Goatee beard styles have not only stood the test of time but have also evolved to accommodate modern tastes and trends.
These versatile and sophisticated styles have been embraced by countless men around the globe, offering a unique blend of tradition and contemporary flair. Whether you’re a fan of the classic goatee or exploring its myriad variations, there’s something undeniably appealing about this iconic facial hair style.
If you’re considering sporting a goatee or are looking to refine your current style, this guide is packed with inspiration and tips to help you achieve the perfect look.
From understanding the basics to exploring diverse goatee variations, we’ve got you covered.
What Is A Goatee Beard?
A goatee is a short and often pointed beard that grows primarily on a man’s chin. Its name is derived from its resemblance to the tuft of hair found on a goat’s chin.
This style focuses on the chin area, one of the five regions where facial hair typically grows, alongside the neck, mutton chops (cheeks), soul patch, and the area just above the upper lip.
Often, the goatee is combined with a mustache and soul patch to form a circle beard, a style frequently confused with the Van Dyke.
The Difference Between A Goatee And A Van Dyke
The goatee and Van Dyke are frequently mixed up, but they are distinct styles. A traditional goatee does not include a mustache, whereas a circle beard (a variation of the goatee) does.
The Van Dyke, named after the 17th-century painter Anthony Van Dyck, features a mustache that does not connect to the goatee, forming a T-shape rather than a circle.
The Van Dyke, on the other hand, includes the mustache, but the mustache does not connect to the goatee from the side of the mouth.
In addition, the Van Dyke had a somewhat T shape as opposed to the circle beard.
Finally, many men who choose the Van Dyke beard style curl their moustaches a bit making them look more like handlebars. This is optional but it is a nice addition to look more unique!
We have also created a full article on the differences between a goatee and a Van Dyke goatee that you can check out here.
Who Is This Beard Style For?
The goatee style is best for men who have the facial shape best suited for it. Depending on the shape of your face, a goatee beard may elongate, soften your facial angles or add some masculinity to it.
Anyone can sport the goatee style, but you have to determine the size and shape of the goatee that you want.
Generally, the goatee looks best on a square face as it tones your jawlines and facial angles. Combining the goatee with a mustache forms a circle beard that looks great on bald and full hair heads. Simply put, the goatee looks great on men of all ages, provided it is well styled.
Some men prefer starting with a larger patch of hair and then trimming it to a more presentable style. Men with lighter hair growth on the rest of their face may want to allow the patterns of their natural growth to outline the contours of the goatee.
You are free to experiment with various lengths to determine the best one for your face.
The goatee style is a matter of personal preference; however, you should trim and shape your beard in a way that will give you a stylish look. In addition, you should also consider such style appropriate for your workplace. If you work in an official environment, you might want to keep your goatee in good shape.
Most workplaces require that you keep your beards neatly trimmed.
Finally, goatees are best for many with patchy beards. If you can’t grow a full beard and you have many patchy areas, a goatee style can be life-changing for you!
Best Goatee Beard Styles Ideas
Goatees come in different styles and indeed sizes. While there are many beard styles around, the goatee remains common, and here are some of the most popular styles. Perhaps this will help you decide on the goatee style that best fits your appearance.
Chin Puff
The chin puff is a style that most closely resembles the standard goatee because it also does not include a mustache. The chin puff can be as broad as the mouth, forming a more rounded shape or trimmed narrower into more of a diamond shape or teardrop.
The chin puff is grown longer from the soul patch and chin. Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian sports the chin puff.
Definitely not my thing but still some men love it!
Circle Beard Goatee
While the chin puff resembles a standard goatee, the circle beard is the most common style. This style forms a circular shape around the mouth by connecting the goatee to the mustache. The circle beard can be worn either short or long. The long beard is known as a long goatee.
The following celebrities are known for wearing the circle beards: Jim Rome, Brad Paisley, Brad Pitt, Manny Pacquiao, Common, Frederick Douglas, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Idris Elba, Kanye West, Guy Fieri, Leonardo DiCaprio, and many others.
Disconnected Goatee
The disconnected goatee is another standard goatee style. However, unlike the circle beards, the goatee does not connect with the mustache.
