The best short beard styles

After some beardspiration? Whether you're changing things up or growing a beard for the first time, a short beard is fresh, stylish and a lot less work than a full one. Here are five short styles and the kind of facial hair each one suits best.

Short, sparse beard with a fade. Faded up into the hairline to pair with a sharp haircut. Ideal if you find thick growth hard to come by, and letting a little sun reach the skin underneath can help keep dandruff down.

Thick, lush short beard. The move for long-beard owners who want to spruce up for warmer weather: roughly uniform length with the moustache trimmed to the lip line. All the character, none of the tangled, sweaty mess.

Short beard with a killer moustache. Keep the beard short but grow the moustache out and style it. A little moustache wax holds a handlebar at the right angle and adds real personality.

The hardly-there beard. More a week's growth than a beard, and effortlessly stylish for a first attempt. Check for patches, keep it symmetrical, and use it to learn how your facial hair actually grows. Expect some trial and error.

Clean, sharp short beard. Neat, precise and office-ready. It takes care and attention, and a barber's steady hand helps you nail the lines, but the result is worth it.

Whichever you choose, the upkeep is the same: a daily oil to keep the skin happy, a brush to keep it tidy, and a small trim every few weeks to hold the shape.