Long or Short Sideburns When it Comes to Your Beard or Goatee

A lot of guys go to great lengths in order to trim, shape and style their beards or goatees on a daily basis.  But how much effort do we put into our sideburns?  Sadly, sideburns tend to get overlooked, despite the fact that their length can make an extraordinary difference when it comes to how your entire look is pulled off.

The question is whether long or short sideburns is ideal.  Sadly, we can’t give you a clear answer, because every guy is different, and no single style is objectively better than the other.  It’s not like short beards always look good with short sideburns, and long beards always look good with long sideburns.

The best way to find out which type of sideburn style is best for you is to experiment with different styles.  Sideburns grow quickly enough that if you go for a short look and aren’t satisfied, you can just wait for them to grow out.  And, if long sideburns don’t suit you, you can simply cut them – it’s that simple.

If You’re Still Stumped, We Can Help

Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding how you’d like your sideburns to be in terms of length.

#1: It Depends on the Look You’re Going for

First, you have to know what overall look you’re trying to achieve.  The length of your sideburns can alter your general appearance a lot more drastically than most give them credit for.  And, both look great in their own way, so we can’t make this decision for you.  Longer sideburns tend to give off a more masculine look and have retro appeal as well.  Short sideburns are far more common; hence they tend to complement a wide array of hair and beard styles.

#2: It Depends on How Much Time You Want to Devote to Maintenance

Of course, longer sideburns require more care.  It’s essentially more inches of facial hair that you have to tend to on a daily basis.  If you’re okay taking a little extra time each morning to cleanse and oil your sideburns, then this won’t be an issue.  But, if you’re already strapped for time each morning, then you might want to avoid growing them out.

#3: It Depends on Your Facial Structure

Longer sideburns complement certain facial structures more than others.  They tend to give the appearance of a slimmer, more chiseled face, by giving the illusion of a narrower jaw and higher cheekbones.  Therefore, consider your face shape and bone structure before deciding which look is best for you.

#4: It Depends on How Much You Want to Stand Out

Finally, you need to consider how much you want to stand out in a crowd.  Longer sideburns tend to attract more attention because they’re rarer.  If you want to stand out, then this is a good thing.  But, if you’re the type of guy who likes to blend in, then shorter may be the way to go.

It’s Your Styling Call

Ultimately, the length of your sideburns comes down to the look you’re trying to pull off, and how much time you want to commit to caring for your facial hair.  You can see that no look is better than the other.  But whichever look you end up choosing, the products at Don Juan Pomade can keep those sideburns looking and feeling their best.