9 Facial Hair Styles That Just Look Handsome

For some guys, the right facial hair styles are obvious. Others ping-pong between bad trims, asking eternal questions like: do Jacob Elordi’s muttonchops look good or is he just Jacob Elordi? Let GQ help you stop thinking about Elordi’s sideburns and start figuring out what actually works for your temples.

Here are 2025’s best beard styles—tested (and perfected) by Hollywood’s finest—so you can match the goatee, stubble ’stache, or full beard to your face and follicular activity.

The Anchor Beard

Ever since Robert Downey Jr. first suited up as Iron Man in 2008, he’s been loyal to the anchor beard—sometimes called the Van Dyke, after Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck. It looks intricate but is easy to achieve: grow out your mustache and chin beard while keeping your cheeks shaved clean. The only rule: your mustache should never connect to your beard. We don’t make the rules.

Pro tip: A precision trimmer like the Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 makes it easy to carve clean edges without overdoing it.

The Chin Strap

LeBron James is a king on and off the court—and his beard deserves its own ring. His signature look, the chin strap, first appeared in 2018. To get it, you’ll need a sharp trimmer, steady hand, and plenty of beard oil. Some versions are short, like Michael B. Jordan’s, but the longer ones emphasize your jawline (or create the illusion of one).

Pro tip: Use a Bevel Trimmer—its square blade makes defining tight lines easier. Then finish with Scotch Porter Conditioning Beard Balm to keep your skin calm and beard soft.

The Full Beard

Sometimes simple is best. If your beard and mustache connect naturally, follow Paul Mescal’s lead with a full beard. Grow both out evenly—the key is balance. Keep it tidy with scissors or a trimmer, and keep it hydrated with beard oil. No one wants a wiry Brillo pad on their face—least of all whoever’s kissing you.

Pro tip: Massage in a few drops of Le Labo Beard Oil or Jack Black Beard Oil—light enough to absorb fast, strong enough to soften wiry hair.

The Long Beard

If you’ve got Jason Momoa-level growth, the long beard is a no-brainer. It gives off rugged, IDGAF energy and doesn’t need daily upkeep—ideal for the low-maintenance set. For something cleaner, take cues from Christian Bale’s slightly trimmed version. Just don’t let the mustache get out of control. Long beard: hot. Long mustache: not. Skip the trimmer—just use scissors to snip stray hairs and a little beard wax to keep it healthy.

Pro tip: Keep it nourished with Honest Amish Beard Balm—it tames flyaways and gives that subtle, woodsy scent that says “I live in nature” (even if you don’t).

The Goatee

The goatee is a close cousin of the anchor beard, focusing more on the chin than the cheeks. The mustache is optional. It’s a polarizing look but Adam Driver makes a strong case. It’s easy enough: grow out the hair below your lip and chin, keeping the rest clean. If patchiness is an issue, work a beard balm into your routine.

Pro tip: Try MVRCK’s Beard Lotion—it keeps shorter growth hydrated and helps hide any patchy zones with a soft sheen.

The Close Stubble

If a full beard feels like too much commitment, stubble is the perfect middle ground. It adds texture and edge with minimal effort. Michael Fassbender‘s low-maintenance gives “I just woke up like this, on purpose.” While Tom Hardy has more dense growth kept just short enough to look intentional. Depending on how fast your hair grows, you might need a quick daily shave to maintain it.

Pro tip: The Braun Series 9 Pro Electric Shaver keeps stubble uniform—pair it with Aesop Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion for smooth skin that still feels like you.

The Short Boxed Beard

For guys who want to look polished all the time, follow the Chrises—Evans and Hemsworth—who both favor a clean, uniform beard. Use a trimmer to keep the length consistent across your face, connecting the beard neatly to your mustache and sideburns.

Pro tip: The Panasonic ER-SB40-K Trimmer has adjustable guards so you can dial in the exact length. Keep everything conditioned with King C. Gillette Beard Balm.

The Stubble Mustache

If you want the mustache to take center stage, let Pedro Pascal and Charles Melton be your guides. Pascal’s is thicker and more rugged; Melton’s is thinner and vintage-leaning. Whichever route you go, keep it trimmed and defined while maintaining a clean shave everywhere else.

Pro tip: A Tweezerman Mustache Scissors are perfect for precision shaping.

The Muttonchops

If your beard journey leads you to muttonchops… go for it. Obviously, Elordi did. Extend your sideburns onto your cheeks and clean up your chin and upper lip for a period-drama effect. Will you look more Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights or Renaissance-faire cosplayer? Hard to say—but there’s only one way to find out.

Pro tip: Keep your skin smooth between chops with an exfoliating face scrub.

This was originally published in British GQ.