The Best Beard Styles for Bald Men 2024: A Guide to Choosing Your Ideal Look

Whether you’re just starting to notice hair loss or the “bald guy” has been your identity for years, you may be considering adding a beard into the mix. After all, facial hair on bald men is a stylish, timeless look. But rather than just let the facial hair flow freely, you’ll want to do some experimenting to find out what beard shape works for you.

Read on for our top picks on beards for bald guys.

So you’ve decided to embrace the bald-head-and-beard combination. It’s a great choice. The next step is to figure out what beard style is your personal preference, keeping things your style and face shape in mind.

And if you’re wondering if a beard and a bald head is a good look for you, you may be curious to hear what women think of bald men (spoiler alert: some of the women we talked to love facial hair. “Shaving your head and growing facial hair, if possible, is a nice trade-off if you are balding,” one 25-year-old said).

Below, you’ll find 20 beard styles for bald men.

There’s not one perfect beard for men, but this style is close. The classic, full beard typically starts at the cheekline (so you can show off those cheekbones) and continues toward the neckline. It covers the full chin and tends to have a defined mustache. This type of beard looks best when it’s groomed a bit to keep it from getting too long (don’t worry, we’ll cover the hipster and Viking beard soon).

Goatees sometimes get a bad rap, but they can look great when styled with intention. With this beard style, hair covers the chin but does not have a mustache. It can be an especially good option for men with square faces because it softens the jaw. Just remember that maintaining a goatee requires regular trimming.

One of the best parts about having a stubble beard is that most men can achieve the look simply by not shaving for a few days. Plus, research from 2013 found that women rated faces with “heavy stubble” as the most attractive. To maintain this look, use an electric shaver set to 1.5 mm to keep the beard from getting too long. You may also want to use a trimmer to keep your neck clean-shaven.

A circular or circle beard is a short beard that connects a mustache and a chin strap to form a circle. You can think of it as a goatee with a mustache. This versatile look doesn’t overwhelm the face. Some men prefer to keep some stubble on the cheeks, whereas others will go clean-shaven.

The Viking beard is a long beard that’s usually low maintenance. Generally, it combines shorter sideburns with a long beard that extends beyond the jawline. This bushy style can complement a bald head, but for most men, it will take some time and shaping to get it to a length that works for you.

This classic beard takes the above style and gives it a chop. A short Viking beard is still full, but it follows the natural jawline. The short, full style looks great with a shaved head.

Picture a lumberjack — he’s probably rocking what we consider a hipster beard. Long and full with a slight square space, a hipster beard tends to have a defined mustache before flowing far past the jaw-line. To achieve a hipster beard, you’ll want to shave it so it all grows out at the same rate. This style looks best when it’s well-groomed, so grab some beard oil (more beard care later).

This classic beard style is another play on a goatee and a mustache, except unlike a circle beard, the two don’t connect in a Van Dyke. In this style, all the facial hair on the cheeks and neck is clean-shaven.

A boxed beard is categorized by sharp, defined lines that give the face structure and can add angularity to a round face. This style requires regular maintenance to keep the edges looking sharp and clean. You can have a high or low-boxed beard, which dictates how high up the cheeks the beard goes.

The balbo beard is a unique style that has a floating mustache with a soul patch and a neatly groomed lower beard that extends to each end of the jaw.

A scruffy beard can be an excellent complement to a bald head. The best part? It’s low maintenance and can be worn long or short, but it tends to be longer than stubble and has a rugged look.

Show off your jawline with a chin-strap beard. This style is narrow, with a clearly defined edge following the natural jaw. It can give the appearance of a sharper jawline.

You’re probably familiar with the handlebar mustache, which curves upwards dramatically at the ends. If you want to rock this style, a little pomade can help you hold your stache in place.

A full mustache with a clean-shaven face is a classic combo. It sits above the top lip and can be long or short. It is a good way to show off some facial hair without hiding your features.

This beard style connects a soul patch shaped into a triangle with a goatee (the result looks a bit like an anchor). Use an electric trimmer to be precise as you shape this type of beard.

A faded beard is fullest in the center and tapers off toward the sides of the face (sort of like a fade haircut). This style of beard transitions gradually from short to long, blending from the sideburns down to the jawline or neck.

While not a beard shape per se, a gray or salt-and-pepper beard can make an impact, especially when paired with a bald head. Whether worn full or as stubble, this facial hair looks sophisticated and timeless.

An extended goatee is a fuller goatee that extends along the jawline without sideburns. It balances out the face and provides structure while still looking bold and full.

A duckbill beard combines the thick fullness of a classically full beard with a bit more polish. It’s groomed into a tapered triangle point at the center of the chin and works well for professional or formal events.

Look, mutton chops can work. This style, which frames the sides of the face but leaves the chin bare, looks especially good on men with sharp jaws and defined chins.

First things first, you can rock any beard you like regardless of your face shape, but if you’re not sure what will look best, knowing your face shape can help you decide what style will highlight your facial features. You don’t have to be super precise, but generally, you’ll have one of six common face shapes:

1. Round: Your hairline and jawline are rounded

2. Oval: Your face is longer than it is wide, and your cheekbones are slightly wider than your forehead.

3. Square: Your forehead, jawline, and cheekbones are about the same width

4. Rectangular: Your face is longer than it is wide, and your forehead, cheeks, and jaw are evenly spaced and about the same width.

5. Heart-Shaped: Your forehead is wider than the jaw, but the cheeks are the widest points. You also may have a widow’s peak hairline and a chin that comes to a defined point.

6. Triangle: You have a more narrow jaw and prominent cheekbones.

You can’t go wrong with a bald head and beard, but you’ll need some tools to get your beard looking its best. Many of these products can be used on a shaved head as well as a beard, so consider them economical.

Here’s what you may need:

• A sharp, clean razor

• An electric shaver

• Scissors for trims

• A beard comb

• Beard oil

• Beard conditioner

Channel your inner Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, or Dwayne Johnson with stylish beard styles for bald men. Here’s what to remember:

• Whether you prefer a classic full beard or something more trendy or memorable, like a faded beard or a handlebar mustache, adding facial hair can enhance your features and add a masculine touch when paired with a bald head.

• Consider your face shape and personal style to choose a beard that balances and complements your natural features.

• Regular trims, a quality beard comb, and some beard oil will help keep your beard looking polished and intentional.

To learn more about beard health and beard care, check out our guides to minoxidil and beard growth and beard dandruff.