The great thing about the abundance of hair on the male form is that there are so many ways to alter the way you look. This might mean a change of hairstyle, new facial hair or – ahem – simply tidying up your body hair. The important thing is to find a grooming routine that works with what you have, be that picking a haircut that works with your natural sense of style or the right moustache or beard for the face shape you’ve got. Let’s start with the latter.
Choosing a good beard style can be hard, especially if you’ve never experimented much in the past. Your first step is to look at your face and figure out the shape it actually makes: is it round, oval, square, rectangular/oblong, triangular (where the jaw is wider than the forehead), or heart-shaped (the opposite to the triangular)? No wishful thinking here: know thyself, then get to know your beard.
Once that’s sorted, it’s time to choose between the best beard styles for the face shape you have:
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Find similar productsMoustaches bring a lot of character, so they can be tougher to choose than beards. So here’s some advice on on how to choose a style that suits your features from moustache expert Dr. Allan Peterkin*:
“When choosing facial hairstyle, consider the size of your facial features … The right style should complement your face without overpowering it or being overpowered by it.”
So when it comes to the moustache, finding the best facial hair for the face shape you’re working with is essentially a matter of balance. Dr. Peterkin has the following (essential) tips:
“If you’ve got large facial features (mouth, nose, eyes, and chin), go for a larger, bushier moustache or beard style. It will balance out your facial features and provide a softer look.”
“If you have a prominent nose, consider a larger, thicker moustache such as a Chevron, Painter’s Brush or Handlebar, but steer clear of thinner designs.”
“A long, narrow face requires a narrow-to-medium-sized moustache that’s not too heavy in length or design. Stick to shorter styles and skinnier lines, such as the Clark Gable, Chaplin, or Military moustaches. Stay away from styles with vertical lines – such as the Horseshoe – that will only accentuate the length of your face.”
“If you’ve got an extra-large mouth, choose an angular style such as the Pyramid moustache, that’s narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. The variety in length and angles will minimize the size of your mouth.”
“Don’t overpower a smallish mouth with a big, bushy moustache. Instead, go for a shorter style. Growing the ‘stache a little past the corners of your mouth will make your mouth appear a bit larger.”
“If you’ve got a wide mouth with a big upper lip, consider a large, bushy moustache with a parting that divides the moustache into two sections.”
* Reprinted with permission from the book ‘The Bearded Gentleman: The Style Guide to Shaving Face’ by Allan Peterkin and Nick Burns (Arsenal Pulp Press)