Categories and Classes

As of 2019, we have adopted the following National Beard and Moustache Championships categories and class descriptions.
Please read below to see which Category and Class best fits your furry face or crafty eye.

Glossary of Terms

• Grooming Aids - Oils, balms, other hair products without “Hold”

• Styling Aids - Hair Products with “Hold”

• Additional Structural Materials - In regards to freestyle beards, additional structural materials could be wire, string or other non-natural, non-naturally-grown-and-attached-to-the-wearer materials that might hold the beard parts up or together.

1. Natural Moustache
Judges will be looking for a natural moustache with no styling aids present. The moustache must not begin growth from the skin at a distance further than 3/4” beyond the corner of the wearers mouth. Any length of moustache hair is accepted.

2. Styled, Handlebar Moustache
The Styled Moustaches will be expected to have a single, open curl or loop on both sides.
All hair growing from more than 3/4” past the corner of the mouth must be shaved. The moustache hairs themselves will have no regulation on length. Any or all styling aids will be permitted and some styling is required. Hungarian Moustache would fit in this category.

3. Groomed Moustache
Neat, tidy moustache. This moustache will be judged on overall appearance, contrast between shaved and moustache areas, and symmetry. Styling Aids* allowed. Imperial Moustache would fit in this category.

4. English Moustache
A narrow, slender moustache with the hairs extended outward from the middle of the upper lip. The tips may be slightly raised. Hairs growing from beyond the corner of the mouth must be shaved. Styling aids* permitted.

5. Dali Moustache
Slender with the tips curled upward. Hairs growing from beyond the corner of the mouth must be shaved. The tips may not extend above the level of the eyebrows. Styling aids* permitted.

6. Freestyle Moustache
Free design and styling of the moustache. All moustaches not meeting the criteria for other categories may compete in this category. All hair growing from more than 3/4” past the corner of the mouth must be shaved. This is a styled moustache. Styling aids are allowed, but additional structural materials (wire, rope, lumber) are not permitted.

7. Uber-Stache (New, 2021) - The moustache must not begin growth from the skin at a distance further than 1.5” beyond the corner of the wearers mouth. All hair growing from more than 1.5” past the corner of the mouth must be shaved. The moustache hairs themselves will have no regulation on length. Unlike most Moustache classes, the “Soul Patch” will be accepted. Any or all styling aids will be permitted, and a natural look is recommended.

8. Natural Goatee, Shaped
Shaped Goatees should have a minimum 3” gap of bald or otherwise shaved skin between the bottom of the ear and the beginning of the goatee. (This strip of bare skin would normally be where sideburns would be). All goatees are permitted to have an incorporated moustache, but it is not required. Goatee will be judged on overall fit to the competitor, health of hair and level of awesomeness. Grooming Aids are permitted, but excessive use of aids will result in a deduction from stand-alone value.

9. Natural Goatee <18”
All Wide Goatees should have a minimum 1.5” gap of bald or otherwise shaved skin between the bottom of the ear and the beginning of the goatee. (This strip of bare skin would normally be where sideburns would be). All goatees are permitted to have an incorporated moustache, but it is not required. Goatee will be judged on overall fit to the competitor, health of hair and level of awesomeness. Grooming Aids are permitted, but excessive use of aids will result in a deduction from stand-alone value. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent size class.

10. Natural Goatee >18”
All Goatees over 18” should have a minimum 1.5” gap of bald or otherwise shaved skin between the bottom of the ear and the beginning of the goatee. (This strip of bare skin would normally be where sideburns would be). All goatees are permitted to have an incorporated moustache, but it is not required. Goatee will be judged on overall fit to the competitor, health of hair and level of awesomeness. Grooming Aids are permitted, but excessive use of aids will result in a deduction from stand-alone value. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent size class.

11. Natural Sideburns, Friendly
Must be a true sideburn with no natural or shaven gap by the ear. Chin is shaven at least 1.5" (the width of a standard razor blade). The moustache shall be connected on the upper lip, also known as the “friendly” chops. Grooming Aids are permitted, but excessive use of aids will result in a deduction from stand-alone value. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into one combined Natural Sideburns class.

12. Natural Sideburns
Must be a true sideburn with no natural or shaven gap by the ear. Chin is shaven at least 1.5" (the width of a standard razor blade). No moustache permitted. Grooming Aids are permitted, but excessive use of aids will result in a deduction from stand-alone value.

