men · barber guide
Goatee Styles: The Main Types and How toShape Each
The main goatee styles, from the classic and circle beard to the Van Dyke and anchor, with who each suits and how to shape and trim yours at home.
Hairover Team
The main goatee styles are the classic goatee, the circle beard, the Van Dyke, the anchor, the extended goatee, the soul patch, the balbo, and the chin strip. Strictly speaking, a goatee is hair on the chin only, but the word is used for any chin-focused beard. A goatee is a good choice if your cheeks grow thin or patchy, since it uses the area where most beards grow thickest.
The eight styles
1. Classic goatee. Hair on the chin only, about the width of the mouth.
2. Circle beard. A goatee that connects to the mustache in a rounded shape. The most common “goatee” people mean.
3. Van Dyke. A pointed chin beard with a separate mustache that doesn’t connect.
4. Anchor. A chin beard that runs along the jaw slightly, with a separate pencil or short mustache, shaped like an anchor.
5. Extended goatee. A circle beard that extends wider along the jaw, short of the sideburns. Often called the “Hollywoodian.”
6. Soul patch. A small patch below the lower lip.
7. Balbo. A chin beard with a floating mustache, no sideburns or cheek hair. Stronger and wider than an anchor.
8. Chin strip. A narrow vertical strip from the lip to the chin.
Who suits which
| Face shape | Good choices |
|---|---|
| Round | Extended goatee, anchor, longer Van Dyke |
| Square | Circle beard, Van Dyke |
| Oblong | Short circle beard, keep length minimal |
| Oval | Almost any |
| Weak chin | Longer goatee or anchor to add definition |
See beard styles by face shape.
How to shape a goatee
- Grow your full beard for two to four weeks so you have hair to shape.
- Decide the width. Use the corners of your mouth as a guide.
- Trim the length of the chin hair with a trimmer guard.
- Shave everything outside the shape, using a trimmer with no guard for clean edges.
- Shape the bottom. Keep the neckline clean. See how to trim a beard.
- Trim the mustache to the style you chose. See mustache styles.
Upkeep
- Edges: every two to three days. A goatee’s look depends on clean lines.
- Length: every one to two weeks.
Related guides
Match your haircut to your goatee
Hairover lets you upload a clear photo, get a hair analysis, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio.
FAQ
What is a goatee?
Strictly, a goatee is hair on the chin only. In everyday use the word covers several chin-focused beards, often with a mustache, like the circle beard and the Van Dyke.
Which goatee suits a round face?
A longer goatee or an anchor beard. Extra length at the chin makes a round face look longer.
What is the difference between a goatee and a Van Dyke?
A Van Dyke is a pointed chin beard with a separate mustache that doesn't connect to it. A classic goatee is just the chin, or connects to the mustache in a circle.
How do I shape a goatee?
Grow your full beard for a few weeks, then shave everything outside the shape you want, using the corners of your mouth as the guide for the width.
