10 beard styles and their names

Did you know the beard you’re sporting right now has a name? It’s true! Whether you’ve got a chin curtain, a goatee or a French fork, your magnificent mane fits a label in one way or another. There are dozens and dozens of different beard styles, but here are 10 of our favorites:

Imperial -

The Imperial beard starts with a mustache and is very side-heavy. Mutton chops are a form of imperial beard. Generally speaking, an imperial style beard is going to have a clean shaven chin, with the mustache flowing into growth on the cheeks in some form or another. This is a bold look to pull off, Kingsmen, and if you give it a go, you’re likely to turn some heads! Flickr

 

Goatee -

A goatee is a beard limited to the chin area only. Clean-shaven cheeks are the key to this look. You can wear it with a mustache as well, but did you know that when you do, it’s called a Van Dyke? Goatee line drawing

Van Dyke -

A Van Dyke is just a goatee with a mustache. While the beard portion alone is still a goatee, it is the combination of a chin-only beard and mustache that is technically a Van Dyke beard. Amazingly, this beard is not named after the famous comedian Dick Van Dyke, but rather a Flemish painter named Anthony Van Dyke, who died in 1641. Anthony van Dyck

Soul Patch -

How do you grow the smallest amount of facial hair that still technically qualifies as a beard? Grow a soul patch! Born out of the smoky jazz clubs of the beatnik era, the soul patch first began to gain popularity when jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie began sporting it. It’s just a tiny tuft of hair under the bottom lip. If you’re into short beard styles, this is about as short as they come! Howie mandel soul patch

Chin Curtain -

The chin curtain beard is a little bit fuller than the chin strap. Both are beard growth along the jawline, but the chin strap is much thinner than the chin curtain. The most recognizable chin curtain beard in history is probably that of Abraham Lincoln. I mean, just look at it: Abraham lincoln

French Fork -

This is a standout look that is bound to get the beardsman some attention. This beard is identified by its distinctive split down the middle. It’s a full beard, divided into two parts at the bottom. Think of a snake’s forked tongue, but with facial hair. Check it out: flickr photo

Ducktail -

Named quite literally, the ducktail beard is a full mane shaped to look like the tail of your favorite waterfowl that quacks. When we say it that way, it sounds ridiculous, but the end look is actually pretty flattering for most face shapes. Flicker king design

Garibaldi -

It’s a furry outdoorsman type of look. A little unkempt but in an almost purposeful way, kind of like when bedhead was all the rage for hair. A Garibaldi beard is full and round and bushy, the mustache is long and there’s just a whole lot of hair on your face. While the beard is kept long, it’s not usually longer than 20 cm or so. Named for one of Italy’s forefathers, General Giuseppe Garibaldi, this beard has been around for a very long time. Alinari Giuseppe Garibaldi

Viking -

Just like the Garibaldi, this is a full-bearded look, allowed to run a little wild, but unlike the Garibaldi, the Viking can grow much longer. In fact, the Viking beardsman tends to let it just grow and grow and grow. You’re going to go through a lot of beard oil sporting this look!

The Tony Stark Beard/Iron Man Beard -

I probably don’t have to describe this look to you. I bet you already have an image in your mind. The anchor-shaped beard and mustache combo is iconic on our favorite Avenger. Of all the different beard styles, the Tony Stark beard style suits its namesake the best. Just look at him rock that beard: Iron Man Beard

We want to know: what style is your beard? Let us know in the comments and be sure to sign up for our newsletter to learn more about beards and their care!

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