Which beard styles do women prefer?
When we ask the women at the markets we attend in Midland, TX Which beard styles do women prefer? The overwhelming answer is usually The Classic Beard. However my research online tells me that most women prefer thick stubble. (About 1-2 weeks of no shaving) Otherwise known as The 4mm, 5mm Beard or five o'clock shadow. On the flip side the chinstrap and the goatee are considered to be the least attractive beard styles. More on that later.
Typically I wouldn't speak on behalf of women, but for the sake of this article I’ll share with you 6 beard styles women prefer according to polls, studies, and the women I talk to day to day.
So let's dive into the facial hairstyles women can’t get enough of, as well as the ones they’d love to see fade out. And if you end up choosing a new style after reading this, don’t forget - use code BEARDSTYLE10 for 10% off your order today to help you kick off the look the right way.
1. The Classic Beard
Otherwise known as The Power Beard, The Classic Beard still remains one of the most popular beard trends for 2025. This beard style has always been popular hence the name but it's really taken off the last few years.
Who doesn't love the look of a well groomed classic beard on a guy? Amy from Odessa says "It just gives off a very masculine kind of, I can fix anything sort of vibe." But a tip here for guys that are going to be growing out their beards a little bit longer. Make sure that you're taking care of it! Keep it healthy and tight. Keep it moisturized with a quality balm like Maverick Beard Balm, Beard Moisturizer & Conditioner from Daily Grind.
Gentlemen this is the biggest mistake I consistently see my fellow beardsmen make. Good beard grooming habits aren't just for hipsters and Lumbersexuals. A premium beard oil or balm MUST be a part of your daily grooming ritual. No exceptions. Plus, keeping your beard and mustache hydrated is the only way to get rid of beardruff for good.
2. The 5mm beard or five o'clock shadow
The 4mm or 5mm beard Otherwise known as Stubble or five o'clock shadow is just effortless. It's timeless. It's classic. It's one of the few beard styles that pretty much looks good on any guy. It's really easy to maintain as well. According to Prim & Prep and other online surveys, the stubble beard style or five o'clock shadow is considered by women to be the most attractive.
Maverick Beard Balm $18.99 Use code BEARDSTYLE10 for 10% off!
For more on this beard style, read our guide: Master the 5mm Beard Length
This look is easily the most popular among celebrities. Even Late Night Host Jimmy Fallon followed in Jimmy Kimmel's footsteps and rocked a five o'clock shadow on his show recently.
Short Stubble or Long Stubble, both make the perfect addition to any look this fall. Staying clean shaven isn't a rule in the workplace anymore and come on, who want's to shave their face every single day?
3. The Short Boxed Beard
This beard style is going to be shorter than a longer classic beard but it's still going to be really well maintained, trimmed, and have good shape. This beard style is a perfect middle ground for the fellas that don't necessarily want to commit to a long beard but want a versatile and office-friendly option.
Let's be honest, it can be annoying to have a long beard that gets in your way so this one lets you still grow out your facial hair but not to the point where it's getting annoying. It's also great because it still has some shape to it which adds shape to your face.
For the gentlemen like me that don't have a great jawline growing your hair out is the perfect way to give your face some shape. This is where shaping it, trimming it, and keeping it well groomed come in.
4. Clean Shaven
Look, the fact is a lot of men look great with facial hair but a lot of men simply look better clean shaven. Jessica in Midland says "My husband has a beautiful face but he looks awful with a beard. I told him if he grows it out I'll leave him." She was kidding of course but according to Appointfix a Clean Shaven face is among the most attractive facial hair styles.
Lisa from Big Spring says "I absolutely love a guy with a fresh clean shaven face. My boyfriend looks 5 years younger when he shaves but to be fair he has a very nice jawline and nice bone structure so clean shaven is the way to go in my opinion."
Adam from San Antonio says "A clean shaven man looks so sexy if he has a nice jawline. Very few men do so I say if you got it flaunt it."
5. The Viking Beard Style
Viking style is nothing new, it has been in fashion for centuries. The Viking Beard is usually scruffy and unkempt, but it has a full, appealing shape when worn right. Jennifer from Lubbock says "My girlfriends and I have always been most attracted to men with a viking beard. It's an instant sign of maturity, dominance, and aggression."
It's often groomed with interesting neck hair and braids, giving the style some personality that might not be found in other styles. This style is a must for all you bearded gingers out there. To get a full beard, you’ll need about four to eight months of beard growth.
6. The Faded Beard
This style is the perfect beard for accentuating that jawline. Depending on where your fade starts it can really add a very sharp line and a lot of structure that draws attention to your jawline and your chin if you have a good one. But again, if you're like me and you don't necessarily have a great jawline I still think this style is a great choice because it adds shape to your face that maybe you wouldn't have had before.
Okay gentlemen, that is six facial hair styles women prefer. So now for the ones that the ladies wish would just go away, at least the ones that I spoke with. I go more in depth on this topic in my article "8 Common Beard Mistakes Men Should Avoid"
One of the most common beard styles I hear women say needs to die is the chin strap. I get it, it was cool in the 90's and early 2000's but I think this one is just really outdated. Maybe it'll come back, who knows.
