Faded Beard
Short beard graded from the sideburn down into the jaw.
What it is
The beard is faded from near-skin at the cheekbone to full length along the jaw, so the weight sits exactly where definition is wanted and nowhere else. The cleanest way to add jaw structure without widening the cheeks.
Who it suits
- Round
Face length and width are close, with a soft jaw angle and full cheeks. Styles that add height on top and keep the sides tight will make the face read longer and more angular.
- Oval
Slightly longer than wide, with the cheekbones as the widest point and a gently rounded jaw. The most forgiving shape — most cuts work, so the decision comes down to hair texture and how much effort you want to spend.
- Heart
A wide forehead narrowing to a smaller chin. Fringe and side weight balance the top, while beard length adds the width the lower face lacks.
- Diamond
Cheekbones dominate, with a narrower forehead and a narrow chin. Width at the brow and along the jaw evens the outline out.
- Triangle
A jaw wider than the forehead. Volume and width on top restore the balance; anything that adds bulk at the jaw works against it.
When to think twice
- patchy growth
- wants low maintenance
Show this to your barber
Fade the sideburn into the beard, #0.5 at the top grading to 8 mm at the jaw. Cheek line cleaned high. Neckline defined, corners squared.
Related styles
- Short Boxed Beard
Full but close-cropped, with defined cheek and neck lines.
- Heavy Stubble
Three to five millimetres, everywhere, all the time.
- Extended Goatee
Chin and moustache connected, cheeks clean.
- Full Beard
Grown out, shaped, not sculpted.