It can be challenging to decide whether to grow a goatee or a beard. Fortunately, we can provide you with some advice. Not to mention, beard styles are more versatile in terms of the length of your facial hair. The various options you have for facial hair arrangements make being a bearded man in today’s world intriguing.
Both goatee and beard are used to describe various types of facial hair. A goatee is one sort of beard, although a beard can be any facial hair style arrangement that is larger than a mustache. Similar to the chin hair found on some mountain goats, goatees cover your chin but leave your jawline and cheeks bare.
In this article, we’ll discuss the difference between beard vs goatee, how others view them, and the general benefits and drawbacks of sporting each type of facial hair growth. However, before we can differentiate between goatee style and beards, we must first define what a beard technically is.
Are face shapes important?
There are seven types of face shapes. The following face shapes are those we suggest for goatees: some men want to grow facial hair to express themselves, while others simply want to boost their confidence.
A goatee is a chin beard. A goatee is a great way to add strength to your chin, which can alter the overall curve of your face.
You can also carry a goatee-beard combo by shaving your chin hair shorter than your cheek hair for a goatee-beard hybrid appearance.
Regardless of the facial hairstyle you choose, remember to give it proper maintenance to avoid damaging the hair and facial skin.
Round face shape
Hair on the chin can change the curve of your round face and add precision, which is usually lacking in a rounded face. This is great for highlighting the jaw into a more defined shape for those of us not already blessed with a sharp jawline.
Square face
A square face with a chiseled jawline can occasionally be overly prominent. A goatee completes the image by softening this face shape while yet emphasizing the outline.
Oval-face
As many people are already aware, an oval face shape complements the majority of fashions. This face shape can be complemented by a beard, thus it would look great on you. Do you resemble any of the aforementioned shapes differently?
We do advise, nonetheless, that people with a rectangular face shape might look better with a full beard than a goatee. Due to the lengthy shape that a rectangular face naturally has, where a goatee would add unwelcome length, we advise against it.
This is comparable to faces with triangular and diamond shapes, which have a longer appearance. So, deflecting attention from the chin would be the goal. This can be accomplished with a full beard, but not with a goatee.
Which goatee style should I choose?
A complete goatee
It is timeless. The most popular goatee style is the full beard.
This is the classic style for every man, where you can’t go wrong, connecting the mustache and the mouth into a circle that doesn’t reach further out than the margins of the mouth.
The Full Goatee complements nearly every face type, although it adds the most definition to more rounded faces.
The pencil goatee
The pencil goatee, a distinctive look that has only recently been adopted by the most daring among us, was made popular by R&B artist Craig David in the year 2000. This uncommon choice is best worn by those of us with small, thin faces because a large, full goatee would look very out of proportion. It first gained popularity in the early 2000s.
The Van Dyke
This timeless goatee design is equally fashionable today as it was 400 years ago. Several well-known gentlemen, including King Charles I, Vladimir Lenin, and Colonel Sanders, the face of irresistible fried chicken everywhere, have donned this style since it was first developed by Flemish court painter Anthony Van Dyke.
Anchor goatee
The Anchor is fashioned just like an anchor on your chin, like the Van Dyke goatee. It’s a lengthier version of the Van Dyke, where your mustache and beard can both get longer, creating a distinct anchor shape.
Goatee landing strip
This easy-to-maintain goatee complements any face nicely, especially for individuals who have trouble growing a beard. This makes use of a thin beard line that extends from the mouth to the chin.
The stubble
Before you grow out your goatee, it’s a wonderful idea to create one using simply stubble to see how it appears. Why not experiment with stubble before attempting one of the less popular goatee styles featured here?
Can I look cool rocking a goatee?
Yes, of course! Anyone can look nice with a goatee, regardless of face size or shape. You may highlight the greatest characteristics of your face and appear as fantastic as ever by picking the appropriate goatee to complement the shape of your face.
Goatee vs beard
The question is, “will you pick goatee vs beard?”. Goatee vs beard is critical before styling your facial hair. Which beard style is the least irritating? You may experience discomfort if you have never grown a goatee or full beard before.
