Facial hair on men is very popular today but maybe not as much as pop culture would have you believe. Sure, science seems to be taking a stab at the hipster association with beards. Still, a quick read of HBR's recent list of top CEOs only features a handful of men with facial hair.

So what's the deal?

I have two thoughts on facial hair when it comes to professionalism:

Figure out your unique look (but not too unique). If a beard works for you, go with it but keep it groomed. If a goatee is your thing, again, go with it but keep it groomed. You want to avoid any facial hair that requires combing as it is perceived as too wild to most others.
Remember that grooming is the key. I like this post on the importance of clean lines and a clean neck line, even with facial hair. Facial hair is perfectly cool but put grooming as equally important as the stuff that you can grow on your chin.