A well-groomed beard style can work wonders for your appearance.
Whether you’re hoping to look more rugged, elegant, trendy, or sophisticated, a beard can tick all of the right boxes.
But it’s important to remember that your beard is attached to your face.
(They kind of come as a package deal.)
And every face is different.
Different beard types are better suited to certain face shapes, and finding the perfect beard style is crucial to rocking killer facial hair. If you have a round face you might be struggling to find a beard style that complements your features and chisels your jawline.
We have good news. Your search is over.
Below are 10 of the best beard styles for round face shapes. Let’s take a look, shall we?
Identifying a Round Face: Confirm if you have a round face by checking if your forehead is short, your chin and jawline blend and your cheeks are curved.
Top Beard Styles: Ideal beard styles for round faces include the goatee, chin strap, short boxed beard, stubble, and corporate beard, which add definition and angles.
Distinctive Beards: Advanced styles like the balbo, old dutch, french fork, ducktail, and yeard offer unique looks that enhance round face shapes.
Beard Maintenance: Regular trimming and clean lines around the cheeks, lips, and neckline are essential, along with using quality beard care products for healthy growth.
Table of Contents
First things first - do you actually have a round face?
We all have funny opinions of our appearances that might not be shared by other people. So, when you’re looking for the best beard styles for round faces, it’s worth double-checking if your face is actually as round as you might think it is.
Fortunately, there are a few quick checks you can make to see if your face is actually round, focused on the forehead, chin and cheeks.
Face area |
Signs of a round face |
Forehead |
Is it rounded and relatively short in size? |
Chin and jawline |
Do you have a pronounced chin and chiselled jawline, or do these blend into one with a round shape? |
Cheeks |
Are the sides of your cheeks curved instead of being straight? |
If you answered ‘no’...
Then chances are your face isn’t as round as you might think. The below styles could still work well for you, especially if you already have pronounced facial features, but it could be worth looking futher into diagnosing the shape of your face.
If you answered ‘yes’...
It’s likely you have a round face. Don’t sweat though - there are a number of beard styles for round faces that will have you looking better than ever. And if you’re on a quest for a chiselled jawline, careful styling and shaving of your beard style can make your jaw appear more pronounced.
The classic goatee
The goatee is one of the best beard styles for round faces.
This iconic beard is great for achieving a more angular look because of its placement. Plus, it’s super easy to maintain, which is always a bonus.
To grow a classic goatee, you’ll just need to grow your beard to a decent length and then shave your cheeks and neckline.
Make sure that you take your time with this process. Nobody wants to re-grow an entire beard because they were a little too reckless with the razor.
Find a goatee beard style that you like, and use slow and careful movements with your razor to shave away the excess hair.
Voila. Goatee beard completed. Awesome beard style attained.
The key to a fashionable goatee is proper maintenance. Use a trimmer to keep your beard well-groomed and neat, particularly around your lower lip and jaw.
This will help to create a sharp jawline and redefine your face shape.
When it comes to keeping your goatee healthy and happy, just apply a couple of drops of beard oil every day. Since the goatee is a smaller beard, it won’t take much to maintain those soft and glossy bristles.
The well-defined chin strap
A chin strap beard is a brilliant way to add some clear definition to the bottom of a round face shape. It’s a simple beard style, but it’s highly effective.
To achieve the chin strap look, you’ll need to trim your beard to create thin sideburns that run alongside the jawline and connect at the chin.
It’s very important to maintain a consistent length across your chin strap - otherwise, it’s going to look uneven. And frankly, a little odd.
To keep your chin strap neat and tidy, use an electric trimmer (with a guard) to define the edges and shave away any straggling hairs.
There’s no need to rush this process, so slowly remove hairs until you achieve the perfect width for your sideburns.
A couple of drops of beard oil will keep your chin strap soft and easily manageable. If you want to style it, a small amount of beard balm or wax will provide a natural hold.
The clean short boxed beard
If you’re a fan of the shape of chin straps and goatees but feel like these beard styles are a little bare, then the short boxed beard is the perfect solution.
This style combines the goatee and chin strap to create a square beard that’s great for sharpening the edges of a round face shape.
To style the short boxed beard style, shave the hair from your cheeks and trim your sideburns carefully to create well-defined lines.
