Whether you've got a beard like Jason Momoa or sparse facial hair like Keanu Reeves, styling either can take a bit of a learning curve. But it doesn't have to be complicated.

To keep it simple, think of it like assembly-line restaurants that enable you to customize your meal - one step at a time. First, you'll want to hone in on your style, narrowing it down according to your face shape and hair density. Then, top it off with finishing styling touches.

Want to learn how to rock the beard trend like you mean it? Stick around and we'll help answer questions like: Which beard style matches my face shape? How do I tame that Chia pet living on my face? Or will I ever master the art of styling patchy facial hair?

Step 1: Pick Your Facial Hair Style

There are a few factors to consider before landing on a style, such as trending beard and mustache styles, your face shape, and facial hair thickness.

• The trend: Haircuts, tapers, and sideburn fades with facial hair for well-connected styles are what guys in the know are wearing today. Choose from the following to embrace today's facial hair trends:
  • Short Boxed Beard: Structured, close-cropped, and professional style with clean cheek lines and a little extra length at the chin.
  • Tapered/Fade Beard: Smoothly transitions from the sideburn into the jawline.
  • Textured Stubble: Tidy 1/8 - 1/4 inch (3mm - 5mm) length with low cheek lines.
  • Modern Extended Goatee: A longer chin profile paired cleanly with disconnected or shaped mustaches.
• Face shape: What beard style best fits my face shape? Here, it's all about balancing your facial proportions.
  • Oval faces are naturally proportioned and can support nearly any beard style.
  • Square faces with their strong angles benefit from soft, rounded edges or goatee styles.
  • Round faces look best with angular cuts, shorter sides, and fade beards with added length at the chin to elongate the profile.
  • Oblong faces look balanced by keeping the sides fuller and avoiding too much length at the chin.
• Facial hair thickness: When trying to land on a style, you'll want to take the density of your facial hair into consideration.
  • Patchy beard styles: Barbers usually recommend leaning into short, heavy stubble, a goatee, or an anchor beard to reduce contrast. An alternative is growing the surrounding hairs long enough to comb over thin spots.
  • Thick beard styles: To wrangle your dense volume (that most guys would kill for!) without completely hiding your face shape, classic full beards, close-cropped, short boxed, corporate, and bold ducktail beards make great options.

Step 2: Trimming & Cutting

When and how you trim your beard and mustache is what separates the professionals from the amateurs.

• Trimming a patchy beard: Comb your beard into place so the hairs lie naturally. Then, using a longer guard (like a #3), trim with the grain on sparse areas, and using a shorter guard (like a #2), trim against the grain on denser areas. This will help create a more even and balanced look.
• Trimming a thick beard: Guys with thick facial hair should trim the sides to reduce volume, clipping stray hairs that stick out past the main shape and keeping more length at the chin to elongate the face. Then, trim the cheek lines and neck cleanly to avoid a wild, unkempt look.
• Define the neckline: Where should I trim my neckline and cheek lines? One of the most common grooming mistakes is setting the neckline too high, which creates the appearance of a double chin. The standard rule is to place two fingers above your Adam's apple and create a clean "U" shape connecting behind each ear to clear away stray neck hairs.
• Set a cadence: How often should I trim my beard while trying to grow it out? Routine micro-trims every 3-4 weeks will keep your baseline neat and ensure the hair grows uniformly.
• Blend it up: How do I blend my beard into my sideburns and haircut? A harsh line between the haircut and facial hair looks unnatural. Using progressive trimmer guards (e.g., #1 to #3) will help create a seamless transition from your temple down toward your jawline.
• Keep out: How do I style and maintain my mustache without it getting in my mouth? Mustaches require regular tapering along the upper lip line or training the hairs sideways using a fine-tooth comb, blow-dryer, and firm-hold mustache wax.

Step 3: Style It

After you've washed and detangled your beard with a wide-toothed comb, your beard is ready to be styled.

Patchy Beard Styling: How do I fix or style a patchy beard? The best beard looks start with a full beard. But, if you've got a patchy beard, it's what you do before styling that counts.

To help your beard reach its fullest potential, use a beard density gel like DEKOBEARD. Our innovative formula goes to work on the hair follicles, helping revitalize, thicken, and add fullness to beard and mustache hair. This hormone-free solution is proven safe and effective for all skin and beard types.

Using a boar-bristled beard brush for patchy beard hair can help you train hairs to lie flat, cover bare spots, and hide gaps. The light massage effect can also help stimulate blood flow and revitalize hair follicles, supporting a thicker-looking beard.

Thick Beard Styling: For thick beards, the focus is on reducing volume and locking in shape.

While hair is slightly damp, pull out a blow-dryer and dry your beard, directing growth downward with a boar-bristled or round brush. Be sure to use low heat to protect your skin and hair from damage. Incorporating a beard oil or beard balm can help smooth your beard and control flyaways.

How do I tame unruly, coarse, or curly beard hairs? A heated beard-straightening brush along with a heavy beard balm or butter can help keep curly or wiry hairs from sticking out.

Pros know that technique and the right tools matter. And, armed with DEKOBEARD, you can fully embrace your inner barber. You've always had game. Now you can rock the beard to prove it.