The 23 Best Beard Styles for Men in 2024

23 Best Beard Styles to Match Each Face Shape Perfectly

Looking to transform your appearance? With countless facial hair options available, finding your ideal look can feel overwhelming. 

But fear not, brave warrior. We’ve researched all the beard trends, we’ve crunched the numbers, and we’ve put together a list of the most popular and cool beard styles out there.

Read our ultimate list of best beard styles for men to find the style that can inspire your next amazing beard look.

Finding Your Perfect Look By Face Shape

Ready to unlock your face's true potential? Like choosing the right armor for battle, picking a look that matches your face shape is crucial for maximum impact. 

Let's dive into the arsenal of options for each facial structure.

Oval Faces

You've hit the genetic jackpot, warrior. Your balanced features are the perfect canvas for almost any style you dare to rock.

  • The Classic Full Beard

There is nothing more majestic than a thick, long beard, and if you can grow a full beard, you’re one of the lucky ones. 

This is the heavyweight champion of facial hair. When you're blessed with the ability to grow a thick, full masterpiece, you're carrying a weapon that commands respect in any arena. Rock it natural for that untamed warrior look, or keep it sculpted for diplomatic missions.

This classic beard is also a great fit for any style of mustache and works on all face shapes.

  • The Stubble Beard

Don't underestimate this lightweight contender. The stubble beard is your secret weapon for that rugged, just-returned-from-battle look without the heavy maintenance. It’s easy to grow, easy to maintain, and it gives you a look that’s manly, rugged, and sexy. 

But remember, soldier - even this basic training requires discipline. Keep it sharp, keep it clean.

  • The Goatee Beard

This classic chin beard will always have a place in our hearts. We love the stylistic versatility of the goatee beard and the fact that it can essentially be adapted to fit any type of feature. 

A tactical choice that's stood the test of time. This focused strike of facial fortitude gives you the flexibility of a special ops unit. Whether you're infiltrating corporate territories or commanding weekend operations, the goatee adapts to your mission.

  • The Five O'Clock Shadow Beard

Talk about an instant transformation. This beard design can transform a fresh-faced close shave into a rugged, manly look. It’s even more striking if you have a naturally round face and features that can be described as boyish. 

The five o’clock shadow is perfect if you’re looking for a beard that’s extremely low maintenance.

Master this, and you've got an everyday ally that transitions seamlessly from battlefield to boardroom.

Square Faces

Attention, soldier! Those chiseled features you're sporting are already winning half the battle. Let's amplify that natural strength.

  • The Balbo Beard

This is advanced warfare for your face. The combination of mustache, soul patch, and chin armor creates a sophisticated strike force that'll have admirers surrendering at first sight.

We love everything about this iconic style. It’s got elements like a mustache, a soul patch, and a chin beard, that in combination make up a charming and elegant beard. It is not big and flashy, but it can still turn heads and inspire admiration. 

One thing that you might find impressive is how this beard highlights the manliest features of the face by following the jawline. We were impressed and we think you will be too.

  • The Van Dyke Beard

Named after a legendary warrior of the arts, this combo of detached mustache and pointed chin growth is your ticket to facial hair nobility.  If you’re looking for a facial hair style that’s classy, distinguished, and timeless, then Van Dyke is where you should start. 

Although it looks a bit old-timey, it certainly doesn’t seem out of place in a modern urban setting. 

  • The Circle Beard

Think of this as your tactical perimeter defense. It frames your features like a fortress wall, creating a balanced stronghold that enemies can't penetrate. 

The circle beard is a crowd-favourite and it can be worn with or without a soul patch. As the name suggests, it’s a style that requires growing your beard to completely frame the mouth. 

  • The Beardstache 

The modern warrior's choice. Keep your mustache as your main weapon while maintaining stubble troops as a backup. It's bold, it's brave, and it means business. You can grow the mustache of your dreams and let it thrive among a healthy growth of stubble. 

We love this look because it’s bold and unapologetic, and it’s an amazingly efficient way to highlight a cool mustache.

Round Faces

Attention, recruit! Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to add some tactical angles to that smooth facade. These elite strategies will give you the edge you're looking for.

  •  The Ducktail Beard

Another one of the best beard styles because it’s fresh and exciting! Ducktail beards are also manly and they create pleasing lines that can emphasize your facial features. 

This is your precision strike capability. That signature V-shaped growth isn't just facial hair - it's a targeted operation to elongate your face and command attention. Keep the sides tight like a well-organized platoon while letting that chin growth advance forward.

