Partial Beard Categories
A partial beard is any facial hair that is neither a full beard nor a moustache.
The diagrams used here are purely illustrative to show the essential differences between the styles.
Alaskan Whaler/Donegal/Amish Natural
Traditional Alaskan seafarer’s beard. Bushy hair grown on cheeks, chin, and lower lip. No hair grown on upper lip.
No styling aids allowed.
Goatee Natural
Goatee as it grows naturally, the more natural the better. Moustache not required. Goatee and moustache can be accentuated but without styling aids. No curled moustaches.
There must be a clean shaven section at least 1.5" (4 cm, the width of a razor blade) between the onset of the head hair and the beard.
No styling aids allowed.
Sideburns/Muttonchops Natural
Must be a true sideburn. No natural or shaven gap by the ear. Chin is shaven at least 1.5" (4 cm, the width of a razor blade) and hair is optional on the upper lip.
The moustache may or may not be connected, also known as the “friendly or unfriendly” chops.
Small and bushy with the tips curving upward. Only hairs on the upper lip may be grown out.
No styling aids allowed.
Horseshoe/The "Hulk Hogan"
A full moustache with connected facial hair grown beyond the edges of the mouth and connecting downward to the jawline in an upside-down “U” shape. Chin is shaven at least 1.5" (4 cm, the width of a razor blade). It can be groomed short or grown out at length.
Styling aids allowed.
Imperial Partial Beard
Hair on the cheeks and upper lip. There must be clean shaven spaces of at least 1.5" wide (4 cm, the width of a razor blade) on the chin and between the facial hair and the onset of the head hair. The whiskers are styled upwards. No closed curls. The hairs on the upper lip may not be separated from the hairs on the cheeks. The beard may not rise above the level of the eyes.
Styling aids allowed.
Triple Point/Musketeer
Narrow chin beard that comes to a point.
Moustache narrow, long, slightly curved, and combed to the sides. Moustache may consist only of hairs that grow within 5/8" (1.5 cm) past the end of the upper lip.
Styling aids allowed
Freestyle Partial Beard
Free design and styling of the beard. All partial beards that do not qualify for other categories may compete in this category. There must be a clean shaven space at least 1.5" wide (4 cm, the width of a razor) either on the cheek, the chin, or between the head hair and the beard.
Styling aids allowed.