11 Beard Styles That Dominate Today’s Trends

Facial hair has become a defining feature of modern masculinity, moving far beyond a simple lack of shaving to become a deliberate style statement. Beards are more popular than ever, with men of all ages and professions embracing their ability to frame the face, project confidence, and completely transform a look. The sheer variety of styles available means there is a perfect beard for every face shape, personality, and maintenance level. From rugged, full beards to sharp, sculpted lines, the right facial hair can enhance your best features and express your individuality.

Choosing a beard style is a personal journey. It depends on factors like your hair growth pattern, face shape, and the amount of time you are willing to dedicate to grooming. What looks great on one person might not work for another. Exploring the dominant trends can provide inspiration and help you find a look that feels authentic. This guide highlights eleven popular beard styles that are currently shaping men's grooming, offering a look at what makes each one unique and who it suits best.

1. The Classic Full Beard

The full beard is arguably the most timeless and iconic of all facial hair styles. It is a powerful statement of patience and masculinity, requiring several months of growth to achieve its dense, impressive look. A classic full beard features well-defined lines on the cheeks and neck, with the mustache connecting seamlessly to the rest of the beard. This style is not about letting the hair grow wild; it is about cultivating a shape that is both full and tidy. The length can vary from a couple of inches to much longer, but the key is that the coverage is thick and even.

This style is particularly flattering for men with oval or square face shapes, as it can add weight and balance to the jawline. However, it requires significant commitment to grooming to prevent it from looking unkempt. Regular trimming is necessary to maintain the shape and remove split ends. Using beard oil and balm is essential to keep the hair soft, moisturized, and manageable. The full beard is a versatile look that can appear rugged and outdoorsy or sophisticated and professional, depending on how it is maintained and styled.

2. The Short Beard (Corporate Beard)

The short beard, often called the "corporate beard," is the perfect compromise for men who want facial hair but need to maintain a professional appearance. This style is kept close to the face, usually less than an inch in length, with clean, sharp lines around the cheeks and neck. It provides the texture and framing of a beard without the bulk or maintenance of a longer style. It is a neat, intentional look that demonstrates attention to detail and grooming, making it highly acceptable in most office environments. A skilled professional at a barbershop can easily establish the clean lines needed for this polished style.

Because it is shorter, this style is easier to maintain than a full beard. It requires regular trimming with clippers to keep the length uniform and a razor or trimmer to keep the edges crisp. The short beard works well for most face shapes and is a great option for men whose beard growth might be slightly patchy, as the shorter length can make patchiness less noticeable. It adds maturity and definition to the face without being overwhelming. It is the ideal choice for someone who wants to look sharp and put-together every day with minimal fuss.

3. Heavy Stubble (The 10-Day Beard)

Heavy stubble occupies the perfect middle ground between a clean shave and a short beard. This style, often called the "10-day beard," involves about 5-6 millimeters of growth. It is long enough to look like a deliberate style choice rather than a few missed shaves, but short enough to be low-maintenance. This rugged yet refined look has become incredibly popular because it adds an effortless edge to any appearance. It can sharpen a soft jawline and add texture to the face without the commitment of a full beard.

Maintaining heavy stubble requires a good beard trimmer with adjustable length guards. To keep it looking neat, you need to trim it every few days to maintain the desired length and use a razor to clean up the neckline and any stray hairs high on the cheeks. This prevents it from looking messy and undefined. Heavy stubble is versatile, looking just as good with a t-shirt and jeans as it does with a blazer. It is a great starting point for men who are new to facial hair, allowing them to get used to having a beard before committing to longer growth.

4. The Goatee and Mustache

The goatee is a classic style that has evolved over the years but remains a popular choice. In its most basic form, it is hair grown only on the chin. However, the most common modern variation is the "circle beard," which connects the chin hair to a mustache, forming a circle around the mouth. This style is a great option for men who have strong growth in the mustache and chin area but patchy or weak growth on the cheeks. It allows them to sport facial hair without highlighting the areas where their beard is less dense. When you decide to Grow a Beard, this style can be an achievable first goal.

A goatee can dramatically alter the appearance of your face shape. It is particularly effective for men with round or square faces, as it elongates the chin and draws the eye downward, making the face appear leaner. Keeping a goatee looking sharp requires regular maintenance. The cheeks and neck must be kept clean-shaven to maintain the distinct shape. The length of the goatee itself can be kept short and neat or grown out longer for a more dramatic look. It is a versatile and stylish choice that offers a lot of room for personal expression.

5. The Van Dyke

The Van Dyke is a specific style of goatee that is characterized by a disconnected mustache and chin beard. Named after the 17th-century painter Anthony van Dyck, this style features a mustache (often styled into points) and a chin beard, with the cheeks and the area connecting the mustache to the chin completely shaved. It is a more artistic and sophisticated look than a standard circle beard, requiring precision and confidence to wear well. The Van Dyke has a slightly rebellious, creative vibe that has been favored by actors, musicians, and artists for centuries.

This style works best for men with strong, angular features and a good amount of hair growth on the chin and upper lip. It can add an element of intrigue and refinement to your appearance. Maintenance is key to pulling off the Van Dyke. The separation between the mustache and the chin beard must be kept clean and sharp, and the cheeks and neck must be shaved regularly. The chin beard can be shaped into a point or kept rounded, depending on personal preference. It is a bold choice that makes a definite statement about your personal style.

