Date Night: A Comprehensive Guide on Leveraging Your Beard for Success

8 minute read

• Beards are an ideal, minimal-effort way to increase your attractiveness. Scientific and social factors contribute to this increased perception of attractiveness. Learn which styles are most attractive and how to properly groom your facial hair.

• Your beard is only as great as your grooming routine. If you’re new to the beard life, adopt a basic routine involving washing, hydration, and brushing. If you’re an experienced beardsman, experiment with new styles and products.

• A well-groomed beard is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to a successful date night impression. Your outfit matters and you’ll need to dress for the occasion. We’ll cover three outfits for different dating situations: casual, formal, and adventure dates.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, we thought we’d give you a crash course on how to leverage your beard for success. Whether you're a single guy looking to score a date, or committed to a partner and want to spice up your relationship — we’ll show you the ins and outs of grooming to impress.

You don’t want your first date to be the last. And if you’re in a committed relationship, you don’t want things to get stale. An easy way to avoid both these situations is to elevate your look. There are many ways to go about this such as fitness, fashion, and grooming — lucky for you, the latter is our forte.

One of the keys to your success in the dating game is right under your nose (literally). If you’re considering growing a beard and need a nudge, this article is for you. If you’re a beginner to the beard life — welcome. And if you’re an experienced beardsman looking for a fresh perspective, stick around. You’re sure to find valuable insight and ideas to keep you growing.

Today, we’re covering the science of why beards are sexier. Then, we’ll explain how to build confidence with your new man mane, and how to care for it. We’ll top things off with our personal recommendations on beard styles to try, and how to dress for your date. Let’s get to it.

The Science Behind Beards and Attraction

We don’t just sprout hair on our faces by accident. Beards have many purposes. From protection to thermoregulation, and even sensory function — our follicular friends do a lot for us.

With that said, you may be surprised at a lesser-known benefit of beards. Namely in the realm of attraction. Yup, beards can make you more attractive. Let’s see what science has to say about this.

P.S. If this sciency stuff isn’t your jam and you just want to know what to do — scroll down to “Beard Care and Maintenance” where we cover what to do.

This study examined the female perception of men with beards. It found that heavy stubble was the most attractive with full beards in second, then light stubble followed by clean-shaven faces.

In scientific studies, men rated higher in these categories:

Age: On average, men with beards were perceived as older than men without beards.

Masculinity: Women in the fertile stage of their menstrual cycle were more likely to rate men with beards as more masculine.

Aggressiveness: Bearded men were seen as more aggressive.

Social status: Those donning a beard were perceived to have a higher social status.

Parenting: Both men and women rated bearded guys to be better parents.

This isn’t just the case for women. Other men also recognized their bearded peers as more “aggressive, dominant, older, and formidable” according to a study published in April 2023.

Other Factors Influencing Bearded Attractiveness

How exactly does your facial fuzz make you more attractive? There are many factors including biological signals, cultural and social norms, and personal taste. Let’s talk about these:

• Maturity: A beard may indicate greater maturity to a potential mate.
• Health: Facial hair provides partial protection from UV rays and prevents skin damage. Overall health contributes to the fitness value of an individual.
• Social and cultural norms: There is mixed data on beards and attractiveness. Some cultural groups such as Polynesians rated clean-shaven faces equally attractive as bearded ones based on a study by Dixson and Vasey in 2012.
• Personal taste: Based on an individual’s environment and experiences, they’ll have a set preference for facial hair. Some like a guy clean-shaven, while others prefer a bearded man.
• Perceived personality traits: Facial hair is perceived differently based on media such as movies and television. For example, Santa Claus has a friendly demeanor, and his beard is associated with these traits. Religious figures with long, full beards are seen as virtuous and noble. In contrast, an unkempt “werewolf-like” appearance can be seen as a threat.
• Mate choice: Reproductive success is a key factor in mate selection. Evolutionary theories suggest traits like facial hair are favorable for reproduction.

Building Confidence Through Your Beard

Either you wear the beard — or the beard wears you.

What do we mean by this?

Simply put, you need to combine your rockin’ new beard with a confident attitude that matches it. We’re not saying put on a fake persona. It’ll come off as insincere, and people’s “bullshit-o-meter” goes off. But pay attention to how you walk, your posture, and overall body language.

Do they communicate confidence or insecurity?

Developing authentic confidence is a long process that can take years, so don’t be bummed if you don’t get it right away. Confidence in your appearance has a positive impact on your self-perception, and this leads to a stronger belief in your abilities.

A well-groomed beard can enhance self-esteem through compliments and positive feedback. This contributes to your sense of validation and it’s a signal you’re doing the right thing. It’ll create a feedback loop that’ll motivate you to spend more time and effort on your beard. And the potential result? An epic beard 😎

Moreover, confident people tend to communicate better, make positive impressions, and approach situations with optimism — all factors that help them find a new partner or build an existing relationship.

Beard Care and Maintenance

We’ve droned on about the theory behind beards and attraction. But how do you actually groom your beard for success? 

Here’s the actionable section of this guide.

A date-ready beard isn’t an overnight process. You need to put in weeks, if not months of beard care and maintenance.

Before you start grooming, you’ll need the right tools. Here’s a list of the basics:

Beard wash: Beard wash is gentler than regular shampoo designed for head hair. Regular shampoo strips out too much moisture leading to a dry and brittle beard.

Beard oil: Beard oil has ingredients to nourish your beard and provide hydration.

