A goatee doesn't necessarily look good when it grows. In most cases, it is simply a matter of proportion. The natural growth of hair, the breadth at the mouth and in the neckline all contribute to the look of a sharp or heavy face. Before you start trimming, it's important to know these things before you learn how to grow a goatee. The shape is going to alter your beard, but it first alters your face.

The first time growers think about growing facial hair, they usually believe that it is the biggest challenge. In point of fact, facial balance is more problematic than just hair density. A goatee is a strip of hair that goes down the middle of the face and highlights the middle, so any discrepancies in width or symmetry will be noticed once the growth reaches about 8-10 mm.

This is why many styles sound “off” after a few weeks. The beard structure has yet to be broken down; only established. It does not work to constantly shave, make a wider outline, or make a thinner outline every few days as it just leads to a harder end result.

The first few days may be a bit frustrating as one side will grow slightly faster than the other and the mustache and chin may come across as disconnected. Avoid making hasty judgments about the style. The facial hair growth typically is not even throughout the entire beard.

Most of those who shave their goates do so just before the goatee shape starts to naturally form. The improvement is not because of constant correction but through controlled guidance.

How to Grow and Shape a Goatee the Right Way

The first step is to let the beard grow for 10-14 days without trimming. This shows the areas which have grown most strongly and it is much easier to design clean lines than to guess. Very often the outline will be more symmetrical once it is built after watching the natural density.

Wait until there is sufficient growth, then control the width of the mouth by the corners. Many novices do the opposite, though, and continue along the jawline, creating a goatee that appears large and faces outwards. It's best to keep the outline near the mouth to give a cleaner and more balanced look.

Neckline needs to be discussed first, before the front length. One easy rule to follow is to set it about two fingers up from the level of the Adam's apple, separating the face and the neck. This is frequently enough to make a new goatee look purposefully trimmed, well before anything has been cut.

Hair grows at around 0.3–0.5 mm per day, which means that any unnecessary trim will be several days lost. A little bit wonky is fine in the first couple of weeks and it is often the striving for perfection that produces the exact opposite of what you're looking for.

The illusion is completed keeping the cheeks cleaner than the chin. The contrast naturally will draw the focus towards the middle of the face which makes the jaw look slightly more defined—even if the beard isn't that thick.

Build a Healthier Goatee with the Right Beard Care Routine

Although the skin under facial hair does most of the work, many products are touted for thicker-looking hair. It quickly becomes itchy, stiff and rough, even a well shaped goatee looks like it's been left untidy.

This is the case with jojoba oil, which is made up of similar compounds found in the sebum that the skin produces. It absorbs well, not leaving any grease on the face, keeps the beard moist, maintains moisture under facial hair, reduces the irritation and keeps the beard softer and easier to manage.

The precision is more important than the high cost of equipment. A compact trimmer that can make crisp cuts around the mouth makes for a cleaner cut than a cumbersome grooming kit containing dozens of unnecessary attachments. When growth is lighter than the area suggests, sharp edges bring in the density.

That's not always the case for longer either. Shorter goatee styles also look thicker in the first 4-6 weeks, as there are less gaps in the hair. An honest tip: If a person's facial hair is extremely slow to grow, it might take a bit longer, like 5 or 6 weeks instead of 1 month to achieve this balanced look. The patient must be patient with this stage, else repeated reshaping will be of little benefit.

What to Expect During Your First Month of Growing a Goatee

During the first few weeks, it is not a matter of looking good, but rather learning the nature of the beard's growth. Do not make drastic changes every few days—this is the time to see how hairs grow, to train the hair and to establish a regimen for healthy facial hair.

Week 1

The goatee appears rough, uneven and sometimes patchy. It may look like the mustache and the chin don't seem like they are connected, but that is just fine. Use a light beard oil (jojoba, almond oil) every day, gently comb it to promote the growth in one direction, keep it moisturized, and take a picture at the beginning to see the progress.

Week 2

Texture begins changing. The chin looks heavier and the outline begins to be more noticeable. Keep using the beard oil daily, symmetry from various angles and refrain from reshaping. The aim at this juncture is still an observational one, not one of correction.

Week 3

The beard begins to take shape as one beard instead of several patches. The edges of the edges stand out more clearly and only obvious stray hairs can be removed without altering the overall design. Regularly combing and hydrating the skin to prevent it from becoming dry will help the hair to remain in its natural state all day long.