A short history of goatee
Goatees were first influenced by Pan, an ancient Roman and Greek goat-like god of herds and the wild. Copying ancient images became commonplace with the arrival of Christianity.
After the Second World War, goatees became once again fashionable among the beatniks in the US in 1940. Artists of this time, particularly jazz musicians, embraced this approach. Although it remained popular, it lost favor in the 1960s.
In the 1990s, the look made a comeback, and men from various professions and socioeconomic backgrounds have continued to wear it today.
A short history of beards
Beards have been popular since Ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. Trimmed and styled beards were popular in Ancient Rome, and philosophers kept theirs long to represent deep thought.
Beards were a symbol of honor in Ancient Greece, and cutting one’s beard was a form of punishment. To impress their subjects, Egyptian kings dyed or tied their beards with metal. Beards were associated with a rite of passage between the 14th and 17th centuries.
They became less popular around the 18th century as men began to shave as a symbol of open-mindedness. The invention of cast steel resulted in blades, which allowed people to shave frequently. Beards became popular again in the nineteenth century.
This beard style connects the sideburns to the mustache, often used by those wanting to disguise receding hair. Beard hair is naturally coarse.
Pros and cons of a goatee
Pros and cons of a beard
Do’s and Don’ts With a Goatee
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Regular Maintenance: Keep your goatee well-trimmed and shaped. Regularly trim the hair to maintain a neat and defined look. Use a good quality trimmer and scissors for precise grooming. | Overlooking the Neckline: Don’t neglect the neckline. Define a clear and straight neckline to avoid the goatee blending into your neck hair. A well-defined neckline enhances the overall look. |
| Comb and Brush: Use a beard comb or brush to detangle your goatee. Regular combing helps distribute natural oils and keeps your facial hair looking well-groomed. | Going Too Wide: Avoid making your goatee too wide, as it can overwhelm your face. Opt for a width that suits your facial features and doesn’t overpower your chin. |
| Face Shape Consideration: Choose a goatee style that complements your face shape. Different face shapes suit different goatee styles, so consider your facial features when shaping your goatee. | Neglecting Regular Shaping: Don’t let your goatee become unruly. Regular shaping and trimming are essential to prevent the goatee from looking unkempt and messy. |
| Moisturize: Just like any facial hair, your goatee needs moisture. Use beard oil or balm to keep the hair soft, hydrated, and more manageable. This also helps reduce itchiness and flakiness. | Ignoring Patchy Growth: If your goatee grows unevenly or appears patchy in certain areas, resist the urge to overcompensate by making the goatee too wide. Embrace the natural growth pattern and work with what you have. |
| Regular Trimming: Trim your goatee regularly, even if you prefer a longer style. Regular trims help prevent split ends and maintain a tidy appearance. | Being Impatient: Growing a well-maintained goatee takes time and patience. Avoid rushing the process, especially during the initial growth stages. Allow your facial hair to fill in naturally for a more balanced look. |
Do’s and Don’ts With Beards
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Regular Washing: Clean your beard regularly with a mild beard shampoo to remove dirt, oil, and food particles. Regular washing keeps your beard fresh and prevents unpleasant odors. | Neglecting Regular Trims: Don’t ignore regular trims. Even if you’re growing a long beard, occasional trims are necessary to remove split ends and maintain a neat appearance. |
| Beard Oil/Balm: Use beard oil or balm to keep your beard soft, hydrated, and manageable. These products also help reduce itchiness and promote a healthier beard. | Overusing Heat Styling: Avoid excessive use of heat styling tools like hairdryers or straighteners. Heat can damage your beard, making it dry and brittle. If you must use heat, use a heat protectant spray. |
| Trimming and Shaping: Regularly trim your beard to maintain its shape and prevent split ends. Use scissors or a trimmer for precise grooming. Consider visiting a professional barber for shaping and maintaining a well-defined beard style. | Ignoring Beard Itch: Don’t ignore beard itch, especially in the early stages of growth. Use beard oil to moisturize the skin and hair, reducing itchiness and discomfort. |
| Comb and Brush: Use a beard comb or brush to detangle your beard and distribute natural oils evenly. Regular combing or brushing keeps your beard looking neat and prevents tangling. | Ignoring Neckline and Cheekline: Don’t neglect defining your neckline and cheekline. A well-defined beard shape enhances your facial features. Use a razor or trimmer to create clean lines. |
| Healthy Diet: A balanced diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals contributes to healthier beard growth. Stay hydrated, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep for overall well-being, which reflects in your beard’s health. | Pulling or Tugging: Avoid pulling or tugging on your beard, as it can damage hair follicles and lead to hair loss. Be gentle while combing or brushing to prevent unnecessary stress on the hair. |
| Patience: Growing a full, thick beard takes time. Be patient during the initial stages, even if it appears patchy. Let it grow out, and over time, it will fill in more evenly. | Comparing Your Beard to Others: Every beard is unique. Avoid comparing your beard growth or style to others. Embrace your beard’s natural texture and growth pattern, and work with what you have. |
The 4 Most popular styles
Full
This is a traditional method of beard growth. It is difficult to achieve this look because genetics determine whether one can grow full facial hair. It has a distinctive shape that starts at the cheek line.
