The Complete Guide to Goatee Styles: 12 Beard Types Every Man Should Know

Facial hair has been a symbol of masculinity, style, and personal expression throughout human history. From the ancient pharaohs of Egypt to modern-day celebrities, the goatee remains one of the most versatile and popular beard styles. Whether you're growing your first beard or looking to switch up your look, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the world of goatee styles and find the perfect match for your face.

What is a Goatee?

A goatee, in its purest form, refers to a tuft of hair on the chin, similar to that of a goat—hence the name. However, modern usage of the term has expanded to include various styles that incorporate facial hair around the mouth and chin area while keeping the cheeks clean-shaven. This versatility is what makes goatees so popular: they can be subtle or bold, professional or edgy, and they work with virtually any face shape.

The beauty of goatee styles lies in their adaptability. Unlike full beards that require extensive growth and maintenance, goatees offer a middle ground for men who want facial hair without the commitment of a full beard. They're also excellent for those who experience patchy growth on their cheeks but have good coverage on the chin and upper lip.

The History of the Goatee

The goatee has a rich and fascinating history that spans cultures and centuries. In ancient civilizations, chin beards were often associated with wisdom and nobility. Egyptian pharaohs wore false beards as symbols of divine power, and Greek philosophers like Socrates and Plato were depicted with goatees in classical art.

During the Renaissance, the goatee gained popularity among European nobility. The Van Dyke style, named after the Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck, became particularly fashionable in the 17th century. This sophisticated combination of a pointed chin beard and styled mustache was favored by aristocrats and artists alike.

In the 20th century, goatees went through cycles of popularity. The beatnik movement of the 1950s embraced the goatee as a symbol of counterculture and artistic expression. Jazz musicians and poets often sported this style as a mark of their creative identity. The 1990s saw a resurgence of goatee popularity, with celebrities and athletes making various styles mainstream once again.

Today, goatees continue to evolve. Modern grooming tools and techniques have made it easier than ever to achieve precise, well-maintained looks. Technology has also entered the equation, with AI-powered tools like Goatee.io allowing you to visualize different styles before committing to growing them.

12 Essential Goatee Styles

1. Classic Goatee (Pure Goatee)

The classic goatee represents the original and most traditional interpretation of the style. It consists of hair only on the chin, with no mustache and clean-shaven cheeks. This minimalist approach creates a clean, distinguished look that's surprisingly versatile.

Best for: Men who prefer a subtle look or those with sparse mustache growth. The classic goatee works particularly well in professional settings where a full beard might be inappropriate.

Face shapes: Oval, round, and heart-shaped faces benefit most from this style. The chin beard helps elongate rounder faces and adds definition to softer jawlines.

Maintenance: This is one of the easiest styles to maintain. Regular trimming to keep the shape clean and defined is all that's required. Most men find they need to touch up the edges every few days.

Styling tips: Keep the goatee well-groomed and evenly trimmed. The key to a great classic goatee is precision—use a good trimmer with a guard to maintain consistent length, and carefully shave the areas around it to create clean boundaries.

2. Full Goatee

The full goatee builds upon the classic by connecting a mustache to the chin beard. This creates a complete frame around the mouth, offering a more substantial look while still maintaining clean cheeks. It's often what people picture when they hear the word "goatee" in modern contexts.

Best for: Men who can grow connected facial hair around their mouth. This style works well for those who want more definition than a classic goatee provides without committing to a full beard.

Face shapes: The full goatee is particularly flattering for men with longer or rectangular faces, as it adds width to the lower face. It also works well with square faces, softening angular features.

Maintenance: Moderate maintenance is required. You'll need to keep both the mustache and chin beard at consistent lengths and ensure the connection points remain clean and well-defined.

Styling tips: Pay attention to the corners where the mustache meets the chin beard. These areas are crucial for a polished look. Use a precision trimmer for the edges and beard oil to keep the hair soft and manageable.

3. Circle Beard (Door Knocker)

Often called the "door knocker" due to its resemblance to old-fashioned door hardware, the circle beard connects the mustache to the chin beard in a smooth, rounded shape. It's the most common and arguably most professional variation of the goatee, striking a perfect balance between style and subtlety.

Best for: Professionals who want facial hair that won't raise eyebrows in corporate settings. The circle beard is also ideal for men who appreciate symmetry and clean lines.

Face shapes: This universally flattering style works with almost all face shapes. It's particularly effective for square faces, as the rounded shape softens angular features.

Maintenance: Regular trimming is essential to maintain the circular shape. The rounded edges require more attention than straight-line styles.

