Does my beard make me look more authoritative?

It is very distinguished Charlton, but very obviously fake.

You'll need to hide the straps. Have you considered gluing it on?

No, no! It makes you look older.

Nope. It makes you look homeless.

Not if our beard has rice, has some dirty split at it and its look like never been comb before. :)

In certain cultures it does. In most it won't.
Being Jewish, Muslim and Sikh; beards matter but it's a perception so created by the followers but not by theology.

What matter the most is your piety and you're having awe of Almighty.