On September 24, 2019, George Clooney left the set of his latest Nespresso commercial in Madrid, and was photographed. Per usual, he's wearing a dark suit, black shoes, and a crispy white dress shirt—top two buttons undone. Not per usual? The man's sporting facial hair that is—and I refuse to stress this any less than is necessary—fucking mighty.

Look at that thing. Full of gray and full of glory. Overly manicured it is not. But it is perfectly groomed. And it is perfectly attainable with the right kind of care. Like routine maintenance on a foreign car, achieving this level of cheek-chin-and-stache glory can take some effort. But the hurtful truth is that we are not all George Clooney, Eternal Embodiment of Handsome. And so the rest of us just have to put the work in, whether Clooney did or not.

But before we get to the how-to of it all, allow me to point out where the true magic within this facial hair lies: the mustache. Without a strong, slightly overgrown 'stache here, the balance of facial power abandons equilibrium. Only because it is so strong (and because the face it sits atop is, again, that of George Clooney) does this image stop you in your tracks. But that it does, and you, too, can stop your loved ones in their tracks.

Here's how to achieve the dream.

George Clooney is seen leaving the set filming of Nespresso TV spot on September 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain.

Let It Grow

Far too many men believe they can't grow a great beard simply because they've never really given it a shot. To get to Clooney levels, you can't give up when things get scruffy. You've got to push past the short and medium lengths and really let that beard grow in. It could take more than a month. Endure. It's worth it.

Philips Norelco Beard Trimmer Series 5100

Shape It Up

While growing and while maintaining this mighty beard, you'll want to keep the shape in check. In the most basic terms, that means shaping things up around the cheeks, temples, and chin using a beard trimmer. You'll want things shorter on the sides of your face to avoid looking overgrown, and then longer around the goatee area. To avoid getting a neckbeard, you'll need to shape things up under your jaw, too. It's not uncomplicated, but we've got a whole guide on the ins and outs of the process.

Crucially, you'll also want to let the mustache grow just a little longer. If you use a trimmer, go maybe a guard length or two higher than what you're using on your cheeks. Or you can use scissors. Either way, don't go too short. That length is what gives Clooney's look such majestic oomph.

Equinox International Professional Shears

Maintain

You'll want to go back in with the clippers and scissors every week or two, depending on your tolerance for scruff. You'll also want to keep an eye out for stray hairs and trim them when you see them. Beyond that, make sure to keep the beard healthy and happy—which means being hydrated. A beard oil is now your best friend. Apply regularly (right after the shower is a good time), and brush it through to get the full benefit.

Baxter Beard Grooming Oil

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