The right beard can change your whole face: it sharpens a soft jawline, balances a long face or adds presence to fine features. The trick is not to copy whatever style is trending, but to choose the one that suits your face shape and the way your facial hair grows.

Here are the 11 most flattering beard styles, short and long, plus a quick guide to finding the one that suits your face best.

Which beard suits you best for your face shape

• Oval face: the easiest to work with. It suits almost any style, from light stubble to a long, well-shaped beard.
• Round face: look for angles and vertical lines. The anchor beard, the goatee or a short beard kept slightly longer on the chin than on the sides will slim the face.
• Square face: soften the jaw with rounded shapes, such as the circle beard or the Verdi, and avoid very straight, sharp sides.
• Long face: add volume at the sides rather than the chin. The short boxed beard and stubble work well; pointed long beards are best avoided.
• Triangular or heart-shaped face: if your chin is narrow, a full beard or the Garibaldi adds weight to the lower face and balances the forehead.

Short beard styles

A short beard is the easiest to wear and maintain. It suits nearly every face, although some styles make more of certain features.

Circle beard

One of the most classic styles. It joins a rounded chin patch with a simple moustache to form a circle around the mouth. It softens square and triangular faces and works very well in formal settings.

Short goatee

A small goatee covering only the chin, kept separate from the moustache. It is discreet and clean, and a good option if the hair on your cheeks grows unevenly.

Short boxed beard

It covers the moustache, chin and cheeks and joins the sideburns, with the edges trimmed in straight lines. It gives structure to long and oval faces.

Balbo beard

Designed for men without a very dense beard. It combines a chin beard that extends along the lower jaw with a separate moustache and no sideburns. The result is polished and full of character.

Stubble

The ultimate casual look: short, even hair, as if you had not shaved for a few days. Keep it in shape with an adjustable-guard trimmer; it suits almost every face.

Mutton chops

Not for everyone. A thick moustache connects to long, wide sideburns, leaving the chin clean-shaven. It works best on long or triangular faces and can also be grown longer.

Anchor beard

A thin line that starts at the chin and runs along the jaw, paired with a slim, separate moustache. It draws angles where there are none, which is why it flatters round faces so well.

Long beard styles

If your beard grows thick with no patches, long styles give you plenty of options. Just remember that long does not mean messy: it needs shape, moisture and regular edging.

Verdi beard

Elegant and classic, it takes its name from the composer Giuseppe Verdi. It is long with a rounded base and worn with a neat moustache kept apart from the beard. It particularly suits square faces.

Wild beard

Also known as the hipster beard: you let it grow freely for a relaxed look. It looks easy, but it takes commitment: moisturising, detangling and controlling the volume so it keeps its shape.

Goatee

The hair is concentrated on the chin only, leaving the cheeks bare. It visually lengthens the face, so it works very well on round faces and strong jawlines.

Garibaldi beard

A full, wide beard with a rounded base, around 15 to 20 centimetres long. It may look natural, but it needs frequent touch-ups on the cheeks and moustache to stay neat.

How to keep your beard in shape

Choosing the style is only the first step; what really makes the difference is keeping it up between barber visits. If you want to do it yourself, our guide on how to trim and shape your beard at home walks you through the tools and steps for each type of beard.

For everyday care, the divain Care Beard Control Serum, with vitamin E, argan oil and cedar extract, softens the hair and helps tame even the most unruly beards without leaving them greasy. If you combine a beard with shaved areas, the alcohol-free After Shave Balsam with panthenol soothes the skin after the razor. Find the full range in beard care.

Frequently asked questions about beard styles

How do I know which beard style suits me?

Look at your face shape and how your facial hair grows. Round faces benefit from lengthening styles such as the anchor beard or the goatee; square faces from rounded shapes; and long faces from volume at the sides. If you have patches, the short goatee or the Balbo are the easiest to wear.

Which beard suits a round face?

Styles that create vertical lines and angles: the anchor beard, the goatee or a short beard kept slightly longer on the chin than on the cheeks. Avoid adding volume at the sides.

Which beard should I wear if my facial hair is thin?

The Balbo, the short goatee and stubble are the best options, because they do not rely on full cheeks and still look neat when the beard is not very dense.