Facial Hair Types & Pre-Judging Guidelines

Acceptable styling methods to be used with Natural categories include brushing, combing, shampooing, and conditioning, including the use of beard oils and balms. Any styling method should be used to only accentuate, and must not be used in excess, resulting in an unnatural look. These categories show off the grooming of facial hair naturally in its most basic form.

Legal styling aids in all Styled categories shall include only wax, hair spray, and other hair products. The use of hair extensions, fake and detached hair, or any form of hair pins or supporting elements is prohibited. Dreadlocked facial hair, due to the constricted state and product-dependent style, should be placed in the relevant Type and Styled category (most commonly Freestyle).

If there’s some uncertainty about which category to assign a fake beard when pre-judging, take into account the materials used and theme or presentation:

• Are the materials visually similar to natural hair? Regardless of the category style recreated, is it styled or presented in a way that if it was made of actual hair it wouldn’t look out of place on a man’s face? → Realistic

• Are there clearly repurposed materials used to represent facial hair? Are there unusual elements or objects involved not commonly found in facial hair? → Creative