Author: Faiysal Kothiwala
Published at: Jul 14, 2025
Not everyone is a fan of big, bushy facial hair. And we haven’t all hit the genetic jackpot when it comes to growing a full beard. But fortunately, there are plenty of beard styles to suit all types of facial hair. Thankfully, there’s still a way to achieve that masculine look with a defined jawline without needing to grow a full face of hair.
Chin strap beard styles are incredibly versatile and work brilliantly for all face shapes. This particular beard style dates back to the 18th century. While it’s certainly a classic, many of the most popular versions today, such as mutton chop-inspired styles, feature a contemporary twist.
You can pair a chin strap beard with a goatee or even add a touch of flair with a show-stopping moustache. You can trim it down to a fine line or let it grow thick and wild. The options are endless, giving you the freedom to groom and style as you wish.
Read on to learn how to achieve this striking facial hair style and draw inspiration from some of the most fashionable looks around.
Achieving a Chin Strap look requires you to grow your sideburns and connect them with your beard along the lower part of your jawline and chin. You’ll then shave off the remainder of your facial hair to form a continuous band that outlines your face. This creates a clean, sharp effect that accentuates your jawline.
Although the classic chin strap beard is worn without a moustache, you’re free to add extra elements to personalise the style.
As with many beard styles, patience is key in the early stages. Your beard needs to reach a uniform length across your face. Bear in mind, facial hair doesn’t grow at an even rate everywhere.
Be patient! Facial hair growth rates vary across different areas of your face.
📌 Average beard growth rate: ½ inch (approximately 1.3 cm) per month
💡 Top Tip: Use beard oil to encourage healthy, even growth.
The best way to trim your beard is by using a trimmer with a guard comb attachment to help control the length. Start with a larger guard to even out the beard, then move to smaller ones until you’re happy with the look.
A handy tip is to trim against the grain to even out the thickest patches.
📌 Recommended length: Light stubble to 10mm
💡 Top Tip: For more precision, use beard scissors.
This is perhaps the most crucial step. Remove the guard from your trimmer or use a precision trimmer to outline your beard and moustache. Carefully remove hair above and below the beard line.
Use a precision trimmer or remove the trimmer guard to begin defining the outline of your beard.
📌 Goal: Crisp, symmetrical lines
💡 Top Tip: A beard comb can help maintain symmetry on both sides.
Once your outline is defined, go over the surrounding stubble for a smoother finish. If you prefer a rugged look, you can skip this step.
Use shaving oil, cream or foam being careful not to cover your beard itself. This prevents ruining those clean lines. Use a safety razor or straight razor for a polished finish.
For extra definition, shave the stubble around your chin strap using a safety razor or a cut-throat razor.
📌 Shaving technique: Single, steady strokes against the grain
💡 Top Tip: Use a high-quality razor to avoid irritation.
Even though the chin strap beard covers less of your face, it still requires proper upkeep. Regular trimming and shaving are essential to maintain those sharp edges. Depending on your hair growth rate, trimming every two to three days is ideal.
Although a chin strap covers less of your face, it requires regular grooming.
📌 Maintenance: Trim every 2-3 days for clean lines
💡 Top Tip: Apply beard balm to keep your beard healthy and well-moisturised.
Here are 15 of the best chin strap beard styles to help you choose your next look. From classic to creative, there's bound to be something that suits your face shape and personal style:
Some styles become classics because they serve as reference points and sources of inspiration. The Classic Chin Strap perfectly embodies this traditional beard style. The hair is kept short and follows the lower contours of the face, blending seamlessly with the sideburns.
You can define the look by shaving your lines to create sharp edges, or use a fade for a smoother transition. The edges along the jawline can be trimmed to be either rounded or angular, offering different aesthetic effects. The overall result is a neat and refined appearance, with a touch of playfulness.
Torn between the idea of a thicker chin strap and a longer beard? Why not have both? The Puffy Chin Strap is an ideal combination of a medium-length beard and a chin strap, offering the best of both styles.
Maintain the strap close to your facial contours and allow the chin hair to grow longer. A well-executed fade will blend the differing lengths seamlessly, delivering a striking visual effect.
This style embraces and elevates the patchy beard aesthetic. It is an excellent choice as it highlights the strengths of your natural facial hair, making uneven growth appear intentional, rugged, and masculine.
Regular trimming and upkeep are necessary to prevent the style from becoming too wild or unkempt. Simply outline a thin strap following the chin and jawline, and retain some hair on the upper neck to add texture and shadow, giving the illusion of a fuller beard.
This is a fusion of two timeless styles. Each stands strong on its own, but when combined, they create a truly distinguished look. It pairs well with shorter hair and clean, defined lines.
You must carefully shape and highlight both elements. Trim your goatee so that your moustache connects with your chin hair, and then craft a strap along the lower part of your face to unify the entire style.