A comb or brush: Choose a high-quality wooden comb or boar’s hair brush. Cheap plastic brushes can snag hair and may not distribute product evenly.

Note that this is the bare minimum for a daily routine. Want to level up? Find the full guide here.

You have your tools, now put ‘em to use. Here’s a basic daily routine you can adopt:

Wash & dry: Gently massage your beard wash into your wet beard (best done in the shower) and rinse it out thoroughly with warm water.

Apply beard oil: Once you’ve pat-dried your beard, apply 3-5 drops of beard oil making sure you massage it into the skin under your beard as well.

Comb or brush: Use a comb or brush to evenly distribute the beard oil you applied. Brush your beard into the shape you’re styling it for.

The key is to adapt your grooming routine to your lifestyle. Stay well-groomed but don’t sacrifice too much time. 80 percent of the results come from the basics, so don’t neglect them!

Recommended Beard Styles

You’ll want to style your beard as it grows to enhance your looks. Pick a style you feel comfortable with and one that reflects your personality. It’ll go much further in boosting your confidence.

Here are some well-received beard styles that make the cut:

Get creative: Add your own touch to an existing style. For example, try a beardstache or Van Dyke with a handlebar mustache.

There are many more styles to play with. Experiment and determine which style suits your face shape, personality, and preference. The golden rule after choosing a style — keep it clean, and kempt, and follow a beard care routine. If you stick to these simple guidelines, you’ll make an awesome first impression with your beard.

Grooming for Different Dating Situations

Let’s explore the art of styling your beard tailored to the vibe of your date night. Casual outings have a more laid-back look, while formal dates ask for a more polished look. And don’t forget about adventure dates!

Casual Outings 

Strike a balance between looking well-kept and having a toned-down, effortless look. Stick to a basic wash, oil, and brush routine. Also, use products that have a gentler scent. You don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard.

Tip: Use mild scents, and just enough product to prevent overwhelming your date. Remember, a scent should be discovered not announced.

Formal Dates

You’ll want to elevate your look for formal dates. Build on your casual outing routine by using products such as beard balm, and wax to add some sheen to your beard. The extra hold allows you to achieve more styles.

Adventure Dates

Weatherproof your beard for dates on the beach, swimming, or hiking. Use a product like beard balm or butter. It can help maintain a neat appearance while you’re active. Check the weather since your beard may need protection from wind, sun, and other environmental factors. Beard wax gets an honorable mention here. It provides the best hold and a protective coating from the elements.

Tip: Keep a travel-sized comb in your pocket along with beard oil, or mist. You can run to the men’s room and give your beard a quick refresh. Experience premium beard care with Zilberhaar’s beard brushes.

Your Outfit Matters

The number one mistake I see guys make when trying to attract women is the following:

They look at attraction through the male gaze. However, what women find attractive at its core is story-driven. This is why the best-selling books are romance novels.

How you walk, talk, and most importantly what you wear tells a story. And by elevating your look, you change the narrative. This can have a ripple effect on your confidence, and in turn, your ability to score the partner of your dreams.

And if you’re not into women — the same rules apply. A confident, put-together appearance is generally attractive to anyone.

Your outfit depends on the type of date you’re going on. Casual outings will feature casual attire. You’ll also need to dress up for formal dates. Going hiking? Leave the button-up at home.

You can swap out some pieces mentioned here to achieve different looks. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Casual Outings

A morning date like a coffee or a walk in the park calls for a casual outfit. Pair a fitted T-shirt with dark-wash jeans and add a layer of outerwear such as a peacoat if it's cold outside. Finish the look with cap-toe ankle boots.

Pro tip: You can dress well without dressing up. Casual attire isn’t a license to be sloppy. Make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle-free.

Formal Dates

Evening dates, or those with a fancier venue require a more dressed-up look. Clothes with neutral, block colors are a great option. Try wearing stylish chinos with a button-down shirt and a Merino crewneck sweater or sport coat to layer your outfit. Complete the look with a pair of dress shoes.

Pro tip: You can dress the look up or down based on your needs. For example, for a more casual yet polished look, opt for a patterned button-down shirt and go sans sport coat. Alternatively, layer a Merino crew neck sweater over your shirt.

Adventure Dates

Adventure dates are an exciting, active way of getting to know your date. And you’ll need to dress for the occasion. Adventure dates include activities such as mini golf, axe-throwing, and hiking. Consider wearing a lightweight and moisture-wicking long-sleeved shirt to protect you from the sun and move sweat to the outside of your shirt, along with quick-drying capabilities. You can throw on some cargo or hiking shorts for easy movement. Don’t forget sunglasses, a backpack, and a breathable hat to look stylish and functional for your date.

Closing Remarks

Whether you’re a beard aficionado or just getting your feet wet, you can enhance your romantic life through the power of your beard. A well-groomed beard will have a positive impact on your confidence, style, and appeal — regardless of your relationship status.

Now that we’ve given you a glimpse into why beards are sexier — it’s your turn to get growing! You’ll need to put in work and master the art of grooming. When choosing a style, keep in mind that a well-groomed beard is more than just a trend or a gimmick to impress someone. It’s an authentic reflection of who you are. Develop a beard-care routine, and stick to it. 

If your beard game is locked in and you want to know where to go from here, consider educating yourself on how to improve your overall style and charisma.

We wish you all the best in your pursuit of romantic success.

- Aberlite