Older men on the dark side of 40 look better with beards, as a beard compliments the maturity on their face – making them look distinguished and manly. It also hides sagging skin around their jaws and minimises the signs of ageing on their faces.
The Short Beard
A short beard strikes the perfect balance between ruggedness and refinement. It's a versatile style that works well for older men who want to maintain a professional appearance without sacrificing style.
Facial hair influences age perception. Studies suggest beards make men appear older. A full beard adds maturity and wisdom, contributing to an older appearance. A clean-shaven face is often associated with youthfulness. The impact depends on facial features, beard style and length, and cultural perceptions.
The results indicated that the women found men with light stubble most attractive; these men were preferred as both short- and long-term partners. However, the women perceived male faces with full beards as the most masculine, aggressive, and socially mature; the women also thought these men looked older.
Rule #5: Clean Your Trimmings
If you have a beard, that means you're a man. And if you're a man, you should act like it and clean up after yourself.
The 3-month beard rule means letting your beard grow naturally for three months without trimming or shaping to allow it to reach its full potential, resulting in a fuller, well-groomed appearance. To keep your beard nourished and healthy, applying a high-quality beard oil is essential.
A study by YouGov has found that most men (54 per cent) now say they currently have a beard or moustache, up from 42 per cent in 2016 and 37 per cent in 2011. Furthermore, full growth has now fully supplanted stubble as the top choice among men with facial hair.
A study conducted by the Official Journal of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society found that men with moderately full beards are found most attractive, and men with full beards may be perceived as better fathers who could protect and invest in their children. “Men with beards have a powerful look,” Dr. Harvey says.
Outfits that combine comfort with elegance are both stylish and suitable for older men: Casual Looks: Pair polo shirts or crew-neck sweaters with chinos or dark jeans for a smart-casual look. Business Casual: A crisp button-down shirt under a v-neck sweater or blazer pairs well with well-fitting trousers.
Overall, you should not grow a beard if you want simplicity, professionalism, or if you want to look younger. However, if you think you'll feel better and more confident with a beard, and don't mind the extra patience and maintenance requirements, then go ahead and grow one!
Furthermore, a data dive by Christian Rudder, co-founder of OkCupid, has used surveys to find the male age women find attractive above all others. The result? Between 38 and 39. That's the age Clooney was during Ocean's Eleven, Brad Pitt was during Troy, and Will Smith in I Am Legend.
This scientific study by Barnaby J. Dixson and Paul L. Vasey found that yes, men with facial hair do tend to appear older than those who are clean-shaven, sometimes by as much as 10 years or more. There are many reasons for this, some cultural and some biological.
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Shave Your Beard.
Most of the time, a closely shaved man looks younger than a guy with a beard and mustache. That said, there are no rules, just keep it well-groomed. If you decide it's time to cover your gray, use a dye that's meant for men's facial hair. A solid beard tone will look fake.
It turns out that women find certain beard styles more attractive than others. Guys who have heavy stubble (about 10 days) enjoy the number one spot. Heavy stubble gives you a healthy, confident, easygoing look. Second place is technically a tie between men with heavy beards and clean-shaven guys.
Your mid-20s to 30s are often considered the golden years for beard growth. As a matter of fact, most men don't hit peak beard growth until their early to mid thirties. This is when testosterone, the hormone primarily responsible for facial hair growth, peaks.
Ethnicity can also play a role. Dr. Anthony notes that people from Mediterranean countries, for example, tend to grow thicker beards. In fact, a study on the topic shows that Chinese men typically have less facial hair than Caucasian men.
The full beard remains a timeless classic, dominating the beard trends of 2025. Known for its bold, masculine appeal, it's perfect for men who want to make a powerful statement.
The study also found that women were not only more attracted to them, but expected to have longer relationships with men rocking a beard.
Men of all ethnicities can get razor bumps as a result of shaving, but Black men seem to suffer from them more often than people of other races. Up to 80% of men who get razor bumps are Black. As a result, Black men need to be especially careful when shaving to prevent the development of ingrown hairs.
While a federal bill has been passed to forbid employer discrimination on hair texture and style, there's no specific law for beards yet. Thus, companies may uphold a clean shaven policy regarding facial hair. Workplaces typically enforce these roles for client-facing jobs to improve presentability.
According to a study published by Evolution and Human Behavior, the optimal beard length for maximum allure is—drumroll, please—'heavy stubble'!