Since the 18th century, men in science, military, and even celebrities have been sporting one of the unique facial hair styles up-to-date— the chin strap beard.
If you haven't seen or heard what a chin strap beard is, you've come to the right blog. We'll share everything you need to know about this beard style, from growing to shaping it. Let's get started.
Who started the chin strap beard style?
One of the most prominent and bearded men known during the 1800s who strutted different types of beards during this era was Abraham Lincoln. And yes, he also started the chinstrap beard style.
This type of beard has a narrow strip of facial hair following the shape of your jawline. It resembles the helmet's straps fastened onto your head. Thus, people called it a "chin strap."
While it died down during the 2000s, the chin strap beard was revived in the late 2000s. Celebrities and public figures like Formula One star Lewis Hamilton and grime sensation Stormzy have been sporting this style, contributing to its contemporary appeal.
The resurgence of the chin strap beard showcases how classic styles can come back into fashion and be embraced by new generations, adding a touch of nostalgia to modern trends.
How do you grow and shape a chin strap?
Aside from looking like you're wearing a helmet, this unique beard style normally doesn't come with a moustache. And instead of hiding the shape of your face, it emphasizes jawline and chin features.
But unlike your full beard, the chin strap offers a clean and precise appearance. It suits most men with oval-shaped faces or men with perfect jawlines.
Grow your beard
To have a strong jawline look, we recommend growing your beard up to 2 to 3 cm, giving some allowance for trimming. The key to achieving this look is having beard hairs on your cheeks that connect to your sideburns. This tip will create the defined and continuous you want in a chinstrap.
Trim slowly but surely
Once you've reached the proper length, it's time to shape your beard. While we recommend having your chin strap beard at 2 cm, it still depends on your preference. But trim your beard at an even length to mimic the look of a helmet strap. We recommend that you use a taper blade for beginners, but a standard tooth blade is also fine.
Use a precise trimmer
Then, start defining your beard using a fine-toothed blade. Follow the jawline and the contours of your face.
Shave unwanted beard hair
When you get the length and shape of your beard, shave the scruff or unwanted beard hair on your cheeks, chin, lip, and neck. You can read more of our blogs on 5 Beard Trimming Mistakes to Avoid for precise and smoother results.
How do you take care of chinstrap beards?
After getting this eccentric beard shape, it's good to have an after-care regimen. Like all beard styles, chin strap beards must be well-groomed and shiny.
Clean, moisturize, and groom
Why is it so necessary to clean your chinstrap beard after shaving? Close contact with razors could cause acne and cuts, which might lead to a Staph infection. Thus, it's better to have a mild yet effective beard shampoo.
Once you have cleansed away the sweat, excess oils, and bacteria, it's time to hydrate your skin and hair with natural beard oil.
Shave in twice a week.
This beard style demands a precise and clean look. So we suggest that you shave and time every two or three days. Of course, that will depend on how fast or slow your beard hair grows. So, adjust the frequency to maintain the beard look.
Experiment with beard lengths and widths
Though chin strap beards are supposedly short, it shouldn't stop you from doing varieties of this beard style. If you have a rounder face shape, you can lengthen your chin strap to create a structured jawline. This new style will suit round or triangular face shapes.
You can also combine another beard style, such as a goatee, for a masculine and retro look. But note that the longer your chin strap is, you must have a handy beard straightener to keep the sharp, crisp look intact.
Final thoughts
Chin straps used to be the unflattering beard styles for decades. But like many great leaders and famous stars, all you need to sport this beard style is confidence and a proper grooming technique.
Come and check out Odenson's store for your beard care needs.
