How To Line Up Your Beard (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Home » How To Line Beard Up » How To Line Up Your Beard (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Line Up Your Beard (Plus Styling Tips for Your Face Shape) PDF download Download Article Get a perfect neckline and sculpted cheeks with our expert guide Co-authored by Juan Sabino and Dan Hickey

Last Updated: November 17, 2025 Fact Checked

PDF download Download Article
  • Shaving Your Neckline
    • |
  • Sculpting Your Cheek Lines
    • |
  • Prepping Your Beard & Skin
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Tips
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Juan Sabino and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Juan Sabino is a Professional Barber and the Owner of Juan's Barber Shop, a barbershop based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Juan has over 20 years of male grooming experience and over eight years of professional barber experience. He specializes in combovers, barber fades, and tapers and is focused on improving men's overall wellness. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 384,363 times.

A well-groomed beard has defined cheek lines and neck lines. Cheek lines run along each cheek bone, from the bottom of the sideburn to the edge of the mustache. Neck lines run from ear to ear, beneath the jaw bones and connecting in the center, right above your Adam’s apple. Sounds simple enough, but lining up your beard takes a little work! Read on to learn which points to start at and where the beard lines should run, you’ll be able to line everything up easily. We’ve even consulted professional barber Juan Sabino for trimming and grooming tips to keep your beard looking fresh and healthy.

Beard Line Up Quick Overview

To create your beard neckline, visualize a U-shaped line connecting your ears and crossing about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) above your Adam’s apple (about 2 fingers’ width). For your cheek lines, picture a line from the bottom of your sideburns to the corner of your mustache.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Shaving Your Neckline

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Visualize a U-shaped line that runs from ear to ear. 1 Visualize a U-shaped line that runs from ear to ear. Imagine a line that starts behind one ear (point A), curves down to the top of your neck (right below your jaw), then back up to the back of the opposite ear (point B).[1]
    • The ideal neckline extends down from the curve of the ear.[2]
    • If you have trouble visualizing the line, try drawing onto your beard it with a white eyeliner pencil or a barber’s pencil.[3]
  2. Step 2 Locate the midpoint right above your Adam’s apple. 2 Locate the midpoint right above your Adam’s apple. Place two fingers above your Adam’s apple, right below your chin. This will help you locate point C, the midpoint between point A and B.[4]
    • The midpoint is typically 1 to 1.5 in (2.5 to 3.8 cm) above the Adam’s apple, right between your head and neck.
    • Trimming your neckline higher than this might give you a “chinstrap” look instead of a full beard.
    Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Shave outwards from point C along your natural neckline. 3 Shave outwards from point C along your natural neckline. First, shave straight downward above your Adam’s apple to clean up the very center of your neckline. Then, starting at the freshly shaved midpoint, work outward (to the right or left) and start eliminating all of the hair below the jawline. Remember to follow the line that runs from point A to point B to avoid creating an overly rounded line (it should curve gently and slightly upward as it wraps around your neck).[5]
    • Aim to make both sides of your neckline as symmetrical as possible. Once you have one side cleaned up, repeat the exact same movements on the other side.
    • Styling tip: Use a handheld mirror along with your bathroom mirror to see how your neckline looks from the side (your profile) and make adjustments as needed to get the shape and symmetry you want.
  4. Step 4 Round off the intersection where the sideburn and neck line meet. 4 Round off the intersection where the sideburn and neck line meet. Imagine another line that goes straight down from your sideburn. It should start at the back edge of your sideburn (the part closest to your ear) and go straight down to meet your jawline to bisect the ear-to-ear line. Use the trimmers to round the intersection off on both sides.[6]
    • Styling tip: If you have a rounder face, leave the corners a bit sharper and more defined to create a stronger, straighter jawline.[7] If you have naturally angular features, rounding them off can soften your overall look.
  5. Step 5 Try fading your neckline for a less defined, more natural look (optional). 5 Try fading your neckline for a less defined, more natural look (optional). Grab your clippers and choose a guard one size down from your beard length (for example, if you trim your beard to a #4, put on a #3). Trim upward into your neckline about 1 inch (2.5 cm) to create a subtle grade. Then, switch guards to go another size down (to a #2, for example), and go over half of the space you just trimmed (about ½ inch (1.3 cm)).[8]
    • Repeat this process a third time, going down one more guard size and trimming half of the previous beard space (so about ¼ inch (0.6 cm) this time).
    • Continue this process until you’re at a #0 (or the bare teeth of the clipper) right at your neckline.
  6. Step 6 Trim your neckline every 1–2 days for the cleanest results. 6 Trim your neckline every 1–2 days for the cleanest results. To keep your neck line defined, clean up the lines every other day. If your hair grows very fast, you may even need to do this daily. For a more natural look, you can do it every three or four days.
    • Styling tip: If you’re growing a super long beard, you can stop trimming your neckline once your beard is big enough to cover it up. No one will see it anyway![9]
    7. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Sculpting Your Cheek Lines