When you have high cheekbones, it can be difficult to define the cheek line.
To achieve the look, draw an imaginary line from the front part of the ear to the edges of the mustache to define your cheek line.
Boxed shorts
This look covers half of the face. It is a full beard style for those who do not want to deal with the stress of growing a full beard. It is made up of contours and sharp lines that are groomed around the jawline to resemble a box. Furthermore, it’s been trimmed to about 0.5 inches in length to give it a more formal appearance.
To achieve a short boxed beard, you’ll need to let your beard grow for about a week. This is because the style connects the mustache and soul patch to the chinstrap.
Scruffy
The scruffy beard is 2 to 5 mm long and gives you a rugged, natural look. It lacks a standard shape, allowing you to be creative. It is appropriate for men who are unable to grow full facial hair or whose beards grow in patches.
Stubble
The stubble beard, also known as the 3-day beard, is 3 mm to 5 mm in length. It gives you a rugged, rogue appearance that is both masculine and attractive.
How to keep it up?
Step 1: Wash your beard once a week.
Washing your beard keeps it looking healthy. It gets rid of dead skin, dust, and debris. Wash your beard once or twice a week with beard shampoo. Washing your beard more frequently causes it to dry out, resulting in itchiness, curls, and split ends.
To wash properly, follow these steps:
- Warm water should be used to wet your beard.
- Massage the beard with beard shampoo.
- Once the lather has formed, rinse with warm water.
- To avoid damaging the hair, pat it dry gently with a towel.
Step 2: Soften
A soft beard is hydrated and healthy. The following are some beard-softening tips that you can use. First, apply beard oil. This product helps to supplement the skin’s natural oils and moisturize the skin beneath the beard. After a shower, apply beard oil to allow your beard to retain moisture. Pour a few drops into your hands, rub them together, and apply them to your beard.
The amount of beard oil you should use is determined by the quantity and type of hair you have. If you have a full, long, and thick beard, use more beard oil. Adailybasis, and more frequently if you live in a dry climate. You can use beard oil in place of beard balm, or alternate between the two. When conditioning and styling your beard, use a beard balm.
Step 3: Brush
Brush your beard daily to help distribute natural oils and grooming products such as beard balm or oil.
Use the best beard brushes available, as their bristles can remove dirt and train the hair to grow in a specific direction.
Depending on how long your beard is, you’ll need to think about a beard brush.
Excessive brushing or using the wrong beard brush causes split ends and skin irritation. Brush your beard in a lifting motion, beginning with the hair underneath.
Step 4: Cut
Trimming your beard keeps it in shape and saves you trips to the barbershop. It should be part of your weekly beard care regimen. To accomplish this, a brush, an electrical trimmer, and a beard comb.
Is patchiness a problem?
Unfortunately, a patchy beard is a norm for many men. Having a patchy beard is unfortunately very common. Sometimes it’s just a phase that will eventually turn into a full beard as you get older. Although this is not always the case.
How to maintain
Step 1: Allow to develop
For about a week, avoid shaving your goatee to allow the hair to grow thicker and fuller. Allow it to grow around and below the mouth. This facilitates the shaping of your goatee. You can draw people’s attention away from your head by having thick hair around your cheeks, lip, and chin.
