• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Modest Man

  • .
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • About
  • Outfit Ideas
  • Free Guide
Home / Blog / Grooming

15 Best Beard Styles to Try This Year (2023 Guide)

Published on April 11, 2022 by Ian Chandler · Grooming May contain affiliate links (what's this?)

Looking for a new beard style to try this year? Here are 15 great options to choose from!

Table of Contents

  • 15 Best Beard Styles
    • #1: The All-Around Classic
    • #2: Thick and Full
    • #3: Shadow Goatee
    • #4: Casual & Rugged
    • #5: Full Sides
    • #6: Extra Neat
    • #7: Salt & Pepper
    • #8: Rounded Beard w/Long Stache
    • #9: Mid 1990s
    • #10: Classy Ducktail
    • #11: Beardstache
    • #12: Sharp Sculpted Beard
    • #13: Country Beard
    • #14: Kinky Beard
    • #15: Full Beard w/Handlebar
  • Final Thoughts on Beard Styles
The Best Beard Styles

The beard is an absolute classic men’s fashion staple. It’s one of the few things that unites men across the entirety of history, from prehistoric cavemen to contemporary hipsters.

If you have the genetics, it’s easy to grow a beard. But styling your beard is something else completely. You can have a thick, full beard, but if it’s not styled well, it can look like a scraggly and unkempt mess.

The way that you style and maintain your beard is critical. Furthermore, it depends on several factors. Hair type, length, and look all play important roles. If you have a long and thick beard, you have a certain range of styles to choose from, and it’ll be much different from someone who has a short and fine beard.

It can get complicated, so to help you out, we’ve selected 15 different beard styles to give you some ideas for what to do with your facial hair.

15 Best Beard Styles

Here are the 15 best beard styles in no particular order…

#1: The All-Around Classic

If you’re after a simple, standard beard that looks great, this is a fantastic option.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Mailroom Barber Co. (@themailroombarber)

This is a short and neatly trimmed style that works well with just about every hair type. There are no hairs out of place, and everything looks nice and presentable.

It’s fitting for casual and formal situations alike, so if you need something versatile, this is the way to go. Basically, this beard style will always look nice.

#2: Thick and Full

Many guys have thick and coarse beard hair, and this beard style works really well with that hair type.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jordan O’Brien (@thejobrien)

Since thicker hair tends to grow more densely, guys with this beard hair type can get a lot of fullness without even trying. This style leverages that fullness, resulting in a neat and even beard.

This beard style relies on trimming the hair to give it definition and shape. It’s at its fullest around the mouth while the sides are more closely trimmed. This also prevents all that thick hair from growing out and becoming unruly.

#3: Shadow Goatee

Typically, standalone goatees are hard to pull off. One way to solve that problem is by keeping a five o’clock shadow on the cheeks to complement the full goatee at the front.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tim Dessaint (@timdessaint)

This creates both fullness and contrast. The beard doesn’t look thin or uneven, yet the shorter sides emphasize the goatee in a satisfying way. This works equally well with thin or thick facial hair.

This beard style is also a convenient solution for guys whose beards tend to be patchier on the sides. Since the sides are trimmed so short, it won’t matter as much if they’re a little patchy here and there.

#4: Casual & Rugged

Want to achieve a brawny beard without looking like a caveman? The secret is a medium length beard that’s neatly trimmed.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Mailroom Barber Co. (@themailroombarber)

The bushiness created by the length will give you that rugged vibe while the tidy trim will prevent the beard from looking too primitive.

Even though this beard style is thick and full, it’s still on the shorter side of things, so it’s fairly low maintenance. As long as you trim regularly, you’ll be able to keep this beard in tip-top shape.

#5: Full Sides

If you prefer a beard look that has fuller sides, try this one on for size. The sides are rather short but very full and trimmed from top to bottom, resulting in a uniform look.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by outfits ✘ anime (@devanondeck)

The trim is key here. The edges are all sharp and even, which gives this beard a more formal appearance.

