How is a beard perceived?

New research explores the social information conveyed by facial hair. Perhaps more than any other trait, beards are perceived as a sign of gruff manliness. They visibly differentiate men from females, mask emotions, provide warmth, and shield skin from the elements.

How can I make my beard visible?

One of the most effective ways to make your facial hair more visible is to artificially darken it. While you can visit your salon for a professional dye job, you can also tackle too-light facial hair at home with a beard-dyeing kit from the drug store. There are two different types of beard coloring kits.

Do I look better shaved or with a beard?

According to YouGov, 24 percent of respondents said a clean-shaven man felt most masculine to them, compared to 19 percent with a beard and mustache—so it was at least kind of close. A lot of women, however, also found being clean-shaven manly.

Do beards make you look old?

“In my experience, beards typically always make someone look older,” says Gregory Dylan of Gregory Dylan Skincare and Beauty. “Now, going from a full beard to, say, a goatee or scruff may make someone look younger. But a full beard certainly adds some age, as does a white or grey hair.”

Do beards make you look fatter?

Starting from underneath gives you a squared-off look. Most men round their beards off under the chin and this creates a double chin, shortens the neck and creates shadows making you look fatter than you really are.