6. The Anchor Beard

The Anchor beard is another variation of the goatee that has gained popularity. It gets its name from its shape: a pointed beard that follows the jawline, paired with a mustache. The overall look resembles a ship's anchor. Like the Van Dyke, the mustache and chin beard are disconnected. It is a sharp, defined style that requires meticulous grooming. To achieve this look, you need a mustache, a soul patch below the lower lip, and a chin strap beard that extends up towards the corners of the mouth but does not connect. High-quality Grooming Products are essential to keep the lines crisp.

This style is particularly flattering for men with round or oblong faces, as the pointed shape of the chin beard adds definition and length to the jaw. It is a very deliberate and sculpted look that signals a high level of attention to grooming. To maintain the anchor shape, you need to use a precision trimmer or a straight razor to keep the lines clean. The rest of the face must be kept smoothly shaven to make the anchor shape stand out. It is a modern, stylish choice for the man who is not afraid to spend a little extra time on his appearance.

7. The Beardstache

The Beardstache is a hybrid style that puts the focus squarely on the mustache. It involves growing a full, thick mustache while keeping the rest of the facial hair at a heavy stubble or a very short beard length. This contrast creates a bold, masculine look that is both rugged and distinctive. The style has surged in popularity because it allows men to rock a powerful mustache without committing to the maintenance of a full, long beard. It is a confident and slightly retro look that harks back to the 1970s but feels fresh and modern.

To achieve a great Beardstache, you need to let your mustache grow out significantly longer than the surrounding hair. A good beard trimmer is essential for maintaining the shorter length on the chin and cheeks. The mustache itself will require some grooming, including regular trimming to keep it out of your mouth and potentially a bit of mustache wax to shape it. This style works well for men with strong mustache growth and can help balance a longer face or a prominent chin. It is a statement look that is full of character.

8. The Balbo Beard

The Balbo is a three-piece beard style that consists of a mustache, a soul patch, and a chin beard that is wider than a standard goatee. The key feature of the Balbo is that all three parts are disconnected. The chin beard is grown along the jawline but does not connect to the sideburns, and the mustache is separate from the chin hair. This creates an inverted "T" shape. If you're looking for a skilled stylist, a quick search for a "barbershop near me" that showcases detailed beard work in its portfolio is a great start.

This style was popularized by its namesake, Italo Balbo, and has been famously worn by celebrities like Robert Downey Jr. It is an excellent choice for men with narrower chins or patchy cheek growth. The Balbo requires precision grooming to maintain the separation between the different elements. A good trimmer and a steady hand are necessary to keep the lines clean and the surrounding areas smoothly shaven. It is a sophisticated and intentional style that adds a touch of class and intelligence to a man's appearance, making it perfect for both professional and social settings.

9. The Viking Beard (Ducktail)

The Viking beard is a long, full style that is grown out from the chin and often shaped into a point, resembling a duck's tail. The hair on the cheeks and sides is kept shorter and neatly trimmed, while the chin hair is allowed to grow much longer. This creates a powerful, angular shape that adds length and definition to the face. It is a rugged, formidable look that channels the strength and adventurous spirit of ancient Norse warriors. This style is not for the faint of heart; it requires a significant time investment and a good growth pattern.

Grooming a Viking beard is essential to keep it from looking wild. The cheek and neck lines must be kept clean, and the sides need to be faded or trimmed to create the desired shape. The long chin hair needs to be conditioned with beard oil and shaped with balm or wax to form the characteristic point. This style is particularly flattering for men with round or full faces, as the pointed shape at the chin creates a slimming, elongating effect. It is a bold, commanding look that makes a very strong statement.

10. The Bandholz Beard

The Bandholz beard is a style that celebrates maximum natural growth. Popularized by Eric Bandholz, founder of Beardbrand, this look involves growing the beard and mustache out to their full potential with minimal trimming or shaping. The goal is to achieve a full, free-flowing beard that is connected to an equally impressive mustache. It is the ultimate expression of commitment to facial hair, often taking a year or more to fully grow out. This style is for the man who is truly dedicated to the bearded lifestyle and has the genetics to support thick, dense growth all over.

While it is a natural style, the Bandholz still requires care to look good. It needs to be washed, conditioned, and oiled regularly to prevent it from becoming dry and tangled. The mustache often needs to be trimmed to keep it out of the mouth, or it can be trained to the sides with wax. This style is less about sharp lines and more about healthy, well-maintained length and volume. It projects an image of wisdom, ruggedness, and a relaxed confidence. It is a style that is not just worn but lived.

11. The Faded Beard

The faded beard is less of a specific shape and more of a technique that can be applied to many different styles. It involves creating a smooth, seamless transition from the sideburns down into the beard. The hair is tapered, or "faded," from a shorter length near the ears to a longer length in the chin area. This technique creates a very clean, sharp, and modern look. A beard fade can be paired with a short corporate beard, a goatee, or even a longer style to add a professional, polished finish.

This style requires the skill of a professional barber to execute correctly, as creating a smooth blend is a difficult task. The fade draws attention to the jawline and gives the beard a structured, intentional appearance. It is a great way to tidy up a growing beard and make it look more groomed without sacrificing length. The faded beard has become extremely popular because it offers a clean, contemporary aesthetic that works well with modern hairstyles like skin fades and undercuts. It is the perfect choice for the style-conscious man who values precision.

Conclusion

The world of beard styles is rich and varied, offering something for every man. Whether you prefer the rugged appeal of a full Bandholz, the professional polish of a short corporate beard, or the edgy precision of a Balbo, the right style can significantly enhance your look. The key to any great beard is not just choosing the right shape for your face, but also committing to the grooming required to keep it looking its best. Regular trimming, cleaning, and conditioning are non-negotiable for a healthy, attractive beard. Do not be afraid to experiment, and consult with a professional barber to help you find and maintain the perfect style that expresses your individuality and confidence.