The disconnected goatee is a style pretty easy to grow, especially among younger men. You can wear the goatee portion of hair either wide or in a smaller size. Michael B. Jordan and John Paul White commonly wear the disconnected goatee.
Van Dyke Goatee
This style is named after Anthony Van Dyck, a 17th Century painter. This style combines the typical handlebar mustache with a chin puff. However, the Van Dyke does not connect with the mustache, and its focus is on the soul patch, just like it is with a chin puff.
This style looks awesome, to be honest.
Anchor Beard
The anchor beard bears a similar look to the Van Dyke goatee. The slight difference is that rather than combining a mustache with a chin puff, your goatee is disconnected and extends outwardly along the jawline. In addition, the goatee is supposed to be wider than the mustache so that when you combine the shape of the goatee, soul patch, and mustache, it looks like the anchor of a ship.
Some of the most popular faces donning the anchor beard include Marvel’s Tony Stark character and David Beckham.
Scruffy Goat/ Goatee With Stubble
This goatee style features a thick, full circle beard combined with one or two weeks of scruff that develop on the neck and cheeks. Of course, the goatee is more prominent, but the stubble on the cheek creates a pleasant contrast. The scruff goat is the favorite goatee style for many men.
The following people commonly wear scruffy goats: Chris Millington, Tom Hardy, etc.
Extended Goatee
As the name implies, the extended goatee covers more area than the regular goatee. While the regular goatee grows directly under the chin and with some distance from the adam’s apple, the extended goatee includes a mustache and grows around your jawline. You may think of it as a full beard but without sideburns.
Goatee Beard No Mustache
Beards and more specifically goatees without mustaches are nothing new. While many men might think that a beard and a mustache are inseparable, history has shown us otherwise.
It looks good, unique, and makes you stand out.
Classic Goatee
The classic goatee includes hair on the chin but not on the cheeks or upper lip.
It’s simple yet stylish, suitable for men seeking a clean look without too much upkeep. Ideal for square and oval face shapes.
Full Goatee
The full goatee combines a goatee with a mustache, forming a continuous line around the mouth. This style adds balance and symmetry to the face.
It’s perfect for those who want a more substantial beard without committing to a full beard.
Braided Goatee
A longer goatee that’s braided for a unique and standout look.
It requires maintenance but offers a distinctive and bold appearance.
Best suited for men with thick, long beard growth, it adds a rugged and adventurous touch.
Short Boxed Goatee
A goatee that’s trimmed close to the face, creating a neat and tidy appearance.
It’s easy to maintain and ideal for professional settings, offering a clean and polished look. Suitable for most face shapes, it adds a touch of sophistication without being overwhelming.
Balbo Goatee
The Balbo goatee includes a separated mustache, soul patch, and chin beard.
It’s a versatile style that adds depth and dimension to the face, creating a well-defined and stylish look. Perfect for men with narrower chins, it helps in balancing the facial features.
How To Shave A Full Goatee Beard Like A Pro
The following are the step-by-step guide to getting the perfect goatee that makes you seem like a pro:
Step 1: First brush your beard, then comb before trimming it
It is common knowledge that we should brush our beards daily. Brushing a beard has a huge variety of benefits. It is fast and easy. Don’t skip it, gentlemen!
Step 2: Take off the comb and create an outline with the trimmer
Detach the comb from the trimmer and then directly apply the top of the beard trimmer on the beards to begin defining the style of your goatee beard.
This process is for shaping around your beard in preparation for the final design.
Step 3: Use the precision trimmer to create a shape for your goatee
With a precision trimmer, trim your chin hair toward the ear to achieve pleasant, clean, and precise lines on either side of your goatee beard.
Depending on your preferred style, you can shave off the sideburns entirely or leave some hair below the jaw area. When you are satisfied with the sides, and they are even, you can make the corners of your goatee beard sharper.
You can also give your soul patch a V-shape to look even better!
Your goatee should typically start from the point your mustache ends and all the way down. A straight line. If you want you can trim the hair that connects the mustache with the chin hair. If you do that you are going for a disconnected goatee or a Van Dyke.
