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Martin is a full-blooded entrepreneur and passionate barbershop-goer. He has deeply immersed himself in the world of shaving and beard care and wants to bring the unique barbershop feeling to every bathroom.
Sideburns have been experiencing a real revival in recent years. They were never truly out of fashion since their most famous wearer, Elvis Presley, popularized them in the 1950s.
Where the sideburn style originally comes from, why they are called what they are called, and how to wear them best will be clarified here.
Why are sideburns called sideburns? History and Naming
What are sideburns and why are they called that? Admittedly, the name sounds more like a barbecue party than a beard style. And indeed, the sideburns owe their name to grilled meat! Just like the piece of meat, the early sideburn style was narrow at the top and widened towards the bottom.
In the 19th century, the mutton chops were the absolute trend. Favoris was the name for the beard that every gentleman who cared about his appearance wore. Some wearers of favoris even used a curling iron to "magically" add additional curls to their beard style.
In English-speaking areas, they are referred to as "sideburns". The name refers to the American Civil War general and arms manufacturer Ambrose Burnside. While he did not achieve significant military success, he went down in history thanks to his charismatic beard.
What makes sideburns so special and what styles are there?
Sideburns remain one of the most popular beard styles. While no one burns curls into their beard hair anymore, they are an essential part of the Rockabilly beard. Several styles of wearing have been established. Sideburns refer to all beard hairs that are located at the temples and the upper part of the ear.
Regardless of which sideburn beard you choose, optimal beard care is essential. In our Störtebekker Online Shop, you'll find all the beard products you need for your beard care.
1. Short Sideburns
Short sideburns look subtle and elegant. If you otherwise forgo a beard, they stand out well. You should keep them short and well-groomed. Besides straight ends, slanted or widening sideburns are also very effective.
Rule of thumb: Short sideburns always stay above the earlobe. They are particularly suitable for round faces and make them appear more defined.
2. Medium-Length Sideburns
Medium-length sideburns are ideal for angular, chiseled faces. They reach about below the earlobe and should be shaved narrower, about the width of a finger. If you make them too thick, it is not advantageous, especially for prominent faces.
3. Long Sideburns
Long sideburns are particularly popular in the Rockabilly scene. Not without reason are they called statement sideburns: they look particularly masculine and striking and make a clear fashion statement. Long sideburns go well with neatly parted hairstyles and slicked hair. If you have a rather elongated, oval face, you should keep the sideburns a little narrower.
Long sideburns offer the most creative freedom. Whether angled at the bottom or widening, many styles are possible.
4. Pointed Sideburns
If you want to shave your sideburns into a point at the bottom, you need to stay on top of it. The beard style must be regularly trimmed, otherwise, it quickly looks unkempt. This cut is particularly suitable for hiding uneven or sparse beard growth.
You can read in this post how to stimulate and promote beard growth.
How to shave and shape sideburns - The right way
Shaving sideburns correctly requires skill. Be aware that you need to regularly shave and care for sideburns. To ensure that you don’t walk around with an uneven look, it’s especially important to have a precise transition between beard and sideburns.
Step 1: Shave the Sideburns
Before you start with the sideburns themselves and the fine-tuning, all beard hairs that have grown too long should be trimmed. Only then do you use a hair clipper to work on them.
Here are the key steps:
- Position the hair clipper upside down. The pointed side should face your skin. Hold your face and the clipper straight and start the machine to set the lines. This is known as “defining the sideburns”.
- Now you have a line that serves as a guide for your further work. Shave all beard hairs that are outside the line evenly.
- When you repeat the procedure on the other side, you should use a mirror or a second person to check that you create a line symmetrical to the first side.
Step 2: Shape the Sideburns
Should I cut my sideburns to a point or straight? Once you’ve completed the shaving process, it’s time to trim. To get your sideburns into the right shape, you need a bit of finesse - and of course, a clear idea of what you want.
Have shaving gel, razor, and beard comb ready, and perhaps a beard trimmer if you want narrower sideburns.
- Foam the shaving soap in the first step and spread it over the entire facial area.
- Remove the foam from the areas where the sideburns will be. The easiest way to do this is with a finger and a steady hand.
- Outline the contours of the sideburns with a comb, so that you can then use a razor to shave along. For beard wearers, it is important to achieve a smooth transition between sideburns and beard. To do this, thin out the sideburns with the beard trimmer towards the end, using progressively thinner attachments.
How to care for your sideburns?
Even sideburns need to be cared for. Wash them with beard shampoo, just like beard hairs. Especially if they are a bit longer and transition into a beard, the skin can otherwise quickly become dry and flaky. In this case, you can also use a little beard oil for more moisture and smoothness.
Otherwise, the most important rule for sideburns is: regularly trim the contours to ensure your beard style looks well-groomed.
For optimal beard care you will find all the beard products you need in our Störtebekker Online Shop.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sideburns
Sideburns not only draw attention but also raise questions. We want to answer them here.
Who do sideburns suit?
Whether sideburns suit you primarily depends on what type of man you are. While sideburns fit well with a casual yet fashionable style, they are less suitable for a classic businessman with a shirt and tie.
Are sideburns considered beard or head hair?
The question “Are sideburns a beard” must be answered with a clear maybe. The sideburn hairs can consist of varying proportions of head hair and the stiffer, wiry beard hair. They are thus seen as a sort of transition between head hair and beard hair.
Where do sideburns end?
Sideburns can, depending on the hairstyle, extend differently into the face. In other words, the exact length or end is up to your personal taste and courage.
Are sideburns still in fashion?
Sideburns are definitely back in fashion. Although long sideburns are not as trendy at the moment. You should make sure that sideburns match the length and width of your face.
Conclusion
Sideburns are for bold and stylish men. They accentuate your face and make you appear more defined. If you're the type who invests little time in optimal beard care, you should carefully consider sideburns, as they are maintenance-intensive.
What sideburn type are you?
Feel free to check out these posts if you’re wondering: Which beard suits me? and what is Movember?
Here are more posts on different beard types - enjoy reading:
