Braided Beard Styles for Men: How to Grow and Maintain It

Picture a beard of legend, worn by the mightiest of Viking warriors. This beard, with its fierce-looking braids, can bolster the spirits of your brethren and strike fear at the heart of your enemies.

Braided beard styles were favoured by warriors going to battle but they are also the go-to choice for a lot of modern-day Vikings. It’s an inspiring long beard style look that you can try for yourself. You can braid your facial hair in a multitude of styles and you can change a lumberjack beard style to a braided style and even adorn it with beads. Read on to find out how you can grow a beard worthy of Thor himself.

How to Braid A Beard

Before we start talking about the „how”, we should with a disclosure. We need to tell you that size matters. You’ll need at least 3 to 4 inches of hair growth before you can attempt a simple braid. And more complex braids will need longer hair to achieve. So, this is going to be a bit of a waiting game if you’re just starting your beard growth journey.

Steps to Braid Your Beard

1. You should start the braiding process on a clean canvas. You should wash your beard with a dedicated facial hair product like a beard wash, and apply a beard conditioner for an extra boost of hydration.
2. Pat your beard dry with a towel and apply your favourite beard oil.
3. Use a beard comb to detangle and straighten your hair.
4. Using your fingers or comb, divide your beard into three equal sections. Grab the left section with your left hand and the right section with your right hand, securing them between your thumb and forefinger.
5. Take a deep breath and relax.
6. Take the right section and pass it over the middle section, and secure it between the forefinger and middle finger of your left hand.
7. Now repeat the same step with the left section of your hair.
8. Continue the process until you run out of hair and tie up your braid with a beard bead or an elastic band. 

How To Grow Beard Long For Braids

Accessories:

You will need some tools in your arsenal. Viking beard braid styles require growing your facial hair long. Men who naturally grow a thick beard have an easier time pulling these styles off. You’ll need some accessories and care products that will help keep your beard tamed and healthy.

Your accessories should include a beard comb, a beard trimmer, care products like beard oil, beard wash and conditioner. For trimming and styling, you will also need a shaving kit, beard scissors, a mirror with good lighting, and a beard wax to keep every stray hair in place.

Tips

One of the best tips we can give you is to take good care of your facial hair. Treat it with love and respect and commit to a good beard care routine. Wash your beard regularly and apply beard oil to prevent your beard from drying out and your face from getting itchy.

Another thing you might want to consider is keeping up with your grooming. You should trim your beard regularly to get rid of dry or split ends, but you should also grow a long beard to style it like a Viking. Using a beard trimmer or a good pair of scissors will also help maintain the shape of your beard.

11 Best Braided Beard Styles For Men

1. The Short Braided Beard

This is the best option if you're looking for fast results. All you need is a full beard and a few inches of hair to work with. Your resulting braid might be tiny, but the effect will be stunning. It’s also a great place to start before you explore some other, more flashy styles.

2. The Long Braided Beard

This is one of those ‘go big or go home` kinds of styles. Also known as the Viking beard braid or braided Viking beard style, it’s impressive and a testament to the wearer’s will and fortitude. The longer your beard, the more impressive your braid will be. Just keep in mind that the maximum length your beard can grow to is genetically determined, so don’t judge yourself too harshly.

3. The Braided Goatee Beard

A goatee beard can be a bold look that accentuates your features. But pair it up with a cool braid and you’ve got a show-stopping look. This style works best with a circle beard, but you can definitely make it work with a classic goatee and a fancy floating moustache.

4. The Asian Twist Beard

Although this beard style does not necessarily include a braid, we think that the look and style are similar enough to deserve a place on this list. This twisted beard style is a great choice if you have thin facial hair or you have a patchy beard.

5. The Braided Chin Beard

If you’re not exactly thrilled by the idea of growing a full face of hair, you can try out the braided chin beard. Similar to a goatee braid, it’s a minimalist style that requires growing hair on a limited area of your chin. You can choose anything between a classic goatee and a chin puff, so this style has a lot of variation.

6. The Cornrow Braided Beard

This look is fancy and epic and it will elevate any beard style. Cornrow braids are one of the most difficult beard styles to achieve and you will probably need the help of a professional. If you find the patience and dexterity to DIY this braid, then you will have our eternal respect and admiration.

7. The Impressive Braided Beard

True to its name, this is one of the most beautiful beard braid styles out there. We like to think of it as beard art more than beard styling. You can adorn your beard with multiple braids and add some beard beads to accessorize.

8. The Ponytail Beard

The effect this beard style creates is similar to a beard braid. You can achieve a beard ponytail even if your beard is on the shorter side, and you can spice things by adding beard beads. This is a popular look that you can adapt for any occasion.

9. The Double Braided Beard

Another popular Viking beard braid, this facial hair style reminded us of the famous Danish king of England, Sweyn Forkbeard, cleverly named after his notorious beard. Thanks to the famous people who sported it, the double braided beard style is a look a lot of people associate with Vikings, so it deserves a spot on our list.

10. French Braid Beard 

One of the easiest braided beard styles you can go for, the French braid style is perfect for patient men who sport long beards. This style looks great regardless of your outfit, and it shows off your attention to detail, but it requires several inches of facial hair to pull it off.

11. The Viking Braided Beard

This Viking-inspired beard style is a great way to show off your inner warrior. It has some badass, masculine vibes, and it’s a great fit for any face shape and style. We love it because it’s versatile, and you can tweak and style your beard and braid to fit your features and personality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a braided beard called?

Braided beards are often called Viking beards. The look has been popularized by famous TV shows and movies, where Vikings are often depicted as having braided facial hair.

Should you braid your beard?

Beard braids are a great way to express your personal aesthetic. Braiding will not damage your hair if you adhere to a good beard care regimen to keep your whiskers clean, well-groomed and hydrated.

How do you braid a small beard?

You will need at least 4 to 5 inches of beard to achieve a proper braid. For shorter beards, you can opt for a ponytail version that you can adorn with some cool beard beads.

Can you french braid a beard?

Yes, the french braid is one of the most simple types of beard braids. It’s easy to learn and it can be paired with any style of beard.

How do you Viking braid a beard?

For the Viking beard effect, you can explore and try out any type of beard braid. You can opt for a simple french braid or go for a more complicated fishtail style. You can also include multiple braids and add accessories like beard beads. A Viking braided beard is less about the style and more about the attitude.

Braid Your Way Towards A Beard Worthy Of Valhalla

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