By face shape
| Face shape | Try | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Longer at the chin, tight sides, goatee or anchor | Very full, round sides |
| Square | Rounded chin, medium stubble, short boxed | Very square, sharp-cornered shapes |
| Long | Fuller sides, shorter chin, stubble | Long pointed beards |
| Oval | Almost anything | Styles that hide your jawline completely |
| Heart / triangle | Fuller chin to balance a wider forehead | Very short chin with full sides |
Keeping it sharp
A defined cheek line and neckline make any beard look intentional. A beard trim and line up every 1 to 3 weeks keeps the shape. Beard Trim, Line Up is listed from A$20 at Modern Grooming Co, or A$30 with a hot towel.
How to work out your face shape
- Pull your hair back and look straight into a mirror.
- Compare the width of your forehead, cheekbones and jaw.
- Compare the length of your face with its width.
- Round: about as wide as it is long, soft jaw
- Square: wide, strong, angular jaw
- Long: noticeably longer than it is wide
- Oval: slightly longer than wide, balanced features
- Heart: wider forehead, narrower chin
Most faces are a mix. Your barber can tell you which way yours leans.
Popular beard styles
| Style | What it looks like | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|
| Stubble | Short, even growth, 1 to 5 mm | Trim every few days |
| Short boxed | Neat full beard kept short with sharp lines | Line up every 1 to 2 weeks |
| Full beard | Longer, natural shape with a clean neckline | Shape every 2 to 4 weeks |
| Goatee | Chin and mustache only | Shave cheeks often |
| Anchor | Pointed chin beard with a separate mustache | Detailed shaping every 1 to 2 weeks |