Then create a sharp and clean goatee neckline. I have created a whole guide about that, you can read it here!
Step 4: Clean-shaving is just as important
This is the part where you clean-shave your jawline, cheeks, and neck. Prepare your hair follicles by moistening your face with warm water and rubbing shaving foam on it. The next step is to shave in the direction where your hair grows with single, continuous strokes until you achieve smooth skin.
Step 5: Moisturize and keep your goatee beard neat
After achieving the goatee style you desire, wash your face with alcohol-free moisturizer to prevent dryness after shaving. Try to commit to trimming your goatee at least once a week to keep them neat and tidy.
How To Maintain A Goatee
It is not easy to groom the goatee, but the following tips will help keep your goatee style looking resplendent:
1. Know how (and when) to trim
Make use of a quality trimmer when it is time to prune your goatee, and trimming it the right way and with the right tools will keep you from developing those nasty bumps on your cheeks and neck.
You should trim the growth areas around your goatee (from the sideburns to either side of your chin) with a trimmer, while you should trim the goatee itself with scissors from your barbing kit.
You can make your goatee even more eye-catching if you shave your cheeks and sideburns with a razor after using your trimmer.
We advise you to shave your face and trim your goatee a bit every 3-5 days at least.
2. Wash your goatee regularly
It is easy for food and dirt that can cause itchiness to get trapped in your goatee, especially when it is very food. Washing is not only about keeping the hair looking clean but also because of the skin under the hair. You should scrub your beard with a specialized cleaner as many times as you can.
3. Do not forget your oil
There are many fake beard oils out there. Ensure that you use the right ones, especially the oil formulated with a blend of organic, natural, and vegan oils (such as jojoba and argan)
4. Train your goatee
Even after trimming, there is a tendency for some strands of hair to grow out of proportion. Following a daily rundown of the goatee with a beard brush or comb will train stubborn hair to grow in a downward direction.
5. Remember the mustache
If you grow your goatee with a mustache, do not forget to attend to the mustache when doing the maintenance.
It is often easy to groom and maintain the goatee without paying much attention to the mustache, but caring for it is also as important as caring for the goatee.
6. Fuel up
Without protein and fat, you probably would not have any goatee to be proud of in the first place. Therefore, you have to maintain your goatee with enough vitamins B9, B3, and B5 – and you can get them from foods like leafy greens, milk, egg yolks, nuts, and lean meats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do girls like goatees?
Girls do like beards in general. Goatee beard styles are not their favorites. However, most men will look better wearing a goatee than not having any facial hair whatsoever. There are many goatee variations that one can choose from and look awesome. As an example, the goatee with stubble.
Do goatees look good on black men?
There are millions of black men that wear goatees nowadays. This style is awesome for black men. Typically, black men have thick and coarse beards. A goatee requires cheek hair to be trimmed so there is less to worry about. In fact, black men wear goatees more successfully than anyone else out there. They have mastered this style.
How To Trim A Long Goatee?
The best way to trim and maintain a long goatee is by using scissors. Obviously, you will need to trim and/or shave cheek hair, neck hair and sideburns with the trimmer but scissors will be used to trim the actual chin hair a little bit without risking cutting too much.
Beard or Goatee? What’s better?
Studies have proven that full beards or more attractive than goatees in general. However, millions of men look good wearing goatees. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you have a patchy beard it is always better to grow a goatee since you can’t grow a full beard properly.
Conclusion
The goatee beard style is versatile and suits various face shapes and personal styles.
While it requires dedication to maintain, the results can be incredibly rewarding. Experiment with different goatee styles to find the one that best enhances your look.
Remember, it’s just facial hair. If one style doesn’t suit you, you can always try another until you find your perfect match.
To sum things up, goatee beard styles are very special and millions of them love them. If you ask me personally, I do not look good wearing a goatee. I prefer stubble and I have let you know multiple times.
But this should not mean anything to you. You are different.
Everyone is different, every single one of you, especially since you read my blog, is awesome! I am joking you get the point!
That’s it for today’s article. I hope you liked it!
Until next time,
Stay safe and happy grooming gentlemen,
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.