Without a doubt, a beard can drastically change how you look. Different beard styles and trimming methods can alter the shape of your face and its features. In this regard, one valid question that frequently arises is, “Does a beard make your face look fatter?”
There are several ways a beard can alter someone’s appearance, one of which is making a face appear fatter. Neglecting beard grooming can give a face enough width and length, making it appear larger and rounder. The wrong beard style can also give the appearance of a fatter face.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the reasons a beard can make your face look fatter. We’ll also provide you with some beard styles for different face shapes to try out, so hang tight!
Does a Beard Make Your Face Look Fatter?
Let’s be clear: if you leave your beard to its own devices, it’ll run wild and become too heavy around your face, making your face appear larger.
When you don’t trim and groom your beard, it naturally starts to hide the lines of your face: the jawline and cheeks. Rather than having defined lines, the sideburns will blend in the beard and make your face look rounder.
So, if you already have a round face, an unkempt beard is going to make your face appear even rounder.
On the other hand, you can trim and groom your beard, but the wrong beard style can add unnecessary roundness to your face, which will make it look fatter.
That said, you shouldn’t shave your beard right away and wait a little before giving up if you suspect that your beard makes your face look fatter.
Clip Your Beard to Make Your Face Look Slimmer
The facial hair on your cheek defines what your beard looks like. To ensure that your beard doesn’t make your face rounder, you should trim and reduce the bulkiness of the hair on your cheeks and sideburns, while concentrating the hair in the chin area.
What’s more, shaving your neck can give your jaw more definition. It won’t necessarily make your face look thinner, but it’ll make it look sharp and well-kept—and it won’t, in any way, make your face look fat.
Just make sure not to trim your beard, especially the cheek area, too early, or your beard may develop thin patches or uneven growth.
What Are the Best Beard Styles for Your Face Shape?
One of the most useful ways to determine the best beard style for your face is to identify your face shape.
Face Shape Test
You’ll need to measure four points across your face to determine its shape, so grab a measuring tape, a pencil, a piece of paper, and stand in front of the mirror.
First, to measure your face length, start at the top of your head, right at the center of your hairline, and stretch the tape all the way to the base of your chin. Then, measure your forehead by running the tape measure from one brow to the other.
Next, place the tape on the outer corners of your eyes, across the nose bridge, to measure the distance between your cheekbones.
Lastly, you’ll measure your jawline. Start at the sharpest upward angle and stretch the tape to the base of your chin. Then, multiply the number by two.
Round Face Shape
If you have a round face shape, your face length and cheekbones measure roughly the same. You’ll also have a soft-angled jawline and full cheeks.
The first piece of advice for round-faced men on growing a beard is to keep facial hair to a minimum. Thick, large beards can accentuate the roundness of your features, making your face look puffy.
You should go for beard styles that have defined angles: short on the sides and fuller on the chin, such as the goatee. Any beard style will work as long as the hair is more concentrated around the chin than on the cheeks. They’ll make your face look less round.
Oval Face Shape
You have an oval face if your jaw is rounded and your face length is greater than your cheekbone width.
You can get away with most beard styles without risking having a fat-looking face. Your cheekbones are narrow, and your face is long enough that you need a lot of facial hair on all sides to make your face look round.
Since you’re free to experiment, you can grow the classic full beard or choose something a little low-maintenance, such as a stubble-goatee combination.
Keep in mind that if you neglect your beard too much, it can start to thin out and appear thin in the light.
Triangular Face Shape
If you have a wide angular jaw, slightly prominent cheekbones, and a narrow forehead, you have a triangular face shape.
Because you already have a prominent jawline and chin, you don’t want to draw more attention to them.
You should go for a short beard style that won’t throw off the balance of your facial structure.
Square Face Shape
If your face measurements are similar and you have a sharp, relatively wide jawline, you have a square face.
Such a broad jawline requires some meticulous attention to prevent making it even broader. To begin with, whatever beard style you choose, it has to be rounded or triangular rather than squared or sharp-angled.
You should also go for close-cropped beard styles, like a stubble or a goatee, which can soften the sharp jawline.
Rectangle Face Shape
You have a rectangle face if the measurements of your face are greater than the length of your cheekbones and jawline.
Rectangle face shapes, like square face shapes, have prominent jawlines. That’s why a stubble or a short beard style is better suited to your face.
Heart Face Shape
If you have a wide forehead and a pointy chin, you have a heart face.
A full beard can soften the eyes, nose, and cheeks on heart-shaped faces, so you should stick to stubbles and sideburns to avoid making the face too soft and symmetrical.
Diamond Face Shape
If your measurements decrease as you move down your face with a sharp chin, you have a diamond face.
Whether you choose a short or long beard, it should have angled edges and be squared to soften the chin area.
Keep in mind that you can experiment with other beard styles. You can have a stubble or a full-length beard. What matters is that you choose the style that accentuates your best features.
Our recommendations are ultimately points of reference meant to direct you in the right direction. There are also numerous online resources for beard style inspiration and beard-related information.
In Conclusion
Does a beard make your face look fatter? If you don’t groom it on a regular basis, it most certainly can. Beards can also make your face appear thinner. It can make you appear professional, but it can also make you appear unprofessional.
That’s the thing with beards: one size doesn’t fit all. You have to trim and shape your beard to complement your face shape. You can experiment with different styles and get a second opinion from someone you trust.
Beard insecurities don’t end here, though. Ever wondered if your beard makes you look younger or older? Read more here to find out the answer.
