Beard Styles for Bald Men: What’s Hot in 2023

The best beard styles for bald men depends on things like personal style and face shape, so it can be tricky to know what will look good.

I’ve been shaving my head for 20 years and tried out a number of different styles. In this article, I’ll cover whether beards are a good idea for bald men, as well as which styles suit baldies best. I’ll also explain how face shape plays a role in which beard will suit you.

Should you grow a beard if you’re bald?

You should definitely consider a beard if you’re bald. A bald head with no facial hair can look plain and boring, and all the focus is on the lack of hair on your head. With no hair, a beard allows you to choose your own style above the neck.

Here are four advantages of growing a beard as a bald man:

1. Balances the face

Firstly, a bald head looks very plain and boring when the face is clean-shaven. Hair on top gives a contrasting look, but if you’re bald and have no beard, that contrast is missing.

Adding a beard balances out the lack of hair on top of the head, and as I’ve outlined below, there are lots of different styles to play with to find one you like.

2. Covers up minor imperfections

A beard is a great way to disguise any small skin imperfections, uneven skin tones, or even acne.

As a man in my 40s, I’m still not immune from the odd pimple, but these are a lot harder to see when they’re hidden in my beard.

3. Allows you to own your look

Let’s face it, baldness is rarely something we choose. Plenty of people decide to shave their heads, but losing their hair is something that happens to most bald men rather than being a deliberate choice.

However, growing a beard is a choice. Suddenly, you’re responsible for your look, rather than being someone that baldness happened to.

And what a great look, too. Beards and bald heads go together like peaches and cream, so own it and be the best beardy baldy you can be.

4. Confidence boost

Many bald men find their confidence knocked after losing their hair. It only takes one joke from a friend or colleague, or a knock-back from that girl you like who just isn’t into bald guys.

But on the flip side, realizing you can rock a badass beard is a hell of a boost to the ego. Instead of being the butt of bald jokes, you’re now receiving compliments on your fine-ass face furniture.

Need a little extra spring in your step? Try growing out the beard and see how people react.

What is the best beard style for a bald head?

The best beard style for a bald head is the stubble beard – it’s low maintenance, and gives a rugged look that balances the face without taking over. It’s an on-trend look that has been popular for some time thanks to bald icons like Jason Statham.

There are, of course, other options that will look good if you want a longer beard. I’ll take you through the pros and cons of all the best beards for bald men below.

Here’s a little more about each option to help you choose the beard for you:

Stubble

Pros

1. Low-maintenance

Stubble needs much less upkeep than a fuller beard style. All you really need is a beard trimmer to keep it even and help you fade the sideburns into your bald head.

I tend to keep my stubble longer around the chin and have it taper neatly up to my head, where I shave my remaining hair all the way down with a razor. I don’t like the look of a sudden stop, so I use a variable-length beard trimmer to give me a skin fade – more on how to get this look below.

2. On-trend

Stubble never really goes out of fashion, but it’s particularly on-trend right now thanks to bald style icons like Jason Statham.

If you’re looking for a younger look, stubble can give you this, while a longer beard style can age a man.

3. Quick and easy

Stubble is quick to grow. All you need is a few days of not shaving, unlike a full beard which demands months of dedication and patience.

You can basically decide over a weekend if you’re going to like the look or not, and it’s just as easy to shave off if you decide to go back to a clean shave.

Cons

1. Uneven growth

Sadly, not everyone has stubble like Statham due to the annoying fact that many guys can’t grow a beard evenly all over.

This is why beard transplants are a thing. But for many of us, that just isn’t an option. I have decent coverage, but my soul patch (the area of beard from the lower lip to the chin) is pretty sparse.

The options for those of us who don’t want a transplant are to grin and bear it, or simply not have a beard. Growing the beard out to a certain length will hide the thinner areas but in the meantime, thicker stubble will just exaggerate the contrast between the thick and thin areas.

2. Skin irritation

This is especially noticeable if you haven’t had a beard before. Rocking the stubble will give you an itchy face when you first grow it out, and there’s a sweet spot of stubble length where it’s a constant irritation.

The cause is the ends of the hairs pricking and tickling the skin on your face. The only thing you can do here is power through and consider a decent beard oil or balm to soften the beard and soothe the itchiness.

3. Workplace heat

If you work in a particularly professional setting, your stubble might not be considered appropriate.