The mustache is also trimmed so that it’s thinner, but it still connects with the beard to create an unbroken flow between the two.

#6: Extra Neat

Into really short beards? This style might just do the trick for you. This close-cut style is one of the shortest on this list.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ethan M. Wong (@ethanmwong)

This style derives its power from how clean it is. The hair is just long enough to fill out the beard’s overall shape. This means that the mustache and goatee area is a little longer while the sides are cut shorter.

If you have trouble growing out your facial hair (or if you just prefer shorter beards), this is an excellent option.

#7: Salt & Pepper

Here’s one for the grey gentlemen. It’s a simple, low-maintenance style that you pretty much can’t go wrong with.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 40 Over Fashion (@40overfashion)

Keeping the beard shorter allows the colors to shine through. You can clearly see the distinction between the darker and lighter parts, and that contrast is what makes this style work.

Of course, this style will work with any hair color, but it works so well with salt and pepper beards because of that contrast.

#8: Rounded Beard w/Long Stache

This is a majestic beard style that means business. There’s a lot going on here, so let’s break it down.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Beardbrand (@beardbrand)

First, the beard has a rounder shape, so there are no sharp angles. Second, the mustache is grown out so that it’s roughly the same length as the beard itself.

This makes for a long, luscious beard that recalls the styles of the early 1900s. It’s a great match for square or rectangular faces, as it will help soften those hard lines.

#9: Mid 1990s

Nostalgia for the 90s is still in full swing, so here’s a throwback beard style that captures the decade’s carefree attitude.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Andrew Does Hair (@andrewdoeshair)

There’s not a lot going on here, and that’s what’s so great about it. It’s just a short beard that has a slightly uneven trim to give off a more laid-back feel. It works best with thick or coarse hair, but you can get a similar result with fine hair.

#10: Classy Ducktail

The ducktail beard is exactly what it sounds like: a beard with a pointed end that resembles a duck’s tail. While these can be tricky to pull off, they can look great in the right contexts.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stylishly Rugged (@ericrnycstyle)

This is an elegant take on the ducktail that features a shorter, rounded point instead of a long and sharp one. The result is a more refined ducktail with a nice gradual taper to it.

A bonus of tapering the beard like this is that it makes a longer beard more manageable. Due to the taper, the beard gets shorter on the sides.

#11: Beardstache

Can’t make up your mind between having a mustache and a beard? The good news is that you can have both with the appropriately titled beardstache.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Beardbrand (@beardbrand)

This style is composed of a thick mustache and a short beard, which emphasizes the mustache but still provides the full look of a beard. This provides extra definition along the jawline.

This screams 80s detective show, so if that vintage vibe is what you’re after, look no further. It’s essentially a full mustache with a long five o’clock shadow, and while that might sound odd, the result is striking.

#12: Sharp Sculpted Beard

Here’s a style that allows you to get some serious length while still looking spick and span.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Beardbrand (@beardbrand)

The beard is about 4 inches long, but it’s expertly trimmed for maximum definition. Like a ducktail, the beard gets longer as it descends, but the point of the beard is rounded out.

This is a great way of taming a longer beard. Because it’s so neat, it’s suitable for the office, but you can also toss on a flannel for the complete lumberjack look. In effect, this is a beard you can dress up or down even though its neatness stays the same.

#13: Country Beard

This long and rugged beard has a distinct rustic feel to it. It’s a refined version of a woodsman’s beard that has just the right amount of wildness.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Slow Fashion Photography (@sambinstead)

While it’s still trimmed, it’s not trimmed as neatly as some of the other styles, so you get a more natural look. This gives you a balance of controlled messiness that’s casual and burly.

Notice how full the mustache and sides are. If you like, you can trim the sides so they don’t reach as high, but the mustache should be generally about that length.

#14: Kinky Beard

This type of beard is great for black men who have kinky or coiled facial hair. 4a, 4b, and 4c hair types are chock full of texture, which is a boon for beard growing.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Beardbrand (@beardbrand)

This style takes the textured hair and sculpts it into a defined shape. This provides neatness while also highlighting the densely packed kinkiness.

