What is a circle beard?
A circle beard is a type of goatee with a mustache. A circle beard is similar to a full goatee, though the edges are more rounded, giving it a circular look. The beard and the mustache unite around the chin and the mouth. Many people use the terms goatee and circle beard interchangeably.
How to Get a Circle Beard
Trim your facial hair with an electric beard trimmer. Trimming your beard hair before shaving can help reduce tug and pull and prevent the shaver’s blades from getting clogged. Use a comb attachment on your trimmer to style your facial hair to your desired length. Professional barber Woody Lovell suggests keeping a neutral expression while trimming: “The number one common mistake that men make when grooming their beards is [that] they will make funny facial expressions when trimming. You do not want to make any unnatural facial expressions when you’re trimming facial hair, because if you do, that line [will be in] a different place [when you go back to a natural expression].”
Define the shape of your circle beard. Remove your trimmer’s comb attachment and trim the outline of your circle beard, or your goatee. The look includes a neatly trimmed mustache that connects to a rounded goatee, framing your mouth and chin. Try to keep the hair symmetrical on both sides of your face as you go. For the best results, keep the hair shorter on your neck and cheeks.
Shave off the hair outside of your goatee. Rinse your face with warm water, then lather up the parts of your face you intend to shave with a shave cream or gel. Grab a razor and use light, gentle strokes to give yourself a close shave. Rinse your blades as needed. When going for a close shave, barber Timmy Yanchun says, “You can go across the grain, or depending on [your] skin sensitivity, you can go against the grain of the hair growth. The easiest way to prevent red bumps and irritation is shaving with the grain of the hair. Professional barber Juan Sabino says to clean your razor regularly to prevent skin irritation: “Every time you shave, you want to make sure the blade itself is clean. Get something called Cool Care, which is a spray disinfectant, [and use that], or just run your blade under hot water and leave it in some alcohol to disinfect everything. Then, rinse it with hot water again.”
Shape your circle beard with a precision blade. Depending on the tool you have, use a precision blade, a detail trimmer, or simply a disposable razor to define the edges of your beard. Focus on sharp lines that define your mustache and the curve under your chin. If you notice any asymmetrical areas, fix them now. Lovell recommends using a small, sharp razor when shaping your goatee: “To create that sharp line, you’re going to need a sharp razor. A small razor will work best—even your little cheap fix, the ones you just toss and throw away. Because the goatee is small, any hairs you take off will be noticed and it’s very easy to make a mistake.”
Rinse your face and moisturize. Use cool water to rinse your face and remove any stray hairs or remaining shave gel. Dry your face with a towel, then apply a hydrating aftershave to reduce itchiness and irritation. Consider applying a beard oil, as well, to soften and condition the hair. Barber Marlon Rivas says, “When you’re completely done [shaving], splash cold water back on your face. That will close up the pores and give you an even closer looking shave, because the skin constricts itself back to the regular look that it’s supposed to have. If you’re experiencing a lot of itchiness after you shave, Yanchun says you might have dry skin: “I would check what you’re putting on your face and try to use witch hazel, as opposed to alcohol, to moisturize.”
How to Maintain a Circle Beard
Trim your circle beard every few weeks. To keep your circle beard looking its best, aim to trim and tidy the edges every few weeks. Even if you’re in the growth stage, regular trims help prevent split ends and help maintain the clean lines of your beard.
Keep your beard hydrated. It’s important to keep your beard hair and the skin underneath moisturized. When you wash your face, remember to apply a beard balm afterward. This will help keep the skin beneath your beard supple and prevent flakiness. Yanchun recommends applying beard oil “whenever your beard seems dry. For some reason, a lot of guys think that you can only apply beard oil once a day, but if your beard feels dry, apply beard oil so you’re moisturizing that hair and keeping it healthy.” EXPERT TIP Juan Sabino Juan Sabino Professional Barber Juan Sabino is a Professional Barber and the Owner of Juan's Barber Shop, a barbershop based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Juan has over 20 years of male grooming experience and over eight years of professional barber experience. He specializes in combovers, barber fades, and tapers and is focused on improving men's overall wellness. Juan Sabino Juan Sabino Professional Barber A healthy beard comes from healthy skin follicles. You have to moisturize, make sure your skin is clean, and make sure your beard hair is conditioned. Put a little bit of oil on your beard and it will make a big difference. It's like putting conditioner in your hair; a little oil will make it look 10 times better.
Comb your circle beard regularly. For the best results, consider buying a beard brush and comb your beard at least once per day. Regular brushing helps distribute your beard’s natural oils evenly, which encourages a natural shine and reduces tangling.
Don’t scrub your beard too much. While you want to keep your beard clean, scrubbing too hard and too often (and using harsh chemicals) can strip your beard of its natural oils and lead to dryness and irritation. In some cases, it may even damage the hair follicles and the skin underneath. Try washing your beard just a couple times a week with lukewarm water. Additionally, pat your beard dry rather than rubbing it with a towel. This keeps your beard smooth and reduces the risk of irritating your hair follicles and skin. Rivas says how often you should wash your beard “depends on how much product you’re using throughout the week.” The more product you use, the more often you should wash your beard to keep the skin clean.
Don’t touch your beard too often. Avoid touching your circle beard as much as possible. When you touch your beard, you risk transferring dirt and oils from your hands to the hair and skin. This can lead to skin issues, like acne, and may mess up the beard’s styling.
