Just like one hairstyle will not suit everyone, the same applies to beard shapes as well. In fact, getting the right beard shape for round face can actually work to make the face look leaner, a goal of most men with a rounder face with very little neck visible. So, before you get started shaping your beard, first, you need to determine your face shape in order to pick a flattering style that will complement your face, hairstyle, and the rest of your look.
The best beard shape for round face is a longer length at the chin and a shorter length on the cheeks. This will help to lengthen the face, which will make your cheeks look thinner and make your jawline look chiseled. Choosing the style of your beard is heavily dependent on the shape of your face. If you have a round face and you choose the wrong beard style, it could leave your face looking fuller and your beard may look sloppy and unkempt.
If you’re not sure what your shape face is, read our guide below, which will teach you how to correctly measure your face and will also discuss how its shape can determine which style of beard will be the most flattering.
Table of Contents
All About Face Shapes
If you’re new to beard life, then you probably don’t know how to style or trim it to flatter your face shape.
Knowing your face shape will help you choose a beard shape that’s flattering and complimentary to the rest of your look. Fortunately, determining your face shape is pretty simple. First, grab a flexible measuring tape. Next, you’ll take measurements of the following:
Forehead
Measure your forehead from the peak of eyebrow to eyebrow.
Cheekbones
Next, you’ll measure across the cheekbones beginning and ending at the highest point below the corner of each of your eyes.
Jaw
Measure from below your ear at the point where the jaw angles up to the tip of your chin. Next, you’ll need to multiply the result by two to get the measurement for your jaw.
Length
Measure from the tip of your chin to the center of your hairline.
After you’ve taken these measurements, write down which is the largest measurement out of the four. Next, compare this to the seven main face shape profiles to determine your shape.
Face Shape Profiles
Below you’ll find the seven common face shape profiles. You’ll use the measurements you just took to determine your face shape. Oval and round seem to be the most common, while square is the rarest.
Oval
You have an oval face if the length of your forehead is more than the jaw and the length of your face is more than the width of your cheekbones.
Rectangular
People with a rectangular face shape will have a face length that’s the greatest measurement. The jaw, cheekbones, and forehead will have a similar measurement.
Triangular
For a triangular shape, the jaw measurement must be greater than the cheekbones. The cheekbones should also measure larger than your forehead.
Round
A person with a round face will have a face and cheekbone length that’s similar. They will also have a jaw that measures in smaller than their forehead.
Heart-Shaped
The forehead measurement is greater than the jaw and cheekbones.
Square
If you have a square-shaped face then you’ll notice that most of your measurements are similar, except you’ll have a larger jaw and forehead, both of which share a similar measurement.
Diamond
Your face length will be the largest measurement, followed by the cheekbones, forehead, and jaw.
Choosing the Right Beard Shape
If you’re lucky enough to have an oval-shaped face then you can choose from a variety of beard shapes. This is due to the fact that people with an oval shaped face have both round and square features so they don’t have to worry about balancing any of their features out.
If you have a rectangular face you should have a fuller beard, especially on the cheeks which will give the illusion of a slightly wider jaw, which will take attention away from the length of your face.
Triangular faces will need to steer clear of beards that are too thick and full on the cheeks since it can cause the jaw to look wider.
For a heart-shaped face you’ll need to focus on creating the illusion of a stronger chin. But since this is such a small face shape, if you have a beard you tend to run the risk of making your face look even smaller. Instead of growing a beard we recommend keeping some light stubble.
For square-shaped faces, you want to avoid a beard that will over-exaggerate the width of your chin. Instead, choose a beard that focuses on rounding out the chin area. A triangular beard tends to work the best. You can also easily lengthen the appearance of your chin with a goatee style beard which will soften your wide jaw and create a more chiseled look.
Since people with a diamond-shaped face tend to have a narrow forehead and wider cheekbones, hair should always be kept on the chin in order to offset the width of the cheekbones. Ideally, you’ll want to create the illusion of a more balanced bone structure by squaring off the chin. When you’re trimming your beard, you’ll also want to be more mindful of length. Avoid going too long on the chin or any type of pointy cut, which will make your face look too long. Instead, go wider on the edge of the jaw and cheeks.
A Difficult Choice
As you can see, there are plenty of options to choose from for your specific face shape, but the one face shape that is by far the most difficult to style is the rounded face. It’s all too easy to make the wrong cut and end up with a beard that causes the face to look fuller and the neck to look nonexistent.
Why Choosing the Right Beard for Round Faces is So Difficult
As we mentioned, with a round face, choosing the perfect beard shape can be a difficult process. It’s all too easy to choose the wrong style, one that will emphasize the roundness of the face. Many people with a round face tend to shy away from having a beard for this specific reason. However, choosing the right shape and length of a beard that will complement your look is possible.
Keep in mind, with a round face shape, you have to really stay on top of trimming your beard, in order to avoid overaccentuating the roundness of your face. We recommend using the Philips Norelco Multi Groomer MG7750/49 hair trimmer.
So, if you have a round face, the best shape that will work for you is a triangular-shaped beard. The beard should be longer towards your chin and shorter on the cheeks. This is a very flattering style that can instantly slim your face and add several inches. Even if you have just a goatee with some stubble on your cheeks it can instantly create the illusion of a more pronounced chin.
Related Questions
How Can I keep My Beard Looking Neat?
Proper beard upkeep is essential, especially if you have a long beard to maintain, but beard maintenance for beginners isn’t always easy. Most beginners tend to fail at keeping their beard conditioned, which can cause it to have a frizzy, wild, unkempt look that’s a huge no for the office. However, by using the best stubble trimmer and the right products, such as beard shampoos, balms, and conditioners, you can easily keep your beard soft, healthy, and looking great.
What Type Of Beard Products Should I Use?
Since beards are now more popular than ever, you won’t find a shortage of beard grooming products to choose from ranging from foams, gels, and oils, to balms, waxes, and creams. There are even several shampoo and conditioner lines to choose from that are specifically designed for beard care. These products are also available in a wide range of scents and are designed to soften and tame the beard, preventing stray wiry hairs and helping to tame frizz. If you’re not sure which products to use, try one of the many beard grooming kits available, which come with all the products you need and they’ll share the same pleasant masculine scent.
Final Thoughts
The best beard shape for round face is a longer length at the chin, with a closer shave on the cheeks. This can add more length to your face, giving it a leaner look. As you can see, learning what face shape you have is important, if you want a beard that flatters your look and style. So, by taking careful measurements of your face and using our guide, you can determine how to correctly shape your beard for the type of well-groomed, masculine look that every man is going for.
