How to trim and shape a beard
To trim a beard, wash and dry it, comb it out, and trim the whole beard with a guard one size longer than you want, working down in steady passes. Then set the neckline about two finger widths above the bump of your throat, tidy the cheek line along its natural edge, and trim the mustache hairs clear of your lip. Go slowly; you can take more off, not put it back.
About 20 minutes to learnEveryday skill
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How to do it
- Wash and fully dry the beard, then comb it straight out against its growth.
- Fit a guard one size longer than your target length on the trimmer.
- Trim the whole beard in slow, even passes, then drop a guard size if you want it shorter.
- Place two fingers above the bump of your throat, and remove everything below that line with the bare trimmer.
- Follow your natural cheek line and clear only the stray hairs above it.
- Comb the mustache down and trim the hairs that cover your lip.
- Check both sides in a mirror, and even them out.
- Rinse, dry, and rub in a few drops of beard oil to soften it.
Common mistakes
- Trimming a wet beard, which shrinks as it dries and ends up shorter.
- Setting the neckline along the jaw, which looks like a chin strap.
- Starting with the shortest guard.
- Carving the cheek line far below where the beard naturally grows.
Quick self-check
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Teach this to someone
A one-page sheet for showing a friend, a roommate or a kid: what to say, what to show, and one question to check it landed.
Teach: How to trim and shape a beard
What to say
To trim a beard, wash and dry it, comb it out, and trim the whole beard with a guard one size longer than you want, working down in steady passes. Then set the neckline about two finger widths above the bump of your throat, tidy the cheek line along its natural edge, and trim the mustache hairs clear of your lip. Go slowly; you can take more off, not put it back.
What to show, in order
- Wash and fully dry the beard, then comb it straight out against its growth.
- Fit a guard one size longer than your target length on the trimmer.
- Trim the whole beard in slow, even passes, then drop a guard size if you want it shorter.
- Place two fingers above the bump of your throat, and remove everything below that line with the bare trimmer.
- Follow your natural cheek line and clear only the stray hairs above it.
- Comb the mustache down and trim the hairs that cover your lip.
- Check both sides in a mirror, and even them out.
- Rinse, dry, and rub in a few drops of beard oil to soften it.
The check question
Ask: Why trim a dry beard?
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Last reviewed . First published .