How to Choose the Perfect Beard Length for Your Face
Just like all hair, beards are made of keratin. They grow continuously and don’t have a length limit like body hair. These factors give you considerable freedom when choosing your beard length. Think of beards as one of the few accessories you can grow yourself.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to beard customization. However, certain facial hair lengths and styles will suit you better than others. Below is some helpful information on the factors that affect beard growth and how to determine which beard length is ideal for you.
What’s The Right Beard Length for You?
Beards need as much attention, if not more, than the hair on your head. Before thinking about growing one, there are four questions you should ask yourself.
1. How long do you want your beard to be?
There are different requirements depending on the beard length you choose. It takes less time to grow a shorter beard than a longer one. There are countless lengths to choose from. Even if you find that a certain length does not work for you, growing it longer or trimming it shorter is a simple task.
2. How much time do you want to spend?
Growing a long beard can take time. It is an investment that may take years. This does not include the healthy practices you should follow. Cleaning, moisturizing, and other grooming steps require additional time you should plan for. While shorter beards still need care, they take significantly less time to grow and manage.
3. How much money do you want to spend?
Longer beards usually come with a higher cost than shorter ones. While you could grow a beard without using oils or grooming products, its health will suffer. A longer beard requires more products, and more products mean higher expenses.
4. How will your beard look to others?
Your personal preference is the most important factor. Do not choose a beard length you do not enjoy. That said, people often have preconceived notions about facial hair, and ignoring them is not always practical. For example, in the business world, very long beards are often viewed as unprofessional, while shorter beards usually do not carry the same perception. Some jobs also restrict long beards for safety reasons.
5. What are your height and hair color?
When choosing a beard length or style, consider your height and hair color as well. Taller men often look good with fuller and more voluminous beards, while shorter men may benefit from more minimal facial hair. If you have light skin and dark hair, a shorter beard with clean shaved cheeks can work well. Men with lighter hair can opt for a wider beard. You can also color your beard to match your personal style.
Keep in mind that there are no fixed rules when choosing a beard length or style. These are simply recommendations. Above all, what matters most is how the beard looks on you and how confident you feel wearing it.
Beard Length: Factors That Play A Vital Role
Testosterone
There are a few things that can influence how your beard grows. One of the biggest factors is testosterone. Having a high amount of testosterone can make your beard grow faster. Everyone has a different amount of this anabolic steroid. It usually starts ramping up during a male’s teenage years and drops off around their 40s.
So, how can you increase your levels of testosterone? The natural route is to start becoming more active. Lifting weights is the best form of exercise to help. You could also see your doctor and take the medicinal option. Keep in mind that testosterone can affect you in unpredictable ways. There is a chance that it could cause facial hair loss instead.
Diet
Providing your body with the nutrients it needs will allow it to push those benefits to your beard. Oily fish like salmon and tuna, beans, eggs, fruit, and leafy vegetables have large amounts of healthy vitamins and keratin.
These will strengthen your beard, help it grow faster, and give it a lustrous shine. You could also take B and E vitamins if your diet isn’t giving you what you need.
Proper Grooming
The addition of a beard oil will give your facial hair extra benefits that diet alone can’t offer. When looking for an oil to help with beard length, look for argan oil or unrefined jojoba. They both naturally moisturize your beard and skin and promote facial hair growth.
Can Genetics Affect Your Beard Growth and Length?
Nothing will control your healthy beard length and growth more than your own genetics and hormones. They control facial hair thickness, strength, growing speed, and the number of hair follicles you have. It’s a common misconception that a beard’s genes are completely influenced by your father. However, it is both parents that affect those traits. If you are worried about your beard, the factors listed above can help increase growth and thickness. However, they can not increase the number of facial hair follicles.
How Long Can It Take to Grow Your Beard?
Due to each person having different genetics, testosterone levels, diet and grooming routines, there is no straightforward answer.
From a clean shave, most men can see beard growth within a few days. A filled in beard can take a week or two after that. To grow a full, bushy beard, it can take anywhere from a month to three months. The time it takes to grow your beard to its full length can take years.
Your beard has a couple of growing cycle that lasts about six years. The first stage is the anagen phase. This is where facial hair is actually growing. It is the longest stage and can last multiple years.
The second stage is the catagen phase, and it usually lasts a few weeks. By this point, the hair has stopped growing.
The last stage is the telogen phase. During this time, new hairs grow and push the old hairs out. In a few months, the process starts again.
This process is only an estimate, and many people fall outside these averages. For example, the longest beard ever recorded was 17 feet 6 inches. Most men, however, will only reach around three feet at most.
How Fast Does Your Beard Grow?
The average facial hair grows about 0.5 inch per month. This does not account for testosterone levels, diet, grooming habits, or other factors. To see how fast your beard grows, take the time to track it. After a few months, measure and compare your results.
