Mine does grow approximately straight out, however, I think my facial skin is very transparent or something.

I got it to look not like crap exactly one time: I waxed it. It was not particularly painful, nor did it itch when the hair came back. However...
it took *forever* to actually get all the hair because it's so dense, and it seemed to be visible under the skin very soon after I pulled it all.

Sort of sad that the answer to balding as well as to facial hair is apparently taking anti-androgens, with who-knows-what side effects...