So you have a full beard and want to take it to the next level with some style and TLC? Or you want to grow a full beard but are concerned it might look too “wild and woolly”?
Then look no further than the Verdi beard, one of our all-time favorite rugged styles. It’s a thick, bold, glorious beard style that’s still versatile enough for you to give it some individual sculpting and personal panache.
This debonair manly look requires a bit of daily dedication and patience to keep it looking awesome, but that’s nothing for a legend like you! You know with your beard that you get out of it what you put into it.
The great news is the Verdi works for pretty much any face shape. Plus, you don’t have to love opera – because the style is named after the great Italian opera composer and bearded style icon, Giuseppe Verdi, who wrote astonishing works like Aida, Rigoletto and La Traviata.
Whether opera is your thing or not, get ready to learn about the Verdi beard for what could be the defining performance of your life.
Although it has a longer, rounded bottom like some other styles, the Verdi beard has some distinctive features to boldly set it apart. The style is defined partly by shorter, sculpted sideburns and then trademarked by a long mustache embellished with a little flair by being brushed to the sides and curled.
A Verdi beard is typically 3-6 inches long, which provides plenty of bulk under the jaw and chin. But it’s possible to have a shorter Verdi, around 2-4 inches long.
The mustache requires a little more time to fully cultivate. It needs to look distinct from the beard and curled into a handlebar. This sets the Verdi apart from other styles like the Garibaldi that has a non-styled mo.
Some Verdi's feature a detached mustache, while others are connected. It’s up to you.
If you suffer from patchy beard around the cheeks, a Verdi can still work great for you. With time and regular brushing, even patchy beards fill out on the cheeks. Plus, if your mustache naturally kinda separates from the rest of your beard, you can go with the detached Verdi look.
If you’re growing it from scratch, the length you need will take anywhere from 4-8 months to grow. During that time, cleanse it regularly with a quality beard wash, use beard oil, and brush it multiple times a day. This will enable it to grow thickly and strongly, while keeping it soft and training the direction of hair growth not to be wild and frizzy.
For the sideburns, either see a barber or you can break out the beard trimmer yourself. The goal is to have the sideburns trimmed closer at the top and gently fill out on the way down, so they fade or blend into the beard. Some purists say a Verdi beard must have the sideburns separate from the head hair, but the originator, Giuseppe Verdi, didn’t do that. The choice is yours.
Then the bottom of the beard needs to be neat and rounded. The Verdi is not a pointed beard. You can do this with beard scissors or ask your barber to trim that hedge.
Then sharpen up your cheek lines and neckline with the trimmer and a razor. For your neck, a good guide is to create a line from each ear to the Adam’s apple (or perhaps a half-inch above it).
Keep growing out the mustache at the edges so you can eventually style, curl and/or twirl it with mustache wax. If you plan to separate your mo, shave carefully just below it.
As for the soul patch, that’s up to you. Let it fill out completely or else trim it a tiny amount to neaten it. Just don’t sculpt out big bare areas.
This is the most distinctive and distinguished part of your Verdi look, so take your time to ensure the trimming and shaping is impeccable.
Trim the front part to be neat and even. “Unruly” is definitely a no-no for the mo!
Let the side hairs grow longer and be extremely careful trimming these. Less is more, for sure! The longer the sides of the mustache, the more fun you can have with the curling and twirling.
As for the hairs at the corners of the mouth that connect the mustache and beard, remember that the mustache must look distinct from the beard, not blended in. You can trim these hairs right down to disconnect the mustache or you can let them remain. Whatever looks best for you. Just don’t create a major empty space between the mustache and the beard.
Dudes have debated for years about whether the “correct” approach is to brush the mustache sideways with minimal shaping like Verdi himself, or to curl the ends up and around to make a fabulous handlebar mustache. Exercise your personal flair here.
Whichever shape you choose, you’ll need some mustache wax to hold those wings in place all day long. With that wax, you can create a smaller, looser curl or a tight twirl.
First, you’ll need:
Proper maintenance starts with hygiene and grooming. Wash your beard two to three times a week. Oil it daily. Brush it multiple times a day to keep it in shape and train its growth directions. Apply beard balm to provide some hold for the shape. Do all these things to maintain beard health and skin health and to prevent frizz, split ends, itching and flyaways. Use the mustache wax to shape and curl your mo.
Every week or two, a Verdi beard needs a little judicious trimming. If you don’t, it will quickly become a bit wild or disheveled looking. Keep it groomed and sculpted well.
You’ll soon develop a look and routine that works for you. While the Verdi beard requires a little more time and attention than some other styles, we think it’s worth it. The end result is a thing of distinguished glory that’s sure to turn heads and start conversations.
Beard on proudly, bro!
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