Week 4

The goatee typically grows to the point where it falls with the face and meshes with it well. The outline looks more balanced, the density looks more even and the facial movements look more natural. A weekly photo is usually a better reflection of progress than the day to day mirror.

How to Maintain a Goatee Without Over-Trimming

Little habits are going to make a huge difference to the effect compared to a big grooming session.A warm shower will help loosen the facial hair before it is trimmed, making it easier to see any uneven spots and preventing the temptation to shave too much at once.

Shaving down will also help to keep the cut uniform, as facial hair will curl in a different direction depending on the moisture and direction of the shave.While separately trimming curls or stray hairs, flattened hair offers a far more precise outline.Leaving a light layer of stubble on the cheeks can improve balance as well.A budding goatee may sometimes look like a lone goatee with perfectly round cheeks, and a slight difference makes it look like a natural goatee.

The final design should always take into account the face shape.Faces that are round tend to look better with a little more length through the chin, whereas longer faces tend to look better with a little more control of length.Don't copy other people's beards, but rather the proportions of the face.

Another common issue is brought about by comparisons.The growth of beards varies from man to man and some men may not grow a beard that covers their cheeks until they are in their late twenties.Progress is only going to be calculated by someone else's genetics, which will only result in unnecessary changes that will hinder healthy growth.

Final Tips for Growing a Well-Shaped Goatee

A well-shaped goatee is not something that can be created overnight, as it is achieved by making sure it is shaped in proportion, patiently, and with proper care.When the outline does start to follow the natural lines of the face, maintenance is surprisingly easy—the reason being that there's no longer a vague “fix the shape” mentality, there's a clear purpose behind each trim.Rather than going for length, adding a goatee calls for attention to the balance, the health of the face's skin and controlled hair growth.Those routines eliminate the cycle of shaving all the hair off and beginning again and leave you with a style that lasts much longer than the first month.

It is a difference that is not pronounced but subtle.The key to a well-shaped goatee is that all of the lines look purposeful and not big or flashy.This is the goal to strive for and what you will always see with Xtilez.

Conclusion

Fashion does not always go hand-in-hand with hair.It's effective when the shape is similar to the face, the neckline outlines the face and each trim is more substantial than it is light.From there on in, it's easy to maintain and the style will appear purposeful from all angles.Do not be tempted to keep reshaping if the response is not even in the first few weeks.Let the living plant show these best features; maintain the health of the skin by regular maintenance, and make minor changes only when the general outline is decided on.Another that yields a goatee that's worth keeping — not one which has to be continually restarted.It is easy to grow facial hair. Building one that's actually in line with your traits requires a little extra planning—and that's where Xtilez has more to offer men for better grooming planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you think it takes to grow a goatee?

Most men grow enough in two to four weeks that they can have a goatee.

The time required will vary by growth rate and thickness, but if the beard goes untrimmed until it has grown, a more symmetrical beard will be achieved.

Before I get a goatee, should I keep my beard as full as I can until then?

Yes.

By allowing the entire beard area to grow for around 10-14 days, it will be easier to determine the best beard growth patterns, as well as find cleaner and more balanced lines.

Does it matter if my cheeks are not smooth if I wear a goatee?

Absolutely.

For men with less facial hair on their cheeks, a goatee will naturally draw attention to the chin and mustache area, making it one of the best beard styles for them.

Why is my goatee crooked?

Growth can sometimes be uneven in the first few years as the facial hair doesn't grow at the same rate on the face.

This is because it's best to wait a couple of weeks before making significant changes and get it to look better overall.

How often to trim a goatee?

Once the shape is in place, most men require light maintenance in their groin every 3-5 days.

Cutting on a daily basis can remove a lot of length and will slowly alter the original shape.

What kind of face shape is best for a goatee?

Goatees tend to be complimentary to round, square and softer facial types as they add length to the face via the center.

The width and length sizes are adjusted accordingly to each person's size and are the best for the most natural look.

Is beard oil beneficial to the beard?

Yes.Beard oil can be used to hydrate, tame, soften and untangle skin under the beard, as well as to prevent dry and itchy hair.Beard oil, particularly one with jojoba oil, also keeps the beard softer and easier to manage.