The best thing about beards, foamy-moustache funtimes aside, is their impermanence. Maybe you’ll grow one and forever shall it remain. Perhaps you’ll sample stubble and then go running for the razor. Either way, it’s a switch-up to your style that’s intrinsically transient. No two days of bearding are ever the same. It’s perpetually changing. And if you don’t like it today, yours is the power to remove it.

So for those feeling in need of an image change, facial hair is a sound investment. It’s cheaper than overhauling your wardrobe, for starters. Plus, safer than cutting your own hair and infinitely less risky than trying something ‘new’ on your head. Patchy stubble is simple to hide. A failed rockabilly pompadour, less so.

Before you start your bearded journey, however, learning to lay down the ideal beard length is essential. Scrap the beard length chart, all you need is some knowledge about your face shape and this handy guide. So to that end, whether you grow robust wire like a human Brillo pad or struggle to sprout a mere few strands, this is your essential beard length guide for the ages.

STUBBLE BEARD

A stubble beard, also known as the five o’clock shadow, used to be seen as slovenly and was a sign that you don’t take care of your personal hygiene. Luckily, times have evolved and now the stubble beard is on trend as a way to make yourself appear more manly without having a full face of hair. A stubble beard length is anywhere between 0.5mm to 4mm, with 2.5mm being the ideal length for this beard type.

Who should rock a stubble beard?

If you do the 9-5 in an environment where this is possible, stubble is a good option if you have a larger, rounder face. It’s an easy way to give your baby face a more masuline edge, even if you aren’t gifted in the hair growth department. By sharpening up certain lines around your cheeks, you can give more angles to your face – think of it as make-up for men. But, y’ know, not.

How long does it take to grow a stubble beard?

How long stubble takes to show depends on the individual’s personal growth pattern, but generally two-to-seven days for proper coverage all over.

How hard is a stubble beard to maintain?

Stubble beard maintenance is pretty easy, but it does depend on how fast your hair naturally grows. If your hair grows fast and furious, it’ll require more frequent trimming to prevent it from becoming a Gandalf beard. A stubble beard is a lack of shaving more than anything else, though there are ways to keep stubble looking fresh as a way of accentuating certain features.

How do I groom a stubble beard?

Use a trimmer on anything from 1-3mm (make sure you check which guard does this as it can differ brand to brand) and trim your beard twice a week, rather than daily, so you don’t damage your skin. A good stubble beard length to shoot for is 2.5mm. Always use a light exfoliator before, or a face wash depending on your skin type, and moisturise afterwards so that your skin can handle the abrasions of an electric razor.

SHORT BEARD

A short beard, one of the versatile beard lengths, is a rugged step up from a stubble beard. This beard length works best for those with a good, even facial hair growth. If you have patchy facial hair, this will just further highlight the gaps. Stay patient at the early stages if not; it might look better after committing to some growth, then trimming evenly. Even if your hair growth is patchy, you can grow out certain sections of your short beard to hide the patchy parts.

Short beards are favored among office workers and modern men everywhere because they’re fairly easy to maintain and grow out. They allow you to maintain a professional air, while still rocking your natural manliness.

Who should rock a short beard?

Almost every face shape looks sharp in a short beard length, and they’re generally considered a professional form of facial hair. Depending on how you style your short beard, you can elongate and accentuate different parts of your face. You can work with your barber to establish exactly how long and wide your beard should be to best accent your natural features.

How long does it take to grow a short beard?

Given that facial hair grows at a rate of around half an inch per month, growing a short beard usually takes around 10 to 30 days, depending on the exact length you’re going for and your personal hair growth rate.

How hard is a short beard to maintain?

A short beard requires some level of maintenance to keep it looking fresh. Unlike with a longer, bushier beard, stray hairs are more obvious on a short beard, so it’s vital to trim regularly to maintain a groomed look. A level of wilderness dude is expected with a bearded look, but you can make it more office-friendly with some additional TLC (see: tailored beard).

How do I groom a short beard?

Use a short beard trimmer set at 3-5mm. If you have thicker growth in some areas (the moustache, usually) go a grade shorter on that area so it looks even. Also, remember to get rid of any hairs hanging over your top lip by using the trimmers guardless. As with short stubble, you need to take care of your face here, so use an exfoliator and a moisturiser to keep it in good condition. Brushing out your beard and applying beard oil will be essential as well.