Beard Styles for Every Face Shape

Master the Art of the Right Beard with Salt City Barbershop’s Expert Advice

Not every beard suits every face, and that’s where real grooming expertise comes in. At Salt City Barbershop, we’ve shaped thousands of beards to match not just personal style, but the natural contours of a client’s face. Why? Because when the right beard meets the right face shape, it doesn’t just look good. It enhances your features, defines your jawline, and brings out your best.

This guide breaks down how to match popular beard styles, goatee, full beard, stubble, and faded styles, with your face shape. Whether you’re just starting your beard journey or want to refresh your look, this is where good grooming begins.

1. First: Know Your Face Shape

Before you choose a style, look in the mirror and pull your hair back. Now, trace the shape of your face:

• Oval: Balanced proportions, with slightly narrower jaw than forehead.

• Square: Strong jawline, broad forehead, minimal curve in chin.

• Round: Equal width and length, with soft jawline.

• Rectangle / Oblong: Longer than wide, with strong angles.

• Heart: Wider forehead, narrow jaw, and chin.

• Diamond: Narrow forehead and jaw, wider cheekbones.

At Salt City, we help clients identify their face shape before any trimming begins. It’s one of the most important steps in grooming that most guys skip.

2. Oval Face: The Most Versatile Canvas

If you’ve got an oval face, congratulations, this is the most balanced shape and can pull off nearly any beard style.

Best beard styles:

• Full beard: Keep it neat and trimmed at the cheeks and neckline.

• Goatee or circle beard: Accentuates your chin without distorting balance.

• Faded beard: Blends perfectly with tapered haircuts.

Salt City tip: We use precision shaping tools and straight razors to clean up cheek lines and edges, ensuring a sharp, intentional finish.

3. Square Face: Soften the Edges, Keep the Strength

A square face has a wide jaw and bold angles. The goal here is to elongate the face slightly and soften harsh edges.

Best beard styles:

• Circle beard: Balances jaw definition without overpowering.

• Low-fade beard: Tapers into your hairstyle while keeping sides trimmed.

• Short boxed beard: Controlled growth with sculpted cheek lines.

Avoid: Overly bushy sides, they’ll exaggerate the width of your face.

Salt City tip: Our barbers sculpt cheek lines to avoid bulk and help the beard draw the eyes downward for length.

4. Round Face: Add Definition and Length

For round faces, structure is key. You want to elongate the face and sharpen the jawline.

Best beard styles:

• Goatee or anchor beard: Draws attention to the chin.

• Beardstache: Combines a strong mustache with trimmed cheeks.

• Extended goatee: Builds length without side volume.

Avoid: Full beards with wide cheek growth; they’ll make the face look rounder.

Salt City tip: We recommend pairing beard shaping with a mid-to-high skin fade for added definition around the sides.

5. Rectangle / Oblong Face: Avoid Extra Length

With a longer face shape, your beard should add volume to the sides, not the bottom.

Best beard styles:

• Full beard with short chin: Keeps things balanced horizontally.

• Chin strap or sideburns fade: Add width and soften long lines.

• Stubble: Clean, low-maintenance, and doesn’t elongate the face.

Avoid: Long goatees or pointy beards; they accentuate vertical length.

Salt City tip: We’ll focus your trim on maintaining even side growth while keeping chin hair short and tight.

6. Heart-Shaped Face: Keep the Chin Balanced

Heart-shaped faces feature a narrower jaw and a prominent forehead. The key is to add bulk around the jaw without overwhelming the chin.

Best beard styles:

• Rounded full beard: Adds fullness along the jaw.

• Short beard fade: Balanced without being too bold.

• Heavy stubble: Keeps things clean and stylish.
  

Avoid: Sharp, long goatees; they’ll exaggerate a pointy chin.

Salt City tip: We carefully blend sideburns and neckline transitions so that the beard anchors your jaw rather than thinning it.

7. Diamond Face: Soften the Angles

Diamond faces have wide cheekbones with a narrower forehead and jaw. The idea is to build fullness where it counts, along the chin and jawline.

Best beard styles:

• Chin curtain or boxed beard: Brings symmetry to strong cheekbones.

• Low fade with beard blend: Matches angles in a sleek way.

• Full beard with wide cheek line: Adds balance to a narrower forehead.

Salt City tip: We recommend STMNT or BROSH beard balm for control and shape retention without weighing the beard down.

Why It Pays to Let the Pros Handle It

A well-shaped beard isn’t just about trimming; it’s about understanding structure, angles, and growth patterns. At Salt City Barbershop, we specialize in custom beard shaping. Whether you’re growing it out or maintaining a short boxed beard, our barbers combine precision tools, top-shelf products, and personalized recommendations to keep your look fresh and flattering.

We work with high-quality beard oils, balms, and tools from brands like BROSH, STMNT, and Paul Mitchell, depending on your hair type and grooming goals. From sculpting the neckline to fading the sides into your haircut, everything we do is tailored to your face—and your lifestyle.

Book Your Beard Shaping Session

Walk-ins are always welcome, but if you want a full grooming experience tailored to your face shape, we recommend booking ahead.

Schedule your appointment today at Salt City Barbershop in Midvale, and let our barbers help you find your perfect beard.