Chin beard is an umbrella term which can refer to any type of beard which covers all or part of the chin, usually without the accompaniment of a mustache. Popular interpretations of the chin beard include the chin strap, chin curtain, goatee, chin strip, and soul patch. Often, a chin beard is achieved by growing a significant amount of facial hair and then trimming it into the desired shape. The amount of grooming time required to maintain a chin beard depends on the complexity of the design.
A chin beard has only two real “rules.” First of all, it must cover all or part of the chin. Secondly, it is usually not accompanied by a mustache. Beyond these basic points, chin beards can vary widely in appearance.
Two common and closely related versions of the chin beard are the chin curtain and the chin strap. The chin curtain is a band of hair which begins at one ear, runs down the jawline, covers the chin fully, and then extends up to the opposite ear in a symmetrical fashion. A chin strap is quite similar to a chin curtain, except that it covers only the bottom portion of the chin, creating the appearance of a strap which runs along the edge of the face from ear to ear.
Goatees, chin strips, and soul patches might be considered a second category of chin beards which involve growth only on the chin itself. A goatee is a thick growth of hair which begins at the outer corners of the lower lip and fully covers the chin. Chin strips are essentially goatees which have been trimmed on either side to form a thin strip of hair. A soul patch is a small growth which covers only the area directly below the lower lip, and which is often trimmed into a downward-pointing triangle shape.
Often, a chin beard is achieved by letting the hair in the chin area grow freely, and then trimming it into the desired shape. The amount of grooming time required to maintain a chin beard depends largely on the complexity of the beard’s design. Chin straps and chin curtains generally require careful trimming to keep their edges neat. Depending on the wearer’s preferences, beards which extend beyond the bottom of the chin may require the application of styling waxes, especially if the wearer is seeking a pointed effect.