The Different Types of Beard Hair & How to Care for Yours

Nature loves variety. Just look at the Amazon rainforest vs a Nordic pine forest. Each is striking, yet wildly different. Your strategy for handling each environment would be completely different, too. 

The same goes for your facial foliage. While every guy has their own unique type of hair, beard hair in general can be categorized into a few different varieties—straight, wavy, curly, and coarse. If you’re looking to get serious about taming your own jungle, you’ll want to know what you’re working with first.

In this guide, we’re combing through the various types of facial hair, equipping you with the knowledge, tools, and tips you need to care for your unique mane. 

Top beard hair types.

Men have different types of beard hair due to the interplay of beard texture and growth patterns, alongside genetics and hormonal makeup.

This dynamic produces four main varieties.

#1 Straight

The hairs of a straight beard don’t circle back on themselves—they charge forward. This makes straight beard hair some of the fastest-growing. A signature aspect of the Viking vibe, straight beards offer the easiest path to dialed-in grooming.

Most of the time, regular washing and the occasional use of a beard comb are all it takes to keep straight beards looking rugged yet refined.

Guys with straight facial hair may also need to trim some patches more than others to preserve symmetry (think: beneath the chin).

#2 Wavy

Sometimes, straight hair decides to throw a curve into the mix. The result? Wavy beard hair, which resembles sound waves. 

Wavy beards can sneak up on you, especially if you’ve never let your facial hair fully grow out. Sometimes, the wave only emerges after a month or so of growth. 

Wavy beards offer some of the most unique looks, but also require diligent tending if you want to sport a long, full beard. The sudden directional shifts create unorthodox patterns that need a little reigning in—nothing a beard brush and a bit of wax can’t fix.

#3 Curly

The most bountiful beards generally qualify as curly. Built like tightly coiled springs, curly beard hair intertwines in spirals, generating a full and striking texture.

But this corkscrew pattern also invites tangles—and the longer a curly beard becomes, the more attention it requires. Of course, with proper grooming and optimal tools, curly beards can hit epic proportions, lending themselves to a killer look.

#4 Coarse

Coarse beard hair features thick strands and a wiry shape. This combo creates stiff-looking beards that are often prone to dryness. However, when properly cared for, coarse beard hair exudes a healthy serving of masculine energy, and its sturdy diameter produces thick volume. 

Owners of coarse beard hair should prioritize detangling measures and watch out for “beard bed head.” 

How beard growth varies.

In a perfect world, all types of facial hair would emerge evenly and proportionally across the entire face. But nature likes to keep things interesting, so guys must master their specific growth pattern.

Oftentimes, hair comes in thicker around the mouth and under the chin, while remaining paltry across the cheeks. 

In addition to your specific type of beard hair, different types of beard growth patterns will influence your chosen style. Sometimes, a particular look will capture the best aspects of your personal growth pattern, with options including:

• Full beard

• Goatee

• Soul patch

• Sideburns

• Five o’clock shadow (or stubble)

Guys who struggle with full coverage on their cheeks might choose to rock a goatee or a soul patch, for instance. Meanwhile, stewards of abundant curly beards may choose to go full Viking mode. 

Adopt a style that places your facial hair strengths center stage and sidesteps inherent growth challenges.

How to care for your specific beard hair texture.

All beard textures require a basic level of grooming to keep them sleek and full. To that end, develop a rock-solid habit of:

• Cleansing – Shampoo your beard 2-3 times a week, especially with a hydrating beard shampoo. This eliminates sweat and product residue.

• Conditioning – Beard conditioner hydrates and softens even the coarsest hair.

• Trimming – Keep edges and your neckline defined by trimming excess growth.

Beyond this core upkeep, you’ll want to tailor your approach:

• Straight – Straight beards often fall prey to patchiness. Use a beard comb to coach hairs to lie evenly. Follow up with the Beard Hedger to erase wayward strands.

• Wavy – Comb regularly for even waves (but be gentle—it’s easy to yank out wavy hairs). Help your beard hold its shape by treating it with regular doses of Beard Balm Styling Pomade. 

• Curly – Curly beards run the greatest risk of tangling. To avoid waking up with an unruly shrub, regularly lather it with Beard Oil. You’ll also want to hit it with a daily comb—corkscrew-shaped hairs get gnarled fast.

• Coarse – When held in check, coarse beards anchor some pretty baller looks. But they require a full toolset for upkeep and maximum style. Moisturize, balm, and hedge those edges. Shape it gradually into a chiseled trophy.

MANSCAPED®: Tools for every type.

At MANSCAPED®, we believe beards can be a man’s crowning glory. But so many men opt for a clean shave simply because of past experience with unruly facial hair. 

Our elite roster of beard and face shaving tools changes the game. Now, every man can cultivate a commendable set of whiskers or a sleek and streamlined stubble that makes you feel like you own the room.

Sources: 

Medical News Today. Can a person speed up beard growth? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-grow-beard-faster 

Healthline. Best Methods for Growing a Beard on the Cheeks.

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-grow-beard-on-cheeks