Goatee or full beard?

[Razor X]

I've worn the bald head + goatee combo for the past seven years and recently decided to experiment a littlle and see how I looked with a shaved head and a full beard.  The beard still needs to grow in some more, but it's progressed far enough to get an idea of what the final result will look like so I thought it was time to solicit some feedback.  Which is the better look for me?  Should I continue growing out the beard or retreat back to my comfort zone?

Here's some photos of each.  The lighting isn't great in the beard pics; I'll try to take some daytime shots over the weekend:

[Itall]

I think you rock both looks. It's whatever you feel comfortable with. Of course I'm a bit bias towards the goatee as you can tell from my avatar picture. Have a great thanksgiving.

[Bald Hobbit]

Grow it out until it's full. Then decide. It takes a different amount of time for each individual, but something like the 30 day rule should be instituted for beards.

Like others on SBG have mentioned on various boards, each time you feel like shaving it, wait 24 hours before you do it. Added 24 is also good.

[mikesj]

Both look good, I am partial to the goatee. (Am jealous as I can't fill the full beard...am trying , now day 10)

[TheSlyBear]

Dude, you're gonna rock the beard. Let it grow in and keep it for at least the winter.

[BillOnBass]

Honestly I think the beard looks badass on you.  I'm extremely jealous of your facial hair growth pattern.    If my cheeks would fill in I'd grow a beard for a solid year at least.

[Beardman]

Grow it out until it's full. Then decide. It takes a different amount of time for each individual, but something like the 30 day rule should be instituted for beards.

Like others on SBG have mentioned on various boards, each time you feel like shaving it, wait 24 hours before you do it. Added 24 is also good.

I'm glad to see people getting useful information from my posts and sharing it around!

I am in the same boat as you, I've decided I'm going to grow mine for another month, I'm almost at my 30 days. But don't know if I'll keep it, or go back to the van dyke

[Rusty Shackleford]

I've worn the bald head + goatee combo for the past seven years and recently decided to experiment a littlle and see how I looked with a shaved head and a full beard.

This sums up why you should keep the beard for at least the permanent short term.  You've had the goatee / bald head thing going for years, you like it, so why not give something that builds upon that a legitimate shot?  I think you should at least get the beard out to the length of the goatee and keep it that length for a few weeks before shaving it off.  From what I remember, you used to have one of those super-short stubble goatee things and had to be dragged kicking and screaming into letting it grow out to a decent length  .  You did it, and you must agree that it worked because you kept it that length.  I think you ought to give the beard the same kind of chance so that you'll really know whether or not you like it.  

Your huge advantage is that you can grow a top notch beard with a consistent thickness, a nice color, and you have the right shaped face for one.  In other words, unless you go out of your way and mangle it into some goofy chinstrap-y thing, you won't have to worry about whether or not your beard looks good (lucky bas**** ) and you'll be able to judge it entirely on whether you like being bearded.  Every time I grew a beard in the past I eventually found I disliked the edging maintenance and having hair growing off the sides of my face, but that being said my current beard really seems different to me.  I feel really protective over this one while all the others felt like an experiment I had to endure.  It is entirely possible you'll like your look but hate the maintenance, feel, or something else entirely about it but you have to give it a real chance.  

[Sir Harry]

I think your beard looks good.....I started my current beard in June after my last National Guard Drill but at that time I only had a barely showing mustache, so this beard essentially everything grew together at once. I did one guard it down in August due to the heat, but it's a slow process nonetheless for anyone. I vote for the beard.

[Razor X]

 From what I remember, you used to have one of those super-short stubble goatee things and had to be dragged kicking and screaming into letting it grow out to a decent length  .  You did it, and you must agree that it worked because you kept it that length.  

Yes, you were one of the ones that got me thinking about going a little longer.  And I also started doing it out of necessity; it's getting very grey and at the shorter length, the grey areas looked like bare patches from a distance.  The additional length makes everything more visible.  At any rate, I do like it better, so you were right.

I do plan on keeping the beard for a little while, at least.  I want it to grow out to the point where it can be blended with the goatee and mustache areas; things are a little "off balance" at the moment while I'm waiting for the sides to catch up.     In the long term, I don't know what I'll do.  I'll have to see how I feel when the time comes.  But in the meantime, I appreciate the feedback.   So far the only negative comments have come from my mother (no surprise there), but even with the positive feedback I sometimes worry that people are just being polite.

[bbcin1999]

They both complement your bald dome. It's good to change it up every once in a while. The shaved head w goatee was the norm for a while but I think the shaved head with full beard is just as popular if not more popular now. I'll leave my stubble beard (to top of the ears) for a few days and keep the dome smooth and it is a good look and gives a little definition. I've got a lot of gray too so keeping the beard clipped close with my conair istubble works best for me and minimizes the grayness.  It's all good.

[marshd1000]

Razor,

Since you have great beard coverage, I also think you  need to  go for it!  I would also keep it through the winter!  Maybe even wait to trim it until you have at least 1 month's growth.  But you can always grow it out long like what I am doing and then trim it down!  But I do agree with a earlier comment that full beards and slyness is becoming a very common look! 

[Bald Hobbit]

Grow it out until it's full. Then decide. It takes a different amount of time for each individual, but something like the 30 day rule should be instituted for beards.

Like others on SBG have mentioned on various boards, each time you feel like shaving it, wait 24 hours before you do it. Added 24 is also good.

I'm glad to see people getting useful information from my posts and sharing it around!

I am in the same boat as you, I've decided I'm going to grow mine for another month, I'm almost at my 30 days. But don't know if I'll keep it, or go back to the van dyke

Dude, keep it. It looks awesome.

[nuts]

Goatee or full beard both look good on you Razor.  I have always had a full beard (for 46+ years) and when I once shaved down to  a goatee it felt odd (although my wife said she preferred it).  It is not necessary to have the beard of equal length - I sometimes let the goatee part grow longer and still trim the sides - it is all a matter of trial (and error).  Suggest you keep the full beard through your (Northern) winter and see how you feel when spring come around in 2013.

[TheSlyBear]

I sometimes worry that people are just being polite.

I am not being polite. The beard rules!