Your Beard-to-Hair Ratio Is Way Off
By now you know there's much more to a great beard than just waiting for it to grow. Maintenance is important, and there are heaps of products in the world to help you keep yours soft and clean. But did you know that the ratio of beard length to hair length is also vitally important? If you get the ratio wrong, you won't just look silly, you could be ruining your chances for employment or, worse, a relationship. With the weather starting to take on a distinct chill, your beard should already be well under way. But how long should your hair be in comparison? Some men like to keep everything pretty much one length. Whereas some prefer a contrast. Whatever your preference, here are some helpful guidelines to keep you looking more like a manly style god and less like an Old West prospector.
Tennis BallIf you have a short buzz cut, a shaved head, or you're totally bald, your beard should be on the shorter side. It's all about getting the right balance. This is best achieved by Jason Statham, who manages to look rugged and put together at the same time, thanks to his 360-degree head stubble.
Lazy BrahIf you prefer hair of medium length and are smack-dab in the middle of beard acquisition, you might be mistaken for a lazy piece of shit. To avoid looking like you just woke up from a month-long couch nap, keep the sides of your hair neat and regularly trimmed. That way, your scraggly transitional beard will be offset by a distractingly handsome head of hair.
Full WildmanSome men, a.k.a. Jared Leto, look flawless with both long hair and a long beard—hell, Leto would look great with pigtails and a braided goatee. But most guys with double long hair and beards just end up looking wild, and not in a good way. If you have hair down to your ass or longer than your mom’s, you should keep your beard close to your chin.
Dandy WildmanThe DW is your optimal point of reference for beard-to-hair-ratio perfection. The gods of this universe are Jake Gyllenhaal, Ewan McGregor, and Donald Glover. They get things right by making sure the beard is full but not too long, and their hair is long on top but neat on the sides. They also know the power of pomade and styling cream, so their hair looks intentional rather than messy.
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