In the past decade, men’s facial hair has evolved from a money-saving ruse (the rise of the beard ran in conjunction with the global economic recession) into the ultimate style accessory.

Facial hair is cheap, versatile, and adaptable. It can change the shape of a man’s face and completely alter his look. A scattering of whiskers can make a baby face look older, draw attention away from thinning hair.

Moreover, it provides an opportunity for a man to express his inner self, in ways his attire cannot.

Only one question remains: what are the best beard styles?

Arm yourself with one of Afra’s trimmer kits and read on. This guide covers everything, from how to rock a smattering of stubble to taming a full-on grizzly beard.

 

Stubble

More than any other facial style, stubble is the easiest to cultivate; all you need to do is to stop shaving for a few days. It’s also the simplest style to maintain and the one that suits most face shapes.

Stubble is perfect for guys with baby faces and adds a sense of maturity and ruggedness. It’s the ideal option for those who struggle to grow thick, full beards. It also tends to make weak jaws look stronger and covers up imperfections like acne scars and uneven pigmentation.

It’s a beard style for all occasions, either in the office, or in a bar. Keep it neat and trimmed but keep an eye on the length! Too short and you’ll look like you overslept. Too long and you’ll just look scruffy.

 

Goatee

The goatee is a stylish cut that can be achieved with little effort. This style has long been associated with rock stars, intellectuals and those with an individualist streak.

In plain terms, a goatee is any style that features only hair above the lip and on the chin. Some variations connect the two to create a frame for the mouth, opening up options for those with artistic flair. Goatees are also perfect if you struggle to grow a full beard or find that when you do it’s patchy and uneven.

Goatees look especially good on slim, angular faces (provided they do not grow too long) and can make a round face look slightly slimmer. While they look great on those with short hair, they are best paired with long, slightly disheveled hair.

 

Short Beard

A short beard is more understated and versatile than a full beard. It’s less wild and neater, making it a perfect office-friendly style. By keeping it tidy, but not overly preened, a short beard works well alongside a suit during the working day as it does down the pub at the weekend.

Short beards will suit most face shapes, provided they are neatly trimmed. The angles can be trimmed and adjusted to emphasize certain facial features and downplay others.

If in doubt, ask a barber to tend to your beard with your next trim, then keep up the shape at home.

 

Full Beard

Unlike other styles, growing a full beard is much harder than it looks. The fuller the beard, the more time and maintenance it requires and the more problems you’re likely to encounter.

The full beard is the most difficult style to sport. Guys with oval faces find that this style suits them well, with little effort. However, for any other face shape, some creative trimming is needed to ensure it flatters.

By keeping the sides slightly longer, slim, angular jaws and narrow faces can be softened and rounded out. While round faces can be elongated by growing the hair at the chin longer and keeping the sides shorter.

A full beard is most ideal for bald men, as it provides a dramatic contrast that’s sure to turn heads.