A 5 o'clock shadow can give off a professional and polished look if it's well-maintained. It's important to keep the stubble length at the desired level, usually between 1/8 and 1/5 inches.
Grow your own Five O'clock Shadow in four steps.
Going to the dark side with class does require some effort. Once you've got the perfect amount of stubble, around 1/8 to 1/5 of an inch, maintain the length of your beard with your stubble trimmer– a trimmer with a zoom wheel will help you achieve your ideal length.
How to Get a 5 o'clock Shadow. The easiest way to get a 5 o'clock shadow-style beard is to simply let your hair grow for a few hours – or a couple of days if your facial hair doesn't grow quite that quickly. Use our All Purpose Styler as your 5 o'clock shadow trimmer to keep it neatly shaped for a smart look.
The 5 o'clock shadow is more than just skipped shaves — it's a facial hair style statement. Sitting between clean-shaven and a full beard, this light stubble has its own unique charm. Unlike designer stubble or scruff, its shorter length gives it a distinct identity.
'Yes,' says Wanstall. 'The five o'clock shadow grooming style is attractive as it represents a rugged and masculine look and feel and it can still look smart and sleek if worn correctly. '
It's important to note that maintaining a 5 o'clock shadow requires regular grooming every day or two, depending on how fast your facial hair grows. If you prefer a cleaner look or are required by your profession to be clean-shaven, then shaving off the stubble might be necessary for you.
As a result, we asked our 108 ladies which they found most attractive – a clean shaven look, a full beard, or stubble: Clean Shaven: 38.89% Beard: 30.56% Stubble: 30.56%
According to Prim & Prep and other online surveys, the 5mm beard length or five o'clock shadow as it's also known as, is considered by women to be the most attractive beard style. So, If you've been searching for a way to elevate your appearance with minimal effort, it's time to consider the 5mm beard length.
Typically created by trimming the beard to a length of 1–3 mm, designer stubble is roughly three days of growth, in contrast with the shorter "five o'clock shadow".
If you want a short, subtle shadow, keep the length to less than 2 mm. If you're looking for a fashionable mid length, go for 2-3 mm, and if you want a heavier stubble, try 4-5 mm.
Heavy Stubble Beard
This style features a longer beard length, around 4-5 mm, and requires a bit more maintenance. You'll need about a week of beard hair growth before using some clippers to maintain the length. This style suits those who want to flaunt their love for beards with pride.
So how do you grow a stubble? Pretty simple, don't shave for 3 days, and maybe even a few more depending on the speed of your facial hair growth. By this time, you should have between 2 and 3 mm in beard length, which will give you that rugged, stylish look.
For a shorter, neater look, five-day stubble should give you optimal growth. Although length varies from guy to guy, that should be a length of approximately 2 millimeters. For stubble that's slightly longer and fuller, 10 days of growth — 4 to 5 millimeters — is a good rule of thumb.
Known by various other names – the David Beckham look, the scruffy look, the three-day beard look and the 1.5- or 2.5- millimeter beard – the trend first captured the attention of fans of the 1980s “Miami Vice” television series.
"2025 will be all about a relaxed yet well-groomed look. I expect the clean-shaven style to regain popularity – ideal for those who appreciate a fresh, minimalist aesthetic. For those who prefer a little more texture, the stubble look remains a classic: a natural yet well-maintained shadow that requires little upkeep.
Set your stubble trimmer between 1 and 3 cm and trim the rest of your beard evenly. To find the length that suits you best, start with a longer setting, moving down to a shorter setting to find the ideal stopping point. Once you're there, tidy up under your chin with a shaver.
Use Nair™ Face Cream to Remove Unwanted Facial Hair
For those who shave their beards regularly, Nair™ can also be used in between shaves to eliminate 5 o'clock shadow and maintain that clean shaven look. Nair™ face cream can also be applied to baby hairs around your hairline to shape and define.
Beard Growth in Mid-20s to 30s
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. You'll likely notice your beard becoming fuller and more robust.
The study confirmed that “intermediate” beardedness is what most women find the most attractive in a man. Conversely, a man with a full beard is better perceived to be a father and provide security and protection to their family.
The awkward phase is a stretch of time around 2 to 3 weeks of growth where your hair is significantly longer than stubble but shorter than a typical beard. It's still a bit itchy and it can be hard to style to your liking. Getting through this phase requires time, patience, and commitment.
In some cases, it's appropriate to have a clean-shaven face when interviewing for a job, which means no beards, goatees, sideburns or any other facial hair. This is especially true in organizations that have strict appearance and dress codes like military agencies or some emergency services roles.
For the first time in decades more men sport some form of facial hair than not, making the hirsute male the majority. 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.