"Styled/Sculpted" Beards? What's your take?

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?

With 23 views and zero replies, is it safe to assume that I've asked a terribly silly question?

I don't mind cruel replies at all, so long as they're either funny, ultimately helpful, or, naturally, both.

I grew a beard last December, for the first time in about 25 years. I didn't trim or maintain my previous beard , so it looked like crap, but this time I'm keeping it trimmed short. I really like it, since I think it visually shortens my face. To accentuate that, I'm sculpting it slightly by trimming it a little shorter at the chin than on the sides.
Needless to say, I think shaping facial hair to shape your face is perfectly fine, but I personally stop short of something I consider an extreme statement, like muttonchops, etc.

I'm guessing that you were trimming your beard to begin with, just not into a particular style. If you think it looks good on you, give it a go. It'll take a little more time to maintain (and I think sculpted beards make you look particularly bad if the bare areas are stubbly), but other than that, there's no problem. You can shave it all off tomorrow if you want and start over, no damage done.

Originally Posted by BBRex

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I'm guessing that you were trimming your beard to begin with, just not into a particular style. If you think it looks good on you, give it a go. It'll take a little more time to maintain (and I think sculpted beards make you look particularly bad if the bare areas are stubbly), but other than that, there's no problem. You can shave it all off tomorrow if you want and start over, no damage done.
I don't sport one, and never have, but I know a few folks who have beards and wear them well.

That was the most verbose question I've ever read.

Originally Posted by RatherAnOddball

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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?

I can't grow one.

I think they can look great and the opposite is true if done poorly.

I wear the same anchor/Balbo style beard myself in the cooler months (shave it off Memorial Day weekend, grow back come Labor Day). I think it's a great style and helps "define" my face more. It's getting popular too, googleimage Eric Dane for a good example.