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Visualize a straight line from your sideburn to your mustache. 1 Visualize a straight line from your sideburn to your mustache. This line should follow the natural line of your cheek. You want the line to be straight, starting at the bottom of the inside edge of your sideburn (point A) and ending at the edge of your mustache (point B). Identify specific points for A and B; don't generalize.[10]
    • Like with your neckline, use a white eyeliner pencil or barber’s pencil to draw the line if you have a hard time visualizing it.
    • Styling tip: If your cheek hair is thin or sparse, don’t worry too much about creating a clearly defined line. Just get rid of any stray hairs above your natural cheek line to preserve the bulk of your beard.
  2. Step 2 Trim the hair above one cheek line with a trimmer or clippers. 2 Trim the hair above one cheek line with a trimmer or clippers. For a clean and defined line, don’t use a guard for this. Carefully trim the hair above the visualized (or drawn) cheek line. Sabino recommends shaving downward and going with the grain of your hair.[11] Start at the sideburn (point A) and work your way down your face right next to your mustache (point B).[12]
  3. Step 3 Round off the transition points if desired. 3 Round off the transition points if desired. If you want a very defined and angular look, don’t worry about rounding off the transition points at your sideburn and mustache. For a softer, more natural line, round off the edges at the point where the beard meets your sideburn, and again at the point where it meets the edge of your mustache.[13]
    • Styling tip: Rounding the corners will help soften your face if you have naturally angular or sharp features. If you have a rounder face, keep the transition points sharper and more defined.
  4. Step 4 Repeat on your other cheek. 4 Repeat on your other cheek. Always do one cheek first, and then refer back to it as you’re working on the other cheek to make sure things are even. Avoid going back and forth from cheek to cheek, which can result in you trimming off too much of your beard or creating asymmetrical lines. Make the sides as even as you can, but don’t stress over absolute perfection.[14]
    • In general, symmetrical faces are perceived as highly attractive across many cultures.[15] So, the more symmetrical your cheek lines are, the more heads you might turn!
  5. Step 5 Trim your cheek lines every 1–2 days for the cleanest results. 5 Trim your cheek lines every 1–2 days for the cleanest results. If you want to keep your lines defined and sharp, you are probably going to have to do routine maintenance and clean up every other day. If your hair grows very fast, you may even need to do this daily.[16]
    • Sabino recommends avoiding trimming every day since you could irritate your skin.[17]
  6. Step 6 Trim the lip line of your mustache (optional). 6 Trim the lip line of your mustache (optional). While grooming your mustache is an art of its own, you might as well touch up your lip line while you’re defining your beard lines, too. Comb your mustache hair down and use a bare trimmer (no guard) or mustache scissors to clean up any hairs that hang over the lip line (the border where your lip skin and face skin meet).[18]
    7. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

Prepping Your Beard & Skin for Trimming

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Shampoo and condition your beard. 1 Shampoo and condition your beard. Sabino advises that starting with a clean, soft beard will help you achieve clean beard lines. Use a mild shampoo, then follow up with a conditioner made specifically for beard hair.[19] Rinse thoroughly and pat your face dry with a clean towel.
  2. Step 2 Allow your beard hair to dry fully before you trim it. 2 Allow your beard hair to dry fully before you trim it. Never trim a wet beard! Wet hair looks longer than dry hair, so if you start trimming while it’s still wet, it’s easy to trim off way too much. Let your beard air dry completely, or use a blow dryer on a low setting to dry the hair.[20]
    • If you have sensitive skin, skip the blow dryer. It can aggravate the skin beneath your beard.
  3. Step 3 Comb through your... 3 Comb through your beard with a wide-toothed comb. Gently detangle your beard hair thoroughly and comb the hair into its usual place. This gets everything organized before you start creating your beard lines and helps ensure clean, even results.[21]
  4. Step 4 Shaving over clean, hydrated skin to prevent razor burn and bumps. 4 Shaving over clean, hydrated skin to prevent razor burn and bumps. Wash your face and neck with warm water and a gentle facial cleanser or exfoliant that won’t dry out or irritate your sensitive neck or cheek skin. This will clean and soften your skin and any stray beard hairs you’ll trim away (damp hairs swell slightly and bend less, meaning they’re less likely to curve into your skin and cause bumps).[22]
    • Always trim in the direction of your hair growth, whether you’re working on your neck or cheeks. Shaving the opposite way can lead to inflammation.[23]
    • After trimming, rinse your skin with cool water and apply a fragrance-free moisturizer or hydrating gel to prevent irritation.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

