Goatee Styles: Quickly Sculpt Your Identity

Grooming Anchor, Circle Beard, face shape, goatee, Goatee styles, grooming, Soul Patch, trimming, Van Dyke

I have rocked a goatee or beard since the early 2000’s and different goatee styles can change your entire look.

So I get it. You’re staring in the mirror wondering if facial hair will make you look more distinguished or like you’re about to ask someone if they want to buy some essential oils. Here’s the thing – a good goatee can completely change how your face hits people. It’s geometry, man. You’re literally drawing lines on your face to change the shape.

But here’s what nobody tells you: you don’t need some $200 barber to make this work. You need a decent trimmer (I’m talking $30-50 range), a steady hand, and about 15 minutes. That’s it.

Goatee Styles Guide

The Classic Goatee

This one’s your safest bet. Just the chin, maybe a little soul patch action underneath. Think of it as facial hair training wheels – hard to fuck up, looks intentional.

Start with more hair than you think you need. You can always trim more off, but you can’t glue it back on (trust me, I’ve considered it). Use the longest guard first, then work your way down until it looks right.

Split image showing a man with a classic goatee on the left and a minimalist half-moon graphic representing the style on the right.

Van Dyke Goatee

A tip of the hat to painter Anthony van Dyke, this goatee keeps a respectful distance between a goatee and a solo mustache. It’s like art on your face and requires steady clipper hands.

Circle Beard

Or what some people call a full goatee—it’s like the goatee and mustache shook hands and agreed to get along. Ideal for folks who like a well-rounded finish.

Split image showing a man with a circle goatee on the left and a graphic symbol of the same goatee style on the right.

Split image showing a man with a sculpted goatee and soul patch on the left, and a black graphic symbol representing the same facial hair style on the right.

Soul Patch Combo

Ok, Real Talk – this is the style I tend to go back to the most. This quirky number got its groove from jazz cafes and beat poetry nights. And if you squint, it’s the Star Wars Rebel logo Snazzy, right?

Anchor Beard

This one wraps from your chin round to the jawline like, well, an anchor. It’s the face-elongator of goatees—great for showing off your artistic side (Brio4life).

Best Face Shapes for Goatees

Side-by-side comparison of oval and round face shapes for choosing the right goatee styles.

Not every goatee works for every face shape—some styles enhance your features, while others throw things off. Here’s a quick guide to picking one that fits your face:

Oval faces can pull off just about any goatee. The balanced shape gives you room to experiment.
Round faces do best with styles like the Van Dyke or Anchor Beard: These add vertical lines that help elongate the face. You want length, not width. Go for the classic or soul patch goatee. Skip the full circle beard – it’ll make your face look rounder.

Square faces pair well with a Disconnected Goatee or Circle Beard, both of which soften strong jawlines without losing definition.
Long faces benefit from the Anchor Beard or Full Goatee, which add width and balance out proportions.

If you’re unsure where to start, go simple. Try a clean goatee and tweak from there based on how it looks on your face.

Side-by-side comparison of square and long face shapes for picking the best goatee styles.

Pro Tip: Struggling with clothes that make you look shorter? My full Short Men’s Style guide breaks down what to wear (and what to skip) if you want to look taller.

Facial Hair Maintenance

Great goatee styles require great upkeep… It’s not that bad, literally less than a full beard… mathematically. Follow these steps to keep it looking Nifty:

Trim Regularly – Use a trimmer set to 3-5mm (average) for a neat length.
Define the Edges – A clean neckline and cheek area enhance the shape.
Moisturize Your Skin – Prevent dryness and irritation with a quality moisturizer.
Use Beard Oil – Keeps the hair soft and manageable.

Experiment with Shape – Adjust the goatee’s thickness and angles to complement your face.

For a deeper dive on beard maintenance, check out Beard Balms v. Beard Oils!

Goatee Grooming Products

Investing in the right grooming tools makes a difference. Here are some essentials:

Trimmer – A reliable beard trimmer with adjustable settings. Pay for the one with the chord in my opinion.
Razor – For precise edges and clean lines. Straight razor is best IF you have the experience.
Scissors: For detail work and fixing uneven spots. Get small ones made for facial hair.
Beard Oil – Keeps hair soft and reduces itchiness.
Moisturizer – Prevents dry skin under your beard.
Comb or Brush – Helps shape and maintain your goatee’s structure.

Beard grooming products including a beard balm tube, beard oil bottle, electric trimmer, and razor on a green bathroom counter.

Final Thoughts

Start conservative. Seriously. You can always take more off, but growing it back takes weeks. And if you mess up? Just shave it all off and start over in a month. It’s not permanent ink.

The point isn’t to look like some magazine model. It’s to look like the best version of yourself. A goatee should feel like it belongs on your face, not like you’re wearing a costume.

And remember – confidence sells the look more than perfect technique ever will.

Goatee Styles: Quickly Sculpt Your Identity