The best thing about beards, foamy-moustache funtimes aside, is their impermanence. Maybe you’ll grow one and forever shall it remain. Perhaps you’ll sample stubble and then go running for the razor. Either way, it’s a switch-up to your style that’s intrinsically transient. No two days of bearding are ever the same. It’s perpetually changing. And if you don’t like it today, yours is the power to remove it.

So for those feeling in need of an image change, facial hair is a sound investment. It’s cheaper than overhauling your wardrobe, for starters. Plus, safer than cutting your own hair and infinitely less risky than trying something ‘new’ on your head. Patchy stubble is simple to hide. A failed rockabilly pompadour, less so.

Before you start your bearded journey, however, learning to lay down the ideal beard length is essential. Scrap the beard length chart, all you need is some knowledge about your face shape and this handy guide. So to that end, whether you grow robust wire like a human Brillo pad or struggle to sprout a mere few strands, this is your essential beard length guide for the ages.

STUBBLE BEARD

A stubble beard, also known as the five o’clock shadow, used to be seen as slovenly and was a sign that you don’t take care of your personal hygiene. Luckily, times have evolved and now the stubble beard is on trend as a way to make yourself appear more manly without having a full face of hair. A stubble beard length is anywhere between 0.5mm to 4mm, with 2.5mm being the ideal length for this beard type.

Who should rock a stubble beard?

If you do the 9-5 in an environment where this is possible, stubble is a good option if you have a larger, rounder face. It’s an easy way to give your baby face a more masuline edge, even if you aren’t gifted in the hair growth department. By sharpening up certain lines around your cheeks, you can give more angles to your face – think of it as make-up for men. But, y’ know, not.

How long does it take to grow a stubble beard?

How long stubble takes to show depends on the individual’s personal growth pattern, but generally two-to-seven days for proper coverage all over.

How hard is a stubble beard to maintain?

Stubble beard maintenance is pretty easy, but it does depend on how fast your hair naturally grows. If your hair grows fast and furious, it’ll require more frequent trimming to prevent it from becoming a Gandalf beard. A stubble beard is a lack of shaving more than anything else, though there are ways to keep stubble looking fresh as a way of accentuating certain features.

How do I groom a stubble beard?

Use a trimmer on anything from 1-3mm (make sure you check which guard does this as it can differ brand to brand) and trim your beard twice a week, rather than daily, so you don’t damage your skin. A good stubble beard length to shoot for is 2.5mm. Always use a light exfoliator before, or a face wash depending on your skin type, and moisturise afterwards so that your skin can handle the abrasions of an electric razor.

SHORT BEARD

A short beard is a rugged, longer step up from a stubble beard. This beard length works best for those with a good, even facial hair growth. If you have patchy facial hair, this will just further highlight the gaps. Stay patient at the early stages if not; it might look better after committing to some growth, then trimming evenly. Even if your hair growth is patchy, you can grow out certain sections of your short beard to hide the patchy parts.

Short beards are favored among office workers and modern men everywhere because they’re fairly easy to maintain and grow out. They allow you to maintain a professional air, while still rocking your natural manliness.

Who should rock a short beard?

Almost every face shape looks sharp in a short beard length, and they’re generally considered a professional form of facial hair. Depending on how you style your short beard, you can elongate and accentuate different parts of your face. You can work with your barber to establish exactly how long and wide your beard should be to best accent your natural features.

How long does it take to grow a short beard?

Given that facial hair grows at a rate of around half an inch per month, growing a short beard usually takes around 10 to 30 days, depending on the exact length you’re going for and your personal hair growth rate.

How hard is a short beard to maintain?

A short beard requires some level of maintenance to keep it looking fresh. Unlike with a longer, bushier beard, stray hairs are more obvious on a short beard, so it’s vital to trim regularly to maintain a groomed look. A level of wilderness dude is expected with a bearded look, but you can make it more office-friendly with some additional TLC (see: tailored beard).

How do I groom a short beard?

Use a short beard trimmer set at 3-5mm. If you have thicker growth in some areas (the moustache, usually) go a grade shorter on that area so it looks even. Also, remember to get rid of any hairs hanging over your top lip by using the trimmers guardless. As with short stubble, you need to take care of your face here, so use an exfoliator and a moisturiser to keep it in good condition. Brushing out your beard and applying beard oil will be essential as well.

TAILORED BEARD

The follicular equivalent of a well-fitting suit, a tailored beard is defined by neat, full-facial coverage, but is kept trim (no longer than a centimetre at any point). It’s usually a short beard style, but less rugged and more kempt. Favored by professionals in the 9-5 environment, a tailored beard is versatile and sexy, giving off the vibe that you take care of your personal hygiene as a top priority.

Who should rock a tailored beard?

A tailored beard is a good option if you work in a smarter environment. It’s a neat look, which aims to remain consistent and even all over. As such, it’s great for those looking to emphasise cheekbones or a strong jawline; inversely, ideal if you’re looking to make a small chin look fuller, or slim down a rounder face.

How long does it take to grow a tailored beard?

