Some men prefer long beards, including the long goatee that is pointed rather than rounded at the base.
A well-groomed beard can enhance a man’s appearance, especially when worn in a popular style. One style that seems to have wide appeal among beard enthusiasts is the French beard, sometimes called a van dyke. This classic beard actually consists of a combination of a mustache and a beard. The mustache curves down on each side of the mouth and is usually connected with a beard that only covers the chin, not the cheeks. A fine column of hair usually also grows in the center of the chin, running from the middle lower lip to the center of the beard.
One of the main characteristics of the French beard is its neat appearance. The mustache portion of a French beard can range from very thin to medium thick. Some men prefer a thicker mustache, but a thicker mustache can detract from the more stylish appearance of the beard. Ideally, the smooth skin of the upper lip should be visible on both sides of the mustache and should connect with the beard in a fluid way just below the corners of the mouth. In some variations, the mustache does not connect to the beard, and there will be a 1-2 inch gap between the tips of the mustache and the beginning of the beard.
The bottom part of the French beard is usually rounded in shape and should only cover the curve of the chin right at the chin line. The facial area, including the cheeks, from the base of the earlobe to the corners of the mouth, must be clean-shaven and unshaven. A narrow, rectangular column of hair classically grows in the center of a French beard and usually extends from the bottom of the lower lip to the center of the beard. This column of hair is sometimes called a soul patch. The skin below the lower lip on either side of the narrow spine should also be clean shaven and hairless.
The length and thickness of a French beard can vary. Due to the intended beard style; however, many men choose to keep their beards short, usually less than 1 inch (about 2.5 cm) long. Still, some men prefer to wear longer beards, even choosing a longer goatee style with a point instead of a rounded base.
Sideburns worn with a French beard should also be kept trimmed and well groomed. Lamb chops or sideburns that extend to the face and cheeks generally do not go well with a French beard. To maintain the integrity of the stylet, the tabs should not grow below the earlobe and should preferably remain above the center of the ear.