Growing a mighty beard is only half the battle, my bearded brother in arms. Sure, a good beard is its own reward, but it takes a true man to inject a sense of Style. As your beard rules your face, so you should rule it in turn, grooming it into the shining beacon of manhood that it deserves to be.

Beard Styles and You

Beard styles are as wild and testosterone charged as the men who wear them. They can be understated, or magnificent. They can be a glorious crown upon your face, or a simple circlet acknowledging your royal heritage. Whichever you choose is up to you, but it’s best to make an informed decision. A good beard says as much about you as any business card ever could. Make sure it’s dressed to fit the occasion.

There are three key sectors of your face involved in all beard styles: sideburns, mustache, and chin. Not all beards are created equal, and neither is any one rugged, masculine face quite like another. Maybe you can’t quite grow a mustache—don’t sweat it, neither can Markus of the Beard Pros. Perhaps your chin grows a bit thin. The key to a good style for your beard is adaptability; accept your weaknesses, and own your strengths. Let your beard be your highlight reel.

Common Beard Styles

When you think of a beard, you likely picture the full beard, but don’t be fooled by misconceptions. It can be just as difficult to maintain properly as any better defined beard style. Let it all go and let your beard grow, thick and luxurious. Don’t forget to shave down low. No one likes a neckbeard, bro!

The full beard should be well shaped, unless you’re a fan of Dumbledore or Gandalf. Think of your beard as your luscious lawn and take a trimmer to the weeds on the cheeky fringe. But be careful along the jaw—a bit of an overhang prevents misunderstandings on the number of chins you possess. Rein the full beard in and it will serve you well. Whether business or pleasure, it can complement any situation.

Another common style is the Van Dyke, named for the Flemish Baroque artist who wore it best. Shave those sideburns all the way to the chin strap and keep the rest—it’s simple, elegant, and damn classy. If you’re feeling frisky you might try combing a little wax into your mustache. Just be warned that if you do, you may be obligated to duel someone at high noon. The Van Dyke offers your nearest and dearest clean cheeks to caress, while keeping enough of the good stuff that sets their heart aflutter.

A variant of the Van Dyke is the French cut, which brings things full circle with a style that’s modern and sophisticated. When shaving your sideburns for the French cut, leave the goatee connected to the mustache above in a perfect ring of righteous whiskers. With the French cut, you’ll be ready to hit the swankest clubs your city has to offer and make it rain all night long.

Sideburns, as the name implies, forgoes the other sectors for facial hair in favor of that cheeky goodness. Be sure to take a straightedge razor to your chin for maximum effect; the style’s namesake, Union Army general and consummate badass Ambrose Burnside, wouldn’t have it any other way. If you truly wish to emulate the legend himself, let your mustache bridge the gap. Otherwise, and as is more common these days, let your sideburns stand alone. They’ve been the discerning gentleman’s choice for over a century, still imbuing modern men with the collective swag of generations past.

The last of the beard styles we’re going to look at is the straightforward, but underutilized goatee. Lather up and lose the mustache and sideburns, keeping the swath across your chin between the corners of your lips. Trim it close or grow it out—the goatee works no matter the length. As an added bonus, if you put some wax in a long goatee, you might just have an exciting career ahead of you as a supervillain. James Bond’s clean shaven mug has got nothing on you, you gorgeous specimen of masculinity and villainy.

Hopefully by now, you have a good idea of how you intend to sculpt your facial hair into a true work of art. Don’t stop at our suggestions—there’s a whole planet of styles out there, just waiting for you to Google them. Find the beard style that speaks to your stoic and untamable heart, then wear it with pride. The rest of the world will thank you.