Your sideburns will connect with your goatee, so make sure that everything is groomed to an even length for a clean look.
The short boxed beard style is a highly versatile look.
You can experiment with thicker sideburns or thin lines, and trim the length of your goatee to your liking. Check out some popular beard styles online to find the perfect look.
The old-school stubble beard
You don’t necessarily need an extravagant display of fancy facial hair to define a round face shape.
Sometimes, a simple beard style is best. And it doesn’t get much simpler than stubble.
A stubble beard is highly versatile and can make a bold statement or deliver a subtle effect depending on the length.
Even better, stubble is incredibly easy to maintain. All you need is an electric shaver, a steady hand, and a passion for trendy facial hair.
To transform a full beard into slimming stubble, just figure out the length you’d like your stubble to be (usually around 2mm) and attach the right guard to your trimmer.
Shave down your beard to the desired length, and use the blade of the trimmer to tidy the edges and remove any pesky stray hairs.
Heavy stubble that’s slightly longer will be naturally darker, which is great for defining the edges of your face and creating a more pointed look.
The neat corporate beard
The corporate beard style is a slight variation on the short boxed beard, with the only difference being the addition of hair on the cheeks.
The corporate beard style is great for squaring off the bottom of the jaw and adding definition to round faces.
Plus, it’s the perfect style for office environments. This beard says ‘I’m a well-groomed and professional businessman, but I’m also rocking this majestic facial hair, so deal with it.’
As always, proper beard upkeep is very important for the corporate look.
You’ll need to keep your moustache and cheeks neatly trimmed to maintain a well-defined shape and prevent your beard from becoming unkempt.
Hairs can start growing unevenly after a few weeks, so stay vigilant with your trimmer to make sure that you maintain that clean style.
→Read next: the guide to growing a beard at work without losing your job
The refined balbo
The balbo beard is like the eccentric, distant cousin of the goatee who only appears sporadically at family parties.
The balbo adds a floating moustache above the classic goatee, delivering a bold look that feels both sophisticated and a little whimsical.
It’s a brilliant option for a round face shape because the moustache and goatee combination immediately draws attention to the chin area and creates a focal point.
You can keep both goatee and moustache short for a tidier beard, or allow them to grow out if you’re a fan of the debonair musketeer look.
Much like the goatee, the balbo is also easy to maintain.
There isn’t too much hair to manage, so you just need to keep the edges trimmed and the length even. If you’re keen to grow a longer balbo beard, you can also use a sculpting balm or beard wax to style your hair and hold it in place.
The classic old dutch
If you’re a fan of longer beard styles, there are plenty of heavy-duty beard types that are perfect for complementing a round face. And if you’re looking for a beard that will capture attention, it doesn’t get much better than the classic old dutch.
The old dutch is one of the most timeless beard styles, and uses thick hair growth to square your chin and define the edges of your face.
This is an old-school full beard, but there’s a reason that it’s lasted the test of time. It’s bold, brave, and beautiful.
The old dutch beard connects the sideburns and curves around the jaw, with growth that flares out at the bottom of your face.
The old dutch doesn’t typically include a moustache, so you can shave your upper lip clean. Instead, the sideburns, chin beard, and jawline are the main attraction.
As this is a slightly longer full beard style, it does take a fair amount of upkeep. Be prepared to etch out your cheek lines with a trimmer and add the finishing touches with a pair of beard scissors.
Also, be sure to use enough beard oil to keep your old dutch healthy and hydrated. Longer bristles can dry out quickly, so stick to a thorough beard-care regime!
The distinctive french fork
Looking to make an unforgettable statement with your beard? Not satisfied with boring bristles or standard styles?
The french fork is reserved for only the most adventurous full beard-lovers and is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.
To achieve the french fork you’ll need some substantial beard growth, as well as styling products to create the iconic ‘fork’ shape.
As you’re growing the french fork, every area except your chin will be groomed as usual. Keep your cheek lines tidy, trim your moustache, and remove stray hairs.
When it comes to the chin hair, keep the length longer to create a pointed ‘v-shape’ at the bottom of your face.
You can then use a comb and scissors to separate the beard hairs under your chin and define the distinguished french fork.
