Short beard styles have become increasingly popular for their versatility and low maintenance. Whether you’re aiming for a rugged, masculine look or a neat, professional appearance, short beards can enhance your facial features and add a touch of sophistication.
A study published in Behavioral Ecology found that beards can influence perceptions of male attractiveness, social status, and age. The research suggests that choosing a beard style that complements one’s face shape can enhance these perceptions, making it crucial for men to select a beard that suits their facial features.
In this guide, we’ll explore various short beard styles, provide tips on how to trim and maintain short beard, and answer common questions about short beards.
Round Face Short Beard Styles


Here are five short beard styles that are ideal for round faces, each offering a unique way to complement your facial features while being easy to maintain.
1. Hollywoodian
The Hollywoodian beard is an extended goatee without sideburns, offering a vintage and sophisticated look. It’s ideal for those who want a stylish beard without the full beard commitment.
2. Ducktail
The Ducktail beard has a pointy bottom that elongates the face, giving a lengthier appearance. It features trimmed cheeks and a fuller beard on the chin.
3. Classic Full
The Classic Full beard allows for natural growth with minimal styling, emphasizing a masculine and robust look. It’s important to keep it well-trimmed to avoid adding width to the face.
4. Garibaldi
The Garibaldi beard is characterized by a wide and rounded bottom part, making the face look longer. The sides are kept shorter to create a sharper jawline.
5. Goatee
A goatee beard is a light beard style focused on the chin, often paired with a mustache. It’s easy to maintain and can be customized with variations like an extended goatee.
6. Van Dyke
The Van Dyke beard includes a pointed beard and floating mustache, adding structure to the jawline. This style draws attention to the chin, making the face appear longer.
7. Thick Chin Strap
The Thick Chin Strap beard features a continuous strip of facial hair that runs along the jawline, connecting from ear to ear. This style emphasizes the jawline and adds a bold, defined look to a round face.
8. Balbo
The Balbo beard features a disconnected mustache and beard, creating a distinctive and stylish look. It highlights the jawline and adds length to the face, making it appear slimmer.
9. Boxed
The Boxed beard is a structured, neatly outlined beard that frames the jawline perfectly. This style provides a clean and polished look while adding definition to the face.
10. Circle
The Circle beard is a small, neat beard that circles the mouth, combining a mustache and rounded goatee. It offers a clean and defined look, ideal for maintaining facial hair without overwhelming the face.
Oval Face Short Beard Styles


Choosing the right beard style can accentuate the best features of your oval face, adding to your overall appearance. Oval faces are versatile and can pull off various beard styles, enhancing the natural balance and symmetry of the face.
1. Soul Patch
The soul patch is a small patch of hair just below the lower lip. It’s a minimalistic style that adds a subtle accent to your facial features without overwhelming your natural proportions. Easy to maintain, it’s perfect for those looking for a simple yet stylish beard.
2. Ducktail
The Ducktail beard has a pointy bottom that elongates the face, giving a lengthier appearance. It features trimmed cheeks and a fuller beard on the chin.
3. Classic Goatee
The classic goatee beard covers the chin and sometimes includes a mustache, creating a defined and sharp look. It’s a timeless style that suits an oval face well, providing a balance between ruggedness and sophistication. Regular trimming ensures it remains neat and well-defined.
4. Chin Curtain
The chin curtain extends from ear to ear along the jawline, emphasizing the shape of your face. This style highlights your cheekbones and jaw, adding a structured and bold look. It requires regular grooming to keep the lines clean and the length consistent.
5. Winnfield
The Winnfield beard, inspired by Samuel L. Jackson’s character in “Pulp Fiction,” is a full beard with a distinctive, rugged appeal. It gives a commanding presence and adds a touch of intensity to your look. Regular trimming around the cheeks and neck helps maintain its robust shape.
6. Full Beard
A full beard is a classic choice that involves growing out the beard to cover the entire lower face. It requires patience and regular trimming to keep it looking groomed. This style suits an oval face by adding a sense of maturity and fullness, complementing the balanced proportions.
Chin Short Beard Styles


