Whether you’re a guy who prefers rugged stubble or a full-on statement beard, facial hair can transform your entire look. In 2025, men’s facial hair trends are embracing a blend of classic styles and contemporary grooming techniques, offering options for every face shape and personal style.
The right beard can define your jawline, add balance to your proportions and elevate your appearance. Choosing the best beard style is about more than just looks — it’s about complementing your face shape, personality and grooming routine. Whether you opt for a sharp, sculpted look or a rugged, effortless vibe, the key is finding a style that works for you.
Matching Beard Styles To Face Shapes
“The right beard should enhance facial features, create balance and fit into your daily routine and personal style,” says Solomon Machanick, co-founder of Solomon, a Boca Raton-based skin care brand with a mission to provide natural, effective and sustainable grooming products.
According to Machanick, choosing the right beard style can help balance different face shapes and enhance features. Here’s how to tailor your beard style to your face shape, according to his expert advice:
• Oval Face: Machanick recommends short stubble, a full beard or a well-groomed corporate beard.
• Round Face: Try a beard with sharp lines and length, such as a goatee, Van Dyke or boxed beard to add definition and elongate the face, making it appear slimmer.
• Square Face: Men with a square face might try a rounded or tapered beard, such as a circle beard or short boxed beard that softens the angles of a square jawline and creates a more balanced look.
• Triangle Face: Machanick says a stubble beard or short boxed beard will add proportion to the upper face and balance a stronger jaw.
The right beard isn’t just about what looks good, it’s also about what makes you feel confident. If you’re not sure which beard style would be the most flattering, Vinicio Larios, founder and CEO of Fade Masters of Miami, a premier barbershop located in Coconut Grove, recommends consulting with a barber.
“We first analyze the client’s face shape to find a beard style that enhances their features,” he says. “Since every face is different, a barber can tailor the beard style to match the client’s bone structure, hair growth pattern and personal style.”
Consider Your Lifestyle
In addition to helping clients decide on the best beard for their face shape, Larios says barbers also factor in their client’s daily routine and grooming commitment.
“A clean, well-lined short beard or stubble works best for a polished corporate look,” he says. “Those with active lifestyles, like athletes and outdoor workers, might opt for a lower-maintenance, neatly trimmed beard that doesn’t interfere with performance.”
For fashion-forward individuals looking to make a statement, Larios recommends more stylized beards, like faded beards and sculpted goatees. Men who prefer a casual or rugged look often look best with fuller beards that have a natural shape and can be maintained with regular trims.
Try One Of These Beard Trends For 2025
Looking to try something new? Larios says these are among the most popular beard styles for 2025:
• Light Stubble: Low maintenance and gives a rugged, clean look.
• Short Boxed Beard: Neat, defined edges with a natural look.
• Faded Beard: Blended into the haircut for a sharp, modern style.
• Full Beard: Thick and well-groomed, ideal for a bold look.
• Beardstache: Full mustache with short stubble or a trimmed beard.
• Goatee: Classic and works well for patchy beards.
• Van Dyke: Pointed goatee with a disconnected mustache for a unique touch.
Consider Skipping These Styles
“While personal preference plays a significant role in choosing a beard style, certain ones may be less favorable due to aesthetic, professional or maintenance considerations,” Machanick says.
Not all beard styles are flattering. Here are a few you might want to avoid:
• The Neckbeard: This style involves hair predominantly or exclusively on the neck, with minimal to no growth on the cheeks or chin. Machanick says it can often appear unkempt and can give an impression of poor grooming.
• The Patchy Beard: Attempting to grow a full beard without sufficient density can result in uneven, sparse patches. Machanick notes this look may appear untidy and unintentional and recommends that men with uneven growth consider styles that focus on areas with fuller coverage, such as a goatee or a well-groomed stubble, which can provide a more polished appearance.
• The Thin, Braided Beard: While thick, well-maintained beard braids can exude rugged charm, Machanick says thin, tightly braided beards may appear sparse and unflattering. Additionally, tight braiding can cause tension on hair follicles, potentially leading to traction alopecia, a form of hair loss.
• The Unkempt, Scruffy Beard: Sure, it’s easy, but neglecting regular grooming can lead to a wild, disheveled appearance. “An unkempt beard may project a lack of professionalism and hygiene,” Machanick notes. “Regular trimming, washing and conditioning are essential to maintain a neat and appealing beard.”
• The Solitary Soul Patch: This style features a small patch of hair just below the lower lip, with the rest of the face clean-shaven. “While it can be a personal style choice, the solitary soul patch often lacks impact and can appear as an afterthought rather than a deliberate style,” Machanick explains.
• The Chinstrap Beard: A thin strip of hair along the jawline, often without hair on the cheeks, defines the chinstrap beard. “This style can be difficult to maintain evenly and may not complement all face shapes, sometimes giving an impression of a narrower jaw,” Machanick notes.
• Mismatched Mustache Beard: A prominent mustache with a sparse beard, or vice versa, can create an unbalanced look. “Ensuring that your mustache and beard are proportionate in thickness and length contributes to a harmonious and intentional style,” Machanick says.
• Overly Long, Unkempt Beards: “A long beard needs shaping and maintenance, or it looks sloppy,” Larios notes.
• Disconnected, Over-Styled Goatees: “Some goatee styles look outdated and unnatural,” says Larios.
• Overly Sharp, Artificial Lines: Larios cautions that too much shaping can make the beard look fake.
• Excessively Dyed Beards: While some men choose to dye their beard to hide gray hairs, Larios says beards that are overly dark or feature unnatural colors can look obvious and unflattering. A barber can determine the specific shade you need and create a custom color formula of beard dye to give you a natural look.
For men who are unsure about their ideal beard style, Machanick recommends letting your beard grow for four to six weeks before making major shaping decisions.
“This allows for a fuller look, making it easier to choose a style that suits both face shape and lifestyle,” he says.
Beard Care 101:
Keep It Sharp & Healthy
Maintaining a healthy, well-groomed beard requires a mix of good hygiene habits, consistent grooming and the right products. Here are the key steps Machanick recommends for keeping facial hair looking its best:
• Wash your beard two to four times a week to remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells. Use a gentle, beard-specific cleanser to prevent dryness and irritation. Overwashing can strip natural oils, so balance is key. Avoid using regular soaps or shampoos on your beard that can dry out the skin and lead to flaking and irritation.
• Apply a high-quality beard oil after cleansing to hydrate the hair and nourish the underlying skin. This also helps to prevent itchiness and flakiness. If needed, follow up with beard balm for light styling or beard butter for conditioning, achieving a soft and manageable beard. Always start with the minimum amount needed, especially when layering products. Overapplying can leave your beard feeling heavy or greasy.
• Use a beard brush or comb to detangle hairs, distribute products evenly and train the beard to grow in the desired direction. Regular brushing also exfoliates the skin beneath, reducing the risk of ingrown hairs.
In addition, Larios recommends these beard essentials:
• Beard Oil: Keeps hair soft, hydrated and itch-free.
• Beard Balm: Adds moisture and light hold for shaping.
• Beard Butter: Deep conditioning for thicker, longer beards.
• Beard Shampoo & Conditioner: Cleans without stripping natural oils.
• Boar Bristle Brush: Distributes oils and trains beard growth.
• Beard Comb: Prevents tangles and evenly spreads products.
• Trimmer & Scissors: For maintaining shape and removing split ends.
• Straight Razor or Safety Razor: Defines cheek and neckline for a clean look.
• Shaving Bowls & Brushes: Shaving bowls enhance the shaving experience by helping to build a rich, luxurious lather more effectively than traditional methods.