Because of the hair’s texture, the sides of the beard flow naturally into the beard proper. This means that the sides are extremely thick and full, but because they’re trimmed so neatly, that thickness really rounds out the beard.

#15: Full Beard w/Handlebar

Last but certainly not least, here’s an intensely impressive beard complete with a curled handlebar-style mustache.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul Chowdhry (@paulchowdhry)

In order to achieve the handlebar effect, the mustache is grown out a bit longer than usual. Mustache wax is then applied so that the ends will stay in place when curled upward.

Even though the handlebar is the main attraction here, we can’t overlook the magnificent beard itself. It’s trimmed along the contours of the face, and the point of the beard is rounded. As usual, the neatness of the trim is crucial here.

Final Thoughts on Beard Styles

There are a lot of options for beard styles, which means you can easily find one that fits your style and facial hair type. Hopefully this list has given your beard search a good kickstart.

Once you’ve chosen a beard style, make sure you take care of it regularly. Grab some high-quality beard oil and make beard care a part of your daily routine.

If you have a favorite beard style, let’s hear about it! Tell us below in the comments.

Questions? Comments? Leave them below!

Grooming beard ideas, beard styles, beards

Related Posts

Best Beard Brushes
8 Best Beard Brushes to Keep Your Whiskers Wonderful
Hume Supernatural Review
Hume Supernatural Deodorant Review
Merkur FUTUR Review
Merkur FUTUR Review: A Good Safety Razor for Beginners?
Seven Potions Review
Seven Potions Review: A Hidden Gem of Men’s Grooming?

About Ian Chandler

Ian Chandler is a freelance writer with a penchant for men's hair and style (and hairstyle). He enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, reading, playing music, and overthinking.

Background: Ian Chandler is a copywriter and writing instructor from Kent, OH. He’s been writing professionally for 9 years and specializes in business, marketing, and men’s fashion. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kent State University.

Expertise: Ian is the cofounder of Writing Launch, an online training platform for freelance writers. As Head Instructor, he has helped thousands of new freelancers from around the world find success and grow their careers.

Ian's book The No B.S. Guide to Freelance Writing was published in 2016. His work can be found in The Penny Hoarder, The Telegraph, SitePoint, Social Media Explorer and more.

More Articles by This Author

Instagram LinkedIn

Join the Club

Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download). No spam. Ever.

Subscribe Now

Reader Interactions

Ask Me Anything Cancel reply

Got questions? Want to share your opinion? Comment below!

Primary Sidebar

Join the Club

Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download).

No spam. Ever.

Subscribe Now

Top 5 Favorites for Fall & Winter 2022

  1. Thursday Boots Captain – still the best Goodyear-welted boot under $200 (full review here) 🥾
  2. Matte for Men SPF Lotion – because you should be using moisturizer with SPF
  3. Darn Tough Wool Socks – possibly the best boot socks you can buy 🧦
  4. Hamilton Khaki Mechanical – perfect everyday mechanical watch under $500 (Amazon/Jomashop)
  5. Flint & Tinder Waxed Jacket – great fit, perfect weight for fall 👍🏼

Trending Articles

Men over 40 style

How to Dress Well In Your 40s and 50s (and Beyond)

Fashion brands for short men

Where to Buy Clothes for Short Men (2022 Guide)

Seiko 5 SNK805

31 Great Watches For Small Wrists (Updated for 2023)

Best Business Casual Shoes for Men

Top 8 Best Business Casual Shoes for Men (2023 Guide)

Business casual outfits

The Complete Guide to Business Casual Style for Men

Topics

  • Clothing & Style
  • Outfit Ideas
  • Fitness
  • Product Reviews
  • Dating & Confidence
  • Grooming
  • Men of Modest Height
  • Income Reports

Footer

The Modest Man logo

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Home • Blog • Resources • Contact • Advertise

 

Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure • Terms & Conditions

 

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Copyright © 2023 The Modest Man (Registered Trademark)