Styling guide
Beard Styles by Face Shape
A good beard can add structure where a face is narrow or soften it where it's already angular. Jump to your shape below for specific do and avoid guidance.
Oval face shape
Full oval face shape guide →Do
- Most beard lengths and shapes tend to suit an oval face without much adjustment, similar to hairstyles.
- A well-groomed stubble or short boxed beard can add definition without fighting the face's natural balance.
Avoid
- Beards grown long and narrow with minimal width at the sides can unnecessarily elongate an already balanced face.
Round face shape
Full round face shape guide →Do
- Beard styles with length and a bit of angularity at the chin, like a short boxed beard, can add definition.
- Keeping some length at the bottom while trimming the sides shorter tends to elongate the face.
Avoid
- Full, rounded beards that add width through the cheeks can emphasize roundness rather than offset it.
Square face shape
Full square face shape guide →Do
- Rounded, shorter beard styles can soften the jaw's angles while keeping some shape at the chin.
- Slightly fuller growth along the jawline, kept neatly rounded, tends to balance a strong jaw.
Avoid
- Sharp, boxy beard lines that trace the jaw precisely can reinforce an already angular look.
Rectangle face shape
Full rectangle face shape guide →Do
- Fuller beard styles with width at the sides and jaw can help balance a long face.
- Keeping some volume along the jawline rather than tapering it tight tends to add visual width.
Avoid
- Long, narrow beards that extend well below the chin can emphasize the face's length even further.
Heart face shape
Full heart face shape guide →Do
- Fuller beard growth concentrated at the chin and jawline can add width where the face narrows.
- Rounded beard shapes that build out the lower jaw tend to balance a wider forehead.
Avoid
- Very closely trimmed or patchy styles right at the chin can leave the narrow chin looking even smaller.
Diamond face shape
Full diamond face shape guide →Do
- Fuller beard styles with width at the jawline and chin can soften sharply angled cheekbones.
- Growth that fills in along the jaw rather than staying short can add balance to a narrow lower face.
Avoid
- Very closely trimmed beards that leave the jaw looking narrow can make the cheekbones look even more prominent.
Triangle face shape
Full triangle face shape guide →Do
- Shorter, closely trimmed styles along the jaw and chin tend to avoid adding more width where the face is already widest.
- A bit of fullness kept higher, near the cheeks, can help balance a narrower forehead.
Avoid
- Full, bushy beards with a lot of width at the bottom can emphasize an already broad jawline.
Oblong face shape
Full oblong face shape guide →Do
- Fuller beard styles with width at the sides can help balance a long, narrow face.
- Keeping some volume along the jaw rather than tapering it close tends to add visual width.
Avoid
- Long, narrow beard shapes that extend well below the chin can make the face look even longer.
Not sure which face shape you have?
Upload a photo to the Face Shape Detector for an instant estimate, then use the beard guidance above.
Try the Face Shape Detector →