I get it…growing a scruffy beard sounds easy until you catch a glimpse in the mirror and realize you’ve crossed into “just rolled out of bed” territory.
When I first tried to grow a scruffy beard look, I wanted rugged charm, not homeless chic.
I’ve had patchy beard days, itchy phases, and awkward in-between lengths that made me question everything. But once I figured out how to shape the scruff on my face and found a few go-to styles, everything changed.
In this guide, I’m sharing 8 of the most reliable and low-maintenance scruffy beard styles that helped me. These popular beard styles can help you rock that effortlessly masculine scruffy look without the mess.
What Is A Scruffy Beard?
A scruffy beard is rugged, short facial hair that grows naturally with minimal grooming. It falls between clean stubble and a full beard. Often uneven or patchy, it creates a laid-back, masculine style. The scruffy beard look is low-maintenance, ideal for men who want texture, edge, and effortless charm in their appearance.
8 Scruffy Beard Styles You Can Actually Pull Off
As someone who’s tested over 20 beard products and styles since 2020, I’ve experimented with everything from clean fades to full-on lumberjack beards. The scruffy beard remains my favorite. It’s low-maintenance, looks great in most social settings, and brings out natural masculine features.
Below, I break down the 8 best scruffy styles I’ve tried or seen work wonders for other men.
1. Short Scruffy Beard
When I first tried the short scruffy beard, I was surprised how easy it was to maintain. It gives a neat yet rugged scruffy look perfect for office or casual settings. This style works best if you have even scruff facial hair across your face. The scruffy beard here appears deliberate, without requiring daily grooming.
2. Long Scruffy Beard
The scruffy long beard was my go-to during colder months. It gave me a full, textured scruffy unkempt beard that turned heads. If you have thick growth, this style shows off your natural scruffy look. Be ready to tame flyaways and hydrate the scruff on face regularly.
3. Scruffy Goatee Beard
I tested the scruffy goatee beard when I wanted to highlight my chin and mouth. It’s perfect for patchy cheek growth and adds structure to your scruffy beard look. This version of the scruffy beard gives off a creative, bold vibe. Keep the edges rough for that signature scruffy look.
4. Patchy Scruffy Beard
The patchy scruffy beard was a game-changer when my beard wouldn’t fill in. Instead of hiding it, I embraced the uneven scruff facial hair. Surprisingly, it gave me a confident, effortless, scruffy beard look. This style proves that even imperfect scruff on the face can be stylish.
5. Stubble Scruffy Beard
The stubble scruffy beard is my default during summer. It keeps things cool while still giving a masculine, scruffy look. With regular trims, this scruffy beard stays sharp without effort. Ideal for men who want just a hint of scruff facial hair.
6. Scruffy Beard With Mustache
I added a mustache to my scruffy beard for more contrast, and it worked. The scruffy beard with mustache combo gave a vintage yet bold appearance. It’s great for men who want facial definition with their scruffy unkempt beard. The mustache sharpens the otherwise messy, scruffy look.
7. Scruffy Goat Beard
The scruffy goat beard was a style I tried for better chin definition. It’s a blend of structured goatee and wild scruff facial hair. If you want a semi-clean but casual, scruffy beard, this is a great option. Works well with rounder face shapes.
8. Scruffy Beard Black Man
Embracing the scruffy beard look as a Black man is quite empowering. It celebrates natural curl and coarseness in scruff facial hair. This style enhances the jawline and delivers a proud, masculine, scruffy look. Moisturizing it with a beard butter is key to keeping your scruff on your face healthy.
How to Make a Scruffy Beard Look Good
- Apply beard butter or oil daily to soften your scruffy beard and reduce dryness.
- Use a boar-bristle brush to train and smooth your scruff facial hair.
- Trim wild hairs weekly to control the rough edges of your scruffy look.
- Exfoliate your skin once a week to keep the scruff on face healthy.
- Match your hairstyle and outfit to complement the rugged scruffy beard vibe.
How To Trim A Scruffy Beard
- Step 1: Start with a clean, dry beard for better visibility and control.
- Step 2: Use a trimmer with a guard (3mm–10mm) to shape your scruffy beard evenly.
- Step 3: Lightly fade your neckline and cheek line to define the scruffy look without making it too clean.
- Step 4: Brush through your scruff facial hair before trimming to spot uneven patches.
- Step 5: Always trim downward with the grain for a more natural scruffy beard finish.
FAQs
What is beard scruff?
Beard scruff is short, rough facial hair that grows after a few days of not shaving. It sits between stubble and a full beard. It gives a raw, textured scruffy look. Many consider it ideal for a laid-back, masculine vibe.
How do I grow out a beard without looking scruffy?
Keep edges clean, even if you're growing out your beard. Use beard oil and brush daily to manage the scruff. Gradually shape the neckline to avoid a wild scruffy look. A tidy routine keeps the scruffy beard intentional, not messy.
Scruffy beard vs stubble – what's the difference?
A scruffy beard is fuller and longer, often with uneven growth. Stubble is shorter and typically more uniform. The scruffy look feels casual and rugged, while stubble is sharper and minimal. Both fall under scruff facial hair styles.
Scruffy beard or clean-shaven – which is better?
It depends on your style and facial features. A scruffy beard adds definition and masculinity. Clean-shaven looks polished but less rugged. If you want natural texture, go for the scruffy look.
What is the ideal scruffy beard length?
Between 3mm and 10mm is best for a scruffy beard. It allows visible texture without becoming too bulky. This length supports a balanced scruffy look that’s low-maintenance. Use a trimmer with adjustable settings.
Why does my beard look scruffy even when I groom it?
It could be dry skin, uneven growth, or lack of trimming. Hydrate your scruff facial hair with oil or beard butter. Trim stray hairs weekly. A tidy, scruffy beard needs small, consistent upkeep.
Scruff beard meaning – what does it refer to?
A scruff beard refers to light, rugged facial hair that isn’t clean-shaven or fully grown. It reflects a relaxed, masculine style. The scruffy look often includes patchiness or natural texture. It’s popular for its low effort and high appeal.
Wrapping Up: My Top Picks For Scruffy Beard Styles
The men’s scruffy beard journey can be a fine line between careless and confident. But trust me, with the right length, routine, and mindset, a little scruff facial hair becomes your style signature.
Whether it’s a stubble scruffy beard for summer or a bold, scruffy, unkempt beard for winter, finding your sweet spot is totally worth it.
Keep it hydrated, shape it intentionally, and wear it like you mean it because that’s what turns simple scruff on your face into style.