The annoying thing is that a neatly manicured full beard is usually fine, but you won’t generally get away with the in-between look of a stubble beard. It’s full Viking or clean-shaven for a lot of workplaces.

This is actually fair when you consider that, if not well-maintained, stubble can quickly go from looking rugged and intentional to appearing untidy or disheveled.

Full beard

I experimented with a fuller beard for a while, and even though I eventually decided it wasn’t for me, it’s an adventure every man should take at least once.

Pros

1. Masculine look

Nothing screams “manly” quite like a full beard. But a well-groomed beard paired with a shaved head is basically a living monument to testosterone.

And unlike the stubble look, a full beard is obviously a deliberate style choice, rather than the result of a few days of being too lazy to shave. It takes discipline to grow a full beard, especially if you make the commitment to grow a yeard – a full year’s beard growth.

2. Distraction technique

If you’re self-conscious about your receding hairline, then a full beard is a great way to divert attention away from your shiny dome.

Suddenly, your Male Pattern Baldness isn’t the big talking point above your neckline. Instead, you have a magnificent beard to distract people.

3. Seasonal flex

Cold winter? Not to worry. Your face has got its own built-in scarf. Plus, a full beard just looks great with winter attire. There’s a reason Santa doesn’t own a beard trimmer.

4. Artistic freedom

You have pretty limited options with stubble, but on the other hand, you can really get creative with a full beard.

Shape it, trim it, or even braid it if you’re into that sort of thing. You have the ducktail, the Garibaldi, the Viking, the box beard… lots of options to match your own unique style.

Cons

1. High-maintenance

Unlike the easy trimming routine that comes with a simple layer of stubble, a full beard demands commitment. Miss a trim, and you’re suddenly in Tom Hanks “Cast Away” territory.

And be warned – beard dandruff is a thing. ‘Beardruff’ is caused by dry skin or a yeast-like fungus, and full beard owners need beard-specific shampoo and a good quality beard oil to keep their chin-warmers flake-free.

2. The food trap

You haven’t truly experienced dining until you find leftovers in your beard from last night’s dinner.

When my beard was longer my wife would sarcastically ask if I was saving some for later, and to be fair a thick beard is great for crumb storage.

Goatee

The humble goatee made a comeback in the 90s and early 2000s, with Brad Pitt and other icons of the time rocking the style.

There are several types of goatee, some of which look great on bald men (but definitely not all of them!)

If you think this might be the beard to pair with your bald head, here are some pros and cons to consider:

Pros

1. Professional?

Of all the beard styles, the goatee and bald head combination works best in a professional setting. If you work in an office or another more formal environment, you’re unlikely to be pulled up over this beard style.

2. Low maintenance

I’m a big fan of easy upkeep, and a goatee requires fairly minimal maintenance. Just stop shaving when you get to the boundary line and you’re good.

This is, of course, mainly true of the classic goatee. Styles like the anchor (Robert Downey Jr.’s calling card) require slightly more careful upkeep.

Which brings me to the next goatee plus point:

3. Versatility

Not all goatees are created equal. While I don’t personally recommend the circle goatee (you’re not Stone Cold Steve Austin), you have styles like the Balbo, the anchor, and the Hollywoodian to choose from, all of which pair well with a bald head.

Cons

1. Over-exposure

The only downside with a goatee is that, to be honest, it’s been done. As mentioned above, every celebrity was rocking one in the ’90s and every edgy nu-metal kid was trying his best to grow one in the early 2000s.

If you’re a bald guy with a goatee, you’re much more likely to be a little older – very few of those hip youngsters are rocking the look in 2023.

Van Dyke

I actually think I pull off the Van Dyke beard quite well, but when I shaved it in for this photo, my wife threatened to divorce me if I kept it! Here are the pros and non-marriage-threatening cons:

Pros

1. Emphasizes individuality

The Van Dyke is not your everyday beard. This is ideal for the bald man who is a little ‘extra’ in a world of basic beards.

It becomes an elaborate focal point that diverts attention from the absence of hair up top. It also makes you memorable.

“Which one was Gary?”

“You know, the one with the fancy beard.”

2. Lets your mouth do the talking

The Van Dyke places emphasis on the lips and chin, drawing attention away from the extended forehead and shiny scalp.

