The beard maketh the person. Do you realize who mentioned that pearl of simple knowledge? We did, simply then. And it’s true. For those that care, the beard is a literal extension of your persona, whether or not you might be wild and untamed, massive and attention-grabbing or distinguished and to the purpose.

If you’re the form of man who’s refined and well-styled, then a brief beard can improve your look. But there’s extra to a brief beard than simply rising a centimetre of facial hair and trimming it down each different week.

We spoke to the UK’s greatest barbers to learn how to decide on the very best brief beard fashion for you and maintain it in good condition.

Short Stubble

Just-groomed-enough stubble is an easy, basic, flattering look, says George Wilkins from Ruffians barbers. “Decide on a length you’re happy with and ask your barber for that grade all over. The thing that sets this apart is the clean razor-shaved neckline, which gives a more groomed, smarter feel.”

How to keep up it: This one can be straightforward to realize from the consolation of your personal toilet. Simply put your required grade – normally beneath a centimetre to keep away from George Michael comparisons – on the beard trimmer. Prune each two-to-five days, relying in your pace of development.

The Classic Goatee

“This is the most recognised short beard style and the key is the width of it,” says Joe Mills from barbers Joe & Co. “You don’t want it too wide or narrow as it can change your face shape, making it look fuller. Start wider and then work your way in until you are happy with the shape.”

How to keep up it: “Trim every couple of days and the shape will always be there. Clean shave around the goatee or have the clippers on the shortest length to trim the rest of your facial hair down. Keep the moustache line clean as this will make it look sharper and more detailed.”

Short Beard Styles Classic Circle Goatee

Full Boxed Beard

This is basically a full beard, however saved brief, within the time honoured custom of George Clooney. “The length of this style will vary depending on personal preference and hair type,” says Koca.

“Length-wise it’s usually finger deep or slightly longer. In order to achieve a boxed look, you usually need quite thick hair. Ask for a boxy, full, medium-length style. Also, ask to keep it shorter around sideburns and line it up under the chin and cheek line.”

How to keep up it: “A top tip is to comb it, up to six times per day, to keep the blood flow moving continually. This will encourage healthy hair growth and will keep your beard in shape. And wash regularly as well as using beard oil and conditioner.”

Short Beard Styles Full Boxed Beard

The Anchor

“This is a version of the goatee,” says Mills. “It has an emphasis on volume and needs a couple of weeks of stubble to get it shaped in properly. Best take your barber a picture.” It’s labored for everybody from David Beckham to Christian Bale, so that you shouldn’t battle for beardspiration.

How to keep up it: “This is a disconnected goatee, so you need to take your time and go easy. It needs to be symmetrical – use the clippers to get the shape and then use your wet razor to get the detail. A good balm will keep it looking great.”

Short Beard Styles The Anchor

The Short Shaggy Beard

“This nonchalant style works well if you have uneven hair growth and if you’re unable to grow a full beard,” says Sait Koca from the Adam Grooming Atelier. “We would recommend keeping it finger depth short, or even shorter. And keep the focus on the thickest part of your beard to give it a full look.”

How to keep up it: “Wash and condition regularly and get it trimmed every two weeks, or whenever it starts to feel too long. People with this beard type usually ask their barber for a tidy-up, rather than overly styling it.”

Short Beard Styles Short Shaggy Beard

The Medium-Length Goatee

A glance that Brad Pitt has been carrying all summer season, that is tightly trimmed simply above the lip, says Wilkins. “Clean shaved on the cheeks, but maintaining stubble towards the jawline, neck shaved short with trimmers, maybe sometimes clean shaved. Keep as much length through the chin area to elongate the face.”

How to keep up it: “You can get away with not having it trimmed as regularly – it’s a style that looks great when it grows out. Shave the cheeks and trim the moustache above the lip regularly to maintain a cleaner image. Shampoo and condition and use a natural beard oil to keep the beard and skin in healthy condition.”

Short Beard Styles Medium Length Goatee

The Beardstache

Henry Cavill turned heads and raised eyebrows with this fashion within the final Mission: Impossible film. Stealing the beardstache for your self needn’t contain worldwide espionage, although.

“Grow out your entire beard until your moustache reaches a length you are happy with,” says Wilkins. “Then ask your barber for grade one, two, or three through the rest of your beard – depending on how prominent you want the tache. You can fade the cheeks and neckline with a lower grade to soften it, or a straight razor for a manicured look.”

How to keep up it: “You won’t need to trim the moustache as often as putting a grade through the stubble. A beard balm with beeswax would be ideal to groom the tache. Comb it through then twiddle the corners or work it in with your hands and leave natural.”

Short Beard Styles Beardstache

The Balbo

“The balbo is a beard style when facial hair is strongest and most prominent in the chin and moustache area,” says Sait Koca concerning the basic two-piece beard – normally outlined by an unconnected moustache and goatee. Robert Downey Jr will get additional artistic with this fashion however it may be accomplished merely.