Sometimes, going bigger genuinely pays off. Depending on your face shape, you might choose to make your chin strap wider than the traditional version. Let the hair extend slightly further toward the cheekbones, while still following the natural lines of the face.
This look gives the impression of a fuller beard, while requiring slightly less maintenance. You may opt for sharply defined edges and shave away the excess, or incorporate a fade and leave a touch of stubble for a more rugged appearance. Feel free to experiment and enjoy the creative process.
This is perhaps the most minimalist beard style imaginable. As the name suggests, the hair is trimmed to the width of a pencil, forming a very fine line that outlines the jaw and chin, accentuating your facial features.
To pull off this look, the beard must be kept extremely short, around 2 to 4 millimetres. Anything longer will compromise the crispness of the line. For a bolder statement, consider pairing it with a goatee.
If regular shaving and trimming fill you with dread, this might be the perfect solution. The Subtle Chin Strap requires minimal maintenance while still delivering a stylish result.
Trim the beard more densely around the jawline to create the actual strap, and leave the outer areas as light stubble to avoid the need for frequent shaving. This forgiving style offers the flexibility to keep it natural and effortless.
Although some are hesitant about the beardstache, we quite appreciate its distinctive charm. Essentially, it involves pairing a prominent moustache with a complementary beard, where the hair on the upper lip is longer and becomes the focal point.
Choose a moustache that suits your style and personality, and complement it with a well-groomed chin strap. This look works well even if your facial hair is slightly patchy.
A variation of the classic goatee-chin strap combo, the circle beard forms a neat ring around the mouth. It demands precise grooming and consistent upkeep.
The chin strap can be styled thick or thin to suit your facial structure, and it must be blended seamlessly with the circle beard. This style is most effective when the facial hair is kept relatively short and even throughout.
If you prefer a more natural approach to grooming, the Carved Out Chin Strap may suit you. This version feels more organic, shaped according to your beard’s natural growth rather than rigid lines.
You will still achieve a chin strap effect, but the outlines will follow the natural curves of your face rather than straight lines. It can also be paired nicely with a stylish moustache or goatee.
Although often considered its own distinct beard style, the Chin Curtain shares many traits with chin strap beards. It exudes a vintage charm, perfect for those feeling both adventurous and self-assured.
The Chin Curtain resembles mutton chops that connect beneath the chin. It is trimmed closely around the jaw and chin edges and is traditionally kept longer than most chin strap variations.
This bold and creative style adds dimension to your facial features through contrast in width. The defining element is the transition from a wider strap near the sideburns to a narrower section at the chin.
Styling must be tailored to suit your facial structure, and may require a bit of trial and error if you're doing it yourself. This look pairs beautifully with a modest moustache or even a small soul patch.
If your beard is curly, don’t be discouraged, you can still look sharp with a Chin Strap. One method is to trim the beard shorter at the sides and allow it to gradually lengthen toward the centre.
This creates a clean, structured look without making the face appear too broad. It enhances the jawline while allowing you to keep some length and enjoy a well-styled beard.
Angles play a vital role - whether in photography or facial grooming. With the Angled Chin Strap, the shape can completely transform your appearance.
This style is ideal for defining and sharpening the jawline. It involves crafting a visible angle between the vertical and horizontal portions of the strap. The sharper the angle, the more pronounced and structured your jaw will appear.
Sure, the textbook definition of the chin strap beard is that it’s kept relatively short. But, you know, life is short and we don’t always feel like playing by the rules. You can actually grow your beard as long as you like. As long as it follows the contours of your face and maintains a chin strap shape, then you’re doing this style justice.
Chin beards cover a range of styles involving facial hair on the chin. Depending on the length and shape, they can be called a Goatee, Chin Strap, or Chin Curtain beard.
Allow your facial hair to grow out evenly before trimming. Once filled in, shape the strap along your jawline and maintain crisp edges with regular shaving.
📌 Let hair grow uniformly before trimming
📌 Shape the strap along your jaw
📌 Keep edges neat with frequent maintenance
💡 Top Tip: Use beard oil for healthy growth
Trim your beard to form a strip along your jawline, starting at your sideburns and curving around the chin. Adjust the width until you find the right balance for your features. Shave the surrounding hair for a tidy result.
Many women find beards attractive and masculine. A chin strap beard enhances your jawline and gives off a strong, confident vibe—without the bulk of a full beard.
A Chin Strap beard is stylish, adaptable, and relatively easy to maintain. Whether you go classic, creative, or understated, it’s a fantastic way to highlight your features and turn heads.
🔥 Looking for the best tools for your chin strap beard?
➡️ Shop The Beard Struggle for premium grooming products.
💪 Grow it. Shape it. Own it.
Comments