Second one I hear is the little soul patch underneath your lip. Mandy from Midland says "it just looks like it's a catcher for food, it just looks like all your food's gonna get stuck there and it's just kind of odd to have nothing else besides that." Unless you're Tommy Lee or Howie Mandel I'd skip this look.
The goatee and mustache came up alot as well. Personally, I know some guys that completely rock a goatee, back in 2004 I used to be one, but I think it is one of those things that's a little bit harder to pull off.
Diesel Fuel Beard Balm $18.99 Use code BEARDSTYLE10 for 10% off!
Pro Tip for every single guy out there: Lose the neck hair. Every woman agreed that neck hair wasn't attractive. So whatever style you go with keep it trimmed on your neck. You don't want hair showing past your Adams apple it's not a good look on anybody I promise.
The 13 Best Beard Styles for 2025
Keep in mind these are just opinions and you should always go with whatever is going to make you feel the most confident. Spice it up and don't be afraid to grow out that hair because you're going gray. Most women love a little bit of salt and pepper. I get comments on the gray in my beard all the time. Try new things with your hair and facial hair. Find out what works for you and rock it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which beard style should I choose if I want to be more attractive to women?
According to the studies and real world feedback in this article, most women gravitate toward thick stubble (4mm to 5mm) and well groomed styles like the Classic Beard and Short Boxed Beard. These styles look masculine, put together, and work on most face shapes.
If you are not sure where to start, grow your facial hair out for 1 to 2 weeks, trim it to around 4mm to 5mm, and keep your neck clean. From there, you can decide if you want to grow into a Classic Beard or keep the stubble look women already rank as the most attractive.
How do I choose the best beard style for my face shape?
In general, you want to use your beard to balance your features. If you have a rounder face, a Short Boxed Beard or Faded Beard can add structure and definition to your jawline. If you already have a strong jaw, a Clean Shaven or light stubble look can highlight it.
Still unsure what works best on you? Start with a 5mm stubble beard, then slowly grow into a Classic Beard and see which look gets the most compliments. Whichever style boosts your confidence the most is the style you should commit to.
What beard length is most attractive to women?
According to a 2013 Australian study, heavy stubble is the most attractive beard length.
What beard length is the most masculine?
According to Psychology Today men with full beards are perceived to be the most masculine.
What products do I really need to keep my beard soft and attractive to women?
Women notice when a beard feels like sandpaper or looks dry and flaky. At minimum, you want three things: a beard wash, a beard oil or beard and scruff cream, and a beard balm for styling and control.
Daily Grind Beard Co. makes it simple with premium formulas like Maverick Beard Balm, Outlaw Beard Balm, and our full line of beard oils, balms, and scruff creams. Use code BEARDSTYLE10 at checkout for 10 percent off your order today.
How often should I use beard oil or beard balm for the styles women prefer?
For the Classic Beard, Viking Beard, or any full style women tend to love, you should use beard oil or beard and scruff cream once or twice a day. Apply after a shower while your beard is slightly damp, then lock it in with a light layer of beard balm to tame flyaways and shape your beard.
Even if you only rock stubble or a Short Boxed Beard, you still want to hydrate the skin under your facial hair to prevent beard itch and beardruff. A small amount of product goes a long way but makes a big difference in how soft, clean, and kissable your beard feels.
Can beard products help if my beard is patchy or does not grow evenly?
Yes. Beard products cannot change your genetics, but they can make the beard you do have look fuller, healthier, and more intentional. A hydrating beard and scruff cream or lightweight beard oil will soften your hair, calm irritated skin, and reduce patchy looking dryness.
If your growth is uneven, styles like the 5mm stubble beard or Short Boxed Beard are usually more forgiving than a huge Viking Beard. Keep your cheek and neck lines clean, then let the right products do the rest.
Which Daily Grind Beard Co. products pair best with the beard styles women prefer?
For a Classic Beard or Short Boxed Beard, try a conditioning balm like The Duke Beard Balm or Maverick Beard Balm for soft control and a masculine scent.
For stubble, faded beards, and clean shaven routines, our beard and scruff creams and washes are perfect for keeping your skin smooth, hydrated, and flake free. No matter which style you choose, you can build a full routine from our men's grooming collection and use code BEARDSTYLE10 to save on your order.
Do beards make you look older?
Yes it does, as I mentioned above a beard can add 5 years easy.
Does a full beard make you more attractive?
Okay so maybe you are less worried about how old your beard makes you look, and are more concerned with how attractive it makes you look.
A study in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology states that there is in fact a pattern in terms of casual dating attractiveness, and long-term dating attractiveness when it comes to bearded men.
The pattern indicates that clean-shaven men and those with longer, full beards are considered by women to be best for long-term relationships. Whereas, those with stubble-short beards are seen as more attractive for flings or casual dating. I found that interesting.
Where can I buy beard products that women in Midland, TX actually like?
If you are in Midland, TX or West Texas, you may have seen us at local markets asking women directly which beard styles and scents they prefer. Daily Grind Beard Co. is a veteran owned Texas brand built around that real world feedback.
You can shop our beard oils, balms, scruff creams, and gift boxes anytime online at DailyGrindBC.com. Pick your favorite scent, choose the beard style you want to grow into, and use code BEARDSTYLE10 for 10 percent off today so you can start showing up with a beard women actually love.
