growing, trimming and caring for your beard, explore the Beard Grooming Hub, home to every Broadway Barbers beard guide.
From choosing a style to growing, shaping and caring for your beard, the Beard Grooming Hub brings together practical advice from barbers who have been cutting beards in Chesham since 2001.