Chin Strap Beard: Professional Tips for a Clean and Precise Look

The chin strap beard. It doesn't always get a lot of love. It's often lumped in with the Amish's bushy chin beards, which everyone seems to have. (We've actually got an article about that.) But it doesn't have to be this way. In fact, the chin strap beard is coming back into style in a chiselled, defined form. With crisp lines, it can be a game-changer for your look – especially with a killer fade. 

Consider this your roadmap to chin strap beards. We'll cover what they are, what styles you can have, and how to grow one. So, if you think a chin strap-style beard is for you, keep on reading. 

What is a Chin Strap Beard?

The chin strap beard is pretty much all in its name. It's a beard that extends in an unbroken line around the chin, following closely to the jawline. Previously, chin straps tended to be more fully grown, forming a bushy perimeter of hair. It was a pretty wild look. But then again, this was a time when European rulers were growing crazy mustaches – it was a different time! 

Today, the most common form of chin strap beard is the thin, defined line of hair that fades into the hairline at the edges. At the chin, it can either continue as a line or flair into a soul patch or chin tuft. It really depends on what you're going for. Take a look at a bunch of different pictures to get a clearer idea of your desired look.

Chin Strap Beard Styles

Chin strap beards come in all kinds of styles and shapes. From disconnected straps to added mustaches, there are a ton of styles possible to make your look unique. Who knew chin straps could be so complicated?! Let's take a look at a few classic styles:

• Classic Chin Strap: It's all about simplicity with this one. The beard follows your jawline exactly, just a thin strip of hair that connects from one side of your face to the other. Everything else is clean-shaven, so it really accentuates the jawline.
• Chin Strap with a Moustache: Want to add a bit more flair? Throw a moustache into the mix. Whether it's a neat pencil or a twirly handlebar, pairing it with a chin strap can really step up your facial hair game.
• Extended Chin Strap: If you prefer a bolder look, the extended version widens the strap to cover more of your cheeks, reaching up toward your hairline. It's a bit more rugged but still keeps things tidy.
• Disconnected Chin Strap: For something on the edgier side, go for a disconnected style. This means the strap might not meet up with your sideburns, or it could even have a break somewhere along the line. It's definitely a more modern take on the traditional strap.
• Faded Chin Strap: This one's for the fashion-forward. The faded chin strap blends the beard into your skin with a smooth gradient, requiring some skillful barbering to keep it looking sharp. It's a great choice if you're after a standout, well-groomed look.

How to Grow a Chin Strap Beard

Okay, enough about the different kinds of chin straps. How do you grow one? It might sound like an obvious question. However, it can be a little tricky to know what to shave and when. There's also the question of whether you even should in the first place. That depends on your face shape.

Understanding Face Shape

Chin straps don't suit all face shapes. Your face shape is defined by the overall shape of your head and your facial features. Chin straps generally suit people with oblong, diamond, and square faces. It helps to outline and contrast their features, highlighting their stronger jawline. It doesn't fit faces that are round or oval, as it can cause the chin to appear even weaker. 

For people with square faces, the chin strap adds a little extra weight to the chin, giving the face a more balanced appearance and softening any hard angles. Meanwhile, diamond faces benefit from not making the cheekbones so prominent. Keeping hair away from the cheekbones lowers the overall attention. Lastly, oblong faces look filler and less stretched out with a chin strap beard. It adds some visual weight to the bottom of the face. 

The worst face shapes for chin strap beards are triangle and heart-shaped faces. Basically, any face shape with a pronounced point in the chin. The chin strap simply draws too much attention to the area, unbalancing the face. 

Growing a Chin Strap Beard

When you grow a chin strap beard, you'll want to start by getting heavy stubble. You can then use a trimmer to cut the stubble down to the correct length. 

1. Start from your cheekbone and move downwards. Always work away from the edge. Use a precision trimmer to carefully shape the line that begins at your cheekbone, ensuring it's clean and straight as it moves down your face.
2. Gradually move the hairline down to your jawline. Trim the beard to create a narrow strip that follows the natural contour of your jaw. This helps define the shape of your face and keeps the beard looking neat.
3. Define the width of your chin strap. Choose how wide you want your beard strip to be—commonly about half an inch. Adjust your trimmer's guard to maintain this width uniformly from ear to ear.
4. Connect the ends under the chin. Ensure that the strip connects neatly under your chin. This might require some careful trimming to achieve a clean, symmetrical look.

Remember, the chin strap requires regular maintenance. If you get stubble above the line, it can ruin the overall aesthetic. Keep the edges sharp and the width consistent with frequent trimming.