These days, more and more men are embracing moustaches and beards as part of their look. In fact, this YouGov poll tells us that over half of men in the UK are currently sporting some sort of facial hair.
And just like our hair or clothes, the possibilities for self-expression are almost endless. Plus, some moustache and beard styles suit certain face shapes better than others (you can find out yours here).
With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of some of our favourite moustache and beard looks. So whether you’re interested in channelling your inner Viking or want something a little more sophisticated, we hope there’s something on this list to inspire you.
1. Classic moustache
From medieval knights to Freddy Mercury, moustaches have fallen in and out of favour throughout history (did you know it was mandatory for British Army soldiers to wear one from 1860-1916?).
But now, moustaches have leapt back into the spotlight. And if you want to grow some lip foliage of your own, there’s no better style to start with than a classic tache.
Simple but effective, the classic (or original) moustache is neatly trimmed and sits just above your upper lip. Check out this guide from Gillette to find out how to shape one.
2. Chevron moustache
Popular in the 80s but just as dashing now, the chevron is an excellent style if you’re interested in something a little bolder than the classic tache.
A little bushier and wider than its more conventional cousin, the chevron style points down slightly at the corners of the mouth – kind of like a shallow, upside-down V. It also tends to cover the whole top lip.
While a chevron stache can look good on anyone interested in channelling their inner Magnum PI, square and oval face shapes are ideal. This article from Wahl will show you how to achieve one.
3. Horseshoe moustache
Made famous by wrestling star Hulk Hogan, this daring style has been around for decades. Like many looks on this list, its name reflects its distinctive shape – though it’s also known as a ‘biker moustache’.
Achieving a horseshoe moustache starts with growing a full beard. You can then clean shave your cheeks, chin, and soul patch (the little patch of hair below your lip), letting your tache extend down past the corners of your lips in long, straight strips.
The horseshoe moustache typically compliments men with rectangular or square faces, as it helps show off a strong jawline. If you’re interested in growing a horseshoe moustache of your own, take a look at this article from Phillips for some tips.
4. Handlebar moustache
For those wanting a more flamboyant tache, why not try a handlebar? Popular among Wild West gunslingers like Wyatt Earp and gravely-voiced actor Sam Elliott, this style has made a comeback in the last decade or so.
There are a few variations of the handlebar moustache, but typically, they’re long with ‘handles’ that sweep out at the corners of the mouth. Lots of gents choose to twist and curl theirs, while others style them to point directly outwards (what’s called the ‘English moustache’). Either way, handlebar staches are often sculpted with moustache wax.
You can wear the rest of your face clean-shaven or combine your glorious tache with an equally glorious beard. For some guidance, take a look at this post from Beardbrand.
5. Walrus moustache
Famously sported by Mark Twain and Theodore Roosevelt, this moustache looks exactly how you think it might. The granddaddy of all taches, a Walrus involves thick, shaggy growth that falls over the top lip, sometimes covering the whole mouth.
To achieve this look, you’ll need to set aside 3-4 months of growing time. One key feature of the Walrus is the downward direction of the hairs. But if your whiskers naturally grow out to the side, you can train them to start growing in a downward direction by regularly combing or brushing them.
To find out more about training your beard, take a look at this blog post from The Sadar Co. And for those who want to embrace a Walrus tache, check out this article from Phillips.
6. Soul patch
The soul patch is that little tuft of hair that sits under the middle of your bottom lip. Though lots of beard styles include it, some people choose to sport one all by itself. This look was popularised by jazz musicians in the 40s and 50s, but it’s recently been worn by country singers like Billy Ray Cyrus and Keith Urban.
Also known as the jazz dot or jazz dab, this minimalist look is surprisingly versatile. You can experiment with shape, size, and length – depending on how much hair grows there. This article from The Beard Struggle has some ideas for different ways to embrace this soulful style.
7. Circle beard
If you want a little bit more facial hair than a moustache but aren’t ready for a full beard, you could consider growing a circle beard. This is essentially a goatee and moustache that join up, forming a circle shape around your mouth – think Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson or Walter White from Breaking Bad.
There are lots of variations on this style. Some people like to wear it long, while others prefer a more close-cropped approach. You could even combine it with a handlebar moustache. This article from The Beard Struggle has some good ideas.
8. Goatee (no moustache)
If you don’t get a whole lot of growth above your top lip, or you simply don’t like the style, why not ditch the moustache entirely and just grow a goatee (or chin beard)?
While it’s not the most popular facial hair style around, there are plenty of examples of men rocking this unique trim (for example, Will Smith looks great in this GQ shoot). Goatees work well on people with sharp, angular, square faces, as they can soften up the features a little bit.
For some guidance on getting the goatee look, have a read of this post from Braun.
9. Van Dyke beard
Popular among celebrities like Pierce Brosnan and David Beckham, this swashbuckling style is characterised by a moustache and a pointed goatee that don’t join up.
There are plenty of variations on the Van Dyke, but traditionally it involves shaving your cheeks completely. Some men also choose to twist their moustaches into points with styling wax, adding an extra devilish dimension.
The Vane Dyke beard – which is named after a 17th-century Flemish painter (not Dick Van Dyke) – is perfect for those with a round or oval face. You can visit the Kingsmen Premium website to find out how to grow, shape, and maintain yours.
