Beard vs Clean Shaven - Which Is Better? (And Which Is More Attractive) | Michael 84 (2024)

Beard or no beard…That is the question. It’s a question I have asked myself plenty of times, and a question you might have too.

Should you have a shave and go clean shaven, or should you start to grow a beard (or keep one if you’ve already got one).

It’s something I have actually tried, so I have that been there done that kind of feeling.

Here’s my take on beards or clean shaven right now.

When it comes to male grooming, this is something all guys have contemplated one time or another.

I was clean shaven forever. I never let my facial hair grow, and never wanted to. Then beards, moustaches and facial hair became a trend. This was thanks to guys wanted to look a bit more rugged, along with the Movember craze we had several years ago.

I decided that I would grow facial hair for the month of November. But soon after, I decided I kind of liked it, so kept it.

As you can see, it wasn’t a huge beard, but it was enough. Plenty of facial hair that required styling of some sorts.

These are the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Advantages Of A Beard

Less Or No Shaving

Shaving can be such a chore. If you grow a beard, it’s pretty obvious you don’t need to shave. You do need to keep it tidy though, which presents it’s own problems which I will get on to later.

When I had my bit of facial hair, I reduced my shaving routine to once a week.

Beards Are Cool

I think that we’ve passed ‘peak beard’, but bears are still cool. Grow one and you’ll look cool, or like a hipster, if that’s the kind of look you’re going for.

It Makes You Look Different (Better?)

Some people suit beards, some don’t. I remember telling a few people I was going to grow one, they said I wouldn’t suit one. After I got one they said I suited it, and that was that.

The only way of knowing if you suit one and like one is to try it yourself. There’s nothing to lose, you can always shave it off if it looks terrible.

There’s no doubt that men can look different with a beard than without.

A Beard Makes You Look Older

Beards and facial hair make you look older…Not in a bad way. If you’ve always had a young or fresh looking face, you can add some years and look like a dapper gentleman with a beard.

Disadvantages Of A Beard

They Need Maintenance

You don’t have to shave, or if you do you shave less. But there’s a lot of maintenance. You have facial hair, and you have to keep it tidy.

That means using product on it to keep it nice, and styling and shaping it. This can be time consuming, getting it all neat and even on both sides and throughout the beard.

When I had a beard, it actually took me longer to maintain it with shaving the style, which was only to ensure it was even on both sides. Nothing complicated, but still took more effort than shaving it clean.

Beards Can Grow Patchy

Beards can grow in patchy. This very much depends on your own hair pattern. You might have to let it grow more than you’d like to, and then trim it down to a style you want.

It’s perfectly normal, but this may mean you might not be able to get the beard style you want.

Beards Can Get Itchy

If you’re not used to having facial hair, a beard can get itchy and irritating. You can use beard oil to keep it soft or aftershave balm to keep things cool down.

Advantages Of Clean Shaven

It’s A Cleaner Look

If you want the clean cut look, then the obvious choice is to go clean shaven. This is a classic look that doesn’t depend on any trend.

Easier To Maintain

Shaving off all your facial hair means no need to worry about styling. It’s far easier to maintain, and you only have to shave when you feel like you need to.

You Can Look Younger

Clean shaven guys tend to look younger. That can be both a good thing and a bad thing, depending on what look you’re going for.

If you’re naturally young looking and want to appear older a beard can work. But if you want to keep your youthful complexion, going with no facial hair is the way to go.

Disadvantages Of Clean Shaven

Less Of A Rugged Look

Clean shaven is often thought of as a boyish look. It’s definitely seen as less rugged as opposed to having a beard.

You Can Look Young

As already mentioned above, If you have a young looking face, a beard can make you look older. If you go for no facial hair, you’ll look more youthful. If you want to look older, the clean shaven look won’t help.

You Have To Shave Regularly

Shaving can feel like a chore. To keep yourself looking fresh, you’ll have to shave regularly. The number of times you shave per week will depend on how much your facial hair grows, and how clean of a look you’re looking to have.

It could be that you have to shave every day, or maybe every other day.

Clean Shaven vs Stubble

Don’t want to go for a full on beard? Having some stubble could be a nice balance between clean shaven and a full beard.

To achieve this you might have to use an electric razor. When it comes to dry shave vs wet shave, this is where a dry shave can come in handy.

You can have the settings on the closest shave possible, which should give you stubble without leaving you clean shaven.

If you prefer a wet shave, the only way to get this look would be to shave less often. For example once a week. For the first day or two you’d be clean shaven, then it would slowly grow in before you’d need to re-do you’re grooming regime.

Do Girls Like Beards?

Girls think beards are hot. That’s what a lot of people say. But it should be, some girls think beards look hot.

Just like every other feature, what one girl finds attractive, others may not. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say.

Do Girls Prefer Clean Shaven Guys Or Bearded Guys?

If you’re wondering if a girl would prefer you with a beard or without, it will depend on your personality.

Since beards are thought of as rugged, you’d ideally want to be a rugged kind of guy. If you feel like you’re more of a clean cut type, then a clean shave could be the way to go.

A good way to judge is by the clothes you wear. If you’re into the more rugged look, a beard will go well with your fashion style.

Beards tend to go hand in hand with leather jackets, boots, casual shirts and jeans. Putting together a good overall outfit will have your style looking on point.