Different Beard Lengths
One of the biggest factors in deciding how long to grow your beard is how it will look on you. A few details can make or break your style.
So, which beard length should you choose? Short, tailored, long, or very long? Let’s take a closer look at what each beard length really means and what it requires from you.
Short Beard
Short beards are a classic. They are the easiest to grow, being less than ½ an inch, and they are one of the most common beard choices men make. However, since the facial hairs don’t cover a lot of your face, it might look patchy unless you have decent hair growth.
This option does not do a lot to change the shape of your face. This means that a short length beard works great on almost anyone.
Short beards require the least amount of maintenance. Proper cleaning, conditioning, and moisturizing practices are suggested a few times a month. An exfoliator will help make sure your beard doesn’t cause any irritation.
Tips for Short Beards
1. If you know that your beard grows in patchy, grow it longer so it can fill in. After that, you can trim it to a shorter length.
2. You can customize the length of your beard, even when it is this short. You can still shape your face to a minor degree.
3. It is easy to overdo it when conditioning a short beard or using beard oil. Be sure to use a little bit at a time.
Tailored Beard
A tailored beard is both professional and a classic denotation of manliness. They take more time to grow because they can be up to one inch long. Almost anyone can wear this type of beard. However, if you plan to be on the longer end of this style, understand that some professions might not agree with your choice.
There is enough beard to widen your jawline. This effect does not look the best on faces that are already wide. There are ways to mold it to fit your face better.
You should be taking time at least once a week to take care of your beard. Beard oil can be used for this beard length.
Tips for Tailored Beards
1. To keep this length only trim once a week.
2. If beard grows thicker in some areas than others, you can trim the length to balance your beard.
3. Styling paste can be used to mold your beard and give it some extra shine.
Long Beard
Long beard styles require a high level of commitment. They typically take around three months to grow and often become the defining feature of your face. Keep in mind that as your beard grows longer, fewer people may view the look as professional.
Once your beard grows beyond an inch in length, your facial hair begins to develop a three dimensional quality. Depending on how it is styled, long beards can suit most face shapes. Men with round faces should trim their beard to add length while avoiding extra width. Those with thinner faces can use a long beard to create a fuller looking jawline, but should be careful not to make their features appear even longer.
Long beards require regular care, including shampoo, conditioner, and beard oil, to prevent dryness. Try to follow this routine every few days. Combing your beard regularly will also help maintain a clean and well shaped appearance.
Tips for Long Beards
- Choose a moisturizing beard oil to keep your beard from becoming dry.
- Visit a barber at least once and discuss how to shape your beard to complement your face.
- Use a sculpting paste to maintain a smooth and controlled shape.
Very Long Beard
Very long beards make a bold statement, but they should only be grown by someone ready for the responsibility. It is easy for them to get caught on objects, so extra care is required. That said, with proper maintenance, very long beards can truly turn heads.
Because of their substantial length, very long beards tend to make the face appear longer. This can be overwhelming for men with naturally thin faces, but it often looks excellent on round faces.
As with the beard lengths discussed above, shampoo, conditioner, and beard oil are essential for maintaining beard health. Use these products every other day. Moisturizing is especially important at this length.
Tips for Very Long Beards
- Visit a barber at least once a month, or more often if needed, to maintain shape and trim split ends. If you are confident, you can also do this yourself.
- Keeping your beard clean is important, but over-cleaning can cause dryness. Find a routine that maintains cleanliness without stripping moisture.
- Pay attention to facial hair shedding. If you notice excessive hair loss, consider switching to a shorter beard length.
Beard Length and Face Shape
Below are some general tips to help you choose the right beard length based on your face shape. Your face structure plays a major role in how a beard length or style will look on you.
Heart-shaped face
If your face is heart-shaped, your goal should be to visually widen the lower part of your face so the chin appears larger. Short square beards, horseshoe styles, or slightly rounded beards work well.
Round-shaped face
Men with round faces should consider a beard that extends from temple to temple or a trapezoidal shape. Adding a short mustache can help elongate the face. Long beards can work well for this face shape. Muttonchops style sideburns should be avoided.
Oblong face
If your face is oblong, aim to visually widen it. Short horseshoe beards or pronounced sideburns are good options. Avoid goatee or Van Dyke styles, as they make the face appear longer.
Oval face
If you have an oval face shape, you are fortunate. Almost any beard length or style will suit you. You can experiment freely without worrying about strict limitations.
Beards are a feature that can complete your overall look. Like the hair on your head, they can be customized through shape, length, and color to match your personal style. If a particular choice does not work for you, you can always start over. Now that you understand the key factors behind healthy beard growth, you are well equipped to choose the ideal beard length for yourself.
