Long Beard Styles: The Garibaldi, Ducktail and Verdi Explained
The three classic long beards differ mainly in the shape of the bottom edge and how the moustache is treated. The Garibaldi is wide and rounded at the base, with the moustache allowed to merge into the beard; it suits men who like a natural look. The ducktail is shorter on the cheeks and tapers to a point at the chin, which lengthens a round face. The Verdi is shorter and rounded, with a separate, styled moustache, and is the most polished of the three. Below, we cover what each looks like, who it suits, how long it takes to grow and how a barber shapes it.
The three at a glance
Garibaldi | Ducktail | Verdi | |
|---|---|---|---|
Shape | Full, wide, rounded base | Tight cheeks, pointed chin | Rounded, slightly shorter base |
Typical length below chin | Roughly 15 to 20 cm | Varies; the point is longer than the sides | Roughly 8 to 10 cm |
Moustache | Blends into the beard | Usually trimmed, can blend or separate | Distinct and styled, often with waxed ends |
Look | Relaxed, natural, a bit rugged | Sharp, structured | Groomed, old-world, formal |
Suits | Oval and long faces; good density | Round and square faces | Most faces; needs a good moustache |
Upkeep | Moderate | Higher, the point needs defining | Highest, daily moustache styling |
The lengths are rough guides, not rules. Shape matters more than measurement.
The Garibaldi
Named after the nineteenth-century Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi, this is the classic big beard. It is wide, full and rounded at the bottom, and the moustache is trimmed only enough to keep it off the lip before it disappears into the rest.
Who it suits
Men with oval or long faces, where the width of the beard adds balance. It also needs density. A Garibaldi with sparse cheeks looks unfinished, so if your beard is patchy at the sides, one of the other two will usually look better.
How a barber shapes it
The cheek line is left natural or tidied very lightly. A hard cheek line looks wrong on such a relaxed beard.
The base is rounded with scissors and comb, keeping the width roughly in line with the face.
The neckline is set and kept clean, so the beard has a defined lower edge even when it hangs.
Stray hairs are cut back rather than the whole beard being reduced.
The ducktail
The ducktail keeps the sides comparatively short and lets the chin grow longer, then shapes it to a point, like the tail of a duck. It is a full beard with the weight moved downwards.
Who it suits
Round and square faces in particular. Tight sides reduce width; the point adds length. It also works for men whose cheek growth is less dense than their chin, because the sides are kept shorter anyway.
How a barber shapes it
The sides are often clipper-trimmed short, and may be faded up into the haircut.
The length increases gradually from the jaw to the chin. The transition should be smooth, not a sudden step.
The point is shaped with scissors. It can be sharp or softer; a softer point is easier to live with.
The cheek line is usually defined, because the structure of the style relies on clean edges.
The Verdi
Associated with the composer Giuseppe Verdi, this is the most groomed of the three. It is a rounded full beard kept at moderate length, with a moustache that is clearly separate, trimmed and usually styled with a little wax.
Who it suits
Almost any face shape, as long as you can grow a decent moustache. It suits men in formal workplaces who want a long beard that still looks deliberate, and it is a sensible halfway point if you are not yet ready for a full Garibaldi.
How a barber shapes it
The base is rounded and kept at a moderate length.
The moustache is trimmed so it does not run into the beard, then the ends are left long enough to style.
Cheek line and neckline are both defined.
Our guide to moustache wax covers training the ends to hold their shape.
Growing one: a realistic timeline
Beard hair grows at different speeds from man to man, so treat these as rough stages rather than deadlines:
Months one to three. Grow everything out. Only tidy the neckline and cheek line, and resist the urge to shape the bottom. This is where most long beards are abandoned; our post on getting through the first three months helps.
Months three to six. You have a full beard. Now the barber can begin setting the base shape for the style you are aiming at, taking off as little as possible.
Six months onwards. The style becomes recognisable. A Verdi can be reached at this point for many men; a Garibaldi often takes longer.
Throughout, see the barber every four to six weeks. The temptation is to skip visits so you lose no length, but a regular trim removes split ends and uneven bits that make a beard look scruffy rather than long. The barbers at Highgate Cuts start every visit by looking at your beard and where you want it to go, then recommend what to take off and what to leave.
Looking after a long beard
Long beards are a commitment. The basics: wash two or three times a week with a beard wash rather than ordinary shampoo, condition, and use an oil or balm to keep the hair soft and the skin under it comfortable. A wide-toothed comb detangles better than a brush once the beard is long. We cover the day-to-day routine in detail in looking after a long beard, so here are the style-specific points:
Garibaldi: brush or comb downward and slightly outward to keep the rounded shape. Balm helps tame the wide edges.
Ducktail: comb the chin downward and twist the point gently with a little balm to keep it defined.
Verdi: comb the moustache out from the centre each morning and apply wax to the ends.
If the skin underneath becomes itchy, flaky or develops bumps that do not settle with good washing and moisturising, see a pharmacist or GP. The British Association of Dermatologists' page on folliculitis explains one common cause.
Questions we get asked
Which long beard style is easiest to maintain?
The Garibaldi, provided you have the density. Its natural shape forgives a few days without combing. The Verdi needs the most daily attention because of the moustache.
Can I change from one style to another?
Going from a Garibaldi to a ducktail or a Verdi is easy because you are taking length off. Going the other way means growing out the sides again, which takes months.
How long until my beard is long enough for a Garibaldi?
Often well over six months, depending on how fast your beard grows. A barber can tell you at a visit roughly where you are and what is realistic.
Does my haircut need to change too?
A long beard can make the head look small if the hair is very short on top. Your barber at our Archway Road barbershop can suggest how to balance the two.
Book with The Highgate House
Ready for a proper cut? Email us at [email protected] with the service and the day that suits you, and we will come back to you with times.
Visit The Highgate House · The barbers
The Highgate House, Archway Road, Highgate, London N6.