  • The Anchor Beard

This short beard style is a love story between a chin beard and a mustache. Your hair should be trimmed to resemble an anchor, which lets your beard follow the shape of the jaw to create a stunning and captivating look. 

Named for its unmistakable shape, this style is your heavy artillery. It follows your jawline like a battle formation, creating powerful lines that'll have your enemies doing double-takes. This isn't just facial hair - it's face architecture.

  • The Chinstrap Beard

This is the special force of facial hair. When most people picture a manly face, the first thing that they imagine is a strong, sharp jawline. While it’s true that your facial features are genetically predetermined, you can trick the eye and make your jawline appear more defined with a simple trim

Chin strap beard styles can help you create those coveted angular lines everybody seems to be raving about.

Warning: this elite unit requires daily maintenance to keep those lines sharp enough to cut glass.

  • The Soul Patch

Sometimes the smallest squad makes the biggest impact. This minimal yet mighty option is perfect for warriors just beginning their facial hair campaigns or those who prefer covert operations.

This beard is the perfect example of how you can get maximum results from a minimal investment. We love it because it’s a classic, it involves minimal effort and it’s the perfect opportunity for any beginner beard enthusiast to start exploring. 

The soul patch beard styles deserve a spot in our count-off, plus this style pairs perfectly with a faded beard.

Diamond Faces

Listen up, diamond warriors! Those razor-sharp cheekbones are your natural weapons. Let's supplement that arsenal with some strategic reinforcements.

  • The Garibaldi Beard

This is full-scale facial hair warfare. The rounded bottom formation perfectly balances those powerful cheekbones, while the full growth shows you mean business. 

This style creates a very striking image of grace and sophistication and it deserves a spot on our list. Named after a legendary general - enough said.

  • The Verdi Beard

A masterclass in facial hair diplomacy. We couldn’t skip past this classic beard style. Inspired and named after the famous 19th-century Italian classical music composer, this beard style has defied the passing of time and is still very much present in the top style choices of beard lovers all over the world. 

The Verdi is a spectacular beard that’s dashing, and classy, and it will complement any look and style.

  •  The Zappa Beard

Warning: this is not your standard-issue facial hair. If you’re feeling eccentric and a bit nostalgic, then the Zappa beard is something you can try out. This is one of the best beard styles, recognized for being a distinctive classic

Named after the famous American musician, Frank Vincent Zappa, this style requires growing a fairly thick mustache and a wide soul patch. Frank Zappa didn't follow orders, and neither does this style.

  • The Beard Without A Moustache

You might be skeptical about this one, but take a moment to think about how inconvenient a mustache can be. Your whiskers can be inconvenient because hair tends to get into your mouth, tickle your lips, and the stuff you eat and drink tends to get stuck in there too. 

The long beard without a mustache is an answer to all beard lovers who have had enough of struggling with pesky upper lip hair, so don’t be too hesitant to give it a shot.

Triangular Faces

Your mission is to balance that broader upper territory with strategic lower facial reinforcements. Here's your battle plan.

  •  The Chin Curtain

This is your frontline defense system. It frames your face like a well-fortified border while adding crucial volume to your lower ground. Keep it clean, keep it mean.

Such facial hair styles are unique and instantly recognizable, and it’s a great statement look. There are some style variations you can pick through, and the best part is that you get to enjoy having a beard and a clean-shaven face at the same time.

  •  The Mutton Chops Beard

Instantly recognizable and one of the more extravagant beard styles out there, the mutton chops are an old-school look that we love and respect. 

This beard type is surprisingly varied and it makes for an excellent way of style self-expression. The mutton chops beard has been around since the 19th century, and it looks like it’s here to stay. If you’re feeling daring, this is one of the styles you can try.

  • The Viking Beard

By Odin's beard, this is the nuclear option of facial hair! Let it grow wild and free like a Norse warrior, or tame it with braids and beads. Either way, you're channeling the power of ancient conquerors.

The Viking beard is always well-groomed, even if the choice of style is more natural and wild. 

 Long beard styles will require more care and attention and will take more time to grow out, but every effort is worth it in the end.

  •  The Lumberjack Beard

When you hear the word ‘lumberjack’, you probably imagine lots of plaids, a big axe, strong forearms, and a kick-ass burly beard. The lumberjack beard is one of those facial hair looks that’s grown in popularity over the last decade as it developed into its own unique style. 

