I tend to think that they look either anachronistic, fashion-forward, emo or hip-hop, so I normally just wear mine natural but trimmed close, neat and tidy; not stubble-short, but not anywhere remotely close to the length of Prince Michael's. Think Mahmūd Ahmadinejād's beard - like that.
Once in a while, though, I'll shave it off, just because I'm fickle. This time, while getting rid of it, I experimented, and one of these sculpted/styled beard styles - sort of similar to the classic "anchor," but without the pointy chin - seemed to mitigate some of the shortcomings of my face. To see what I'm talking about, go to the following link, keep your eyes on Honest Abe, and mouseover the "anchor beard" icon. http://www.brucevanpatter.com/lincoln_beard.html Replace the mustache with the one from the "Balbo beard" style, though.
So, it appeals to me, because it makes my broad face look both longer and thinner, plus it strengthens my jaw and chin. Yet, I'm a touch uneasy about giving it a go, since I, like you, don't think much of the various pencil-thin chin-curtains or lengthy, pointed goatees adorning the faces of white spat wearers, mall kiosk cell-phone salesmen and newsie-cap wearing emos alike, and I wonder if what I'd be doing wouldn't be too similar. Still, I'm tempted to wear the style, because I definitely look better that way.
So, what's your beard philosophy, what would you do?
Once in a while, though, I'll shave it off, just because I'm fickle. This time, while getting rid of it, I experimented, and one of these sculpted/styled beard styles - sort of similar to the classic "anchor," but without the pointy chin - seemed to mitigate some of the shortcomings of my face. To see what I'm talking about, go to the following link, keep your eyes on Honest Abe, and mouseover the "anchor beard" icon. http://www.brucevanpatter.com/lincoln_beard.html Replace the mustache with the one from the "Balbo beard" style, though.
So, it appeals to me, because it makes my broad face look both longer and thinner, plus it strengthens my jaw and chin. Yet, I'm a touch uneasy about giving it a go, since I, like you, don't think much of the various pencil-thin chin-curtains or lengthy, pointed goatees adorning the faces of white spat wearers, mall kiosk cell-phone salesmen and newsie-cap wearing emos alike, and I wonder if what I'd be doing wouldn't be too similar. Still, I'm tempted to wear the style, because I definitely look better that way.
So, what's your beard philosophy, what would you do?
