Beard vs. Goatee: How to Pick the Best Style for Your Face

Facial hair isn’t just facial hair—it’s part of your DNA. An aspect of your identity. An element of your look that’s unique to you.

Of course, facial hair looks themselves are wide-ranging, and if you’re making your first foray into the bearded life, you may be wondering which look will suit you best. Two of the most foundational? That would be the full beard and the goatee.

The beard vs goatee debate has raged for centuries (probably). Ultimately, the right choice for you will depend on your unique facial structure, grooming preferences, and personal style. 

Let’s get into it.

What’s the difference between goatee and beard facial hair styles?

To casual observers, the goatee and the beard might seem similar enough. However, take a closer look, and you’ll notice stark stylistic differences.

In general, full beards:

• Cover the chin, cheeks, and jawline fully

• Provide more versatility when it comes to styling

• Serve to hide or recast facial features (such as scars or small chins)

Goatees, on the other hand: 

• Cover only the chin and sometimes the mouth area

• Often (but not always) include a mustache

• Offer a sharper, more defined aesthetic than a full beard

Essentially, if it covers most of your face, you’re likely dealing with a beard. Limited to the chin and mouth area? That’s probably a goatee.

With a clearer picture of the full beard vs goatee landscape, it’s time to dive into each style’s unique appeal and how to choose the right look for you.

Who should rock a full beard?

So, are you a full beard dude? While total beardage can work for anyone, it tends to do the most for guys with certain face shapes. These include:

• Oval – Oval faces offer visual balance, rendering them highly versatile. Their specific shape usually helps prevent beards from making the face look too narrow or too round.

• Square – Square faces boast chiseled jawlines and broad foreheads. Beards can help soften the edges and smooth the overall silhouette.

• Long – Slim and narrow in shape, long faces can benefit from some beardage. The extra volume helps widen the frame and restore balance.

While these shapes lend themselves well to full coverage, this list is far from exhaustive. Regardless of whether or not you have one of the above face shapes, you’ll still want to weigh the pros and cons of going full beard before deciding what’s right for you.

Pros of going full beard.

What makes full beards a stand-out facial hair option?

• Style asset – Beards can add a supreme style punch to any aesthetic. They also exude confident, masculine energy. 

• Facial protection – Beards help shield vulnerable skin from the elements, like UV rays. They can also keep their owners a bit warmer during frigid winter months. 

• Concealment – Other guys opt for beards when they wish to mask features like scarring or blemishes, or if they want to change the natural shape of their jawline or chin via facial hair. 

Cons of going full beard.

Of course, there’s always a flip side:

• Maintenance – While a full beard can be your best friend, it can also get pretty unruly without proper tending. Beards call for diligent care—meaning extra grooming time and effort. If you prefer a quick shave-and-go lifestyle, a beard may not be for you.

• Skin irritation – Some guys, especially those with sensitive skin, can get hit with irritation or breakouts beneath their beards. Needless to say, this can be a real pain. Going beardless may be ideal in these cases.

• Likelihood of trapped debris – Food scraps or general dust and debris can easily become trapped in beard hair (especially the coarse variety). This presents a barrier to a coiffed appearance—and it’s a potential nuisance for guys in careers like construction.

The TLDR? Full beards can serve as the crown jewel of a masculine look, especially for guys with the optimal face shape. However, you'll have to commit to proper care and tending if you want to avoid unruliness, irritation, or “food beard.”

Who should choose a goatee?

Named for its resemblance to the tuft of hair below a goat’s chin, the goatee complements a number of face shapes:

• Rectangular – Men with rectangular faces can benefit from a goatee. It anchors the eyes while keeping strong cheekbones and jawlines front and center.

• Round – A well-trimmed goatee can help slim down an otherwise round face.

• Diamond – Guys with prominent cheekbones but mild chins can benefit from the goatee. That’s because this facial hair style draws the eye chinward, creating proportionality.

As with beards, goatees also carry pros and cons that extend beyond face shape.

Pros of having a goatee.

What are some of the benefits of rocking this facial hair look?

• Streamlined maintenance – Because goatees occupy less space than their full-grown counterparts, grooming typically doesn’t take as long.