Styling tips: Use a round template or guide when trimming to maintain the circular shape. The mustache and goatee should be the same length for the cleanest look.

4. Van Dyke

Named after the 17th-century Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck, the Van Dyke is characterized by a pointed chin beard that is separate from a styled mustache. This distinctive look has an artistic, sophisticated quality that sets it apart from more common styles.

Best for: Men who want a distinguished, artistic appearance. The Van Dyke is popular among creative professionals and those who appreciate historical styles with a modern twist.

Face shapes: The pointed chin beard is excellent for round faces, as it creates the illusion of a more angular jawline. It also works well with oval faces.

Maintenance: Higher maintenance than connected styles. Both the mustache and chin beard need separate attention, and the gap between them must be kept clean.

Styling tips: The mustache can be styled with wax for a more traditional look, or kept natural for a contemporary feel. The chin beard should come to a point, which requires careful trimming and shaping.

5. Anchor Beard

The anchor beard gets its name from its resemblance to a ship's anchor. It traces along the jawline, featuring a pointed chin beard connected to a mustache. The sides extend slightly along the jaw but don't include full sideburns. This style is perfect for adding definition to the face without the bulk of a full beard.

Best for: Men who want to emphasize their jawline. The anchor beard is particularly popular among those with softer jaw definitions who want to create a more angular appearance.

Face shapes: Round and heart-shaped faces benefit greatly from this style. The extended jawline creates visual length and definition.

Maintenance: Moderate to high maintenance. The jawline portions require regular attention to keep the lines clean and the overall shape balanced.

Styling tips: Precision is key with this style. Use a quality trimmer without a guard for the edges, and take your time to ensure both sides are symmetrical.

6. Soul Patch

The soul patch is a small tuft of hair centered just below the lower lip. It's the most minimal form of facial hair that still makes a visible statement. Despite its small size, the soul patch has a rich cultural history, particularly in jazz and blues music scenes.

Best for: Men who want just a hint of facial hair, those who can't grow fuller beards, or anyone looking for a low-maintenance style with personality.

Face shapes: The soul patch works with all face shapes due to its minimal impact on facial proportions.

Maintenance: Extremely low maintenance. A quick trim every few days keeps it looking sharp.

Styling tips: Keep it small and centered for the most flattering look. Some men prefer a slightly wider soul patch, while others opt for a narrow strip. Experiment to find what works best for your features.

7. Extended Goatee (Hollywoodian)

Also known as the Hollywoodian due to its popularity among Hollywood celebrities, the extended goatee features a goatee that widens outward along the jawline while keeping the cheeks clean. It's a bold, masculine style that commands attention without the full commitment of a complete beard.

Best for: Men who want a statement-making facial hair style. The extended goatee projects confidence and works well for those in creative industries or who want to stand out.

Face shapes: This style works best with longer faces, as it adds width. Men with narrow faces will find this style particularly flattering.

Maintenance: High maintenance. The extended portions along the jawline require regular attention to maintain clean lines and consistent length.

Styling tips: The transition from goatee to jawline extension should be smooth and natural. Use different guard lengths to create a subtle gradient if desired.

8. Balbo Beard

Named after Italian aviator Italo Balbo, this distinctive style features a separate mustache paired with an inverted T-shaped chin beard. The Balbo doesn't connect at the corners, creating a unique look that's both fashion-forward and historically significant.

Best for: Trendsetters and those who appreciate unique, distinguished looks. The Balbo has gained popularity in recent years among style-conscious men.

Face shapes: Particularly flattering for men with narrow chins, as the T-shape adds visual width to the lower face.

Maintenance: High maintenance. The Balbo requires precise shaping and regular upkeep to maintain its distinctive shape.

Styling tips: The key to a great Balbo is the T-shape of the chin beard. Keep the horizontal portion of the T at a consistent width and the vertical portion centered and well-trimmed.

9. Petite Goatee

The petite goatee is a smaller, more refined version of the classic goatee. It's compact and precise, making it perfect for those who prefer subtle facial hair that doesn't dominate their appearance.

Best for: Men with smaller facial features or those who work in conservative professional environments where extensive facial hair might be inappropriate.

Face shapes: Works well with most face shapes due to its minimal impact on proportions.

Maintenance: Low maintenance, requiring only regular trimming to keep the shape small and defined.

Styling tips: Precision is everything with a petite goatee. Use a small trimmer attachment and mirror in good lighting to ensure clean, even lines.

10. Chin Strap + Goatee

This style combines a chin strap—a thin line of hair running along the jawline—with a goatee at the chin. It creates a defined jaw contour with added character at the chin, offering a modern, edgy look that's popular among younger men.