It goes without saying that the french fork is the ideal shape of beard for a round face because all of the attention will be directed toward your magnificent chin hair.
If you’re committing to the french fork we’d also recommend carrying a comb or beard brush, just in case some emergency styling is required on the move.
The pointed ducktail
If you love the idea of a luscious, full beard but you’re worried about how it will suit your face shape, the ducktail could be the beard style for you.
The ducktail is essentially a full beard with a few small tweaks, so it’s an easy style to grow out.
Once you’ve achieved some decent beard length, the first step is to trim any stray or patchy hairs around your cheeks. You’re aiming for a ‘v-shape’ beard that points down toward your chin.
You’ll want to hold onto more growth around your chin to create the ducktail effect, but you can trim your moustache to whatever length you’d prefer if it looks untidy.
The size and weight of the ducktail itself is up to you.
You might stick with a lightweight ducktail for convenience, but many beard-enthusiasts prefer a heavier beard that accentuates the unique shape of the ducktail.
This is a clean and sharp full beard style that will always look sophisticated, and the pointed ‘v-shape’ ducktail is perfect for round face shapes.
The full-bodied yeard
We’re now entering the territory of the most devoted beard-growers and facial hair fanatics. If the idea of managing a big bushy beard feels a little overwhelming, look away now.
The yeard is a beard that has grown without interference for at least a year. Get it?
(Beard-lovers are amazing at pioneering different styles, but inventing names isn’t always their strong suit.)
This is one of the best beard styles for round faces because the beard practically covers half of your face. Simple, but effective.
There’s a lot of hair to control when you’re the proud owner of a yeard, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
However, you may need to enlist the help of a barber to keep your bushy beard trim and tidy, because it’s going to be a mammoth task with a pair of scissors.
Don’t let the size of the yeard intimidate you though.
This is a seriously impressive show of facial hair, and if you can keep your yeard maintained properly, it’s truly a majestic look.
This beard style places you firmly in the upper echelon of beard growers, so wear it with pride.
3 essential tips for beard growth
There are plenty of fabulous beard styles out there to suit faces of all shapes and sizes.
But picking your beard style of choice is only half the battle.
If you’re going to rock some eye-catching facial hair, you’ll need to grow and maintain your whiskers properly. Let’s take a look at some proven tips for growing a healthy beard.
1. Keep your beard trimmed
Giving your beard styles shape and structure is absolutely key, particularly when you’re looking to add sharp angles to a round face.
Be consistent with your trimming routine, and make sure that you’re keeping your beard lines well-defined and clean.
This is particularly important around your cheeks and lips, where stray hairs can make your beard look untidy. Beard trimmers are one of the best gifts for styling your beard and keeping it in top shape, so if you haven't got one yet, be sure to put one on your birthday or Christmas list!
2. Maintain a clean neckline
The neckline is often neglected by beard growers, but this can be a colossal error.
Even the most shapely beards can be brought down by scraggy stray hairs growing around the neck. Keep this area as clean as possible by regularly using an electric shaver and establishing a clear line between your throat and the underside of your face.
If you need a rough guideline for shaving, we recommend placing two fingers above your Adam’s apple - this is ideally where your beard neckline ends.
3. Show your beard some love
Trimming and shaping your facial hair is very important, but you also need to encourage healthy growth if you’re going to develop a strong beard style.
Like the old saying goes. If you look after your beard, your beard will look after you.
Maintaining healthy hair all comes down to two things - a thorough beard-care routine, and high-quality products.
The Shea Moisture Beard Care Kit
This Shea Moisture Complete Beard Kit contains everything you need to nurture and nourish your beloved bristles, including a hydrating beard wash and a conditioning oil that will leave your hair feeling silkier than ever.
Grave Before Shave Beard Balm
If you need help with styling your beard, the Grave Before Shave Beard Balm allows you to tame longer hairs with ease and achieve your dream shape. You’ll also smell incredible.
Find a beard style to make your round face look its best
If you’re hesitant to commit to growing a beard because of a round face shape, you can officially stop worrying. There’s a huge range of unique beard styles that will complement your particular face shape, showcase your best features, and boost your confidence.
That’s the beauty of beards, after all.
Regardless of your face type or personal taste, hopefully our list of best beard styles for a round face had something for you. Now, all you need to do is grow it.
