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Sporting a beard is practically a right of passage for men — it usually happens at least once or twice in a man’s lifetime. Plus, they intimidate bears, increase outdoorsy skills and radiate manliness.

There do seem to be a few questions about which haircut to pair with facial hair, however. A beard can be worn with any style, but proportion is key. The best men’s styles with beards have balance. Here are two celebrity hair trends that work perfectly with facial hair.

UNDERCUT CONTRAST

An undercut can make the transition from summer heat to brisk fall days with the addition of a beard. The shaved sides of an undercut might seem to work against a full beard, but when done right, the two complement each other.

The close-cropped sides and back seamlessly flow into facial hair, and wearing the undercut shorter than the beard makes facial hair appear thicker and fuller.

The appeal of an undercut is that it emphasizes the lines and height of any hairstyle. In the same way, the shaved sides and back also draw attention to the beard, making it seem fuller and more pronounced.

To achieve volume on top with well-groomed sides and beard, Jim Roberts, director of education and shows at BabylissPRO, recommends using the BabylissPRO Volaré X2 Clipper for the perimeter of the hair cut and shears and texturizing shears for the interior.

 

RUGGEDLY DEBONAIR

Slicked-back hair with a full beard charmingly walks the line between suave and rugged. The added fullness and height balances out the beard, which can otherwise dominate the face.

The necessity of maintaining a well-groomed beard is essential to this look. For many men, facial hair is multi-colored and grows at different rates. This can lead to a scruffy, unkempt appearance, so uphold a polished look with regular trimming.

Bill Kochanski, brand manager for Woody’s, recommends using Woody’s 2-in-1 Beard Conditioner, a leave-in conditioner that gives shine and control, plus has moisturizing agents that go deep down to refresh the skin. “A lot of guys get irritation under the beard, even it’s close-cropped, because that area doesn’t get a lot of moisture,” Kochanski says. “So the 2-in-1 Beard Conditioner really supports the skin underneath the beard.”

 

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