How to Trim and Style Sideburns

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Sideburns are a distinct look that isn’t for everyone; they’re somewhere between facial hair and an extension of your hairstyle.

Sideburns need regular trimming and care to stay looking smart, but when they’re groomed in the right way, they can add character and personality to your face, framing it with a touch of character.

This guide will give you the knowledge and tools to master trimming sideburns.

What are Sideburns?

Sideburns are facial hair that extends from the hair in front of the ears, in a downwards direction towards the chin, but usually stopping in line with the ear lobe. One thing to avoid is uneven sideburns as these won’t complement your beard styling.

This style first became popular in the 19th century – the name comes from the American Civil War Genera Ambrose Burnside. Fast-forward to the 21st century, and sideburns are pretty much synonymous with cyclist Bradley Wiggins, while Hugh Jackman is often seen sporting this style too.

How to Shave Sideburns

To keep your sideburns in check, you’ll need a good beard trimmer, like the Gillette All Purpose Styler.

The Gillette Styler comes with three interchangeable combs (2mm, 4mm and 6mm), but you’ll probably want to stick with the 2mm comb for your sideburns, as these should be shorter than the rest of your hair. Proceed with caution – remember that you can always take away a little more hair if you need to, but you can’t add more back on!

If your hair is curly or grows particularly quickly, you might find yourself needing to trim your sideburns every few days to keep them looking well-groomed. As the All Purpose Styler is 100% waterproof, you can use it in the shower, easily fitting your sideburns styling into your morning routine.

If your sideburns have a habit of creeping further down your face, running the risk of turning into something resembling a chin strap beard, you might want to get an even closer shave along their edges. We recommend using the Gillette ProGlide Razor for a close but comfortable shave.

Make sure you lubricate your face with a shaving gel or foam such as our Gillette SkinGuard Men’s Shaving Gel before you start, for even more protection for your skin.

How to Style Your Sideburns

Sideburns aren’t for everyone – it helps if you have decent hair growth on your head, or they can look a little out of place. You’ll also want to think about how you balance your sideburns with the rest of your facial hair.

For example, teaming your sideburns with a thick moustache could look a little old-fashioned and could dominate a smaller face shape. Instead, you might want to pair your sideburns with a neat goatee beard.

Alternatively, if you like the way sideburns frame your face, you may want to extend them even further into a chinstrap beard that will give extra definition to your jawline.

And thanks to the Gillette All Purpose Styler Beard Trimmer, if you get bored of the chin strap and miss your bold sideburns, simply trim, shave and edge until you’ve got the look back that makes you feel like the very best version of you.

Still unsure which beard style is the right one for you? You’re sure to find one here: