How to Shape a Beard - The Basics

Alex Cutler

In an all-exclusive interview, we’ve been chatting with (fictional) topiary expert Hans Trimmerman to give you the lowdown on a subject many men shy away from - how to trim your beard into the shape you want once you’ve grown it.


What did this reclusive genius have to say for himself huh? Let’s find out.


Choosing Beard Shape: Match your beard shape to your face shape to enhance features, like defining the jawline or adding angles to a rounded face.

Preparation: Grow your beard to a good length, apply beard oil, and comb in the growth direction for an even trim.

Trimming Techniques: Use mirrors to guide your shaping, focusing on cheek lines, neckline (1.5 cm above Adam’s apple), and symmetry.

Detailing: Trim the mustache above the lip, manage the soul patch, and shape sideburns to enhance your look and jawline.

Final Refinements: Continue refining neckline, cheekline, and mustache after shaping for a sharp, well-groomed finish.

Here’s what we learned about how to shape a beard...


Mission Beard (MB): Dr Trimmerman. Thanks for having us here.


Hans Trimmerman (HT): You left me no choice…


MB: Let’s get down to it. Shaping a beard - it’s a delicate art, is it not?


HT: Indeed. Many have tried and few have succeeded. For a lot of men, the first step is the hardest. Before one even picks up the beard trimmer, they must try to imagine what shape of beard will suit them best.


How to shape your facial hair depends on one key consideration: the shape of your face.


Let’s face it…

Close-up of a man

HT: All men's faces are unique - but few are considered highly beautiful without the presence of a beard. In fact, a beard can seem to alter the shape of a face dramatically - plus it’s a lot cheaper than plastic surgery.


The jawline is a good place to start - for men with a pointed chin for example, a shapely beard can serve to square the face up. Similarly, those with a rounded face can create the illusion of a more jagged, Herculean jawline.


With careful trimming, beards can also alter the width and length of a face. Growing a bushy beard which covers the cheeks (or adjusting the width of your beard) can