You don’t choose facial hair; it chooses you. Sorry to say, not all are worthy. That’s why so many men find growing facial hair about as easy as farming the Sahara. But even if you’re one of the unchosen, not naturally gifted in the way of the beard, the right bit of nous can still help you achieve stubbly glory.

It’ll take a little effort at first, but the rewards are worth it: different types of beards can transform your look and take you from clean cut to rugged and mysterious in no time at all. But where should you start, and how do you know if all-out bearded glory is for you? Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way.

Why Grow Facial Hair

It’s Kinder On The Skin

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that forcibly dragging a razor across your face is not good for you, which is where facial hair comes in.

“It’s good for making a rugged statement, accentuating facial contours, creating a change of look, [but also] giving the skin a rest from shaving,” says Tony Glenville, author of Top To Toe: The Modern Man’s Guide To Grooming.

It Can Mask Imperfections

Like busy patterns for a bulkier frame and baseball caps for a thinning thatch, facial hair is great for hiding imperfections such as uneven skin pigmentation and acne scars.

What’s more, a well-defined beard or stubble boosts the apparent size of your jaw and, by virtue of colour contrast, draws attention to your teeth – handy for framing a set of pearlies.

It Matures Baby Faces

Given the fact that facial hair is one of the most obvious signs of sexual maturity, it’s no surprise that men with smooth chins can feel put back a few years (and not in a good way).

If you’re always getting asked for ID, take a leaf out of the books of countless style icons and grow some stubble or a beard (note: not bum fluff) to banish that baby face.