How to Grow a Beard as a Black Man

Hey brothers, I know growing a beard can be tough, and let’s be honest there isn’t much content out there made for us as Black men. 

Most videos, guides, and articles are just fluff that doesn’t really apply, and I’m here to change that.

In this guide, I’ll break down how to grow a beard from scratch as a Black man without the product placements and fake routines. 

Just the real facts.

Let’s start with whether or not you’ve got the genetics to grow a beard. Even if you don’t, there are still steps you can take. But first we need to see where you’re at.

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Genetics and Beard Growth for Black Men

For most Black men, beard growth is about 80% genetics and only 20% products.

Here’s how to figure out where you fall.

Parents With Good Beard Genetics

If your dad, grandad, or close male relatives all have full beards, chances are you’ll either grow one too or you’re already on the way.

Another Sign of Good Beard Genetics

• Beard connects across your face (or at least 50–70% there)

• Fast growth within days of shaving

• Thick, connected mustache

Here’s what you’ll notice if your genetics aren’t in your favor:

Bad Beard Genetics

• Patchy cheeks

• Uneven growth

• Thin or no mustache connection

DDG and Kai Cenat are good examples here.

Their beards don’t grow much above the jawline, and what does come in is patchy and inconsistent.

Here are two more examples:

Devin Booker + Donavan Mitchell

I’ll be breaking both down further in the article so stay tuned for that. 

However, If you’re looking for a hyper-focused fix to this, I put together a full guide on patchy beard growth for Black men.

It breaks down exactly what to do step by step.

I can’t cover everything here, so check it out and then come back.

Next up, I’ll be breaking down celebrity beards, what’s good, what’s bad, and how you can grow a beard as a Black man if you’re in that same stage.

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Celebrity Beards: The Good, The Bad, and How to Fix Yours

James Harden’s Beard Breakdown

Harden gets a 9/10 score, however I’d trim the bulk out a little bit to look more clean.

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Devin Booker’s Beard Breakdown

Devin Booker gets a 5/10 score. 

I’d focus on filling out his patchy cheeks a lot more. 

Minoxidil + Dermarolling is what I’d recommend for filling out. 

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Donovan Mitchell’s Beard Breakdown

D-Mitch gets a 4/10 score. 

I’d grow more length to balance the chin/goatee. 

If you’re full on those ends, you need more on the sides of your beard to get more symmetry. 

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LeBron James’s Beard Breakdown

LeBron gets a 8/10 score. 

He can even out his density with some fades and touch ups. 

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Drake’s Beard Breakdown

Drake gets a 10/10 score. 

However, a full beard isn’t the only thing Drake is doing right when it comes to his looks. 

Want to copy Drake’s latest haircut, check out this guide here.

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Steph Curry’s Beard Breakdown

Steph Curry gets a 7/10 score. 

He should darken or thicken the beard a little bit to give off more of a bolder look. 

It’ll stand out more that way. 

If you’re a black man in this stage, I highly recommend dyeing your beard or using minoxidil to grow it out more.

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Jamie Foxx’s Beard Breakdown

Jamie Foxx gets a 9/10 beard score.

I’d say thickening up the mustache, and making it connect to the beard a bit more, but other than that nothing else. 

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Jaylen Brown’s Beard Breakdown

Jaylen Brown gets a 10/10 beard score. 

If you wanted to achieve a similar look, I’d use some beard dye or a razor to sharpen it more.

but this is purely great beard genetics.

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jayson tatum’s beard breakdown

jayson tatum gets a 8.5/10 beard score.

Adding density to the chin would balance his otherwise sharp and full beard.

if this is you or struggling, try out minoxidil + derma rolling

here’s a full video i’d recommend for minoxidil + derma rolling.

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kevin durant’s beard breakdown

kevin durant gets a 5/10 score.

Now adding in a sharp lineup and dye would make the beard appear fuller.

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Why Black Men Should Grow a Beard

A beard can absolutely change your look as a black man. 

Here are some more examples if you don’t believe me. 

Harden, Common, and Drake all look better with one. 

Have a weak jawline, or facial features. 

A beard will hide all of that. 

Now, imagine if you add in some style as well. 

These three guides cover this perfectly. 

1. Damson Idris style, haircut, fashion guide

2. Drake style, haircut, and day-to-day-outfits guide 

3. Michael B. Jordan style, haircut, and outfits guide

Now once you have all of this, you’ll 100% look like a new man. 

For most of you guys, you’re still working on the beard part. 

Here’s my round-up advice. 

If your beard is patchy, uneven, or nothing at all, here are your real options:

1. Use Beard dye to darken and thicken what you already have.

2. Try Minoxidil + derma rolling (I made a full image routine for it) to stimulate growth.

Lastly, if you haven’t already, check out my patchy beard fixer guide for Black men.

It breaks down the steps in more detail and gives you clear advice to follow.

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Beard Growth FAQ for Black Men

Q1:  Can Black men grow full beards?

A1:  Yes, but genetics play the biggest role. Some Black men like Drake or Jamie Foxx grow full, connected beards, while others like Kai Cenat or DDG struggle with patchy growth.

Q2:  Do beard products really work for Black men?

A2:  Most beard oils and products are just for maintenance, not growth. Real results come from genetics, minoxidil, and consistent grooming.

Q3:  How long does it take to see beard growth?

A3:  It depends on genetics. Some men see full growth in weeks, while others need months or longer with tools like minoxidil or dermarolling.

Q4:  Can I copy celebrity beards like Drake or LeBron?

A4:  Yes, but you’ll need to match your own growth pattern first. Drake, LeBron James, and James Harden all have different beard genetics and styles.

Use them as inspiration, but shape, maintain, and grow your beard based on what actually works for you.

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