How to Make Your Beard Look Thicker

Co-authored by Matt King

Last Updated: March 1, 2022 References

If you feel unconfident because of a sparse looking or patchy beard, don’t be! You can easily make your beard look thicker. Dyeing your beard is a simple option to add depth and color to make your beard look fuller. Use a beard brush to maintain the health and shape of your beard while also filling in any patchy areas. If all else fails, use an eyebrow pencil to fill in any gaps or sparse areas to create a fuller-looking beard.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dyeing Your Beard

1
Use a beard dye that is a shade darker than your natural color. A simple way to make your beard look fuller and thicker is to dye your facial hair a darker shade. Choose a dye that is made specifically for beards and is just a shade darker than your natural hair color so it doesn’t look too obvious.^{[1]
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- For example, if you have brown hair, choose a dark shade of brown rather than a black dye or it will be obvious that you colored your beard.
- You can find beard dyes at beauty stores and many pharmacies.
2
Grow out your beard for at least 2 weeks. Let your beard grow out so it’s easier for the dye to adhere to and so the color stands out. Short stubble is difficult to dye.^{[2]
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- Wait until your beard is long enough to fill out any patches.
- If you color your beard while it’s really short and then let it fill out, you’ll have 2 different color shades in your beard, which will look artificial.
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3
Apply the dye to your beard with the applicator. Use the brush in the kit to apply the dye to your beard with up-and-down brush strokes. Make sure you cover every section of your beard including your mustache and sideburns so that the color is even.^{[3]
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- If you don’t have an applicator brush, you can use a comb or a little disposable mascara wand to apply the dye.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Matt King
  Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group
  Expert Interview. 31 August 2021.}
- Don’t try to mix the dye into your beard with your fingers or by brushing across your beard. Use up-and-down strokes for even and consistent coverage.
4
Keep the dye in your beard for at least 20 minutes. Follow the instructions on the package to see how long you need to leave the dye in your beard. Most beard dyes require you to leave them in for at least 20 minutes.^{[5]
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- Don’t leave the dye in for too long or it could color your beard a darker shade.
5
Wash out the dye from your beard. Rinse out the dye with lukewarm water until it’s all removed. If this option exists, do it in the shower.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Matt King
Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group
Expert Interview. 31 August 2021.} Pat your beard dry with a towel once the water runs clear.^{[7]
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- Warm water could affect the dye, so use lukewarm or cold water to rinse your beard.
- Don’t use any soap to wash the dye from your beard or it could affect the color.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Matt King
  Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group
  Expert Interview. 31 August 2021.}
- Dye your beard every 2-3 weeks so the color doesn't fade.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Brushing Your Beard

1
Get a stiff-bristled brush designed specifically for beards. Brushing your beard with a beard brush is great for the health of your facial hair, but it can also make your beard look thicker by shaping the hairs and filling in patches.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Marlon Rivas
Facial Hair Specialist
Expert Interview. 17 January 2020.} Natural oils collect at the shaft of your facial hair and regular brushing can spread the healthy oils through your beard.^{[11]
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- You can find beard brushes at beauty supply stores and online.
2
Place the brush at the top of your beard and use downward strokes. Start at the top of your sideburns, mustache, and chin when you use your beard brush. Use downward strokes to run the brush through your beard all the way to the ends of the hairs.^{[12]
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- Consistent, downward strokes will fill in your beard and give it an even shape.
3
Run the brush upwards from your neck to under your chin. After you brush your beard on your face, you need to brush the hairs that grow on your neck and chin. Start at the top of your neck and brush upward toward your chin and jawline. Use smooth, even strokes to brush your beard.^{[13]
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- Over time, this will make your beard look longer and thicker.
- Make sure you brush every section of your beard’s undergrowth.
4
Avoid overbrushing your beard. Beard brushes use firm, coarse bristles to penetrate all of the hairs and organize them in a consistent style. Brush your beard 2 times a day: in the morning when you wake up and in the evening before you go to bed.^{[14]
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- Using a beard brush too often can damage the hairs and make them brittle.
Tip: Add brushing to your morning routine. Brushing before you shower will remove dead skin cells and make your beard cleaner when you wash it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using an Eyebrow Pencil

1
Choose an eyebrow pencil that is the same shade as your hair. Use a pencil that has a thick tip for easy application and is the same color as your beard hair. You can test the color of the pencil by lightly brushing it on the palm of your hand to make sure the color matches your hair color.^{[15]
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- You can find eyebrow pencils at beauty supply stores, department stores, pharmacies, or online.
2
Brush the tip of the pencil lightly on your beard and skin to add color. Hold the eyebrow pencil by the far end and use the wider side of the pencil tip to brush the color onto your beard and the skin beneath it. Add color to any thin or patchy areas to add depth and thickness to your beard.^{[16]
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- Focus on patchy or sparse areas to fill out your beard and make it look thicker.
3
Smudge the pencil marks with your finger to mix it into your beard. After you’ve applied some of the eyebrow pencil to a section of your beard and the skin underneath, use your fingertip to wipe it in a downward motion so it covers more area. Add more pencil to another section and rub it with your finger to blend it with your beard.^{[17]
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- Use gentle, light strokes with your fingertip to prevent the pencil marks from clumping together.
Tip: Don’t rub the pencil in a circular or upward motion or it will make your beard look uneven and the pencil will be obvious.
4
Trace along the edge of your beard to create a trimmed look. Adding a trim line can help make the coloring more consistent and give your beard a fuller appearance. Use the tip of the pencil to trace along the edge of your beard starting at your sideburns down to your chin.^{[18]
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- Use light strokes to add faint marks so the pencil isn’t obvious.
- Don’t smudge the outline.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I fix a patchy beard?

Marlon Rivas
Facial Hair Specialist
Marlon Rivas is a Barber and Owner of MGX Professional Men's Grooming, a barbershop based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is also the founder of Busystyle.com, a service that provides online scheduling services to businesses in the barbering and beauty industry. Marlon has over 15 years of experience in managing and providing barber services.

Marlon Rivas

Facial Hair Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Try brushing your beard every day as part of your routine to help control your facial hair and hide patchy spots.