  • If you have a good pair of clippers, you can use those instead of a beard trimmer.[24] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Video

You Might Also Like

Shape a BeardHow toShape a Beard Trim a NecklineHow to Trim and Shape a Neckline to Enhance Your Beard Shave Your Neck when Growing a BeardNeck Beards: Where Should I Shave When Growing My Beard? Trim Your BeardHow toTrim Your Beard Style a BeardThe Ultimate Guide to Styling a Beard Cut SideburnsHow toCut Sideburns Shave Your NeckHow toShave Your Neck How to Trim Your Hairline Italian Beard StyleHow to Cut & Maintain an Italian Beard at Home How toFade a Beard How toMake Sideburns Straight Trim a GoateeHow toTrim a Goatee Maintain StubbleHow toMaintain Stubble Use a Beard TrimmerHow toUse a Beard Trimmer Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.beards.org/neck.php
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVY_hvAkmSY
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/nbrMuYQED80?t=62
  4. ↑ https://livebearded.com/blogs/do-better/mastering-the-beard-neckline-avoid-neckbeard-disasters
  5. ↑ https://livebearded.com/blogs/do-better/mastering-the-beard-neckline-avoid-neckbeard-disasters
  6. ↑ https://www.beards.org/neck.php
  7. ↑ https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/trim-beard-line-depending-face-shape/
  8. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-fade-your-beard
  9. ↑ https://livebearded.com/blogs/do-better/mastering-the-beard-neckline-avoid-neckbeard-disasters
More References (15)
  1. ↑ https://www.beards.org/cheek.php
  2. ↑ Juan Sabino. Professional Barber. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://www.beards.org/cheek.php
  4. ↑ https://www.beards.org/cheek.php
  5. ↑ https://www.beards.org/cheek.php
  6. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beastly-behavior/201907/why-are-symmetrical-faces-so-attractive
  7. ↑ https://www.beards.org/cheek.php
  8. ↑ Juan Sabino. Professional Barber. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ https://livebearded.com/blogs/do-better/handlebar-mustache-trimming-and-style-advice-from-a-pro
  10. ↑ Juan Sabino. Professional Barber. Expert Interview
  11. ↑ https://www.beards.org/grooming.php
  12. ↑ https://www.beards.org/grooming.php
  13. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/hair/razor-bump-prevention
  14. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23583-razor-burn
  15. ↑ https://www.beards.org/cheek.php

About This Article

Juan Sabino Co-authored by: Juan Sabino Professional Barber This article was co-authored by Juan Sabino and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Juan Sabino is a Professional Barber and the Owner of Juan's Barber Shop, a barbershop based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Juan has over 20 years of male grooming experience and over eight years of professional barber experience. He specializes in combovers, barber fades, and tapers and is focused on improving men's overall wellness. This article has been viewed 384,363 times. 7 votes - 86% Co-authors: 10 Updated: November 17, 2025 Views: 384,363 Categories: Beards Article SummaryX

To line up your beard, you’ll need to make a straight cheek line and shave a clear neckline. First, imagine a straight line running from your sideburns to your mustache along your cheekbone. Then, trim the hair above the line with clippers. If you want the line to be very defined, round off the transition points at your sideburn and mustache. Otherwise, just round off the points where your beard ends for a more natural look. When it comes to your neckline, imagine a line running from one ear to the other. Find the mid-point on this line by placing 2 fingers just above your Adam’s apple. Shave downwards from your fingers with the trimmer. Work in both directions to get rid of all the hair below your jawline. Finally, trim a line running down the back of your sideburn closest to your ear to the bottom of your beard. For tips on how to wash and comb your beard before trimming it, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages French Indonesian Dutch Japanese
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 384,363 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Masta Sippa

    Masta Sippa

    Jan 2, 2020

    "The only guide I could find that demonstrated how to shape the cheek line. Thank you!"
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Juan Sabino Co-authored by: Juan Sabino Professional Barber Co-authors: 10 Updated: November 17, 2025 Views: 384,363 86% of readers found this article helpful. 7 votes - 86% Click a star to add your vote Masta Sippa

