Image via Complex Original
For those of you who may not be aware of the "catbeard" sensation that has taken over the Internet, in simple terms, it's a picture in which you angle a cat's face and body to look like your beard. The catbeard movement is mobilizing cat owners across the world to express themselves, with some being more successful than others. However, one thing is evident—people love taking photos with their cats. So, following the recent serge in catbeard photos, we have collected a few that stood out to us and analyzed just what makes for a good catbeart shot. Enjoy our Ranking of The Best and the Worst Catbeards on The Internet Right Now.
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Catbeards 25
Rating: 5
Great catbeard? Not so much. But cute cat? Yes. The cat dominates the picture, which ruins the proportions for the beard. Moreover, the positioning of the cat does nothing for the illusion: making it another case of cat photo-bombing. Fortunately, there is a damn cute cat in this picture, so we give this attempt a 5.
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Catbeards 24
Rating: 3
Oh sir, this was a fine attempt, but your catbeard is not looking so good. The placement of the cat is odd, as the snout cuts into the nose, and there is not really an illusion created. From a fan of the whiskers and the cuteness of the cat's snout, you have earned a 3.
Catbeards 23
Rating: 10
The beard to be the envy of all. What a brilliant execution of the catbeard. Working the benefits of a long-haired cat, this catbeard does not fail to deliver. The placement of the cat is ideal, as the curve of the cat's mouth creates the mustache effect, which crowns the beard (the body of the cat). Furthermore, the angle of the photo and the scope allows us to appreciate the beard in full.
Catbeards 22
Rating: 6.5
Has Grumpy Cat come to life? A valliant attempt at the catbeard, this comes across more as the embodiment of the famous Internet cat Tardar Sauce, rather than the simulation of a noble beard with the body of a cat.
Catbeards 21
Rating: 7
Is that a cat in your beard, sir? Why, it's two adorable kittens. Sometimes illusion doesn't matter and all you need is two tiny adorable kittens climbing through a man's beard. Coming in high on the "Cute Factor," this catbeard really needs nothing else. (Thought the merit of this photo as a "catbeard" might be questionable).
Catbeards 20
Rating: 10
This dude just stepped up the catbeard game. No longer is it enough to simply place your cat in front of your face at the right angle. With this catbeard, the placement of the cat and the angle of the shot creates a seamless illusion, but the successes go beyond the technical. This dude is rocking a Grumpy Cat frown, while his hand strokes his beard pensively and he boldly looks directly into the camera. He has truly created character with his catbeard.
Catbeards 19
Rating: 10
If you glance quickly, tis a bearded man wearing sunglasses. But is it? Nope, this is indeed the perfectly executed catbeard, because the illusion is so smooth.
Catbeards 18
Rating: 9
It's all in the eyes with this catbeard. Yes, the positioning is impeccable: the cat's nose becomes, as it should, the nose of the catbeard, and the mustache effect from the curve of the mouth is achieved. The whiskers are an added
Catbeards 17
Rating: 9.3
Proving that sometimes the catbeard is not about the illusion but the attitude, this catbeard is a success. The energy in the woman's eyes mesmerizing, and you can tell that she owning her catbeard. Even though the texture and color of the cat's fur is not ideal for the illusion, it gives the catbeard a regal vibe.
Catbeards 16
Rating: 6
This is the nonchalant catbeard: a dude is chilling with his awesome grey beard. Nonetheless, the placement of the beard could have been improved: the illusion of the catbeard is simply not achieved. Props for the laid-back attitude, but this is not best catbeard out there.
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Catbeards 15
Rating: 8
Reminiscent of a cat Halloween costume (possible inspiration for this year's costume, perhaps?) this catbeard is quite appealing. The black nose makes for a cute catbeard, while the grey is just a safe way to achieve the illusion of a dignified beard.
Catbeards 14
Rating: 5
The proportion of this cat's face it a bit off, which ruins the illusion of the beard. This catbeard could have benefited from a different angle, or perhaps a smaller cat that would be more proportionate to the face.
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Catbeards 13
Rating: 9.9
Ah so close to perfection! This catbeard suffers from the "Pig Nose Effect" that is created by the angle of the cat's nose, an unfortunate setback. Beyond that, this catbeard achieves the illusion.
Catbeards 12
Rating: 8.7
Reminiscent of Gandalf the Grey's beard, this catbeard is a winner just by that association. Perhaps a wider shot would have intensified the Gandalf effect, so this catbeard gets an 8.7 for the disappointment.
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Catbeards 11
Rating: 3
With this catbeard, the cat seems to have opened its mouth at an unfortunate time - ruining the mustache effect that the curve of the mouth usually creates. Short-haired white cats are more of challenge when it comes to a perfect catbeard, because their fur lacks the shading and texture of darker longer-haired cats that simply look more like beards. Sorry to say that this is another case of a cute cat photo-bombing.
Catbeards 10
Rating: 4
We commend you on this effort, but this is a solid 4. The angle of the shot shows great effort, and we solute you, but the placement of the cats' snout simply does not accomplish the illusion. Sadly, this looks like a cat photo-bombing a selfie.
Catbeards 9
Rating: 10
What a fine catbeard we have here. The positioning is perfect: the face is morphed with the cat seamlessly. Furthermore, the angle of the shot makes the snout of the cat the perfect proportion to be a truly glorious beard. One of the best out there.
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Catbeards 8
Rating: 6.7
Can it be? A cute catbeard? Yes. Though what a shame the positioning is off. An inch higher and the illusion of the catbeard would have been supreme. Nonetheless, this catbeard is what it is, and it is a 6.7: a valiant effort.
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Catbeards 7
Rating: 7
This catbeard has its greatest setback in the scope of the picture. The close-up shot of this catbeard does not maximize this beard's potential - limiting the amount of beard seen. Moreover, the positioning of the hand indicates that the cat's head is being held back, rather than a fine stroking of that glowing white beard, what a shame. But overall, this catbeard is a success: that scheming expression wins it for this one.
Catbeards 6
Rating: 10
Ah, perfect execution of the catbeard. The placement is impeccable, and there is a maniacal twinkle in the eye. This catbeard really benefits from the fading in the cat's snout, creating a very unique beard. Another asset of this catbeard, is the length of the whiskers, that add some flair to the beard.
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Catbeards 5
Rating: 6.9
This is the traditional form of catbeard: there is no illusion because the point is not to morph but simply place the cat around the face. The cat's paws could have been shifted away from the face to maximize the beard effect, but the cat is very cute, so this catbeard wins back the points lost in the technicalities.
Catbeards 4
Rating: 7.8
This catbeard is not ideal: it should be brought up an inch, as there is not a seamless morphing of face and cat. Nonetheless, the maniacal look in those widened eyes makes up for the technical setbacks, giving this catbeard an overall original vibe.
Catbeards 3
Rating: 9.1
Damn, boy, those whiskers! Look how they curl upwards in a perfect dramatic swoosh. Additionally, this catbeard benefits from the dual-color of the cat's fur, the white that fades to ginger gives the catbeard a unique look. As with all long-haired cats, this catbeard is dramatic: demanding both attention and respect.
Catbeard 2
Rating: 3.4
This catbeard is clearly just a cat forced up into a woman's face: the illusion and elegance is simply not there. However, we give this catbeard an overall score of 3.4 for the purely maniacal expression in the woman's eyes. Bonus points for photo-shopping the cat's eyes red, making it truly unique.
Catbeards 1
Rating: 10
While the trend is to play goofy when posing with your catbeard, this girl is poised and owning it. In addition to the attitude, this catbeard has perfect placement and proportion, which makes it an all around 10.