Short chin beards are versatile and easy to maintain, making them a popular choice for many men. Here are five styles to consider:
1. Goatee
The goatee beard involves hair on the chin and often includes a mustache. It’s a classic look that suits a variety of face shapes and is easy to maintain with regular trimming. The goatee can be styled in different lengths to match your preference.
2. Chin Puff
The chin puff is a small, vertical strip of hair just below the lower lip. It’s a minimalist style that adds a touch of sophistication without requiring extensive grooming. This style is perfect for those looking for a subtle yet stylish beard.
3. Chin Strap
The chin strap beard features a thin line of hair running along the jawline from ear to ear. It emphasizes the jawline and gives a sharp, defined look. Regular maintenance is essential to keep the lines clean and symmetrical.
4. Soul Patch
5. Chin Curtain
The chin curtain extends from one sideburn to the other along the jawline, covering the chin. It provides a fuller appearance compared to the chin strap and requires regular grooming to maintain its shape. This style gives a bold and defined look to the face.
Fade Short Beard Styles


Faded beard styles offer a sleek and modern twist to traditional facial hair, creating a seamless transition from hair to beard. These styles add depth and structure to your look, making them a popular choice for a well-groomed appearance. Here are five short faded beard styles to consider:
1. Mohawk Fade Haircut with Beard
This style combines a bold mohawk with a low fade haircut, seamlessly blending into a well-manicured beard. It’s perfect for those wanting to maintain their edgy look while adding a touch of refinement. Regular upkeep ensures the fade remains sharp and the beard well-defined.
2. Textured Haircut with Beard Fade
A textured haircut adds personality to your hair, while the beard fade provides a clean and stylish finish. This look is ideal for showcasing your facial hair with a modern twist. The combination of texture and fade requires regular maintenance to keep both elements in sync.
3. Tousled Low Fade Haircut with Beard
For a more relaxed yet polished appearance, the tousled low fade with beard is an excellent choice. It features tousled hair on top, neat sides, and a symmetrical beard fade. This style balances a casual vibe with precise grooming, making it versatile for different occasions.
4. Wavy Taper Fade Haircut with Beard
Embrace your natural waves with this wavy taper fade haircut that artistically shapes your beard and mustache. The gradual taper creates a smooth transition from hair to beard, highlighting your facial features. Regular trimming is essential to maintain the neat lines and overall look.
5. Sharp Haircut Fade with Beard
A sharp haircut fade paired with a full beard creates a clean and professional appearance. This style features a distinctive side part that tapers into a neatly groomed beard. It’s perfect for those who want to look sharp and well-groomed without being overly complicated.
Very Short Beard Styles


Very short beard styles are particularly effective for those looking for low-maintenance yet stylish options. Here are ten very short beard styles to consider:
1. Modern Short Beard Style
This clean and conservative look features even hair growth up to the cheek. It requires growing the hair out slightly longer than stubble and using a trim guard for uniform length. It’s perfect for a polished and professional appearance.
2. Short Stubble Beard
Also known as the three-day stubble, this style is achieved by shaving clean and letting the hair grow for three to four days. It’s ideal for men with thin beards and offers a rugged, masculine look. Maintenance involves using a two mm guard on a beard trimmer.
3. Short Boxed Beard
Featuring a more pronounced goatee and shorter sideburns, this style offers a trimmed appearance with clean lines. Use a three guard for the sides and a seven guard for the mustache, chin, and jaw. Regular maintenance keeps the look sharp and neat.
4. Chin Strap Beard
This style emphasizes the jawline by keeping a thicker strap of hair along the jaw. Trim the beard right under the jawline to cover the entire face. It’s a distinctive style that requires careful grooming to maintain its shape.
5. Short Ducktail Beard
A longer style on this list, the short ducktail beard features short hair at the top, fading into a longer lower section. It provides a strong, masculine jawline with a comb used as a trim guard. A powerful trimmer is essential for maintaining this look.
6. Corporate Beard
Perfect for the office, this style maintains an even length across the jaw and lower cheeks with a well-groomed neck. It offers a professional appearance with a natural upper part of the beard. Trimmer guards are used to achieve this uniform look.
7. Royal Beard
Featuring a slightly curved mustache with a goatee in the shape of a T, this style elongates circular faces. Trim the cheeks and neck clean for a sharp appearance. It’s a stylish option that adds elegance to your look.
8. Classic Goatee
This style involves shaving the cheeks and neck clean, letting the chin and upper lip hair grow, and trimming into a neat goatee shape. It’s a timeless and sophisticated look that requires regular grooming. Keep it well-defined using a beard trimmer or razor.
9. Soul Patch
A small patch of hair below the lower lip, the soul patch looks distinguished when paired with stubble. Use a beard trimmer with a two or three guard to maintain the stubble length. It’s a minimalist style that adds a touch of personality.
10. Short Viking Beard
This fierce style features shorter hair on the cheeks, fading into longer chin hair with a horizontal line emphasizing the jaw. Use multiple trimmer guards for a smooth fade from the sideburns to the chin. Sharp lines around the neck and cheeks complete the look.
Low Beard Styles


