by The style has been on a comeback tour since the early 2000s and it’s easy to spot for it grows in the area which is customarily shaved when maintaining a conventional beard. It should come as no small surprise then that choosing a neckbeard will make you stand out from the crowd even more so than the guys who rock goatees or chinstraps do. Do you like your beard neckline, and does it cover the entirety of the face?
Neckbeards may even be more divisive than Marmite and there is a certain stigma surrounding them that they should be left to the stereotypical basement-dwelling nerd. However, many other men believe they are severely underrated and can work as a stylish, fresh alternative for young guys (showcased by David Beckham above). Amish men aren’t the only guys who can rock it nowadays. Keep on reading to find the right Instagram inspiration for your daily styling!
What Is A Neckbeard?
The clue is in the name. The neckbeard is a style of beard where the facial hair predominantly grows from, well…The neck (and under the chin). Stereotypically the neckbeard is worn without the company of any additional facial hair like its cousins: the chinstrap or the goatee and grows solely from the neck/under the chin area. A neckbeard is a very unique look with a strong impression when the rest of the face is without hair.
Who Is A Neckbeard For?
No not just Harry Styles, but rather anyone with the confidence to wear it. How can Harry Styles’ pull off one of his extravagant looks? The answer is confidence (okay being the ex-frontman of what was one of the biggest bands on the planet may help) but the point stands. If you aren’t confident taking a bit of a risk it’ll show. Confidence is key and if you have it this look will be elevated all the more.
Those with patchy beards can easily cover up sparser areas with longer sections of hair, it also works wonders if you have a bit of excess heft in the chin. Though the neckbeard can be made to work with all face shapes, it is ideal for pointy chins and those of us with diamond-shaped heads.
The Stigma Of The Neckbeard
A quick google of “Neckbeard” won’t simply yield results about the facial hair style but also the subculture of nerds now termed “Neckbeards”. In this sense “Neckbeard” classifies as a derogatory term that infers arrogant nerds who live in their mum’s basements playing video games as virgins with no sense of personal hygiene. In the end, this length will even hide your double chin! Just avoid poor hygiene since it is a time-consuming and preppy look to go for.
How To Grow A Neckbeard
You may think the answer is to “just shave everything above my neck.” This is basically true, however, there is an art to achieving the very best in neckbeards.
- Be patient. For a decent amount of growth, you’ll want to let your neckbeard do its thing for 3-4 weeks. We wish you luck though, as this is the itchy stage for a new beard. Manage stress levels and get the right sufficient sleep for starters.
- Cleanse and comb your beard daily to keep it fresh and to ensure it grows straight.
- Feed your beard. Work a great beard wax and balm through the hair into the skin. This will reduce irritation by moisturizing the hair follicles. This will ensure your beard remains silky smooth and will help it grow all the better.
- Keep it within the outline of your neck when it’s at your desired length. Heads up since you might experience some acne along this growth journey.
How To Trim A Neckbeard
Achieving a neckbeard may look simple with little to no maintenance, however like any other beard style it takes some effort to keep it looking full and rugged.
- Wash your facial hair with a high-quality beard shampoo. Washing your beard will remove any loose hairs and clean away accumulated debris. With a clean towel, pat dry so you don’t irritate the skin.
- This step depends on the style of neckbeard you’ve chosen but if you’re opting for the traditional neckbeard you’ll be wanting to apply shaving cream everywhere but those areas.
- Trim a line along your jaw where you wish to separate the beard line from your face, careful to avoid the chin area. Practice your inner beardsmen.
- Invest in a beard trimmer and mow your neckbeard to your desired length. A neckbeard can be left bushy or trimmed down for a more office environment, it’s a personal preference. Need recommendations for some of the best razors on the market?
Maintenance and your neckbeard
Cleanliness is key. If you use warm water and oil or balm such as the ones we’ve recommended above, keeping your beard clean and debris-free should be easy enough. Said products will also help to reduce the irritation caused by new sprouting hairs.
Good-quality beard shampoo and/or conditioner will ensure your beard is malleable to your comb, distancing your new beard from tangles and knots and keeping it growing long and strong. Daily cleaning and regular brushing will also speed up the growth of your beard and if you’re wanting that big grizzly neckbeard then that’ll be just what you’re after.
How To Style Your Neckbeard
A neckbeard is pretty versatile. It can be left long and bushy or it can work just as well trimmed down for a smarter look. The longer your beard is the more styling it’ll likely require, though whatever the length, this guide will help you reach your perfect beard.
- Wash your beard with a beard shampoo/conditioner as always before you style.
- Left wet, spray in a little sea salt spray here and there to give your beard some texture.
- Work it through with a brush or just your fingers.
- Blow dry with a round brush and work it towards your desired style. (For a sharper look, use a hot setting to coax the hair under at the bottom).
- At the jawlinebrush the hair down and back, or if you’re after a more rugged wild look; up and out.
- Use the cool setting on your hairdryer when you’re satisfied to set your look.
- Use styling balm to get your beard to look coarser and fuller. Warm it up by rubbing it between your hands then apply it, thoroughly working it through the hair in the same direction it was brushed.
- Remember the longer the beard, the more balm you’ll probably require. As a general rule, begin with a pea-sized dollop then add more as required.
Celebrities Who Conquered The Neckbeard
Not too dissimilar to David Beckham’s take, Adam Levine rocks a slightly finer look. Incorporating his neckbeard with a standard beard and moustache, Levine leaves the hair under his chin thicker to enhance his jawline while the light neck hair gives it that little extra oomph to make it appear all the better. The key here is the difference in thickness between the neck and beneath the chin.
Lebron James’ rocks a thick neckbeard that comes up to the chin. This beard style gives his jawline an upgrade. Bringing the beard this high also helps show off just what a glorious neckbeard it is.
Josh Hutcherson has a very short neckbeard here that sticks close to his chin. This is a great style for guys who want a little more definition to their jaw without a full-on neckbeard. It can easily pass off as a little stubble and looks great from a side view as well as front-on.
Can You Style A Neckbeard?
What is your style of facial hair? Do you have thin, long, or coarse hair? The truth is that you can browse the internet for a ton of inspiration. Take a close look at your neck beard and your adam’s apple. Are you satisfied with your face shape and your rate of hair growth? You can boost your testosterone levels to speed up your beard growth. With the right oils & nutrition, everyone can enjoy a high-quality outcome. Just make sure that you aim for the right and even length, just style the rest of your facial hair evenly for stylish design.
On that note, what are you waiting for? Go grow a neckbeard!
So there you have it, the neckbeard is a versatile look that can be worn in many lengths and styles and It’s pretty low maintenance provided you keep it clean and in line with your pre-determined beard line. The neckbeard has an unfortunate stigma surrounding it but if you’re brave enough to give it a try you’ll be rewarded. Stick to our guides and you’ll be well on your way to one of the great looks above or one of the many other fantastic neckbeard styles out there.
Feature image from Pinterest
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