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I know it can be very challenging to grow a beard when you’re overweight. Most beard styles will make your face look even more round than it already is. But don’t despair! There are a few beard styles that can actually make you look slimmer.
About a year ago, during the quarantine, I looked at my face in the mirror, and something bothered me: I was not looking good. I had my usual full beard, but something was different.
While trying to figure out what was wrong, my wife suddenly said: “I think you have gained some weight.”
So, I got onto the scale, and to my horror, I had gained about 15 pounds. This was not good news because it meant that I was now heavier than I have ever been.
I knew I had to do something about it, but I didn’t want to give up my beard.
Losing these extra pounds would take a few months, and I didn’t want to shave my beard off and start from scratch.
So I decided to look for styles of facial hair that would make me look slimmer.
Keep reading because, in this article, I’ll talk about why beards make you look fatter, what you should look for in a beard style if you want to look slimmer, and which are the best beard styles for fat guys.
Table of Contents
Do Beards Make You Look Fatter?
There’s no denying that ninety percent of beard styles will make you look fatter.
This is because when you have a beard, it adds volume to your face. And if you’re already on the heavier side, this extra volume will make you look even rounder.
It is not rocket science: if you have a chubby face, a full beard will add even more width to it, making you look fatter.
But not all beard styles are the same; the key is to find styles of facial hair that don’t add too much volume to your face.
What to Look for in a Beard Style if You Want to Look Slimmer
There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a beard style that will make you look slimmer.
1. length
First, the style should add length to your face. This is the opposite of most beard styles as they add width.
But if you can find a style that makes your face look longer, it will also make it look thinner.
There are a few styles that can do this, and I am going to talk about them later in this article.
2. It doesn’t add too much volume
Second, you want a style that doesn’t add too much volume to your face.
As I said, most beards make you look fatter because they add volume.
So, you want to find a style that is not too big or bushy. You should choose a style that will be short on the sides and longer on the bottom.
This will add length to your face without making it look wider.
3. It helps hide a double chin
Finally, you want a style that will help hide a double chin. If you have a double chin, the last thing you want is a beard style that is going to make it more visible. Instead, you should look for styles with volume on the bottom.
These styles will help cover up a double chin and make your face look slim.
Related Article: 11 Best Beard Styles For Round Face Shape
The Best Beard Styles for Fat Guys
Now that you know what to look for in a beard style in order to look slimmer, let’s talk about the best fat man beards.
1. The Patchy Beard
The patchy beard is an excellent style for guys who are overweight.
Usually, a patchy beard is not a style most guys want. But if you’re on the heavier side, you can make it work to your advantage.
The patches of hair are usually located on the cheeks, meaning they will not add any extra width to your face.
So, if you have a patchy beard, you can use it to your advantage by keeping it short on the sides and long on the bottom.
This will add length to your face and make it look thinner.
2. The ducktail beard
The ducktail beard is the 101 fat man beard style because it does everything you want in a beard style if you want to look slimmer.
First, it is long and pointy on the bottom, which will not only add length to your face but will also make your face look less round.
Second, it is shorter on the sides, which will help avoid adding extra volume to your face.
And finally, it has a lot of volume on the bottom, which will help hide a double chin.
3. The goatee
The goatee beard is another great option for overweight guys who want to look slimmer. It is not the perfect style, but it ticks many boxes.
First, it is a beard style with entirely shaved sides, so it won’t add extra width.
Second, it is a chin beard which means even if it is very short and doesn’t actually add much length to your face, it will make your face look longer because the focus will be on the chin.
4. The Van Dyke
The Van Dyke is a goatee variation that is even better than the classic goatee for overweight guys.
The reason is that the chin beard is long and pointy, making your face look even longer.
So, it has all the goatee benefits plus the added bonus of having a long pointy chin beard.
5. The chinstrap
I was really skeptical whether the chinstrap would make it on this list.
But the more I thought about it, and the more research I did, the more I realized that it is actually a great style for guys who want to look slimmer.
But, and this is a big but, it is a hit or miss style.
The reason is that it doesn’t add any length or width to your face. It basically just outlines your jawbone, which can make your face look more square and less round.
But this is not always the case.
It really depends on your face shape and how the chinstrap is styled.
So, if you want to try the chinstrap, go for it. But keep in mind that it might not work for you.