Choosing a low beard style can enhance your facial features while being easy to maintain. Here are five top low beard styles to consider:
1. Low Boxed Beard
This style involves trimming the beard to maintain a low profile along the jawline. It provides a neat, professional look with a well-defined shape. Regular maintenance is needed to keep the lines clean and the length consistent.
2. Low Stubble
The low stubble style features short, even facial hair that gives a rugged yet polished appearance. It’s perfect for those who prefer a low-maintenance routine. Regular trimming ensures the stubble remains at a desirable length.
3. Low Chin Strap
A low chin strap emphasizes the jawline by keeping a thin strip of hair along the edge. It provides a sharp, defined look that frames the face. Consistent grooming is required to maintain precise lines.
4. Low Goatee
The low goatee focuses on the chin and mustache area, offering a sleek and sophisticated look. It’s ideal for those who want to highlight their jawline without a full beard. Regular trimming keeps the goatee well-defined and neat.
5. Low Soul Patch
A small patch of hair below the lower lip paired with minimal stubble offers a minimalist style. It adds a touch of sophistication without overwhelming the face. Easy to maintain, it’s perfect for a subtle yet stylish look.
Professional Short Beard Styles


Selecting a professional short beard style can enhance your appearance while maintaining a polished and clean look. Here are five top professional short beard styles:
1. Corporate Beard
The corporate beard is a well-groomed, even beard that covers the jaw and lower cheeks. It’s ideal for the office environment, providing a neat and tidy appearance. Regular trimming keeps it looking sharp and professional.
2. Short Boxed Beard
This style features a well-defined goatee with shorter sideburns, creating a clean, boxed shape. It’s a versatile look that balances professionalism with a touch of ruggedness. Maintenance involves trimming the sides and defining the edges.
3. Classic Goatee
The classic goatee includes hair on the chin and sometimes a mustache, with clean-shaven cheeks. It’s a timeless and sophisticated style that works well in professional settings. Regular grooming ensures the goatee remains sharp and well-defined.
4. Low Stubble
Low stubble offers a rugged yet polished look with short, even facial hair. It’s easy to maintain and perfect for a professional environment. Regular trimming keeps the stubble at an optimal length, ensuring a tidy appearance.
5. Short Tapered Beard
A short tapered beard features a gradual fade from the sideburns to the chin, creating a sleek, modern look. It’s suitable for professional settings, providing a clean and stylish appearance. Regular trimming and fading keep the look sharp and well-groomed.
Short Beard Styles For Black Guys


Here are seven popular short beard styles for Black men:
1. Five O’Clock Shadow
This style offers a rugged, effortless look with light scruff. It requires cleanly shaven cheeks and neck, highlighting the beard’s scruffy texture.
2. Goatee
The goatee beard, focusing on the chin area, is highly versatile and adaptable. It suits many face shapes and can be customized with various lengths and styles.
3. Short Beard
A short beard is easy to maintain and popular among those who can’t grow a full beard. It offers a clean, neat appearance with minimal upkeep.
4. Soul Patch
The soul patch extends from the lower lip to above the chin, drawing attention to the lips. It’s a simple, sophisticated style that pairs well with a bald head.
5. Chin Strap
The chin strap features a thin line of hair along the jawline, ideal for early beard growth stages. It provides a clean, structured look.
6. Anchor Beard
The anchor beard combines a pointed beard along the jawline with a mustache, emphasizing the lips. It requires precise grooming to maintain its distinctive shape.
Essential Tools For Maintaining Your Short Beard


