TIER LIST: Beard Styles for Older Black Men (Best to Worst)

Q: What beard styles should older Black men avoid?

Chin straps, thin cheek lines, and patchy beards should be avoided because they highlight uneven growth. Grow them out fully or go clean shaven instead.

Last Updated: Dec 12, 2025

This guide is reviewed and refreshed to stay up to date.

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Hey brothers, if you’re 40 and up and want beard styles that still look good as you get older, this guide is for you.

Here are 8 beard styles for older Black men, ranked from best to worst.

8 Best Beard Styles For Older Black Men (Ranked)

1. Full Grown-Out Beard (S-Tier)

This is the holy grail of beards to get for Black men.

Tip: Let it grow evenly and clean up the neckline and cheek line every 10 to 14 days so it stays full.

Want to work up to this beard look, but you’re just struggling to see growth?

Here are your two options:

Minoxidil

It’s one of the few ingredients shown to support beard growth, but talk to a professional first.

Here’s where you can get minoxidil.

Hundreds of thousands of men use it every month.

6K+ Men Bought This Month

Beard Dye

This instantly makes your beard look fuller and more even.

Here’s a beard dye a lot of older Black men trust and buy every month.

6K+ Men Bought This Month

2. Goatee + Connected Mustache (S-Tier)

This is another good look.

A great second option if you don’t want a full beard.

Tip: Keep the mustache and goatee lines cleaned up every 5 to 7 days so the connection stays crisp

3. Clean Shaven (A-Tier)

This might be a little controversial, but this is a little better than the rest of the styles below in my opinion.

It’s simple, and low maintenance.

Tip: Shave every 2 to 3 days and moisturize right after to avoid razor bumps and keep your skin looking smooth and even.

Thinking of trying a new hairstyle? Check out this hairstyle guide for older Black men.

4. Only Mustache (B-Tier)

If you want a look that stands out, go with a simple stache up top and a clean shave below.

This sets you apart from most guys rocking a full beard.

Tip: Keep your mustache trimmed every few days and apply a light moisturizer or beard oil after grooming to prevent irritation.

5. Low-Cheek Line Beard (B-Tier)

If you’re in this stage and your growth feels slow, that’s normal.

You can fill in thinner spots with Minoxidil, and even use beard dye to make everything look fuller while you grow.

You can also improve fullness with microneedling by using a derma roller or pen 1–2 times per week to stimulate follicles and encourage thicker growth over time.

If you’re at a lower level, the goal is to work your way up.

Tip: Keep low cheek lines natural instead of pushing them up.

6. Chipmunk Beard (C-Tier)

Hey brothers, you’ve got a solid start here.

There’s real potential, so keep letting it grow and work toward that clean low-cheek line stage.

Tip: Keep the cheeks short and let the chin grow fuller. Lined-up edges make a patchy beard look intentional.

7. Patchy Beard (D-Tier)

If you’re at this level I’d recommend the clean shaven look, as there’s little to no maintenance.

Or if you’re a little more determined, here’s a guide all Black men can follow to fix patchy beards.

Tip: If your beard is patchy, keep it short and shaped with this tool. Clean up the cheeks and neckline, let stronger areas grow slightly, and use beard oil to hide gaps.

8. Chin Strap (D-Tier)

Same here, either go clean shaven or follow this routine to fix patchy beards in Black men.

Tip: Cut the chin strap and go clean shaven or a goatee.

Beard Style Tier List For Older Black Men FAQ

What’s the best beard style for older Black men?

A full grown-out beard adds the most maturity. If you can’t grow one evenly, a goatee with a connected mustache or clean shaven is the best backup.

What should I do if my beard is patchy or growing slowly?

Patchy or thin growth is normal, especially as you age. You have three main options:

Go clean shaven or goatee with connected mustache for a low-maintenance style

Follow a beard-growth routine that includes Minoxidil and regular shaping.

Beard dye can also make thin spots look fuller while you work on growth.

What beard styles should older Black men avoid?

Chin straps, thin cheek lines, and patchy beards rank low because they highlight uneven growth. You’re better off growing it out fully or going clean shaven or with a connected goatee.

TIER LIST: Beard Styles for Older Black Men (Best to Worst)