With so many facial styles, there is a lot of debate surrounding the topic of beard thickness. Some men swear by the 3mm beard, while others passionately go for a 5mm beard.
In recent years, the trend of meticulously groomed beards has surged, with celebrities and influencers showcasing a range of styles.
The choice between a 3mm and 5mm beard often boils down to personal lifestyle and grooming preferences, reflecting one’s individuality and fashion sense.
If this sounds familiar, this article is for you!
3mm beard, also known as medium stubble, needs about 5 days to grow if you are clean-shaven. Your facial hair grows to about 3mm in length and is even all around the face. The 5mm beard has a length of 4-5mm and is very close to heavy stubble. It needs about 10 days to grow from scratch. The hair is also a bit more unruly, but not by much.
In this blog post, I will discuss the 3mm beard vs 5mm beard. This article will also discuss which one is the most attractive and help you choose the best for you!
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
What is a 3mm Beard?
The 3mm beard, once a hallmark of the understated groom, has recently seen a resurgence as professionals seek a balance between casual and formal aesthetics.
Contemporary grooming technology offers more precise tools, allowing for sharper and more defined 3mm styles that suit a variety of face shapes and skin types
The 3mm beard is a short beard style that makes you look professional and well-groomed.
This type of beard is often worn by men who have patchy beards or are growing their facial hair out for the first time.
It is suitable for men with all face shapes and is the most popular type of beard.
What is a 5mm Beard?
A 5mm beard is slightly longer than a medium stubble. A 5mm beard is very similar to heavy stubble. This beard style is simply a short beard that doesn’t require as much time with your shaving tools.
You only need a beard trimmer to keep your facial hair at this length with the #5 guard (Some Brands number their trimmer guards according to mm and others to inches. So be careful)
Read Also: Beard Trimmer Guard Numbers On Different Brands On How To Choose
It enables you to maintain your beard between grooming sessions without letting it grow for several months. This type of beard is often worn by men who have a full beard but want to keep it short. It is also suitable for all face shapes.
How Long to Grow a 3mm and How Long a 5mm Beard?
The main difference between these two types of beards is the growth time and their length. The 3mm beard can be achieved in as little as 7 days, whereas the longer stubble will take around 10-14 days depending on your facial hair growth rate.
On average, facial hair grows about 0.3 to 0.5mm in 1 day.
To achieve this look, you need to ensure that your shaving tool is set to the right length.
You can use a beard trimmer if you want a neater look. A beard trimmer will help you achieve an even length over your face. It is important to trim your beard regularly to maintain the desired length.
3mm vs 5mm Beard: Which One is the Most Attractive?
Facial hair correlates to attractiveness in different ways for men and women. In general, men find beards more attractive than women do. A study conducted in 2013 found that men with beards are perceived as more attractive, masculine, and dominant than those without facial hair.
The same study also found that a 5 mm beard was the most preferred type of facial hair. It was rated as the most attractive by both men and women.
So, if you are looking for a beard attractive to both sexes, you should go for the heavier stubble look.
How To Trim the 3mm Beard
Before you trim, allow your beard to grow to 5mm and then follow these steps:
Step One: Trim Down in Increments
The first step is to trim your beard down in increments. This means you should not go from a full beard to a clean-shaven look all in one go.
Instead, start with a longer setting on your trimmer and then work your way down incrementally. A specialized stubble trimmer would do the work. Don’t forget to select a 4mm size setting as the starting length.
Step Two: Define Your Neckline
The next step is to define your neckline. This line separates your beard from the rest of your neck hair. To do this, tilt your head back and use a trimmer to create a line from behind your jaw up to behind your ear.
Step Three: Trim Your Cheeks
The next step is to trim your cheeks. Start by shaving along the natural line of your cheekbone until you reach your sideburns. Then, use a trimmer to create a line from the bottom of your sideburns down to the corner of your mouth.
Step Four: Trim Your Moustache
The final step is to trim your moustache. First, use a trimmer to create a line from the centre of your upper lip down to the corners of your mouth. Then, use scissors to trim any stray hairs along this line. Finally, use a razor to remove any hair underneath your nose.
How To Trim the 5mm Beard
I recommend letting your facial hair grow out for around two weeks before trimming a heavy stubble beard so that even the slow-growing hairs may catch up and you can be confident there is enough length to clip the required 4-5mm.
Once you have grown your beard, here is a step-by-step guide on how to trim a heavy stubble beard:
Step One: Invest in the Right Tools
The first step is to invest in the right tools. This includes a good quality trimmer and scissors. A specialized stubble trimmer would do the work with ease. Set the length to 5mm.
Step Two: Trim Your Neckline and Cheeks
This step is similar to when doing the 3mm beard. It’s up to you to decide where to draw these lines, but as a general guideline, maintain the cheek line straight, sharp, and as high as possible without making it look patchy and the neckline 2 fingers width above Adam’s apple.
An easier way to do this is to find your Adam’s apple and work your way up to the ear lobe. Then, from the ear lobe down to the chin.
Final Thoughts
As grooming practices evolve, so does the appreciation for diverse beard lengths. Whether you choose a 3mm or a 5mm beard, consider the latest in skin care and beard grooming products to maintain a healthy and stylish look. Your beard is not just a statement; it’s a reflection of your personal journey in style and self-care.
The main difference between a 3mm beard and a 5mm beard is the length of the facial hair. A 5mm beard will be much thicker and have more volume than a 3 mm beard.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing the right beard length. It all depends on your preferences and the look you are looking for.
If you ask me, I would prefer the 5mm beard but if you have a patchy beard definitely choose the shorter stubble so that your patches are not very visible.
I hope this blog post helped you to decide which beard length is right for you.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to write them in the comment section below.
Until next time,
Stay safe,
Tasos
Tasos Moulios is the founder of Beardlong. He loves trying different beard and hair styles and blogs about them. The tips he shares come from his own experience and love for what he does.