Maintaining a short beard requires the right tools to ensure it stays neat and well-groomed. Here are some essential tools:
1. Beard Trimmer
A high-quality beard trimmer with adjustable guards is crucial for precise trimming and keeping your beard at the desired length.
2. Beard Scissors
For detailed trimming around the mustache and edges, beard scissors provide control for precise cuts.
3. Beard Comb
A beard comb helps detangle and style your beard, ensuring an even trim and preventing ingrown hairs.
4. Beard Oil
A beard oil moisturizes the hair and skin, reducing itchiness and promoting healthy growth.
5. Beard Balm
A beard balm offers styling hold and conditioning benefits, helping shape your beard while keeping it soft and manageable.
6. Beard Butter
A beard butter nourishes your beard deeply, providing hydration and softness, enhancing its overall health and appearance.
7. Beard Wash
A specialized beard wash cleanses your beard without stripping natural oils, maintaining its softness and preventing dryness.
8. Beard Brush
A beard brush distributes natural oils, exfoliates the skin beneath, and helps shape your beard for a tidy look.
9. Beard Beads
Beard beads can be used to decorate and add a unique touch to your beard style, making a personal fashion statement.
10. Derma Roller
A derma roller promotes beard growth by stimulating blood flow and encouraging hair follicles to grow thicker, healthier hair.
Using these tools regularly will keep your short beard looking sharp, healthy, and stylish.
How To Trim Short Beard Styles?
Maintaining a short beard requires a straightforward approach to ensure it stays neat and well-groomed. Here’s a simple guide to trimming your short beard:
- Cleanse and dry your beard.
- Comb the beard to detangle and straighten.
- Use a beard trimmer with an appropriate guard to trim to the desired length.
- Define the neckline and cheek line using the trimmer without a guard for precision.
- Apply beard oil, then brush and style your beard.
FAQs
What is the most attractive short beard length?
The most attractive short beard length is typically around 2-5 mm, which offers a clean, well-groomed look while still providing enough coverage to enhance facial features.
Does a short beard make you look younger?
A short beard can make you look younger by adding definition to your jawline and hiding minor skin imperfections, giving a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
Does a short beard make you look younger?
A short beard can make you look younger by adding definition to your jawline and hiding minor skin imperfections, giving a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
What is the rule 5 for beards?
The “Rule of 5” for beards typically refers to the guideline that a beard should be trimmed to a length that complements your face shape, is well-groomed, and doesn’t exceed 5 millimeters for a neat, attractive appearance.
What does 10 day stubble look like?
A 10-day stubble is usually around 4-5 mm in length. It gives a fuller, more pronounced stubble look, providing a rugged yet stylish appearance that is often seen as highly attractive.
How far down should a short beard go?
A short beard should generally extend just below the jawline, with the neckline defined to create a clean and structured look. The beard should follow the natural contour of the jawline without extending too far down the neck.
How to line a beard under the chin?
To line a beard under the chin:
- Find the right spot using the 2 finger rule above the Adam’s apple.
- Using a trimmer, create a straight line from this point towards the back of your jaw on both sides.
- Trim below the line to keep the neckline neat and clean.
How to brush a beard under the chin?
To brush a beard under the chin:
- Use a beard comb or brush with gentle bristles.
- Start from the neck and brush downward towards the chin.
- Ensure you detangle any knots and follow the natural growth pattern for a smooth, well-groomed look.
Wrapping Up
Short beard styles offer a perfect balance of style and simplicity, making them a top choice for many men. By selecting the right style for your face shape and maintaining it with the proper tools and techniques, you can achieve a polished and attractive look.
Whether you prefer a stubble, a boxed beard, or a more unique style, the key is regular grooming and attention to detail. Experience the versatility of short beards and enjoy the confidence that comes with a well-groomed appearance.