6. The Fade Ducktail
The Fade Ducktail is a variation of the ducktail that is even better for overweight guys.
The reason is that it has all the benefits of the ducktail plus the added bonus of having a fade on the sides.
The fade will help make your face look thinner by adding more contrast and making the sides of your face look less round.
The only drawback of the Fade Ducktail is that it can’t be done at home. The fade effect is not easy, and you must go to a barber to get it done.
But it is definitely worth it if you’re willing to make that extra effort.
7. The Hollywoodian
The Hollywoodian is another excellent option for chubby guys.
It helps in many ways and is one of the overweight men’s most popular beard styles.
The Hollywoodian is a beard style that is long on the bottom and short on the sides.
It has a very distinct chin beard that is longer on the neck and completely shaved on the sides.
The Hollywoodian will help make your face look thinner in many ways.
First, it is long on the bottom, adding length to your face and making it look less round.
Second, it is shaved on the sides, which will help avoid adding extra volume to your face.
And finally, it is a chin beard which means it will make your face look longer because the focus is on the chin.
8. The Extended Goatee
The extended goatee is very similar to the Hollywoodian.
The only difference is that the beard doesn’t extend all the way to the sideburns and the chin beard is more pointy.
An extended goatee is a great option for guys who want to look slimmer because it has all the benefits of the Hollywoodian plus the added bonus of having a more pointy chin beard.
The only downside of the extended goatee is that it can be challenging to maintain as it requires a lot of trimming and shaping to keep it looking good.
9. The Full beard
I am sure many of you are surprised to see the full beard on this list.
But the truth is, a full beard is actually a great option for overweight guys, with good beard growth, if done right.
The key is to keep the beard short on the sides and long on the bottom.
This will help add length to your face and make it look less round.
If you just leave the beard to grow without trimming and styling it, it will probably make your face look even more round.
So, if you want to try the full beard, make sure to take the time to trim and style it so that it flatters your face.
10. The Horseshoe mustache
Now that we are talking about mustaches, I would like to mention that generally, mustaches are a bad idea for overweight guys.
The reason is that they add width to your face and make it look even rounder.
However, there is one mustache style that can actually help make your face look slimmer, and that is the horseshoe mustache style.
The horseshoe mustache is a mustache style that looks like a horseshoe.
The major difference between this and other mustache styles is that it doesn’t extend to the sides of your face.
It goes down the middle of your face, which means that it won’t add any extra width to your face, but it will help make it look longer.
Related Article: Do You Have A Patchy Mustache? 7 Tips On How To Grow A Thicker Mustache
Fat Man Beard FAQ
Should Fat Guys Have A Beard?
Of course, fat guys can have a beard! In fact, many overweight men find that growing a beard is one of the best things they can do to improve their appearance.
They just need to be careful to choose a beard style that will flatter their face shape.
Which Beard Looks Good On A Fat Face?
Several beard styles look good on fat faces. Some of the best options include the Fade Ducktail, the Hollywoodian, and the Extended Goatee.
These beard styles are a good match for fat faces because they add length to the face and make it look less round.
Can A Beard Make You Look Fat?
Yes, if you have a round face and choose a beard style that adds width to your face, it can make you look fat.
That’s why choosing a beard style that flatters your face shape is important.
Do Beards Make You Look Thinner?
Yes, if you choose a suitable beard style, it can definitely help you look thinner.
This is because they will help you hide or minimize certain characteristics of your face that make you look overweight, such as a double chin.
How can I make my fat face look thinner?
You can do several things to make your fat face look thinner. One of the best things you can do is to choose a beard style that flatters your face shape.
Should I Grow A Beard If I Have A Round Face?
You should definitely consider growing a beard if you have a round face. This is because the right bard can help to make your face look less round.
Related Article: Find the Best Beard Style for Your Face Shape
Conclusion
I hope that by now, you have a better understanding of how and why the right beard style can help you look slimmer.
If you are overweight and looking for a way to improve your appearance, growing a beard is definitely something you should consider.
Just make sure to choose a beard style that flatters your face shape to achieve the best results.
You can choose either one of the beard styles from this article or another one that might work better for you.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to be happy with your appearance and feel confident in your skin.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them down below. I would love to hear from you!
Russell is the founder of themensattitude.com. He is a barber a beard enthusiast and he is obsessed with trying men’s lifestyle products and blog about them. If you have any questions you can hit him up via the contact page.