Around two-to-four weeks for the growth, but that’s where the upkeep kicks in. A tailored beard is essentially a short beard, but higher maintenance.

How hard is a tailored beard to maintain?

Because a tailored beard is, well, tailored, it requires a significant level of attention to maintain. Letting it grow out isn’t the end of the world, but then it can’t really be considered tailored. This is a high-maintenance beard best for guys who want to take the time every few days to attend to it.

How do I groom a tailored beard?

Use your trimmers every three or four days to achieve your desired length; taking hair slightly shorter on the areas which have fuller growth. Rinse your beard with water and dry off with a towel, then smooth down with your hands using a small amount of styling paste or a beard balm to keep it looking neat. Beard scissors will also help get rid of strays in between trims.

MEDIUM BEARD

For guys with testosterone by the fist load (or just good genes) being about to grow a medium to long beard is one of the perks. This is when the hair begins to properly move away from the face, looking more 3D. It’s important to remember that while growing out a longer beard is exciting, it also requires a lot more work, like washing and conditioning, brushing, and regularly applying beard products. Not everyone can grow a mid-length beard, but for those who can, go into it understanding the effort required.

Who should rock a medium beard?

Medium beards work for those with good, solid facial hair growth. You can use the longer hairs to create or retain good facial proportions. For instance, if you have a small chin, growing hair there helps to elongate the face; if you have a thin face, growing more hair on the sides can fill out the silhouette. Providing you don’t work with food (because beard hair nets look good on no one) this is about as long as most can get away with at work.

How long does it take to grow a medium beard?

Roughly two to three months. It’s a commitment, and there’s work to be done along the way. It’s not a sit-back-and-wait few months, especially if you want your beard to take shape nicely.

How hard is a medium beard to maintain?

A nice, longer beard requires more effort and high quality products to maintain. You have to pay the price to look that cool. A medium length beard will require investment in a good beard shampoo and conditioner, beard oil and wax to shape and polish your beard, a beard brush or comb to keep it looking clean, and a pair of scissors to trim around the edges, since a trimmer might not work well at this length.

How do I groom a medium beard?

Once your beard gets to this length, you groom it by using shampoo and condition every few days, otherwise it runs the risk of drying out and taking moisture from the skin beneath with it. Apply a beard oil to the roots and run through with your hands. This will keep it nourished and help the hair to retain its natural moisture. Use the residue of a styling paste to keep in shape, and give a glossy finish. Visit your barber every two weeks to tidy up the strays, and so they can clean up your cheek line.

LONG BEARD

The hipster beard AKA the full Gandalf is the kind of beard you can twizzle and plait, should you so desire. A long beard (or full beard, whatever you want to call it), stands out as a real statement, favored by outdoorsmen, Brooklyn coffee shop workers and lumberjacks everywhere, especially those covered in tattoos for men.

Who should rock a long beard?

If you can grow sizeable facial furniture it’s something you should try at least once, but there are a few things to keep in mind. It works for those with swag (and without a job working around heavy machinery.) It’s a bold statement of facial hair, so make sure you have the confidence to match.

How long does it take to grow a long beard?

To grow a beard of this length takes around six-to-eight months, but be prepared for plenty of awkward in-between phases and time spent in front of the mirror keeping it neat(ish). The longer you grow it, the longer it will get, but there does come a point where hair growth is stunted.

How hard is a long beard to maintain?

Long beards and medium beards require similar care and maintenance, with the added consideration that long Gandalf-length beards will get dirty and oily, so they do require real washing and care. You’ll have to invest in all the grooming essentials once you reach this beard level to keep it looking fresh.

How do I groom a long beard?

Visit your barber every two or three weeks for tidy-ups and trims, and look after your beard in the same way as a medium beard – shampoo, condition and use a beard oil every day. A wooden pipe will complete the look.

FAQs

What is the best beard trimmer on the market?

The answer to this question really depends on the beard length you’re going for, and what you need in a beard trimmer. Lucky for you, we wrote a whole article about beard trimmers that you can refer to while figuring out the right one for you and your facial hair journey.

What are the different beard trimmer lengths?

Good beard trimmers will include guard sizing for precision. Here’s a quick reference guide to beard trimming lengths:

• Setting 1 – 1mm
• Setting 2 – 2mm
• Setting 3 – 3mm
• Setting 4 – 5mm
• Setting 5 – 7mm
• Setting 6 – 9mm
• Setting 7 – 12mm
• Setting 8 – 15mm
• Setting 9 – 16mm

What is a good length for a professional beard?

The corporate beard, or business beard, is usually best kept tailored and groomed to a length of 0.5” to 1” in length. Grooming a professional beard is just as, or more important, than the actual length. As long as your beard isn’t scrappy with tons of flyaways, any beard length can work in certain office settings.

What is the best beard length?

Different strokes for different folks and all that, but there was a study done in 2008 that found women consider “heavy stubble,” or about ten days of beard growth to be the most attractive length. Considering the most recent data we have on the subject matter is almost ten years old, we say confidence in rocking your chosen beard length is the most important factor, and you’ll find someone who thinks it’s hot. But remember that the most attractive beard length is going to be one that you love too.