“The define of this fashion normally comes naturally, so simply ask your barber to work with the pure hair development and tidy it up. Keep it longer and pointy on the chin and to keep up the moustache for a well-groomed look.

How to keep up it: “This fashion is kind of easy to keep up in between barber visits as there are not any harsh strains. You ought to use a comb and get the sides trimmed with scissors repeatedly.”

Short Beard Styles Balbo

The Van Dyke

“The Van Dyke is a shorter, cleaner version of the balbo,” says Koca. It’s a bit of bit roguish and a bit of bit peacock-y, so maybe unsurprisingly, it’s Johnny Depp’s facial hair of alternative.

“It includes a goatee, without the sides. Keep it triangular on the chin, it’s up to you how long or short you want it. Ask your barber to keep the moustache quite prominent.”

How to keep up it: “Keep the sides shaved and the goatee longer. In terms of styling, we recommend using scissors rather than clippers. If you’re keeping it longer, comb the beard and use moustache wax. As with any beard, you should regularly wash and condition it.”

Short Beard Styles Van Dyke

Key Beard Products

Our specialists clarify which merchandise it’s good to deal with that beard proper. Get that loo cupboard stocked.

Beard Wash

“All facial hair no matter the length should be shampooed,” says Joe Mills. “You’re in the shower so take the extra 5 mins and wash that stubble. It will keep your beard and more importantly the skin underneath clean and healthy.”

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ANTHONY Conditioning Beard Wash 177ml

Beard Conditioner

“Conditioners with all-natural ingredients – such as Manuka honey – are perfect for dry or sensitive skin. It will keep your beard looking and feeling soft and clean.”

Buy Now: £18.00

Murdock London Beard Conditioner 250ML

Beard Oil

“Your skin and facial hair takes a lot of hits during the day so treat it well to look the best it can,” says Joe Mills. “I like to recommend balm and oil, don’t go to heavy on the oil as you need to maintain it excellent and never too oily.

Buy Now: £5.50

bulldog Original Beard Oil

Beard Trimmer

“If you purchase low cost it’s going to take longer and it’ll not look pretty much as good as a professional trimmer,” says Joe Mills. “Pro units are long-lasting and can handle all beard types. Go for something cordless with various guards so you can get the length right.”

Buy Now: £29.69

Panasonic ER-GB42 Wet and Dry Beard Trimmer

How To Trim Your Beard

For many people, the issue with beard types is sustaining at house – getting these strains straight and symmetrical with out having the skilled instruments and contact. Getting a good set of hair clippers or a beard trimmer is important.

Acquaint your self with the guard lengths (which normally go from grade 1 to eight, in increments of 3mm approx) and utilizing the open/shut lever (usually a zero.5 grade which helps for additional element when fading).

Even if you’d like your beard brief brief, there’s no have to storm in with a grade 1. George Wilkins from Ruffians recommends you play it protected and trim your beard in phases. “Cover yourself by starting with a higher guard and working down,” he says. “It always better to do gradually.”

But what concerning the fiddly bits – beneath the nostril, the highest lip, cheeks, and neckline?

Man Using Beard Trimmer

“When working around under the nose you need to trim right up to the nose line,” says Joe Mills. “Your top lip needs to be lined out as well – use the corner of the clipper and line out gently. I prefer to come up from the bottom lip so you can see what’s happening.”

“On the neckline always put in your marker centrally and work outwards,” says Wilkins. “But be cautious of the other aspect to your aspect you’re engaged on together with your clipper hand. For cheeks reverse your trimmer blade and reduce upwards to forestall taking the road too low.

“If you need a laborious line on the cheek line it out with the clipper after which use a razor to get it tremendous clear,” says Mills. “By using gel instead of foam, you can see the beard line through it.”

What Beard Style Suits Your Face?

You may reduce probably the most on-trend, Hollywood-inspired two-piece combo, but when your face isn’t a suitable form, it’s going to be an all-out facial fuzz catastrophe. Here’s the best way to match your face form and beard.

What beard fashion fits a sq. face?

“A square face tends to have naturally sharp lines,” says George Wilkins from Ruffians barbers. “It would definitely look higher with a beard shorter on the cheeks and extra elongated on the chin space for a mushy and balanced look.

What beard fashion fits a spherical face?

“A spherical face would profit from having extra size beneath the chin space,” says Wilkins. “Though still keep the sides relatively short. This will help elongate a round face shape.”

What beard fashion fits a rectangle face?

“Rectangular face shapes need to be a little fuller as you don’t want to over accentuate the face shape,” says Joe Mills from barbers Joe & Co. “Both the goatee and balbo work well, but with these keep the contours sharper.”

What beard fashion fits an oval face?

Oval face shapes work with most lengths and you’ll fashion your beard as you want, says Mills. “A goatee and balbo also work well again.”

What beard fashion fits a diamond face?

“Shorter beards work better as you don’t want anything too long on the chin,” says Mills. “This just adds too much to the shape. The balbo can help with this because the emphasis is on the tache and then the chin. A goatee can help widen the face but don’t go too pointed.”