You may have heard the term ‘neck beard’ being bandied about in popular culture or social media, but what is a neckbeard? According to the Oxford Online dictionary in 2014, a neckbeard is:
A growth of hair on a man’s neck, especially when regarded as indicative of poor grooming.
A man who is socially inept and physically unappealing, especially one who has an obsessive interest in computing.
Clearly, neckbeard is a nickname you may want to avoid! The physical appearance of neckbeards can also be something to steer clear of, as they can quickly give you an unsightly, ungroomed look.
How to avoid a neckbeard
To keep your beard looking well maintained, it’s important to shape your neckline correctly. This can be one of the most challenging parts of beard shaping – cut it too high, and you’ll draw attention to the underside of your neck, which can be just as unflattering as a neckbeard.
The definition of your neckline can be down to personal preference, but generally speaking, a good neckline should be a U-shaped, natural extension down from the curve of each ear. The hair should pass below your jawline, about 1 to 1.5 inches above Adam’s apple.
A tried and true method of getting this right is by resting the pads of your middle and index fingers above your Adam’s apple. In a mirror, take a look at where the top of the fingers sit – this is roughly where your neckline should live. From there, it should follow the natural shape of your jawline up towards your ears.
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I like my neckbeard!
Of course, neckbeards don’t look bad on everyone. If the neckbeard look is working for you, there may be a good reason. For a narrow face structure, a neckbeard can help to broaden your chin and jawline, giving your face a more balanced shape.
If you’re rocking some designer stubble, a neckbeard or otherwise – check out our tips on shaping your beard like a pro. Happy shaving!