Step 2: Shape
It’s time to shape your goatee once the foundation has grown. To give your goatee the desired shape, use a single blade or a trimmer. Because you can see the outline of your goatee, shaping it is simple.
When shaping, keep in mind that symmetry is essential. Make sure your goatee’s width and length are well-balanced.
Step 3: Trim regularly
Even if you want your goatee to grow long, you should trim it on a regular basis. Even as the goatee grows longer, trimming the edges keeps it clean. Use a nose hair trimmer or an electric trimmer for the best results.
Step 4: Clean-shave
Clean the areas of your face that are surrounded by your goatee. When the area around a goatee is clean, it looks best. Use clear shaving cream to make shaving easier and to make the edges more visible.
When shaving, keep the razor away from your goatee. You can avoid shaving your goatee this way. Discomfort with facial hair can involve many culprits: ingrown hairs, sharp stubble, allergies to new products, and skin blemishes around follicles.
Step 5: Wash
Washing your goatee regularly is an essential part of its care. Once or twice a week, shampoo and condition your goatee to keep it from becoming oily, attracting dust, and causing acne.
How Much Time Do You Want to Spend Getting Ready?
Minimal Time (Less than 5 minutes)
If you prefer a quick and hassle-free grooming routine, a goatee might be the ideal choice. Goatees are generally smaller and require less maintenance. Shaping and shaving a goatee can be done swiftly, allowing you to achieve a polished look in minimal time.
Moderate Time (Around 10-15 minutes)
If you have a bit more time to spare and enjoy a versatile beard style, a stubble or short beard might suit you well. Maintaining a stubble requires regular trimming to keep it at a uniform length. While it demands more attention than a goatee, it offers a balance between style and ease of maintenance.
Significant Time (20 minutes or more)
A full beard can be a statement of style and masculinity, but it demands a significant time investment. Growing and maintaining a full beard involves regular washing, conditioning, and shaping. Depending on the desired length and style, you might spend considerable time trimming and grooming your beard to keep it looking its best.
FAQ
Is a goatee still a beard?
A goatee is a type of facial hairstyle that includes hair on the chin but not the cheeks. The precise nature of the style has changed over time and culture.
Does a beard or goatee make you look older?
According to studies, people tend to think of bearded guys as being older, more powerful, and more aggressive. Particularly true for those with long, thick beards. However, things aren’t always as simple as they seem! They are also seen as more attractive, truthful, kind, and powerful, according to other studies.
Maintaining a beard is not always black or white, much like anything else in life. As a result, in addition to your actual age, beard size, facial features, and many other things, whether you look older when you wear a beard also depends on other aspects.
Studies also show that a man with a beard seems to be roughly 8 years older. It’s fascinating that having a long beard makes you appear older. As a result, beard growth will make you appear older (or a longer one). Shave (or trim) your facial hair, use Volt Beard Color to help conceal your gray hairs, and if you want to look younger, do so.
The hipster beard is a great way to stand out while looking great.
Is a beard and goatee the same thing?
Let’s first define our terms clearly. The cheek hair is the single feature that distinguishes between a beard and a goatee. You have a beard if your facial hair extends from your chin to your sideburns. If it stopped growing before it got to your cheeks, you now have a goatee.
Beards necessitate a lot of hair growth on your cheeks, which are the most common places to find patches or thinning hair. Comfort facial hair is to keep you comfortable at all times. Most men’s chins and upper lips grow faster and fuller than their cheeks.
Does anyone look good with a goatee?
The form of your face and chin, as well as your complexion and the color of your facial hair, are all important factors. A goatee, like a beard, helps strengthen a weak chin. Additionally, it might help define a round or imperfectly molded face. Pale skin tones and dark facial hair, as one could anticipate, give off a more dramatic appearance.
Beard enthusiasts are ready to do a lot for the sake of acquiring that dream beard.
Conclusion
Your facial hair has a significant impact on your appearance. Consider your facial shape, cost, and maintenance needs when deciding between a goatee and a beard. Whatever facial hairstyle you choose, remember to maintain it properly to avoid damaging the hair and facial skin.
Also Read: About Beard Styles For Face Shapes