This makes it a strategic choice for bald men who just don’t want everyone to focus on their dome. Instead, all eyes are on the lower half of their face.

Cons

1. The thicker the better

If your facial hair isn’t particularly thick, achieving the crisp lines and full appearance of a Van Dyke will be a challenge.

You can’t really have any half-measures when making such a bold choice. Thin or wispy facial hair will not do this beard style the justice it deserves, 

2. Needs a steady hand

The Van Dyke calls for patience and accuracy during trimming, which can be tricky to execute at home.

One wrong move with the trimmer and you may need to shave it off and start again.

3. Not for the fashion-agnostic

The Van Dyke is not a beard style for the man who wears whatever is at the top of the laundry pile. Wearing sweatpants and a hoodie with a perfectly manicured Van Dyke is a complete mismatch.

A lazy Sunday on the couch is one thing, but if you’re stepping out you’ll need your outfit to match the standards set by your beard.

Choosing the right beard style for you

Not every beard style will suit every bald man. Face shape, skin tone, and personal style are all important considerations before choosing which beard to go for.

Face shape

Face shape plays a role in a lot of style decisions for bald guys, including the most suitable beard and even which glasses to pair with your bald head. Here are some common face shapes and which beards suit each one best.

Round face

Men with round faces can choose to de-emphasize this roundness by choosing a longer beard to lengthen the face, or a medium-length beard to add sharpness and angles.

Firstly, longer beards like the Garibaldi will work well. The wild and natural Garibaldi has a rounded shape which adds definition and creates the illusion of length in a rounded face.

A bald head can leave your face looking quite plain, so the full and robust Garibaldi beard can add an interesting feature to your appearance. It also creates a balanced look between a bald head and the rugged, manly beard dominating the lower face. 

I used the free app Beard Booth Studio to mock up a Garibaldi to complement my own bald head:

Secondly, a medium-length style like the ducktail beard can also complement a bald head and round face. By elongating the chin and jawline, the ducktail beard reduces this circular appearance.

The pointed shape adds contour and definition, in contrast to the smooth dome of a bald head. The ducktail also adds sophistication which is useful for bald men who struggle to shake off the skinhead stigma.

Heart-Shaped Face

Men with heart-shaped faces have a wider forehead and a narrower chin. Bald men with this face shape can struggle with appearing top-heavy.

If you have a heart-shaped face, avoid short stubble, as this will only accentuate the natural shape of your face. Adding more volume on the sides can help balance out the proportions, contrasting well with that wide bald head.

The boxed beard is the ideal beard to help with this. It adds width at the bottom of the face, balancing out the width at the top.

Bald guys with wider foreheads don’t have the option to use their hair to disguise it, so the balancing effect of this beard is ideal for them. The impressive look of a well-maintained box beard diverts attention away from a bald head, becoming the center of attention and drawing the eye down to the lower face instead of up to your shiny bald dome. 

If you’re self-conscious about your baldness, this kind of distraction technique will do wonders for your self-esteem.

Just be aware that a box beard needs careful and regular trimming to keep its distinct shape. This is time-consuming, so be prepared for the commitment. Otherwise, your perfect box will become a scruffy mess before you know it.

Box beards can also make a person look older than they are. Younger bald men often look older due to the lack of hair, and a boxed beard might make them look even older.

Square faces

A square-shaped face is characterized by strong jawlines and an angular overall appearance. To contrast this, we’re looking for a beard that reduces the overall squareness of the face.

A pointed anchor or Van Dyke beard is ideal here as it adds length to the face while keeping the sides narrow.

For square-faced bald men, pointed styles like these can balance out those strong, square features if grown out a little.

Diamond-shaped face

This face shape is narrow at the top and bottom but wide at the cheekbones. We’re looking for a beard style that adds contrast, so choose a style that adds more mass to the bottom, and avoid high cheek lines.

For bald men with diamond-shaped faces, a square or rounded beard can add some serious substance to the lower face, making it look more proportional to the cheekbones and complementing the lack of hair on top.

If you have a diamond shape to your face, avoid styles that hug too close to the jawline as it will only make your face appear even wider at the cheekbones.

Oblong Face

Oblong faces are longer and narrower overall. Bald guys with oblong faces should avoid adding too much length, as this will accentuate the thinness of the face. If you don’t have hair to play with, a beard is your only option to add this width.

