Beard types span stubble, goatee, Van Dyke, circle beard, chinstrap, short boxed, full beard, Garibaldi, ducktail, and more.
You landed here to sort beard names, see what each one looks like, and pick a style that actually suits your face. This page lays out the major beard types, the upkeep they need, and quick cues for matching them to face shape, density, and lifestyle. You’ll also get trimming and care tips pulled from dermatology sources to keep bumps and itch away.
What Are The Different Types Of Beard?
Here’s a wide view of the most talked-about beard styles, from easy one-week looks to statement shapes that need months of growth. Use the first table to scan them side-by-side, then jump to the sections that break each group down in plain terms.
Beard Styles At A Glance
This early table stays broad so you can compare growth time and upkeep in one place. It’s a quick filter before you commit.
| Beard Type | Growth Window | Upkeep Level |
|---|---|---|
| Designer Stubble (5–10 Days) | 3–10 days | Low |
| Heavy Stubble (10–14 Days) | 10–14 days | Low |
| Goatee | 2–4 weeks | Medium |
| Circle Beard | 3–5 weeks | Medium |
| Van Dyke | 3–6 weeks | Medium |
| Balbo | 4–8 weeks | Medium |
| Chinstrap | 3–6 weeks | High |
| Mutton Chops / Friendly Mutton Chops | 6–10 weeks | High |
| Short Boxed Beard | 4–8 weeks | Medium |
| Corporate Beard | 6–10 weeks | Medium |
| Full Beard | 8–16+ weeks | Medium |
| Garibaldi | 16–24+ weeks | Medium-High |
| Ducktail | 16–24+ weeks | High |
| Bandholz | 24–36+ weeks | Medium-High |
| Hollywoodian | 8–16 weeks | Medium |
Different Types Of Beard: Face-Shape Matches
Face shape helps you pick a style that looks balanced. Round faces tend to like length on the chin (ducktail, short boxed with a longer point). Long faces tend to like fullness on the sides (Garibaldi, friendly mutton chops). Square jaws often shine with a short boxed or a circle beard that softens the corners. If you’re not sure, start with stubble and edge slowly toward more length.
Stubble Styles
Designer Stubble
A light shadow across the face. It adds shape fast and works with patchy growth. Keep edges clean on the neck and cheeks, and set a trimmer guard between 0.5–1.5 mm for a neat finish.
Heavy Stubble
Two-week growth that looks deliberate. Fade the neckline a finger above the Adam’s apple and taper the cheeks so it reads tidy, not scruffy. It’s a strong pick if your workplace wants a neat look without a full beard.
Goatee Family
Classic Goatee
Hair on the chin only, no cheek growth. It adds length to round faces and saves time for folks whose cheeks stay patchy. Keep the outline crisp and the soul patch trimmed tight.
Circle Beard
Moustache joined to the chin to form a closed loop. It suits square and oval faces and pairs well with short sideburns. Guard lengths between 3–6 mm keep it sharp.
Van Dyke
Detached moustache with a pointed chin tuft. Trim the chin into a “V” and leave the moustache ends natural or slightly flared. It reads artsy without high maintenance.
Balbo
Floating moustache with a separated chin beard and trimmed sides. Think of it as a roomier, modern take on the Van Dyke. You’ll line up cheeks weekly to hold the shape.
Line-Driven Styles
Chinstrap
A narrow line along the jaw that connects sideburns under the chin. It asks for steady edging and looks best with dense growth. If your cheeks are thin, widen the strap slightly so it doesn’t vanish in bright light.
Mutton Chops & Friendly Mutton Chops
Full sideburns that swell on the cheeks. The “friendly” version connects with a moustache. Both widen a long face and carry strong character. Keep the edges symmetrical and the length even from temple to jaw.
Short Full Styles
Short Boxed Beard
Full coverage with tight sides and a subtle point on the chin. It softens a square jaw and adds structure to round faces. Tidy the cheek line and keep sides shorter than the chin for a clean angle.
Corporate Beard
A slightly longer boxed beard, trimmed to look sharp in formal settings. The trick is a clear neckline, even bulk, and moustache hairs not draping over the lip.
Long Full Styles
Full Beard
Natural coverage on cheeks, chin, and moustache. Bulk and shape matter: keep the bottom rounded or slightly pointed, and add a soft taper at the sideburns so the transition into hair looks neat.
Garibaldi
Full and rounded with a broad base. It adds width to narrow faces. Brush daily and trim flyaways so it reads intentional, not puffy.
Ducktail
Full beard that narrows to a point at the chin. It lengthens round faces and can make cheek density look richer by drawing the eye downward.
Bandholz
Let-it-grow length with a natural base and a full moustache. You’ll need oil and a wide-tooth comb to keep tangles in check, plus monthly shape-ups to avoid a triangular silhouette.
Hollywoodian And Other Hybrids
The Hollywoodian keeps the chin and moustache, then cleans the upper cheeks. It’s a nice move if your cheek growth is thin yet your chin fills in well. Hybrids like the anchor, beard-’stache (big moustache + trimmed beard), and overgrown goatee all tweak the balance of sides vs. chin to flatter different faces.
Care Tips Backed By Dermatology
Good skin gives you a better beard. Board-certified dermatologists stress gentle cleansing, hydration, and smart trimming to limit itch, flakes, and bumps. See the American Academy of Dermatology’s advice on a healthy beard for simple routines you can copy. If you deal with razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae), a trusted overview from DermNet explains causes and trims that help.
