What Your Man's Beard Says About Him

"Beards are an ego thing - it's a sign of masculinity," explains Craig Meggs, master barber for QT Hotels's The Barber Shop in Sydney and Canberra. Whether he prefers designer stubble or a bush, here's what your man's facial hair says about him.

SEXY STUBBLE
Advocate: Ryan Gosling
What it says: You're most likely a working professional: smart, sophisticated and have an eye for fashion. To keep looking sharp, you'll need regular maintenance, "otherwise it could venture into the next stage", says Meggs. "Keep it short and clean, and manscape it so it looks chiselled with neat edges."

WIDE & WILD
Advocate: Brad Pitt
What it says: The classic hipster beard. "It's a low-maintenance style, but you still want it to look healthy, so using product is paramount," explains Meggs. To groom your beard, "comb it out like an afro and trim it minimally to keep it sharp, otherwise it can get fuzzy and nest-like".

GOATEE
Advocate: Johnny Depp
What it says: "This beard doesn't suit many people, as you need to have brilliant bone structure to pull this off," says Meggs. A goatee is for those looking to make a statement, and the individual style means "you can change it as often as you like to reflect your personality".

FULL & SHAPELY
Advocate: Jake Gyllenhaal
What it says: This is for men who want a beard without looking like they are trying too hard. "They generally have a baby face and as this is a clean beard, it's very tidy," says Meggs. Regular brushing is a must, and Meggs advises clippering to maintain the shape for a manicured look.

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