You’ve probably seen this beard a thousand times and it’s easy to appreciate why it’s so beloved and a go-to for many beard lovers.

Trending Beard Styles

These popular beard styles are  beards that most beard enthusiasts dream of. They are popular, they are awe-inspiring and they are a staple of masculinity and virility.

Keep your beard hydrated and healthy and always finish your look with a good quality styling product like a beard balm or beard wax. We’ve chosen some of the most beautiful beard styles of the moment so they can serve as a source of inspiration.

  • The Braided Beard

You can use your creativity to achieve the most unique look with the braided beard styles. This is probably the most adaptable facial hairstyle out there and you can alter your look to fit the occasion, your clothing style, or your mood.

You can have a spectacular single braid, or you can have multiple braids for a more complex look. You can also add beard beads to give your look a bit of extra flair.

  • The Forkbeard

Split your forces for double the impact. This historical powerhouse is making a modern comeback, and for good reason. It's basically two beards in one - how's that for shock value?

The two segments of hair can be held in place with a generous amount of styling product, or you can add some flavor by turning them into braids or fixing them with beard beads.

  • The Hipster Beard

Hate it or love it, the hipster counterculture movement has left its creative mark on men's facial hair styles. It has also helped revive some of the more fancy mustache and beard styles for men in history. In fact, the hipster beard is a term that includes a large variety of facial hair types. 

The uniting characteristic is that they all have a timeless look that’s intended to ironically combine modern fashion with old-school facial hair. And the results are truly stunning.

Identifying Your Face Shape for Maximum Beard Impact

Most beard styles will look good on any face shape, but some styles will work wonders for certain types of features. 

You can use your beard to create illusions that alter your face length, width, and shape. Keep in mind that, in order to create these illusions, you should become best friends with your beard trimmer, comb, and beard oil.

Oval Face 

You have an oval face if your features tend to be rounded, which is easier to observe in the chin and jawline areas. 

Another defining factor is the length of the face. An oval shape means that the face is more long than wide. 

This is the most versatile face shape and it’s a great fit for almost any style of beard.

The best men's beard styles beards for this face shape will help create a bit more width and will add some strength and definition to the jawline. You can try some amazing styles like the stubble beard and the classic full beard.

Oblong/Rectangle Face 

An oblong or rectangular face will be more long than wide. You have a rectangle face if the width of your face is similar throughout its whole length. This means that your face’s width measured at your temples, cheekbones, and jaw is similar.

Your oblong face shape will be best served by a beard style that emphasizes your strong jawline but doesn’t create more length. Some excellent choices are the chinstrap beard style or anchor beard.

Square Face 

Having a square face is considered synonymous with having manly features. Your face is square-shaped if it’s approximately equal in width and length and if you have sharp features like the coveted sharp-angled jawline.

A beard will be perfectly matched for a square face if it accentuates all the features that make it masculine. It should complement the jawline and create a bit of length to the face. Some great looks that you can try are the classic full beard and the Balbo.

Round Face 

Round faces are defined by an equal length in both width and height. Your face is round if your chin and jawline tend to be rounded up and softer, rather than pointy or angular.

There are many beard styles that mesh well with round features. These facial hairstyles will tend to create more length to the face, bring attention to the chin area, or accentuate the jawline. Some great choices are the goatee beard styles and chinstrap beard styles.

Diamond Face 

Your face is diamond-shaped if the widest part of your face is your cheekbone area. Another defining feature is represented by the chin area, which tends to be pointy. A diamond-shaped face will also tend to be longer, and more narrow.

Facial hair styles that accentuate the jawline or add width to the lower part of your face will be a great choice. You can try some awesome styles like the Garibaldi and the Verdi beards.

Triangular Face 

Think about an inverted triangle and imagine it overlapping with your face. A triangular face will be wider in the upper part of the face and at its narrowest in the chin area. The chin also tends to be a bit pointy.

The beards that are best suited for this particular face shape will add more width to the bottom of the face or will accentuate the jawline and follow the natural lines and features. A great match for the triangular face is the ducktail beard style.

Best Beard Styles Worthy Of Modern-Day Warriors

Whether you've opted for a rugged full beard, a sleek Van Dyke, or a trendy stubble look, remember that the best style is one that complements your face shape and personal style. 

Regular grooming and proper care are key to maintaining your chosen look. 

Check out The Beard Struggle’s collection of products & guides to see how to get one of the best beard styles out there to match the look of a true Viking warrior.

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