Growing a Beard: What You Need to Know

Growing a beard: what you need to know

“Should I grow a beard?” and “How to grow a beard fast?” are two common questions during these stay-at-home days. We’ve got your answers.

The short answer is: there isn’t much you can do to increase your beard growth rate — that comes down to genetics. The longer answer is: if you want to grow a great beard, you first need to know how to care for your beard. This guide covers all the basics you’ll need.

Growing and caring for your beard

Step 1: Let your beard grow for a few days or a week (depending on how fast your hair grows).

Then, decide on what style you want and what fits the shape of your face. If you don’t know the shape of your face already you can find out by looking straight into the mirror and roughly tracing the outline you see onto the mirror. Be extra sure to use something non-permanent, like toothpaste, or a dry erase marker to trace your shape. Then, decide on a beard style that works best for your face shape: square, round, rectangle, or oval.

Square

Keep your beard short on the sides and fuller on your chin to highlight your square jawline. For example:
Round beard

Full Goatee

Sometimes known as a “Circle Beard,“ the goatee is formed by a chin patch connected to a moustache.

A real beard

Royale

Like the “Van Dyke” for round faces (below), this is a variation on the “Full Goatee” with a detached moustache.

Beard with a padlock

Goatee without Moustache

A variation on the “Full Goatee.”

Petite Goatee without Moustache

Petite Goatee without Moustache

As the name implies, it’s an even smaller version of the “Goatee without Moustache.”

Round

Make your face appear slimmer with angled edges and fuller hair on your chin. For example:
Barba the Van Dyke

Van Dyke

Like the “Royale” for a square face (above), this is a variation on the “Full Goatee” with a detached moustache and more angular lines along the chin.

Short square beard

Short Boxed

A full face beard with thin, neatly trimmed sides.

A stuttering beard

Balbo

A beard without sideburns that includes a trimmed, detached moustache.

Stubble chevron

Anchor

As the name implies, the chin shape looks like an anchor as it traces the jawline and is paired with a moustache.

Rectangle

Accentuate your chiseled look and show off the shape of your face. For example:
Horseshoe-shaped mustache

Mutton Chops

Connect long sideburns to a moustache and leave the chin bare.

A gunslinger mustache and beard

Gunslinger with Moustache

Similar to “Mutton Chops” this style connects a long horseshoe moustache with hair that traces the jawline.

Chin Strip

Chin Strip

A vertical strip between the lip and chin.

Chin Strap

Chin Strap

A beard that traces the jawline and does not include a moustache.

Soul Patch

Soul Patch

A small “moon” of hair just below the center of your bottom lip.

Hipster

Hipster

With more hair along the neck, this is a longer version of the “Short Boxed” style for round faces (above).

Oval

Lucky you! Oval faces can pull off just about any beard shape. See above for examples, plus these:
Chevron

Chevron

Cover your entire top lip with this “chevron” shaped style.

3-Day Stubble

3-Day Stubble

This “scruffy” look with short hair on the neck and cheeks simulates three days of beard growth.

Horseshoe

Horseshoe

Similar to the “Gunslinger” for rectangular faces (above), but without hair along the jawline.

Stache

Stache

The original moustache, shorter and less full than the “Chevron.”

Step 2: Define your beard shape

Depending on the length of your beard, you may need to start with a trimmer. Once the hair is short enough to shave, use a razor to define the shape of your beard. Having a clean, sharp, well-defined beard comes down to how much detail you put into your shave. Take advantage of precision trimmer to help create sharp, even lines along the jaw, cheeks, etc.

Step 3: Maintain your beard style

Now that you have defined your style, shave the rest of your face daily to keep a consistent look. Trim your beard once or twice a week to keep your beard length under control. See our “Stay-At-Home Grooming and Self-Care Tips For Men” for a detailed checklist plus routine.

Step 4: Groom your beard

Here are some great daily beard grooming habits to get into:

  1. Keep your beard clean. Wash and condition your beard when you take a shower.
  2. Apply beard oil right after your shower to help soften and smooth your facial hair for a well-groomed look.
  3. Brush your beard daily.
  4. Build up your arsenal of beard care products. A Beard and Face Moisturizer is a lightweight, hydrating formula that helps keep your stubble and skin feeling soft and comfortable.
Follow this guide to keep your beard looking its best. Like anything, the more time and effort you put into your beard, the better the results.

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