I guess my attitude is 'don't play with it' - either be clean-shaven or have a (neatly trimmed) beard, but don't make fancy shapes (like the thin 'stripe' of beard down each cheek connecting to a thin goatee that seems to be fashionable right now, or (pet hate) the soul patch - just looks like you missed a bit)
Also think that having a full beard but shaving your head looks odd...
I know that this is really unfair, since it is just the men involved experimenting with their look the same way that women do and they should be allowed just as much 'freedom of expression' etc. But I don't like it!! LOL