How to Grow a Chin Curtain Beard

You might know it as the whaler, the Shenandoah or the Lincoln beard, but it’s also widely known as the chin curtain.

Whatever name you know it by, it’s a bold, distinctive look that requires careful styling. And unlike many other beard styles, it doesn’t cover the bottom half of the face but frames it, requiring a certain level of self-confidence to wear this look.

Let’s take a look at how you can grow a chin curtain beard of your own.

What is a Chin Curtain?

A chin curtain beard should extend from your sideburns and cover the area underneath your chin, and the chin itself. This beard style isn’t usually worn with a moustache, so this should remain clean-shaven.

The History of the Chin Curtain

The chin curtain is probably most famously associated with Abraham Lincoln, US President from 1861 to 1865. At this time, the chin curtain was worn by mane statesmen and generals in the American Civil War and was seen as a symbol of power.

However, this beard style’s history dates back even further than Lincoln; German folktales attribute this beard style to the superstition of the Klabautermann, which dates back to the 13th century. The Klabautermann is a sprite that lives on ships, causing havoc and only leaving the boat when it sinks.

In Holland, the same facial hair style is referred to as the gnome beard, and elsewhere in the world it is closely associated with the Amish community.

Which Face Shape Suits a Chin Curtain Best?

The chin curtain can help to frame an oval, heart, diamond or square-shaped face, helping to create the illusion of a stronger jawline.

How to Create a Chin Curtain

It’s easiest to create a chin curtain if you already have a full beard.

Start by shaving off the facial hair on your neck and cheeks, lathering up with our King C. Gillette Transparent Shave Gel before shaving with the King C. Gillette Double Edge Razor.