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How To Trim A Beard Neckline (Double Chin Method)

August 2, 2023
How To Trim A Beard Neckline (Double Chin Method)

Defining the borders of the beard is crucial to its maintenance. It can make the difference between an untidy beard and an effective one. So, what exactly is the double chin method of trimming a beard neckline? 

The double chin method involves tilting the chin forward against the neck so that a natural fold and line is formed where the two meet. The neckline is formed by trimming and shaving everything below this line. 

It’s probably the simplest method of trimming a beard neckline out there. 

Don’t worry – you don’t need an actual double chin in order to do it. Even the slimmest of men can trim a neckline using this method. 

You’re about to learn everything you need to know about it, including a step-by-step routine to do it yourself.

But first, let’s briefly talk through what a neckline really is in the first place. 

Let’s get to it.

N.B: There is a risk of injury when performing any DIY grooming method. It’s important to bear this in mind. The following information is based on opinion; seek professional advice regarding its suitability for your individual circumstances.

What Is A Beard Neckline? 

Think of the neckline as the “lower border” of your beard. It’s the border between your neck hair and your neck skin. 

Neck stubble can look very untidy, particularly when it starts crawling toward your chest hair. It’s what happens when you don’t define a proper neckline at the correct height. 

A well-defined neckline can make the difference between a “lazy man beard” and an impressive one. 

By “well-defined”, I mean it should be sharp, neat, and at the correct level. 

quiff with fade (deposit photos)

DepositPhotos

This is where a lot of bearded men start to face some difficulty. Setting the neckline at the correct height can be a bit of a guessing game if you don’t have a solid technique. 

A neckline that’s too high can look awkward. In fact, in a lot of men, it can produce an actual double-chin appearance (even when you don’t want it). This is particularly true when looking at the face in side-profile with the mouth open. 

A neckline that’s too low will just look untidy. Once again, it’ll just look like neck stubble and this is never attractive. 

The shorter your beard, the more important it is for you to define a proper neckline. This is because longer beards have more length at the front to hide the neckline behind it. 

Short beards don’t have this benefit. 

Stubble necklines are just as important to define. There’s no such thing as facial hair being too short to bother with neckline trimming. 

Now that you’ve gotten a good understanding of what a neckline really is, it’s time to learn how to trim it. 

More specifically, it’s time to learn how to trim it using a very simple method indeed; the double chin method. 

How To Trim A Beard Neckline (Double Chin Method)

Having a step-by-step routine you can follow is so important to ensure great results each time you do it. 

1. Wash The Beard 

This may seem obvious but it’s important to include in every single beard-trimming tutorial. 

A clean, dry beard is easier to trim.

2. Trim The Rest Of The Beard First

In general, it’s best to leave the neckline and the cheek lines until the end. Consider it “fine-tuning”, once the rest of the beard is trimmed the way you want it to. 

Plus, it’s easier to visualize an effective neckline when the rest of the beard is trimmed and dealt with. 

I won’t go into detail about how to trim the beard – this would be a separate tutorial in itself. 

But let’s move straight onto the neckline as this is probably why you’re here in the first place. 

3. Create A Double Chin 

You may or may not already have a double chin. 

Either way, it really doesn’t matter. That’s not the point. Any man can recreate the appearance of a double chin and that’s what’s necessary for this method. 

Here’s how you do it. 

  1. Tilt your chin forward and press it against your neck so that a deep fold forms where the two meet. 
  2. Note the “lower double chin line” – the lower border of this fold that has formed. This is what will eventually become the neckline. 
Double chin neckline method demonstration
The “lower double chin line” is marked in red

[From Shutterstock]

Easy, right? 

Yes, it really is that simple. 

Anyway, we’re getting there. Now that you’re able to visualize what your neckline will eventually be, it’s time to trim it. 

4. Trim The “Lower Double Chin Line”

It’s labeled in the diagram above. 

The best way to do it is usually to first trim the edge of this line using the naked blade of your beard trimmer. 

In other words, with no guards or attachments. This is as short as a trimmer can trim. 

What you’re doing here is defining the neckline. Once this is done, you can move on to the next step. 

5. Trim Everything Beneath This Line 

Once again using your beard trimmer, trim everything beneath the neckline you just edged. 

Get rid of all of the neck stubble beneath it. 

A trimmer can only trim so short – you’ll still be left with very short stubble on your neck at the end of this. 

If you want to leave it at this, that’s fine. But for the sharpest, neatest neckline and neck, you’ll want to shave everything beneath it as well. 

It’s just much easier to shave after you’ve trimmed down to very short stubble

6. Consider Shaving Off The Remaining Neck Stubble

Now that the beard trimmer has done all of the hard work, it’s time to really hone in.

Manual razors give you a bit more control and are better edging. They really allow you to line up and sharpen up that neckline in the most effective way possible. 

Whatever you use, you’ll be able to use a razor to really sharpen and define the neckline, as well as properly remove the stubble beneath it. 

What you’ll be left with is a crisp neckline that’s been well-defined using the double chin method, as well as a smooth and tidy neck beneath it. 

Double Chin Method Vs Two-Finger Method 

As I mentioned, the double chin method isn’t the only technique available to use. 

There’s another method you could potentially use. Neither one is “better” – they’re just different. 

They just use different methods to visualize your neckline before trimming it. Once you’ve visualized it, the rest of the technique is the same. 

In other words, you trim the neckline and then trim/shave everything beneath it. 

It isn’t perfect, or a “rule” you should follow. No two beards are the same and no two necks are the same. Some men will have wider fingers, and so a “one-finger” method may be more appropriate. 

This will become obvious after you’ve done this a few times. You’ll become more aware of what a “good neckline” is for you. 

But using methods such as the double chin method and the two-finger method are good places to start. They’ll give you a good idea of what to aim for. 

It’s worth trying out both methods to see which one you find easier or gives you better results. 

Here’s how the two-finger method works: 

  1. Tilt your chin up so you can see your entire neck. 
  2. Place your second and third fingers horizontally across your neck, immediately above your Adam’s Apple. 
  3. The point just above the top finger will form the lowest part of your neckline. 
  4. Visualize a U-shaped curve running from ear-to-ear,  with the lowest point of this curve being the point above your top finger. 
  5. The curve should slant gently upward in either direction, roughly following the angle of your lower jaw. 
  6. Once you’ve visualized the neckline, trim it, then trim everything beneath it like you would with the double chin method. 
The two-finger method on heavy stubble

Both techniques will get easier with practice, so don’t worry if your first couple of attempts aren’t perfect. 

Conclusion

Trimming the neckline, as well as the cheek lines, should become an important part of your beard grooming routine. 

With practice, you’ll come to learn what your perfect neckline really is and get a feel for how to achieve it each and every time you trim. 

Enjoy.