Best for: Men who want to define their jawline and add structure to their face without growing a full beard.

Face shapes: Excellent for round faces, as the chin strap creates the illusion of a more defined jawline.

Maintenance: High maintenance. The chin strap must be kept thin and even, which requires regular trimming and careful attention to symmetry.

Styling tips: Use a precision trimmer for the chin strap portion. The goatee can be fuller, but the strap should remain thin and consistent for the best effect.

11. Goatee with Stubble

This popular style pairs a defined goatee with short stubble across the rest of the face. The contrast between the neat goatee and the rugged stubble creates a balanced look that's both polished and masculine.

Best for: Men who like the defined look of a goatee but also appreciate the rugged appeal of stubble. This is an excellent choice for those who want facial hair that transitions easily from weekend casual to Monday professional.

Face shapes: Works with all face shapes. The stubble provides coverage while the goatee adds definition.

Maintenance: Moderate maintenance. You'll need to maintain the stubble at a consistent length (usually 1-3mm) while keeping the goatee longer and well-defined.

Styling tips: The key is contrast. The goatee should be noticeably longer and more defined than the surrounding stubble. Use different guard lengths to create this distinction.

12. Long Goatee

The long goatee takes the classic style and extends the chin hair significantly. It's a bold, distinctive look that makes a strong statement and shows commitment to facial hair grooming.

Best for: Men who want their facial hair to be a defining feature of their appearance. The long goatee works well for creative professionals, musicians, and those who appreciate unconventional style.

Face shapes: Best suited for men with rounder faces, as the length creates visual elongation. Can also work with square faces.

Maintenance: High maintenance. Long goatees require regular washing, conditioning, and shaping to prevent split ends and maintain a healthy appearance.

Styling tips: Use beard oil daily to keep the hair soft and healthy. Consider using a small amount of beard balm or wax to shape and control the longer portions.

How to Choose the Right Goatee for Your Face Shape

Selecting the perfect goatee style isn't just about personal preference—it's about understanding how different shapes complement your facial features. Here's a quick guide:

Oval Face: You're lucky—almost any goatee style will work. Feel free to experiment with different looks.

Round Face: Choose styles that add length and definition, such as the Van Dyke, anchor beard, or long goatee. Avoid overly round styles that might emphasize facial roundness.

Square Face: Soften angular features with rounded styles like the circle beard or full goatee. Avoid very angular styles that might make your face appear too harsh.

Rectangular/Long Face: Add width with styles like the extended goatee or Balbo. Avoid long goatees that will further elongate your face.

Heart-Shaped Face: Balance a wider forehead with fuller goatee styles. The anchor beard and extended goatee work particularly well.

Maintaining Your Goatee

Regardless of the style you choose, proper maintenance is crucial for a great-looking goatee:

1. Invest in quality tools: A good trimmer with multiple guard attachments is essential. Consider also getting a precision trimmer for edges and detail work.

2. Establish a routine: Trim your goatee every few days to maintain its shape. How often depends on how fast your facial hair grows.

3. Keep it clean: Wash your goatee regularly with a gentle cleanser or dedicated beard wash. This prevents buildup of oil and keeps the hair healthy.

4. Moisturize: Use beard oil or balm to keep your goatee soft and prevent itchiness. This is especially important for longer styles.

5. Define your lines: The areas around your goatee—cheeks, neck, and jawline—should be kept clean-shaven or neatly trimmed for the best appearance.

Try Before You Grow: Using AI Technology

One of the biggest challenges in choosing a goatee style is visualizing how it will look on your face. Growing out facial hair takes time, and there's no guarantee you'll like the result. This is where technology comes to the rescue.

AI-powered goatee simulators like Goatee.io allow you to upload a photo and instantly see how different styles would look on your face. This takes the guesswork out of choosing a style and lets you experiment without any commitment. You can try on all 12 styles mentioned in this guide and compare them side by side before making your decision.

Conclusion

The goatee remains one of the most versatile and timeless facial hair options available to men. Whether you prefer the subtle sophistication of a classic goatee or the bold statement of an extended Hollywoodian, there's a style that will complement your features and express your personality.

Remember that the best goatee is one that you feel confident wearing. Take the time to experiment with different styles, maintain your chosen look with care, and don't be afraid to change things up when you're ready for something new. With the guidance in this article and modern tools like AI simulators, finding your perfect goatee has never been easier.

Start your facial hair journey today, and discover which of these 12 essential goatee styles will become your signature look.