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The Van Dyke Beard Style: How to Trim, Guide, Examples, and More!

van dyke beard

Like a lot of beard styles that have experienced a revival over the past couple of decades, the Van Dyke is both retro and modern.

Growing up, most of us saw photos and drawings of centuries ago men wearing the Van Dyke style.

Fast forward to the 20th century, and the Van Dyke was something of an anomaly; when a man was spotted wearing one he was likely to be considered eccentric, rebellious, or both.

But along came the 1990s, when Grunge rockers like Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell, and Eddie Vedder wore Van Dykes – and wore them well – and when the style almost bordered on the mainstream.

Well, the Van Dyke is still alive and kicking, and it has become much more than a style originated by the 17th-century Flemish painter Anthony Van Dyck.

Not to downplay Van Dyck’s role, however. He was a walking, talking billboard for the Van Dyke style thanks to his self-portraits and portraits of other men wearing it.

The traditional Van Dyke consists of a short pointy beard and a pointed mustache that’s often waxed. The rest of the face is clean-shaven.

What the Van Dyke Beard Says About You

If you’re wearing a Van Dyke, you probably have a love for traditional things, but mainly regarding how they can be applied in contemporary society.

You have a bit of a rebel in you – if you wax the mustache you’re certainly at least a bit counter-culture – and you’re confident in the way you look.

You’re not committed to a full beard, at least for the moment, but you’ve probably considered it or worn one.

What Facial Shape Best Suits a Van Dyke?

There are some beards that work with every face shape. The Van Dyke beard style is not one of them.

This beard style can be a little tricky to pull off, but if you have the right facial shape and the right attitude, you can easily rock it!

The best face shape for a Van Dyke beard style is either oval or triangular. If you do have these face shapes and want to try this unique beard style, then keep reading – we will cover everything you need to know about this facial hair look.

The chin beard portion of the Van Dyke will help round the features of a man with a longer face.

How to Trim the Van Dyke Beard

Stop shaving for about a week, just long enough to develop whiskers that you can begin shaping into the Van Dyke style. Shave your cheeks clean, leaving just your chin whiskers and mustache intact.

As your chin beard grows longer, use a trimmer to sculpt its pointed shape carefully. Be careful not to trim too much of the beard (or snip off the tip).

If you’re going for the straightforward Van Dyke look, then keep the goatee and mustache separate. If you want to get artsy, then twist the ends of your mustache into points (and wax if you’d like).

What Famous People Wear the Van Dyke?

We’ve already mentioned musicians such as Chris Cornell and the late Kurt Cobain, but actors like Pierce Brosnan and Johnny Depp have also sported the Van Dyke style.

Chris Cornell van dyke beard
Chris Cornell
Source: http://www.spin.com
pierce brosnan van dyke beard
Pierce Brosnan
johnny depp van dyke beard
Johnny Depp

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