The short boxed beard is the one you can wear to a board meeting and a ball game. It is full, even and squared off at the edges, and it takes about five minutes a day once your barber has set the lines. It is also the easiest full beard to keep looking sharp.
A short boxed beard is a beard trimmed to a uniform length of roughly a quarter to half an inch, with a defined cheek line and a clean neckline that frames the face in a box. Ask your barber for an even length all over, a cheek line that follows the natural curve and a neckline a finger or two above the Adam’s apple.
What is a short boxed beard?
It is a short, full beard with clean lines on the cheeks and neck, so the shape looks like a tidy box around the jaw. Length is usually between a quarter and half an inch, and the mustache is trimmed to match.
What makes it boxed is the geometry. The cheek line is straight or gently curved, the neckline is crisp and the jaw edge is firm. The beard reads as structure instead of scruff, which is why it works in offices and at weddings.
It suits most face shapes. Round faces benefit from a slightly longer chin and a sharper cheek line, which add definition. Square faces can keep it even all around. Long faces should keep the sides a bit fuller and the chin shorter. For a deeper look at fitting a beard to your face, see how to shape a beard.
Why men choose it
It is the beard of men who want to look finished without spending the morning on it. A short boxed beard sits close to the face, so it does not catch food or snag on a scarf, and it handles a commute on the 6 train as well as a long day at a desk. It also ages well, since short gray hair looks distinguished.
What it takes to grow in
You need four to six weeks of growth before there is enough to box off. If you are starting from clean skin, give it patience first, then come in for the shape once it has filled out.
How to trim a short boxed beard
Use a clipper with a guard for the length, then free hand the edges. Always work on a dry beard, since wet hair looks longer than it is and you will cut too short.
- Comb the beard down and choose a guard, usually between a number 2 and a number 4.
- Run the clipper against the grain first, then with it, to even the length.
- Set the cheek line at the natural edge, from the sideburn to the corner of the mouth.
- Set the neckline about two fingers above the Adam’s apple, curving up behind the jaw. The two finger rule for the neckline explains why.
- Trim the mustache so it sits just over the lip.
- Brush the beard, check it in the mirror and tidy up the edges.
Most men need a trim every one to two weeks. A beard trim and grooming visit with us is $18, and we can set the lines for you to follow at home.
Keeping it soft
A short beard still needs moisture. After you wash it, press a few drops of oil or a pea sized amount of balm into the hair and skin, which keeps the beard from feeling like wire. Start with less than you think you need.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not trim the beard wet, do not take the neckline too high toward the chin and do not skip the cheeks. A beard that is boxed on the sides and ragged under the jaw looks unfinished. Take a little off at a time and check both sides before you take more.
Does a minoxidil beard work?
Some men use minoxidil to try to fill in a thin beard. It is a topical product for hair loss, and its use on the face is off label, so talk to a doctor or pharmacist before you try it.
Published research suggests it can increase facial hair density in some users, but results vary and take months. Side effects such as skin irritation, dryness and unwanted hair growth near the application area happen. Treat anything you read online with caution, and do not expect a barber to give medical advice. We can tell you how to make the most of the hair you have.
If you are growing a beard for the first time, patience and a good routine matter more than a product. Our guide on how to grow a beard goes through the basics, and does beard oil help growth covers the products that do not live up to their promise.
What is a chin strap beard?
A chin strap beard is a thin band of hair along the jawline, running from sideburn to sideburn under the chin. It outlines the jaw and leaves the cheeks clean.
It is a high maintenance style, since the whole look depends on a crisp, even line. It suits men with a strong jaw and good growth along the edge. It is poor for patchy growth, because the gaps show immediately.
If you like the idea of a short beard but want less of it, a shorter boxed beard with a sharp cheek line gives a similar effect with more forgiving coverage. A line up and edge up at $18 keeps the strap thin and even.
How do you wear a Viking beard?
A Viking beard is long, full and left natural, often with a thick mustache and a rounded or squared bottom. It is the opposite of the short boxed beard in effort and attitude.
It needs time. You grow it for months, condition it daily and trim only the split ends and stray hairs. It works on men with thick growth and a strong frame. In a Midtown office, it needs to look intentional, which means a clean neckline, tidy cheeks and a controlled shape.
If you want to try it, use the short boxed beard as the starting point and grow from there. A beard balm helps tame the length and keeps the hair soft. Book a trim every four to six weeks to hold the shape as it gets longer.
What causes beard dandruff, and how do you fix it?
Beard dandruff is flaking skin under the beard, usually from dryness or a reaction to a product. Wash the beard two or three times a week, rinse well and moisturize the skin underneath.
Flakes can also come from seborrheic dermatitis, a common skin condition that responds to medicated shampoos. If the flaking is red, itchy or persistent, ask a doctor or a dermatologist. Do not scratch or pick at it, since that makes it worse.
A few habits help. Use a mild shampoo, not hand soap. Apply a few drops of oil or a little balm on damp skin. Brush the beard gently each day to spread the natural oils. If the flakes come with itching, why a beard gets itchy has more on the causes.
Thinking of shaving off a big beard?
Expect your face to look different, often younger and sometimes softer. The skin that has been covered may be paler than the rest of your face, and it can take a week or two to even out.
Do not go straight from a long beard to a razor. Cut it down with scissors or a clipper first, then shave in stages. A hot towel shave at $35 is a gentle way to finish, with warm towels, lather and a straight razor. If you want a middle step, a short boxed beard or a beard fade shows what your jawline looks like before you commit.
If you are keeping some of the beard, ask for a trim with defined lines. It is a quick way to see whether clean cheeks and a short chin suit you.
Get your boxed beard set at Deja Vu
Beard trim and grooming at Deja Vu Barbershop is $18, and the Classic Combo of a fade plus a beard is $48, one of several barber packages. See the full details on our beard trim and grooming service. Our barbers are New York State licensed, and every tool is cleaned between clients.
We are at 101 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016, between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue in Murray Hill. Open Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm, closed Saturday. Book a visit or walk in, and call (212) 576-1062 with questions. Start with a beard trim, and we will set the box for you.
Questions readers ask
How long should a short boxed beard be?
Between a quarter and half an inch, which is a number 2 to a number 4 guard on most clippers. Anything longer starts to lose the boxed shape.
How often should I trim a short boxed beard?
Every one to two weeks for the neckline and cheek line. The shape fades quickly because the lines are the whole point of the style.
Can a short boxed beard hide a weak jaw?
It can help. A firm neckline and a squared edge at the jaw add definition, and a slightly longer chin lengthens a round face.
Does a short boxed beard work with thin patches?
Yes, as long as the length is short. Short hair hides gaps better than long hair, and a clean cheek line makes the beard look deliberate.
Should I use beard oil on a short beard?
A few drops help soften the hair and the skin underneath. Do not expect it to grow more hair.