Masta Sippa

Jan 2, 2020

"The only guide I could find that demonstrated how to shape the cheek line. Thank you!" Shen

Shen

Jan 25, 2022

"Great article. Thank you!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

What Is My Face Shape QuizWhat Is My Face Shape QuizTake QuizWhat Men's Haircut Should I Get QuizWhat Men's Haircut Should I Get QuizTake QuizAm I a Gigachad or Totally Chopped?Am I a Gigachad or Totally Chopped?Take QuizAm I Balding QuizAm I Balding QuizTake QuizWhat Makeup Should I Wear QuizWhat Makeup Should I Wear QuizTake QuizWhat Haircut Should I Get QuizWhat Haircut Should I Get QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Shape a BeardHow toShape a BeardTrim a NecklineHow to Trim and Shape a Neckline to Enhance Your BeardShave Your Neck when Growing a BeardNeck Beards: Where Should I Shave When Growing My Beard?Trim Your BeardHow toTrim Your Beard

Featured Articles

What 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanWhat 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanJuicy, Deep, & Hot-Seat Questions to Get to Know Your Friends BetterJuicy, Deep, & Hot-Seat Questions to Get to Know Your Friends Better40+ Talking Games to Play with Friends, Partners & More40+ Talking Games to Play with Friends, Partners & MoreMake FriendsHow toMake Friends

Trending Articles

Do I Have Brainrot QuizDo I Have Brainrot QuizWhat Emojis Mean Sex?What Emojis Mean Sex?What Pokémon Am I QuizWhat Pokémon Am I Quiz151 of the Juiciest “Most Likely To” Questions to Ask151 of the Juiciest “Most Likely To” Questions to AskSigns a Woman is Sexually Attracted to YouSigns a Woman is Sexually Attracted to YouDo You Agree with These Hygiene Hot Takes?Do You Agree with These Hygiene Hot Takes?

Featured Articles

The Different Types of People You Can Find in a Friend GroupThe Different Types of People You Can Find in a Friend GroupAn Introduction to Kibbe Body Types (with Styling Tips!)An Introduction to Kibbe Body Types (with Styling Tips!)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?From Alpha to Omega: A Guide to the 7 Male PersonalitiesFrom Alpha to Omega: A Guide to the 7 Male Personalities

Featured Articles

7 Easy Card Magic Tricks You Can Master in Minutes7 Easy Card Magic Tricks You Can Master in Minutes Perform Magic: 8 Tricks for BeginnersHow to Perform Magic: 8 Tricks for BeginnersHypnotize SomeoneHow toHypnotize SomeoneThe Easiest Guinness World Records to Break: Which Will You Try?The Easiest Guinness World Records to Break: Which Will You Try? Solve a Rubik's Cube in 20 MovesHow to Solve a Rubik's Cube in 20 MovesWhistle with Two FingersHow toWhistle with Two Fingers

Watch Articles

Grow Out Your BangsHow toGrow Out Your BangsDress PunkHow toDress PunkEnd a Long Distance RelationshipHow toEnd a Long Distance RelationshipDo E Girl EyelinerHow toDo E Girl EyelinerRespond to the Fire EmojiHow toRespond to the Fire Emoji Stop Your Glasses from Making Your Eyes Look SmallHow to Stop Your Glasses from Making Your Eyes Look Small

Trending Articles

Do You Agree with These "Hear Me Out" Character Hot Takes?Do You Agree with These "Hear Me Out" Character Hot Takes?Am I More Hannah Montana or Miley Stewart?Am I More Hannah Montana or Miley Stewart?The Most Attractive Zodiac Signs & What Makes Each Sign BeautifulThe Most Attractive Zodiac Signs & What Makes Each Sign Beautiful24 Different Types of Bras Explained24 Different Types of Bras ExplainedWhat Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)What Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)Can Your Finger Length Tell Your Personality?Can Your Finger Length Tell Your Personality?

Quizzes & Games

What’s My Perfect Hair Care Routine?What’s My Perfect Hair Care Routine?Take QuizDo I Smell Bad QuizDo I Smell Bad QuizTake QuizLet Us Rate You 1-10: Attractiveness Scale QuizLet Us Rate You 1-10: Attractiveness Scale QuizTake QuizAm I a Good Kisser QuizAm I a Good Kisser QuizTake QuizBeauty Symmetry TestBeauty Symmetry TestTake QuizWhat's My Hair Type QuizWhat's My Hair Type QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Personal Care and Style
  • Hair Care
  • Facial Hair
  • Beards
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Let's do this! X --532

Tag » How To Line Beard Up