Wear sunscreen. It’s always a good idea to wear sunscreen, but exposure to UV rays can toughen the skin under your beard, which can sometimes impact beard growth and mess up the style. Whenever you plan on going outside, remember to apply some sunscreen around your beard.
Eat a healthy diet. The foods you eat can impact your beard growth as well as the rest of your health. To grow a strong beard and keep your skin healthy, opt for a diet with plenty of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like fish and nuts, in particular can enhance the look and feel of your beard.
Keep your stress levels low. This may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to beard maintenance, but having high levels of stress can actually impact your beard’s thickness and growth. Try to make time to relax and enjoy yourself. Consider meditating or enjoying your favorite hobby. Sabino says beard maintenance “has to do a lot with health. So I’d say start eating a little healthier, drinking more water, having less stress, [and] working out. I think these are things that aren’t usually mentioned when it comes to skincare and hair, but it’s something that should be addressed because I believe there’s a direct correlation between skin and hair and your inside health.”
Circle Beard Style Ideas
Light stubble circle beard The light stubble circle beard is shaped and styled like a regular circle beard, but the hair is a lot shorter, giving it a stubbly appearance. This style is easy to grow and maintain, making it a great option if you’re just starting your circle beard journey. If you have stubble, Yanchun says, “You want to keep the skin under the stubble healthy. So make sure you exfoliate, and don’t worry about beard oils or anything like that. I would probably focus more on a facial moisturizer, and I always recommend a quality SPF all over your face to avoid wrinkles and fine lines.”
Precise circle beard The precise circle beard is created by shaving sharp and clean lines. Trim your facial hair to an equal length and keep your beard properly moisturized to avoid unruly hairs and/or curling. This is a good option for an office environment, as it looks professional and sharp.
Thin circle beard The thin circle beard consists of a pencil-thin line of hair that outlines your mouth. Creating a symmetrical look involves having steady hands, so this option may be best for those who have experience styling facial hair.
Full circle beard The full (or thick) circle beard involves maintaining a full beard while shaping it like a goatee around the mouth. This look can help draw attention to your mouth while allowing you to keep the fullness of your facial hair.
Messy circle beard The messy circle beard is styled like a standard circle beard, but the hair of the goatee is longer than usual. As long as you maintain the hair well, this can be a casual, trendy style. It works well if you don’t want a close shave and naturally grow thick facial hair.
Chinstrap circle beard This look incorporates the chinstrap beard, which is a beard style that follows the jawline and circles the chin. While this look can be tricky to maintain, especially for beginners, it can highlight your features and enhance your jawline, making your face appear more masculine.
Fancy mustache circle beard The fancy mustache circle beard is exactly what it sounds like—a circle beard with a unique, eye-catching mustache. Style your goatee as usual, but allow your mustache to grow out a bit. Then, use some mustache wax to coax your ‘stache into a style of your choosing. This is a great way to add some personality to your look! When styling a mustache, Rivas says to “maintain the mustache line above the lip so it’s not growing into your mouth or growing over your lip. Just keeping that hair neat will give your mustache a much more groomed appearance.” Yanchun says some popular mustache styles include “the handlebar mustache and the Hulk Hogan—they call it a horseshoe mustache.”
Reasons to Get a Circle Beard
Circle beards are easy to maintain. If you’ve been wanting to grow a beard but are worried about maintenance, a circle beard may be a good option for you. This style needs fewer touch-ups than fuller beards, so you won’t have to buy a lot of beard products or spend a lot of time caring for it.
They enhance your features. Circle beards have a very defined aesthetic. They help carve out a distinguished jawline, and they frame your smile. If these are features you’re proud of, growing a circle beard can make them a focal point on your face.
Circle beards can cover patchy growth. If you’ve struggled with uneven facial hair growth, a circle beard may be the answer you’ve been searching for. These beards offer strategic coverage, making it easy to hide any sparseness along the rest of your jawline.
They’re classy and mature. Circle beards have an elegant look that manages to be both classic and contemporary. They’re professional enough to wear to work but relaxed enough to rock the look in casual situations, as well.
Circle Beard FAQs
What’s the difference between a circle beard and a goatee? A circle beard is a type of goatee. While a traditional goatee does not include a mustache, some (called full goatees) do. A circle beard is simply a rounded version of a full goatee.
Is a circle beard attractive? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so circle beards may be attractive to some people and not others. If you like how circle beards look, get one! Yanchun says to choose a look that makes you feel confident: “When we look good, we feel good.”
What’s the difference between a circle beard and a Van Dyke? A circle beard has a mustache connected to a goatee. A Van Dyke also has a mustache and a goatee, but the two aspects are not actually connected.
Can a circle beard work for any face shape? Yes, circle beards can be flattering on any face shape. These beards enhance the jawline and elongate the chin, so they’re a versatile choice for anyone who wants one. However, if you're not sure if a certain beard style will work with your face shape, Yanchun says “Don’t be afraid to bring a picture of something that you like to your barber. A good barber will tell you [what will look good].”
What are some common mistakes when shaping a circle beard? A common mistake people make when trimming a circle beard for the first time is trimming the hair too short. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, start with a longer setting on your trimmer. Gradually reduce the length until you achieve your desired look.
What is the circle beard meme? The circle beard meme is an internet trend in which people shave all of their facial hair and the hair on their head except for one strip that runs in a circle around their entire face. The beard runs in a thin line from the neck to the ears, then loops up and over the person’s otherwise bald head.
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