13. Fu Manchu
All areas more than 3/4” past the corner of the mouth horizontally must be clean shaven, and the chin area is shaved as well. The moustache and partial beard hairs are permitted to grow from the face descending vertically towards the jawline and 3/4” beyond. The tips of the moustache extend downward. Styling aids* permitted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into the Partial Beard Freestyle class.

14. Musketeer
Also known as a “3-Point Beard”. The beard is narrow and pointed. The moustache is slender, long, and drawn out in a slight bow. The moustache may not include hairs growing from more than 3/4” past the corners of the mouth. *Styling aids permitted. Facial Hair will be judged for overall look, overall presentation will be considered.

15. Donegal
The Donegal is a tight, well groomed beard with no moustache and shaved upper cheeks. This style will consist of beards that would otherwise be considered full beards if they had a moustache (Similar to C. Everett Koops beard). Grooming Aids permitted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into the Whaler or Shenandoah class.

16. Whaler
The Whaler is a wilder, full beard up to 12” in length with no moustache and cheeks can be shaved or not shaved. This style will consist of all beards that would otherwise be considered full beards if they had a moustache.Grooming Aids permitted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into the Donegal or Shenandoah class.

17. Shenandoah
The Shenandoah is a longer, full beard over 12” in length with no moustache. Cheeks can be shaved or not shaved. This style will consist of all beards that would otherwise be considered full beards if they had a moustache. Grooming Aids permitted. If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into the Whaler or Donegal class.

18. Goatee Freestyle
Goatee Freestyle includes any freestyle beard that is styled with the base facial hair used having the recognizable characteristics of a Goatee. This is a styled partial beard. Styling aids are allowed, but additional structural materials (wire, rope, lumber) are not permitted.

19. Sideburns Freestyle
includes any freestyle beard that is styled with the base facial hair used having the recognizable characteristics of sideburns. This is a styled partial beard. Styling aids are allowed, but additional structural materials (wire, rope, lumber) are not permitted.

20. Partial Beard Freestyle
includes any freestyle beard that is styled with the base facial hair used having the recognizable characteristics of a Partial Beard and does not fit into the Freestyle Sideburns or Freestyle Goatee category. This is a styled partial beard.

Styling aids are allowed, but additional structural materials (wire, rope, lumber) are not permitted.

21. Realistic Moustache
This Craft/Realistic Moustache Class requires a crafted, realistic looking moustache. Moustaches must maintain their shape/lift/buoyancy without the additional support of the wearers hands.

22. Creative Moustache
In this class, the general idea of the creation should be able to be recognized as moustache-like in shape, nature, or essence of origin in regards to the human body. There are no restrictions on materials to be used, except for what may possibly be illegal or dangerous to others. The creation must be able to hang freely on the face or general head/upper torso area without consistent help from the appendages of the wearer. Important tip: Have Fun!

23. Realistic Beard
This Craft/Realistic Beard class requires a crafted, realistic looking beard. Beards must maintain their shape/lift/buoyancy without the additional support of the wearers hands.

24. Creative Beard
For this class, the general idea of the creation should be able to be recognized as a beard or otherwise beard-like in shape, nature, or essence of origin in regards to the human body. There are no restrictions on materials to be used, except for what may possibly be illegal or dangerous to others. The creation must be able to hang freely from the face or general head/upper torso area without consistent help from the appendages of the wearer. Important tip: Have Fun!

25. Attached, Natural Craft Moustache
Facial Hair that is created from pulling around the wearers real, attached head hair and making it resemble moustache, or other facial hair.*If there are not enough competitors to fill this class(3), competitors may be moved into the adjacent Attached Natural class, Realistic Beard, or Realistic Moustache class.

26. Attached Natural Craft Beard
Facial Hair that is created from pulling around the wearers real, attached head hair and making it resemble a beard or partial beard.*If there are not enough competitors to fill this class(3), competitors may be moved into the adjacent Attached Natural class, Realistic Beard, or Realistic Moustache class.

27. Full Beard Freestyle
The full bearded contestant will have the creative freedom to style their beard in any manner that they like. There are no restrictions on length, symmetry, asymmetry or color. Styling aids are allowed, but additional structural materials (wire, rope, lumber) are not permitted.Full Beard, Groomed <3”
A well-presented beard, but also the overall groomed presentation from head to toe. Grooming Aids permitted, 0-3” lengths accepted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

28. Full Beard, Groomed <3”
A well-presented beard, but also the overall groomed presentation from head to toe. Grooming Aids permitted, 0-3” lengths accepted.