• Anti-patchiness solution – Want a bearded style but struggle with patchy cheeks? A goatee offers the ideal fix. 

• Versatility – Even when groomed and styled, full beards essentially “are what they are.” Goatees, on the other hand, offer style possibilities in spades. They’re perfect for crafting unique looks that truly reflect your personality and preferences.

Cons of having a goatee.

Of course, there are always potential downsides to consider:

• Outdated look (according to some) – While certainly not gospel truth, some people feel that goatees exude “old school” vibes.

• More trimming required (compared to full beards) – To maintain a tight, sharp, and consistent shape, you’ll need to trim a goatee often. 

Ultimately, the choice between beard vs goatee depends as much on your face shape as it does on your lifestyle, grooming preferences, and aesthetic goals.

Speaking of aesthetic goals, we have one more element for you to consider in the beard vs goatee debate… 

How a mustache plays into the look.

The mustache is a classic. Offering endless style possibilities—from waxed handlebars to light pencils—mustaches can work solo or emphasize a goatee or beard.

Mustaches also come in handy for guys looking to counterbalance facial features like:

• Big noses – A thick, bountiful mustache can redirect the spotlight.

• Slim lips – A voluminous stache helps fill out a thin pair of lips.

• Delicate features – Baby-faced guys, or those with soft features, often turn to mustaches for extra definition.

Regardless of your reason for rocking a stache with your goatee or beard, keep these tips in mind when creating your look:

• Grow both first – Give yourself some runway to get each to its ideal length. 

• Shape individually – Shape your mustache separately from your goatee or beard. 

• Connect or blend – Decide if you want a blended or connected look. If not, use trimmers to create space between your facial hair styles.

You can also more heavily style the mustache to help it stand out from the surrounding beard. Consider waxing or blow drying for extra definition (and attitude).

Beard vs. goatee: Maintenance and grooming tips.

Beard vs mustache vs goatee: Whichever path you choose, you’ll want to dial in your grooming approach. Proper care and tending ward off “unkempt” vibes and spares you from having to shear down and start over at any point.

For all styles, the following grooming moves are musts:

• Cleanse – You’ll want to hit your facial hair with a proper beard shampoo 2-3 times a week. This prevents dirt and grime from building up, so your hair stays healthy and fresh.

• Condition – The elements can harden facial hair, leading to scratchy steel wool vibes. Incorporate regular conditioning to replenish moisture, flexibility, and a sleek shine.

• Trim – Stark contrast is what underpins sharp styles. Keep your neck clear and lines defined (especially important for full beards) by trimming every few days. 

Goatees call for a few additional pointers. In particular, be sure to:

• Focus on shape – A sleek, symmetrical goatee is always the goal, but goatees can easily grow misshapen. Prioritize tight lines and clear contours.

• Balm it – Especially critical for longer goatees, beard balm prevents wayward curling or crumbly tips. It also helps goatees hold their shape.

• Manage length – You don’t want to lean too much into the “goat” aspect of goatees. Monitor your length closely. In general, a closer-cropped bottom keeps you in the clear.

As you grow and maintain your facial hair, you’ll also want to keep it combed. Combing detangles mussed-up hair, diffuses natural oils, and helps ensure a smooth, coiffed aesthetic—critical even for the most Viking-esque beards.

Using MANSCAPED® tools to style either look.

Whether you choose to go full beard or sport a sharp goatee, remember: You can always switch it up. Feel free to experiment until you find the look that’s truly yours. Throughout the journey, you can count on MANSCAPED® beard products to keep you looking fresh and feeling good. 

MANSCAPED® features a roster of rock-solid power tools to maintain facial hair that’s trim, slick, and on point. You’ll never feel overmatched by overgrowth again. Plus, enhancements like our nutrient-rich beard oil keep your growth healthy and hardy for the long haul. 

Sources: 

Etymonline. Goatee.  https://www.etymonline.com/word/goatee 

Healthline. Yes, You Can Get Split Ends in Your Beard – Here's How to Treat Them.

https://www.healthline.com/health/mens-health/beard-split-ends