10. Anchor beard
Similar to the Van Dyke style, an anchor beard combines a moustache with a goatee but doesn’t connect them. However, instead of a pointed goatee, it involves a more rounded chin beard that follows the shape of your jawline, typically extending out a little bit further than the moustache.
Together, the moustache, soul patch, and goatee form the vague outline of an old-fashioned anchor. Robert Downey Jr, as Tony Stark in the Iron Man films, is a great example of someone who rocks an anchor beard. Like the Van Dyke, it tends to work best with round or oval faces.
For some tips on how to grow and style an anchor beard, head on over to the Beard Beasts website.
11. Stubble beard
For a relaxed and rugged look, why not try a stubble beard? Also called the ‘three-day beard’, at its most basic, this style involves growing out your whole beard to around three day’s worth of fuzz.
However, while this approach can yield an effortlessly cool look, many gents choose to shape their stubble beard to give it a neater, more intentional appearance. This typically involves clean shaving your neck and upper cheeks to create some well-defined lines. These articles from Gillette and Phillips can help you with this.
Two of the main draws to the stubble beard are that it suits most face shapes and doesn’t take long to grow, so why not give it a whirl? This guide from Braun can help you get started.
12. Short boxed beard
The short boxed beard is another relatively low-key look that feels just as at home in the pub as it does in the office – if done right, that is. It’s part of the ‘full beard’ family of styles, meaning it incorporates the majority of your facial hair, including the moustache, goatee, and cheeks.
Though, that’s not to say that this style doesn’t need some refining. For best results, try using your trimmer and/or razor to create sharp lines along your cheeks and neck.
As for the length, a short boxed beard is a little longer than a stubble beard (around ¼-½ inch) and even all over. It usually suits people with round or oval face shapes because its boxy design emphasises the jawline, giving you a more square and chiselled appearance.
If you’re interested in a short boxed beard, check out this step-by-step guide from Wahl.
13. Balbo beard
Somewhere between the anchor and short boxed styles, this distinguished trim pairs a chin beard (that follows the line of your jaw) with a ‘floating moustache’. This means your tache is completely disconnected from the rest of your facial hair.
Just like with the anchor style, you’ll need to shave the sideburns and cheeks to achieve this look. You’ll know you’ve done it right when everything below the mouth looks like an inverted T.
This style is named after Italian fascist politician and Benito Mussolini’s Air Force Marshal, Italo Balbo, who famously wore it. Though recently, it’s been adopted by Hollywood A-listers like Christian Bale.
The Balbo is ideal for men with rounder features because it emphasises your cheeks and jaw, giving your face a more defined feel. Have a read of this article from Beard Beasts to find out how to embrace it.
14. Ducktail beard
If you want to add some roguish charm to your appearance, why not try the ducktail beard? Popular among Vikings and the devil himself, this style features trimmed cheeks but a longer lower beard, which comes to a point like a duck’s tail. It’s particularly flattering on shorter face shapes (like round, triangular, and diamond), as it can have an elongating effect.
The number one tip for getting a ducktail look is to be patient. You’ll need to grow your full beard out to at least 3-4 cm before attempting to style it. The in-between phase can be a little awkward, but the results are often worth the hassle.
Check out this blog post from The Beard Struggle to find out more.
15. Verdi beard
If you enjoy flying under the radar, this next style isn’t for you. But if you’re interested in making a big, bold statement, why not consider the Verdi beard?
A perfect balance of wild and chic, this look combines a luxurious, curly moustache with a bushy but sculpted beard. One of the main characteristics of the Verdi beard is the cropped sideburns and cheeks – but under the chin, the hair is left to grow out.
Named after an Italian opera composer, the traditional Verdi style also disconnects the moustache from the beard, but you can do whatever feels right for you. It’s ideal for those who get good growth on their upper lip and chin – and compliments round, triangular, diamond, and heart-shaped faces.
Take a look at this article from Beardoholic to find out more about the Verdi beard.
16. Garibaldi beard
This look (and the biscuit) is named after yet another Italian; the famous freedom fighter Giuseppe Garibaldi, who helped bring about the unification of Italy in the 19th century. Particularly complementary for oval and rectangular faces, it’s a ‘full beard’ style that’s somehow both tidy and unruly.
One of the main features of the Garibaldi style is its bushyness, so you’ll need pretty thick facial hair to pull it off. It’s also a sizeable commitment because you’ll need to grow a long, natural full beard (around 15cm) before shaping it into a rounded edge. As for the tache, it’s usually trimmed above the mouth but left a bit longer on the edges.
Check out this article from Beardoholic for some more examples of Garibaldi beards and advice on growing one.
Final thoughts…
If you’re looking to embrace some face fuzz, we hope this article has given you some inspiration.
Of course, we couldn’t include all beard and moustache styles on this list, and there are plenty of other great ones – from a charming chinstrap to outlandish mutton chops. Plus, with near-endless possibilities, you might find that your ideal beard doesn’t fit into a specific style. So, it’s worth experimenting to see what works best for you.
And finally, for some tips on how to look after your lip warmer or chin rug, take a look at our article; 6 beard care and grooming tips for men.
Are you thinking about experimenting with your facial hair? If so, what style are you leaning towards? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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