29. Full Beard, Groomed 3” - 6”
A well-presented beard, but also the overall groomed presentation from head to toe. Grooming Aids permitted, 3”-6” lengths accepted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

30. Full Beard, Groomed 6”-12”
A well-presented beard, but also the overall groomed presentation from head to toe. Grooming Aids permitted, 6”-12” lengths accepted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

31. Full Beard, Groomed 12”-18”
A well-presented beard, but also the overall groomed presentation from head to toe. Grooming Aids permitted, all lengths 12”-18” accepted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

32. Full Beard, Groomed 18”-24”
A well-presented beard, but also the overall groomed presentation from head to toe. Grooming Aids permitted, all lengths 18” to 24” accepted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

33. Full Beard, Groomed >24”
A well-presented beard, but also the overall groomed presentation from head to toe. Grooming Aids permitted, all lengths over 24” accepted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

34. Full Beard Verdi
A Verdi has a Full beard, short and rounded at bottom, no more than 4” in length as measured from the bottom of the lower lip. The moustache is distinct from the beard but may not include hair growing from more than 3/4” past the corner of the mouth. Styling aids* permitted. 

35. Full Beard Garibaldi
The Garibaldi Beard is wide and round at the bottom, and no more than 8 inches in length as measured from the bottom of the lower lip. The beard appears as it grows naturally. While Grooming Aids are allowed (see glossary), the more natural looking the better. The moustache may not be made distinct from the beard or styled. The beard may not be curled under at the bottom. *No Styling Aids Permitted

36. Full Beard, Styled Moustache <3”
Full beard from 0-3” in length with minimal Grooming Aids permitted in the beard and incorporating a Moustache of any size using Styling Aids, styled in a manner as to be the predominant facial-hair-feature of the face. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

37. Full Beard, Styled Moustache 3”- 6”
Full beard from 3”-6” in length with Grooming Aids permitted in the beard and incorporating a Moustache of any size using Styling Aids, styled in a manner as to be the predominant facial-hair-feature of the face. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

38. Full Beard, Styled Moustache 6”-12”
Full beard from 6”-12” in length with Grooming Aids permitted in the beard and incorporating a Moustache of any size using Styling Aids, styled in a manner as to be the predominant facial-hair-feature of the face. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

39. Full Beard, Styled Moustache 12’-18”
Full beard from 12’-18” in length with Grooming Aids permitted in the beard and incorporating a Moustache of any size using Styling Aids, styled in a manner as to be the predominant facial-hair-feature of the face. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

40. Full Beard, Styled Moustache 18”-24”
Full beard from 18”-24” in length with Grooming Aids permitted in the beard and incorporating a Moustache of any size using Styling Aids, styled in a manner as to be the predominant facial-hair-feature of the face. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

41. Full Beard, Styled Moustache >24”
Full beard over 24” in length with Grooming Aids permitted in the beard and incorporating a Moustache of any size using Styling Aids, styled in a manner as to be the predominant facial-hair-feature of the face. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

42. Full Beard Natural <3”
The beard appears as it grows naturally. The more natural the better! This category is for beards that measure a maximum length of 3” as measured from the bottom of the lower lip. Grooming Aids permitted, No Styling aids permitted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

43. Full Beard Natural 3”-6”
The beard appears as it grows naturally. The more natural the better! This category is for beards that measure a maximum length of 6” as measured from the bottom of the lower lip. Grooming Aids permitted, No Styling aids permitted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

44. Full Beard Natural 6”-12”
The beard appears as it grows naturally. The more natural the better! This category is for beards that measure a maximum length of 12” as measured from the bottom of the lower lip. Grooming Aids permitted, No Styling aids permitted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

45. Full Beard Natural 12”-18”
The beard appears as it grows naturally. The more natural the better! This category is for beards that measure 12” - 18” in length as measured from the bottom of the lower lip. Grooming Aids permitted, No Styling aids permitted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

46. Full Beard Natural 18”-24”
The beard appears as it grows naturally. The more natural the better! This category is for beards that measure 18” - 24” in length as measured from the bottom of the lower lip. Grooming Aids permitted, No Styling aids permitted.*If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.

47. Full Beard Natural >24”
The beard appears as it grows naturally. The more natural the better! This category is for beards that measure 24” or more in length as measured from the bottom of the lower lip. Grooming Aids permitted, No Styling aids permitted. *If there are not enough competitors to fill this class (3), competitors may be moved into an adjacent class.