Look through magazines and websites for pictures of goatee variations that you might want to experiment with.

Itchy skin for a few days is a normal part of growing a beard. Don’t let yourself feel self-conscious about scratching your face often. If you find it’s particularly irritating, you can use moisturizing lotion to sooth the skin a bit. You can grow out the rest of your facial hair as well, though you don’t have to. Having the extra hair can give you a little more flexibility when determining the size of your goatee.

You’ll probably want the outline to start about an inch above your Adam’s apple on your throat. This may feel a bit long, but you will always be able to shorten it slightly if you don’t like the way it looks. If you shave too close too soon, you will have to wait to grow that back.

Before trimming, run a comb through your beard to straighten out curled hair. This will make your hair easier to trim, and will give you a better sense of how long your goatee will be. [5] X Research source Make sharp, clean corners at the jawline. Get the right width. A typical goatee will be about the same width as your mouth. You can help to define this width by smiling. Use the creases from your dimples to better judge where the edges of your goatee should be. No matter what kind of goatee you’re shaping, make sure that both sides match symmetrically. Every few minutes, stop what you are doing and check in the mirror to make sure things are even on every side.

Using an electric trimmer ensures that your goatee is symmetrical and neat. Also, the built-in length selector enables you to select the length of the hair rather than guessing with a pair of scissors. Most trimmers give you several different length choices. A nose hair trimmer can be a useful tool for giving the edges a finer shape. Trimming the part of the goatee where your chin meets your neck can be quite awkward, so position your mirror below head height, and pull your chin into your neck to get a better idea of how it looks. If you are including a moustache with your goatee, trim the top to make sure those hairs don’t connect with your nose hairs. That is not a look you want to have.

When you are shaving near your goatee, make sure to move your razor away from the goatee. You don’t want to accidentally move too close to the goatee and shave part of it off.

Remember to dry off after washing. Gently pat and wipe your beard dry with a clean towel. [8] X Research source Consider using beard oil as well. These oils can be better than moisturizer because they are specially designed for cleaning beards and protect the skin underneath. Rubbing in a few drops of oil daily while your beard is still a bit damp should be enough to keep your beard clean and prevent acne forming under the hair. [9] X Research source Be mindful of the fact that when you eat, food can and will get lodged in your beard. Make sure you brush and wash any food out of your goatee. To help prevent this, take smaller bites when you eat, and wipe off your face after each bite. [10] X Research source

Eat well. A balanced, healthy diet is good for skin and hair, though you can supplement that. Foods high in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E are all good for growing and protecting hair. You can also include a B vitamin called biotin, which is found in whole grains, liver, egg yolk, soy flour, and yeast. [12] X Research source [13] X Research source Regular exercise is another good way to boost testosterone, which helps in hair growth. Weight lifting and high intensity interval training are both good exercise programs for increasing your body’s testosterone levels. [14] X Research source Get regular sleep. A good 7-8 hours, depending on your needs, will keep you fresh and healthy, and help aid in regular hair growth.