So your hair has migrated south, huh? Don’t worry — these beard styles are perfect for balding men.
Let’s set the record straight: going bald isn’t as much of a nightmare as some people make it out to be.
According to the American Hair Loss Association, two-thirds of American men will experience some degree of noticeable hair loss by age 35. In addition, about 25% of men who have male pattern baldness will see the first signs before the age of 21.
That’s all to say that thinning hair is extremely common. In other words, you don’t need to start thinking about a hair transplant the second you notice your forehead getting a little taller.
No matter what type of hair loss you get, there are ways of making it work for you, believe it or not.
Got a receding hairline? You can still have a great haircut.
Have a widow’s peak? You can choose a haircut that either accentuates it or takes attention away from it.
And for a more universal solution, there’s the beard.
Beards work well to supplement a thinning head of hair. They can add weight to the face, create balance, or add an accent that draws the eye.
And don’t worry, you don’t have to have lumberjack genes to rock a fantastic-looking beard.
But don’t just take my word for it — see for yourself.
Handsome Beard Styles for Bald Guys
Here are our picks for the top 8 beard styles for bald guys.
#1: Post-Stubble
This is a great beard style for guys rocking shaved heads who want to retain that minimal look while keeping things balanced.
The basic idea is to grow out your beard enough to where it’s no longer just stubble. For most guys, the ideal length is around 2mm to 3mm (which is typically 3-5 days of growth).
Once you’ve reached the length that’s right for you, you’ll need to regularly maintain it, likely with daily trims. But in return, you’ll get fresh and crisp facial hair that’s especially complementary to a shaved head.
#2: The Fine Beard
This look is best suited for guys who have naturally fine or thin hair. Essentially, it’s a close-cropped beard that’s heaviest at the chin and along the jaw.
This style relies heavily on clean lines, so getting a neat trim is vital. That’s why this beard is best paired with a shorter hairstyle like a burr cut.
You also want enough length to provide fullness but not so much length that it looks unkempt. Aim for roughly 3mm to 4mm on the chin and jaw and 1mm to 2mm for the sides and mustache.
#3: The Connected Shadow
As many balding guys will know, going bald doesn’t mean losing your hair overnight. In fact, many balding men can still be pretty hairy up top, and this is especially true for thicker hair.
If you fall into this category, you can take advantage of a connected look that seamlessly transitions between head and facial hair.
You can opt to trim all your hair to the same length, or you can fade from slightly longer head hair into shorter facial hair. You’ll need to adjust depending on how quickly (and how thickly) your hair grows.
#4: Boxed Beard
Of course, you can’t go wrong with a classic short-boxed beard. It’s a cinch to get the look — simply trim your entire beard to about an inch long all around.
This type of beard creates a lot of fullness and weight that can draw attention away from a balding head. Whether you’ve got a completely smooth head or a short layer of hair, this beard just works.
You can also play around with length to better suit your hair type. Generally, boxed beards range from three-quarters of an inch to two inches. I recommend staying on the shorter side if you have thick facial hair and going a little longer if you have thin facial hair.
#5: The Professional
If you prefer a more developed beard but still want a tidy look, then this neatly trimmed style may be right for you.
Overall, this beard is still pretty short, but it looks bigger than it actually is thanks to the precision trimming. The mustache is on the fuller side, while the under-chin area is kept short.
For the neatest possible look, go with a length of about one and a half to two inches. Alternatively, you can go longer for extra fullness, though you’ll likely have to get your beard trimmed more regularly for maximum tidiness.
#6: Short Casual
Want a beard that’s a bit more relaxed? This short casual style is a great way to achieve that vibe.
A more natural trim that results in softer lines and edges will give you a laid-back beard that’s not perfectly groomed but also not messy. Be careful to not trim the sides too low — you want a higher cheek line for the fullest possible beard.
This beard style can work with a variety of lengths, but a good range to shoot for is around two to three inches.
#7: Bearded Hungarian
The Hungarian is a type of handlebar mustache that’s packed with old-school flair, but it looks especially vintage when paired with a full beard.
To get the mustache, allow the hair to grow to about two to three inches. This will create a natural handlebar that extends to the dimple area.
For the beard, the only real necessity is to have a good bit of length at the bottom. The beard should be thick and full, though you can go shorter if you want more of a beardstache.
#8: Tidy Lumberjack
For smoother-headed fellows out there, a long beard may be the best choice. Going with a trimmed lumberjack style as shown here will help offset a completely bald head.
Since this style is inherently more casual, it can work with greater lengths of over three inches. However, if you want some neatness, you’ll want to stay around that three-inch mark to balance fullness and tidiness.
In addition, make sure to trim according to your desired result. A short mustache and clean sides will have a more polished look, while a long mustache and less defined sides will be more rugged.
Which Beard is Right for You?
Believe it or not, these 8 beard styles only scratch the surface of what bald guys can do with their looks.
When you consider that plenty of men have opted for the bald plus beard combo, you realize that it’s not just a coverup — it’s an aesthetic of its own.
The exact beard you choose will ultimately depend on your facial hair type, but there’s a lot of room to experiment, so break out that beard oil!
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
I used to despise facial hair.
But now it’s grown on me…