You’ve seen it. That weird, J-shaped swirl of hair that looks like a primate is literally hugging someone’s face. It’s the monkey tail beard, and honestly, it’s one of the most polarizing things to happen to men's grooming since the soul patch. Some people think it’s a stroke of comedic genius, while others think it’s a cry for help. Either way, it’s impossible to ignore.
It starts at one ear. The sideburn snakes down the jawline, curves under the chin, and then—here’s the kicker—it loops back up and over the lip to finish as a mustache. It’s asymmetrical. It’s technically difficult to pull off. It’s also surprisingly old.
Where the Monkey Tail Beard Actually Came From
A lot of people think this started on TikTok or Instagram around 2021. Wrong. The origins of the monkey tail beard (sometimes called the cat tail beard) actually go back over a decade. Major League Baseball player Mike Fiers is often credited with bringing it into the mainstream spotlight. Back in 2019, while pitching for the Oakland Athletics, Fiers stepped onto the mound sporting the look. He did it to give his teammates a laugh during a rough patch in the season.
It worked.
The image went nuclear on social media. But even Fiers wasn't the absolute pioneer. If you dig through old grooming forums from the late 2000s, you’ll find niche mentions of "serpentine" facial hair. It was a joke long before it was a hashtag. The reason it blew up again recently is basically down to the pandemic. Men were stuck at home, bored, and armed with electric trimmers. When you don't have a board meeting to attend on Monday morning, carving a tail into your face seems like a perfectly reasonable way to spend a Tuesday night.
The Physics of a Good Swirl
Creating a monkey tail beard is actually a massive pain in the neck. Most guys fail because they don't plan the "tail" thickness. If the mustache part is thicker than the jawline part, the whole thing looks lopsided. Not the good kind of lopsided—the "I had an accident with a Grade 2 guard" kind of lopsided.
You need length. This isn't a look for guys with three days of stubble. You need at least three to four weeks of solid growth to ensure the line is continuous. If there's a gap in the hair, the illusion is ruined. You're just a guy with a broken beard.
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Tools matter too. A standard broad-head trimmer is too clunky for the tight curve around the corner of the mouth. You need a detailer or a T-blade. Most professional barbers, like the ones you’ll see featured in GQ or Men’s Health, suggest using a clear shaving gel rather than a foam. Why? Because you need to see exactly where the line is. If you bury the tail under a mountain of Barbasol, you’re going to shave off the "tip" of the tail and end up looking like you’re wearing a lopsided goatee.
Why People Actually Do This
It’s about the "look at me" factor. We live in an attention economy. Whether it’s a celebrity like Antonio Brown—who notably rocked the monkey tail beard in 2021—or a guy at a local bar, the goal is to start a conversation. It’s a "statement" piece, much like a loud Hawaiian shirt or neon sneakers.
There’s also a psychological element of "anti-grooming." Following the ultra-manicured beard trends of the 2010s (think the "lumbersexual" movement), the monkey tail acts as a rebellion. It’s a way of saying, "I take my appearance seriously enough to spend forty minutes in front of a mirror, but I don't take myself seriously at all." It’s ironic.
The Social Media Catalyst
In early 2021, the trend peaked because of the "Monkey Tail Challenge." It wasn't just about the hair; it was about the reveal. Thousands of users on platforms like Reddit and Twitter began posting photos of their attempts. It became a rite of passage for guys who were about to shave their full beards anyway.
Think about it. You’ve grown a massive beard for six months. You’re bored with it. Instead of just buzzing it all off, you stop at the "monkey tail" stage, take a selfie for the group chat, and then finish the job. That’s how 90% of these beards exist. They are ephemeral. They exist for approximately twenty minutes—just long enough for a photo—before being consigned to the bathroom sink.
The Anatomy of the Tail
- The Anchor: The sideburn on the "active" side.
- The Bridge: The hair running along the jawline.
- The Hook: The curve from the chin up toward the nose.
- The Finish: The mustache that connects to nothing on the opposite side.
Is it a "Real" Style?
If you ask a traditionalist at a high-end barbershop in London or New York, they’ll probably roll their eyes. To them, the monkey tail beard is a gimmick. It breaks the fundamental rule of facial hair: symmetry. For centuries, beards have been used to define the jawline and create balance. The monkey tail intentionally creates imbalance.
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However, fashion is cyclical and often absurd. We’ve seen the mullet return. We’ve seen 90s frosted tips make a comeback. In the context of "ugly-cool" fashion, the monkey tail fits right in. It’s the "dad shoe" of facial hair. It’s so intentionally bad that it becomes a stylistic choice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Honestly, if you're going to do this, do it right. The biggest mistake is the "Ghost Tail." This is where the hair is too thin and light, making it look like a smudge of dirt from a distance. If you have blonde or ginger hair, you might actually need a bit of beard filler or a darkening pencil to make the shape pop.
Another issue is the "Mouth Gap." The tail should flow seamlessly from the chin into the mustache. If there’s a break in the hair right at the corner of your lips, the "tail" effect is lost. You just look like you missed a spot while shaving.
Maintenance (If You’re Crazy Enough to Keep It)
Believe it or not, some people actually keep this look for weeks. Maintenance is a nightmare. Because the lines are so specific, you have to shave every single day. Even a little bit of stubble on the "bald" side of your face will muddy the silhouette.
You also have to deal with the social repercussions. Expect questions. Expect stares. Expect your mom to ask if you’ve "lost your mind." But hey, if you have the confidence to walk into a grocery store with a primate's appendage carved into your face, you probably aren't worried about what people think.
The Actionable Guide to Your Own Monkey Tail
If you're sitting there with a full beard and a trimmer, here is the most logical way to execute the monkey tail beard without ending up with a total disaster.
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1. Visualize the side. Most people are right-handed, so they find it easier to keep the right sideburn and curve the tail toward the left side of the upper lip. Decide this before you turn the trimmer on.
2. Define the mustache. Shave the gap between the bottom of your nose and the start of the mustache on the "empty" side. This is the point of no return. Once that gap is there, you’re committed to the tail.
3. The Jawline Sweep. Start from the opposite ear (the one that will be bare) and shave downward toward the chin. Stop about an inch before you reach the center of your chin.
4. The Connection. This is the hardest part. Carefully carve the curve that connects the chin hair to the mustache. Use a manual razor for the final edges to get that crisp, sharp line.
5. Own it. If you look unsure of yourself, the beard looks like a mistake. If you walk around like you’re the freshest guy in the room, people will respect the hustle.
The monkey tail beard isn't going to become the new standard for corporate headshots. It’s not going to replace the classic corporate beard or the rugged stubble. But as a piece of performance art? It’s gold. It represents a moment in time when we all got a little bit weirder and decided that our faces were the perfect canvas for a joke.
If you’re looking for a sign to finally try it, this is it. Just make sure your camera is charged, because you’re definitely going to want proof. Once the hair is gone, the only thing left will be the legend of the time you had a tail on your face.