Ducktail Beard Guide: How to Grow, Style, and Maintain This Classic Look

Finding a full beard style that suits your face is an ongoing challenge. Maybe you're lucky enough to have chosen the right style the first time, or maybe you've spent some time trying out different shapes. Either way, one of the best full beard styles to try out is the ducktail beard. 

Popular among celebrities like Mel Gibson, Charlie Hunman, and Pierce Brosnan, it offers all the raw masculinity of a full beard with a touch of sophistication and class. There's just something slightly eccentric and interesting about the ducktail beard.

The question is, where do you start? What is a ducktail beard? How do you grow and trim one? And would it even look good with your face shape? Find out below.

What is a Ducktail Beard?

A ducktail beard is a kind of full beard that's grown to something of a point. The bottom of the beard resembles a duck's tail – hence the name. However, ducktails aren't just about the point; they are about creating a solid, well-groomed block of hair that starts narrower at the cheeks and gradually tapers off.

Compared to the conventional pointed beard, ducktails are a little more curved, shaped, and less angular. Remember, it's not about a sharp point – the hair should curl upwards at the bottom a little, like a well… duck's tail.

Then there's the upper lip. Most men choose to keep their mustache neatly trimmed. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can combine a ducktail beard with a handlebar mustache. (See Jason Mamoa and Pierce Brosnan). Of course, it can leave you looking a little mad, professor. Just be sure you pull it off. 

Do You Suit a Ducktail Beard?

People often select a beard style without any thought to their face shape. Unless you're one of the lucky ones, your face shape determines what you should or shouldn't grow. Just think about men with big, long faces and a pointed beard. It looks odd!

The ducktail beard is perfect for adding definition and contour to your jawline. If this is something of a weak area for you, think about growing a ducktail. (Remember what they say about beards being makeup for men.)

As a general rule, round or square faces are best for the ducktail. This beard style adds some much-needed length, improving the jawline and balancing the face. The opposite is true of long or narrow face shapes, where the ducktail beard only serves to exaggerate the proportions. (A shorter, boxed beard would work better.) 

How to Grow a Ducktail Beard

Growing a ducktail beard is 80% patience and 20% styling. Before you can even begin trimming your beard hair, you want to ensure you've got enough hair to play with. It can take several months to achieve the desired length – the average ducktail beard is 2 to 4 inches in length. Given it takes around one month to grow ½ inch, you're looking at 4-8 months of pure patience.

You can encourage your beard growth with some simple tips:

• Nourish from Within: Enhance beard growth by maintaining a balanced diet rich in proteins, vitamins A, C, E, and Biotin. Staying hydrated also promotes healthier skin and hair follicles.
• Establish a Care Routine: Regularly wash and condition your beard using products specifically formulated for beard care to keep the hair clean and moisturized, reducing breakages and split ends.
• Apply Beard Oils: Use natural beard oils that contain jojoba, argan, or coconut oil to nourish the hair and skin, which can encourage thicker and faster growth.
• Exercise Regularly: Physical activity increases blood circulation, which helps to deliver nutrients to your hair follicles more effectively, aiding in healthier beard growth.

How to Trim a Ducktail Beard

Trimming your facial fuzz into a ducktail beard is a little complicated. We recommend keeping a picture of the desired look in front of you to help with the process. 

You will need:

• Beard comb or beard brush
• Beard trimmer or clippers
• Beard shaping tool
• Beard oil or balm

1. Brush Your Beard Into Shape

Begin by using a beard comb or brush to get your beard into the rough shape you want it. This can help you notice where you need to trim. Have the picture in front of you next to the mirror. Take a good look in the mirror. What needs to be done to achieve your desired look?

Usually, you'll need to trim the sides, tidy up the edges, and create a rounded bottom. Use the beard brush to elongate and smooth the hair so you can see how much hair you're working with at all angles. You want the final beard to appear symmetrical.

2. Trim Your Neckline, Cheekline, and Mustache

The easiest first step is trimming the edges. Use an electric trimmer to create a neckline and cheekline.

For the neckline: Shave everything from the top of your Adam's apple downwards. Your neckline should be a straight line that runs between the underside of your chin and your neck. Avoid cutting too high, as this can create an unusual appearance.

For the cheek line: Start by removing any stray hairs above the hairline, then find a line with the most hair and trim along it. The line should be straight without removing too much hair.

For the mustache: You've got a lot more freedom. If it's your first time growing a ducktail, it's best to keep it trimmed just along the upper lip. But if this isn't your first rodeo, you might consider keeping the sides longer to either brush into the beard or grow into a handlebar.

3. Create the Rough Ducktail Shape

Now that the edges are tidy focus on sculpting the main body of the beard into a distinctive ducktail shape. Using your beard trimmer or clippers with a guard, begin trimming the beard hair from the sides towards the chin.

Maintain a gradual taper that narrows as it reaches the tip of the chin, resembling the tail of a duck. Continuously comb through the beard to check the symmetry and length. Be conservative with your cuts; you can always trim more if needed, but you can't add hair back once it's cut.

4. Gradually Shorten the Sides

Part of the beauty of the ducktail shape is the lighter sides. It puts more emphasis on the bottom of the beard. As before, you'll want to carefully remove some hair from the sides of your beard. Start by cleaning up the edges and gradually removing hair on each side to achieve the desired symmetrical look. 

Use a comb or brush regularly as you trim to ensure it's uniform in length. For the final touches, swap the trimmer for a pair of scissors to cut stray hairs and fine-tune the shape around the cheekbones. You want the sideburn area to be roughly ½ to 1 inch in length.

5. Apply Beard Oil

When you're happy with the length and shape, it's time for the finishing touch – a healthy dose of beard oil. Nothing is better for your beard than this nourishing oil, which softens the hair and moisturizes the underlying skin.

BEARD SORCERY's beard oils are perfect for ducktail beards. Made from the finest ingredients – including argan oil, jojoba oil, pumpkin seed oil, and much more – our beard oils work their magic on your beard. We only use natural ingredients – no artificial stuff.

Of course, if you need something with a little more hold, we recommend our beard balm. With a little beeswax and shea butter in the cauldron, this balm ensures your ducktail maintains its shape throughout the day. Check out our product selection today.