There was a time when losing your hair was considered a bad thing, but this has definitely changed. This is mostly due to the ever growing popularity of men choosing to pair a bald head with a well-trimmed, clean-edged beard.
In fact, it’s become such a trend in the world of male grooming that even men that aren’t showing any signs of balding are choosing to shave their heads just to showcase their manicured facial hair.
Sporting a bald head with a beard does take some work though, and you have to be willing to put the effort into keeping your beard well maintained if you’re going to pull this look off. You also need to know what style is going to suit you best, and that itself can be an ever-changing work in progress.
To help you navigate your way to getting this modern-iconic look, we’ve put together the ultimate style guide that will show you exactly how to rock a bald head with a beard. Keep reading to learn more!
Best Beard Styles For Bald Heads
Much like growing your hair, each style of beard is also going to take a different amount of time to get to the perfect length before you can maintain it and keep it looking sharp. This does require some patience, however there are ways you can transition to your full beard and keep yourself looking smart at the same time.
Each of the styles below is perfect for matching with a bald head, but if you’re unsure about which one to go for, why not try growing your way through each of the below styles? That way you can stop when you reach one that you like and that also works with the natural structure and contours of your face.
1. Light Stubble
Getting this look really couldn’t be easier. Simply let your facial hair grow for a few days, and only maintain the neck and cheek bone line with a sharp razor. If you’re unsure about where to stop shaving when you’re maintaining the hair on your neck, a good rule of thumb is to shave just to the top of your Adam’s apple and create a straight, horizontal line.
If you decide that a light covering of stubble is as far as you’d like your beard to grow, it’s also really easy to maintain by running over it with a set of beard trimmers and an appropriately-lengthed grade.
2. Beard Stubble
This is essentially a longer version of light stubble and creates a denser layer of facial hair that covers the skin. This dense layer also gives you the opportunity to create much more definition in your edges, and is a good one to choose if you’re a little self conscious about your neck.
Again, maintained very similarly to light stubble, you simply need a sharp razor for tidying up uneven growth at the edges and a set of clippers with various grades for maintaining the length of the beard.
3. Disconnected Beard
This is a bit more of a unique look, but is definitely one that works well with a bald head. It also gives you the opportunity to grow hair longer in certain parts of the face to create definition without having to resort to wet-shaving or creating a goatee.
Typically, the mustache and chin hair will be allowed to grow slightly longer than the sides on this beard, whilst the sideburn hair is shaved into a gradient from bottom to top, with the very top being as bald as your head. This does take a fair amount of maintenance, but your patience is rewarded with a sharp looking beard.
4. Mutton Chops
Although once considered to be old fashioned and certainly only one to be grown by men of a certain age, mutton chop beards are making a huge come back amongst men of all ages and it’s certainly one that’ll make you stand out from the crowd!
Create this iconic look by allowing the hair on the sides of your face to grow right from your sideburns and extended down to your cheeks, and then connect it to your mustache or chin hair. A sharp razor or a pair of beard trimmer with a low grade can then be used to clear the neck of any hair, and to create definition along the cheekbones.
5. Goatee
If there is one type of beard style that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes then it’s the goatee without a shadow of a doubt. From pencil thin lines of hair that frame the mouth and chin, to mustaches that are molded and twisted into shape at the ends, this is a super versatile style. For now, however, we’re going to concentrate on just the one variation - the classic full goatee.
To get this look, allow your mustache and the hair around your mouth and chin to grow to a length of around 1-2 inches, whilst maintaining bare skin on the rest of your face and neck. Keep your goatee maintained at its ideal length by cutting it using beard trimmers fitted with a longer grade, and keep the edges sharp for definition.
6. Full Beard
This is one of the most popular styles for rocking with a bald head, and is also a statement beard that is surprisingly easy to achieve. To get there, however, you’ll need to have a bit of patience whilst you wait for it to grow to your desired length and to get past the ‘itchy’ phase.
You’ll also need to make sure that you keep your neckline and your cheekbone lines sharp and well maintained throughout the growing process, as this will help you achieve definition and keep your beard looking neat and tidy. Once fully grown, you’ll need to maintain this definition as well as the length, which is easy enough to do with a set of beard clippers.
7. Wavy Beard
To call this a style is a little bit of a stretch as your beard will either have a natural wave to it or it won’t. However, if you are one of the lucky ones then this beard is definitely one to try out with a bald head.
It’s also one of the easier to maintain and, aside from keeping the line at your cheekbones in check, you simply just need to let it grow. Wavy beards can be prone to knotting and tangling though, so it’s worth investing in a good beard comb and running it through your beard a couple of times a day. We’d advise you to get some good, natural beard oil as well to keep it looking in good condition.
8. The Yeard
The ultimate in statement beards, growing a yeard takes a lot of time and will take you through a lot of levels of frustration before you get to your desired look. However, once you’re there, you’ll be held in high esteem within the epic-beard circles.
Depending on how fast your facial hair grows, you can easily be looking at at least a year to get this look (hence the name of it), but it’s not a simple case of just letting it grow. You'll also need to make sure that your beard and the underlying skin are kept in good condition, preferably with a product containing essential oils. In addition, keep a definition along your cheekbones whilst your facial hair grows. Otherwise things can quickly go downhill and you’ll end up with a tangled mess.
Maintenance: A Proper Beard Needs Proper Care
Whichever style you decide to go for, one thing that we cannot stress enough is the importance of maintaining your look. Forgetting to do this will just leave you looking unkempt and straggly, and you definitely won’t get the look you’re trying to achieve.
Purchasing yourself a really good set of beard trimmers is the best place to start. They should ideally be rechargeable and portable, to allow you ultimate freedom of movement around your face without being chained to the electrical outlet. They should also come with several gradients that will allow you to maintain the various lengths of your facial hair.
You’re also going to want to get a reliable and super sharp wet razor. This will give you those sharp, defined lines along your neck and cheekbones that are going to make your beard really pop with your bald head.
If you’re concerned about wet shaving yourself, you can always make an appointment at a barber shop and they will be able to do this for you. After all, it’s always better to get somebody who knows what they’re doing to help you rather than attempting it yourself and ruining your hard work.
And, finally, one thing that cannot be overlooked when growing a beard to rock with a bald head is moisturization. Whether it be beard butter or beard oil, you need to keep both your beard itself and the skin underneath your beard conditioned and fed with vitamins.
Failing to do this can dry out your skin and can lead to beard dandruff, which is not only unsightly but is also notoriously difficult to get rid of once it’s established. It’s not just the skin though - beards themselves need a good amount of moisture, otherwise they can look thirsty and dry, rather than full and strong, which is imperative when you’re growing one with a bald head.
More to Explore