A thick and medium-length beard with a lot of volume will add the width we’re looking for, offsetting that long face. Wear the beard nice and high on the cheeks to make sure this width affects as much of your face as possible.

Oval Face

You’re one of the lucky ones if you have an oval face.

You’re blessed with a face shape that can pull off almost any beard style. Just focus on the best overall styles as described above and experiment freely, without worrying about your face shape.

Beard styles for bald black guys

Let’s be clear – personal preference and other factors like face shape should be considered more than skin color when it comes to choosing a beard style to pair with your bald head. But here are a few styles that suit black bald guys, all other things being equal:

1. Full beard

The naturally coarse beard hair that many black men have lends itself well to a full, lush beard.

This adds a striking contrast to the smooth, bald scalp, giving a balanced look that’s hard to achieve with finer hair types.

2. Stubble beard

Darker skin tones can make short stubble look especially sleek and less scruffy than on lighter skin. 

The subtle appearance of a shorter beard adds depth to dark skin, and complements a bald head rather than overwhelming it.

3. The Van Dyke

The Van Dyke works incredibly well for black men with angular and pronounced facial features because it adds emphasis to the chin and mustache area.

The contrast between darker skin tones and the color of the facial hair makes the Van Dyke even more eye-catching.

Gray beard styles for bald heads

1. Full beard

This is massively subjective of course, but I personally feel that a full, gray beard makes you look dignified and wise. There’s a reason Gandalf didn’t own a beard trimmer.

The fullness of a gray beard also balances out the lack of hair on the head.

2. Salt and pepper stubble

I can’t emphasize enough how delighted I am that my short beard is starting to show some gray. The mix of light and dark hairs in a stubble beard gives a distinguished look (and I’ve never been called distinguished before).

The stubble adds texture and contrast to the smooth, bald scalp, which gives that sense of balance we’re looking for when pairing bald heads and beards.

3. Short boxed beard

The structured look of a short boxed beard gives a well-groomed appearance that’s enhanced by the gravitas of gray hair. Blending the beard into a bald head provides facial definition that nicely complements the clean lines of a bald head.

Where should a beard end with a bald head?

If you have a bald head and a beard, your beard should end at the top of your ears. But don’t have a sudden stop when you reach the scalp, instead learn to taper or ‘fade’ your beard gradually shorter so it naturally blends into your bald head.

Here’s my handy guide to help you learn how to pull this off:

How to fade a beard into a bald head

The steps below relate to shorter beards like mine, where I start by trimming the whole beard with a beard trimmer, then transitioning down the length settings. If you have a longer beard, you’ll need to start higher up the cheeks and use more grade transitions to move down the different lengths.

If you have a longer beard style, it will be too long to use a trimmer all over and I recommend visiting a barber for a professional cut rather than trying a DIY job.

Steps:

1. Initial shave: Set the trimmer to the longest length you want (e.g., grade 5) and shave the entire beard, focusing on the goatee area. 

2. First fade layer: Drop the setting down a full grade to 4. Shave from the edge of the goatee over the cheeks.

3. Smooth transition: Use the 4.5 setting briefly to even out the transition between grades 4 and 5.

4. Second fade layer: Switch to grade 3. Shave the area from cheeks close to ears. Use the 3.5 setting for a brief touch-up.

5. Mustache care: Still at grade 3, trim the mustache starting from the edges towards the middle.

For stray hairs (especially just under the nose), remove the guard and trim carefully.

6. Third fade layer: use grade 2. Shave the area at the lower half of the ears.

7. Final touches: Use grade 1 for the area next to the top half of the ears. Remove the guard to trim any remaining hairs. If you have an electric head shaver, lightly go over the areas where the no-guard shave meets the razor shave.

8. Clean the sink!

Tips:

• Be consistent on both sides of the face.
• Keep the beard short initially; it’s easier to learn to fade.
• Pay close attention to start and end points for even fading on both sides.
• If you make mistakes, let it grow out a bit rather than trying to fine tune imperfections.

FAQs

Summary

There’s a beard style for every bald man, so hopefully you found some inspiration above and you’ve settled on the right beard for you.

Beards don’t look after themselves though, so make sure you have the right maintenance products to keep your beard looking its best:

Finally, a shout-out to the Bald and Bearded Facebook page – head on over and say hi!