Daily Basics
- Wash the beard 3–4 times a week with a mild cleanser; rinse well.
- Use a lightweight oil or balm on damp hair to cut frizz and itch.
- Comb from neck to chin, then out to the sides to train the grain.
- Edge the neckline and cheek line every 3–7 days so any style looks finished.
Razor Bumps And Ingrowns
If bumps pop up along shave lines, reduce blade pressure, shave with the grain, and leave a bit more length. A single-blade safety razor or guarded trimmer can help. Warm water, a slick shave gel, and light strokes lower the risk.
Pick A Style By Beard Density
Hair density and growth pattern matter as much as face shape. If cheeks are thin, push length to the chin (short boxed, ducktail, Hollywoodian). If your chin feels sparse but cheeks fill well, try mutton chops or a wide Garibaldi base. Cowlicks on the jawline can be blended with a low-fade trimmer pass.
How To Test Your Density
Let growth run for two weeks. Under bright light, face a mirror and scan for thin patches. If the skin shows through evenly, you’re in the clear for short full styles. If not, start with stubble or a goatee family style and reassess in another two weeks.
Maintenance Schedules That Work
Most styles stay sharp with quick, regular touch-ups. The second table gives you a simple rhythm by style type. Lock this in your calendar and upkeep turns painless.
| Style Group | Trim Rhythm | Key Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Stubble (Light/Heavy) | Every 2–3 days | Guard trim, edge neck/cheeks |
| Goatee/Circle/Van Dyke | Weekly | Outline loop/point, lip line tidy |
| Balbo/Chinstrap | Weekly | Symmetry check, razor edge work |
| Short Boxed/Corporate | 10–14 days | Taper sides, refine chin point |
| Full/Ducktail/Garibaldi | 2–4 weeks | Bulk shape, stray snips, moustache |
| Bandholz | Monthly | Base line tidy, weight balance |
| Mutton Chops | Weekly | Cheek swell even, temple blend |
| Hollywoodian | 2–3 weeks | Upper cheek clean-up, chin line |
Tools And Products That Help
Trimmers And Guards
Pick a trimmer with a wide guard range (0.5–20 mm) and a detail head. Keep guards labeled so you don’t guess. A sharp pair of barber shears helps you spot-snip strays without flattening curl.
Combs, Brushes, And Finishers
A wide-tooth comb for detangling, then a boar-bristle brush to lay hairs down. Oils add sheen and reduce tug; balms add light hold. Apply to damp hair after a wash or warm rinse so the product spreads easily.
Edge Lines That Flatter
Neckline
Place two fingers above the Adam’s apple; that’s your line for most short and mid styles. Fade below it so the edge doesn’t look like a hard stripe. Long beards can sit a touch lower to keep depth.
Cheek Line
Follow the natural high point from sideburn to moustache corner. If cheeks are sparse, drop the line slightly and keep it straight; if cheeks are full, you can run a natural curve.
Matching Beard And Moustache
A neat lip line makes every beard read finished. Trim hairs just on the lip edge and comb them sideways. A fuller moustache pairs well with Bandholz, Garibaldi, and ducktail. A tighter moustache looks clean with boxed and corporate styles.
How To Choose When You’re Torn
- Pick Your Goal: Add length to the chin (ducktail), widen the face (mutton chops), or keep it low-effort (stubble).
- Check The Calendar: If you can’t trim more than once a week, avoid chinstrap and other line-heavy shapes.
- Audit Density: If cheeks are light, steer into goatee family or the Hollywoodian.
- Try A Two-Step: Start with heavy stubble for two weeks, then shape into short boxed or circle beard without shaving it all off.
Common Snags And Easy Fixes
Patchy Spots
Grow past the patch, then shape. Hair often fills in by week eight. Until then, target styles that keep the eye on the chin and moustache.
Itch And Flakes
Wash less often than scalp hair, moisturize daily, and brush to lift skin oils through the hair. If redness or bumps flare, switch to a gentle cleanser and cut back on fragrance heavy products.
Bumps After Shaving
Lift the blade count down, shave with the grain, and don’t stretch the skin. If bumps persist along the beard line, review care steps on AAD’s beard tips and the DermNet pseudofolliculitis page.
Putting It All Together
The question “what are the different types of beard?” wraps a lot of styles into one bucket. Start simple with stubble to test lines and thickness. Move into the goatee family if cheeks are thin. Try a short boxed beard once you’re past week six. If you like big volume, grow into a rounded Garibaldi or sharpen the chin into a ducktail. Keep clean edges, hydrate the skin, and trim to a schedule so your choice looks set, not accidental.
Quick Picker: From Keywords To Real Picks
- Low Time, Big Return: Designer or heavy stubble.
- Patchy Cheeks: Goatee, circle beard, Hollywoodian.
- Square Jaw: Short boxed with a gentle chin point.
- Round Face: Ducktail or a longer chin focus.
- Narrow Face: Garibaldi or friendly mutton chops.
- Statement Look: Bandholz with a full moustache.
FAQ-Free Closing Notes
You asked, what are the different types of beard? Now you’ve got the names, the growth window, and the upkeep each one demands. Keep your routine simple, listen to your skin, and trim with intention. That’s how a style looks sharp every single day.