Men’s facial hair styles – it seems like there are countless variations of gruff out there these days.
Believe it or not, facial hair can yield some real benefits besides serving as a mere fashion statement.
The Journal of Behavioral Ecology published a fascinating study in 2012.
After surveying both indigenous Polynesians and European New Zealanders, they found that both of these distinct cultures perceived facial hair as a sign of social prestige.
That’s why today I’m covering the top ten men's facial hair styles to watch out for in a next season.
Alright, let's get into it… counting down from ten based on timelessness and simplicity.
10. The Faded Beard
This style is great for men with square and oval faces.
Coming into prominence among beard aficionados in the last 3 to 5 years, it’s executed by tapering the beard and sideburns into the hair.
As the facial hair gradually fades into the skin, it produces a blending effect. These can start anywhere from halfway down the beard to the sideburn.
It can be a great way to show you’re attentive with your beard – but it’s also difficult to manage.
I hope you have a good rapport with your barber because maintaining this will see you on frequent trips his way.
It takes precision to fade the beard correctly, and any mishap on your end can have irreversible consequences.
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9. The Beardstache
This controversial look started making waves within the last 3 years.
It consists of a full-length mustache as the focus while the beard itself is trimmed to stubble.
The Beardstache works best with men who have a long philtrum – the skin between the nose and the upper lip – to allow for the growth of a more robust ‘stache.
There aren’t exact measurements, only that the mustache has to be thick in comparison to the beard.
It does require dutiful maintenance because of the fact you need to keep two different lengths of facial hair, not to mention needing to maneuver around the mustache itself.
Wear it at your own risk – this men's facial hairstyle is the most polarizing on the list. People either love it or hate it!
8. The Bandholz Beard
Now, this is a style that works great for guys with round faces – especially those that aren’t in love with the jawline and want a more angular look.
This type of beard was brought forward by Eric Bandholz after he got fed up with the stigma against facial hair in corporate offices. From 2011 on, his style became synonymous with the “Urban Beardsman” lifestyle he promotes.
It holds a strong resemblance to the Garibaldi (Which I’ll talk about further down) in that a full mustache connects to a fuller beard. However, while the Garibaldi is round and stops at the 7-inch mark, the Bandholz isn’t beholden to length.
There isn’t as much care required here, but it does look best with a trim around the edges to maintain a clean and deliberate look.
It’s a new take on a classic, making this one of the more widely-liked “trendy” facial hairstyles.
7. The Van Dyke
A good choice for round-faced men – the Van Dyke came in and out of style since the 17th century.
It all started with Flemish painter Anthony Van Dick and it became such a hit that King Charles I of England started using it.
Art often shows him wearing the iconic style, most of which was painted by Van Dick himself.
It’s a simple look any man can achieve manually – the Van Dyke consists of both a goatee and mustache that don’t connect to each other. They vary in length between longer and more modest combinations.
Nowadays the look is used notably by David Beckham, Johnny Depp, and yes – Colonel Sanders.
6. The Full Goatee (aka Circle Beard)
This men’s facial hairstyle burst onto the scene in the ’90s and it’s remained a favorite. Celebrities such as Robert Downey Jr. and Leonardo DiCaprio love to rock it.
It’s simply a mustache and goatee that are connected. It’s great for guys who want to conceal their jawline – especially those with square faces.
Though it doesn’t require extensive maintenance, men should take care to shave around the circle in order to keep it crisp.
This style is also favored for its social versatility – feel free to rock it even in professional environments.
5. The Garibaldi
General Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882) was a leading man in the unification of Italy.
His signature men’s facial hairstyle can be counted as another lasting legacy.
This fuller look is comprised of a larger mustache and beard with a rounded bottom. In accordance with its first wearer, it typically stops at 7 inches.
For men looking for a full beard to start with, the Garibaldi is a viable option as it looks good on all face shapes.
4. Dutch Style
This is as old as it gets – used by the ancient Greeks as a symbol of masculinity.
The Spartans even went so far as to sheer it off their men as a show of disgrace.
In the 19th century, it became famous in the US as the “Shenandoah” style after Abraham Lincoln made it his signature look.
It’s gone in and out of style since its inception, but more and more men have grown to like it throughout the 2000’s – making it a viable choice in 2020 for men with triangular faces.
Besides the fact you need to keep your mustache area shaved, the length and shape of the beard are subjective – shape it according to your preference, just know it may be controversial in the office!
3. Stubble
In the 1930s, the man who had stubble was a man who was unemployed and down on his luck.
So disdainful was the outlook, that the “5 o'clock shadow” was coined as an incentive for young men to shave twice a day.
Today, however, it’s a different story. A 2010 study out of Northumbria University in Newcastle, UK found that out of 15 men’s facial hair styles shown to 60 women, stubble received overwhelming preference.
It was especially popular last year and is lasting well into 2020.
Out of all the looks in this list, stubble is the easiest to cultivate. All a man needs to do is wait a few days (usually 5), and proceed upon maintenance with a simple run of a clipper. The best part? It works for all face shapes and situations.
2. The Uniform Style
This men’s facial hairstyle is usually just a step up in length from stubble. The uniform style is great for oval, square, and round faces as it accentuates a little edge.
It’s particularly well-suited for the office, as it constitutes a full beard without going overboard.
1. The Winner – The Short Beard (aka Boxed Beard)
The grand champion of 2020 men’s facial hairstyles has to be the short beard – it’s been in style for millennia and still looks excellent on men of every face shape.
It was made popular by Roman army officers and emperors in the 3rd century AD.
The empire was in a state of crisis and good commanders became celebrities, bringing the beard with them. In Roman society, a groomed short beard became the staple of refined ruggedness.
For men who are proud of their face shape, it’s particularly useful as it gives the appearance of a full beard without detracting for their natural features. Though it’s generally a few steps above stubble, it’s highly modifiable.
Different men usually trim certain aspects of the beard to accentuate their absolute best features.
It was good enough for the Romans, and us too.
In Summary – Men’s Facial Hair Styles
Beards and mustaches are experiencing a cultural rebirth in the west over the last decade. While it’s not for everyone, the right style for the right face shape can give a man a nudge toward a more rugged and deliberate look.
Sometimes, gents, a nudge is all that you need.
Need some more tips on grooming the gruff? Check out my top picks for beard oils.
Click below to watch the video – 7 SIMPLE Shaving Hacks That Will Level-Up Your Shave:
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