Why Grow a Moustache?

Waaaay back in the day, men’s moustaches were practically ubiquitous, but by the 1980s, the trend had become relegated to porn stars, police officers, and actor Tom Selleck. In recent years, however, the style has returned in full force. As a result, any cultural stigmas associated with the modern moustache have been lifted. Hence, to the question of why one should grow a moustache, the answer might very well be: why the heck not? After all, if it’s good enough for Nick Offerman, surely it’s good enough for you.

As with a beard, moustache growth occurs in stages and requires a little patience. Speaking of beards, you should grow one (presuming you haven’t already) before starting in on your moustache, as it will help conceal the somewhat awkward development of hair above your upper lip. Furthermore, you should harvest a full moustache and then hedge it down to your intended style, basically treating your face like a Bonzai tree.

Okay, you’re standing in front of the mirror and looking at a somewhat unshapely mass of follicles above your upper lip. It’s time to put your skills to work. Presumably, you already have a particular moustache style in mind, but maybe not. If you need a little assistance, consider the five following types and styles.

No matter how popular the modern moustache might be, it still makes for a rather bold visual when not flanked by additional facial hair. Enter the beardstache, which helps deliver more overall volume and contrast. Start by growing out a beard and then trimming it down so that it squeezes the jawline. Pair that with a full moustache and you’re coasting.

Resembling the handlebars of a bicycle, this signature moustache style features upward curves at both ends. Whether you combine it with a full beard or strut it out naked, be prepared to turn heads. If you need some additional pointers, check out men’s fashion YouTuber Robin James, who’s become something of an authority on this particular style.

There was a time when the pencil moustache was huge in Hollywood, with actors like Clark Gable and Vincent Price making it their own. Nowadays, John Waters is among the few remaining celebrities who can effectively pull one off, as it delivers no shortage of quirky personality. Defined by a thin line of hair above the upper lip, this moustache style is for those who want their facial hair to precede them in virtually every situation.

True to its name, the full moustache comes in dense and somewhat long. While you’ll want to groom it on a regular basis, it shouldn’t look overly manicured. This is a stache in the truest and most traditional sense of the concept, which accordingly offers up all sorts of masculine vibes.

If you like the idea of facial hair above your upper lip, but don’t necessarily want to draw attention to yourself every time you enter a room, consider the standard moustache. It’s well-groomed, somewhat inconspicuous, and invariably classic.

Some men might make it look easy, but maintaining a moustache often requires a decent amount of consistent attention. Thankfully, there are plenty of tools for the job, including trimmers, combs, waxes, oils, and washes. Does every moustache-card-carrying member use each one of these tools? They do not. However, don’t take that to mean you won’t benefit from them.

Like clippers to a hedge, a moustache trimmer helps you sculpt and define the shape of your awesome stache. As such, it’s a fairly indispensable part of your grooming arsenal. Truth be told, you should probably own one electric trimmer for the broader strokes and then a pair of professional-grade sheers for the finer details.

When left to its own devices, your moustache can become somewhat unruly or unkempt, especially if you’re aiming for a longer style. That’s why you’ll want a trusty comb, which reinforces definition, and furthermore preps your moustache before you get busy with the trimmer.

Moustache wax is a grooming tool that’s either essential or negligible depending on the specific type of moustache you’re growing. As you can probably guess, it helps with definition and sheen, keeping each and every follicle in its proper place. If and when you apply moustache wax, you’ll definitely want to use only a small amount. Fail to heed this warning and it’ll look like you made out with a jar of Vaseline. No one wants that. Trust us.

Should you be the proud owner of an epic beard, then you already know that keeping it clean and hydrated is mandatory. Along similar lines, your moustache can get downright coarse when left unattended, while the skin underneath it can dry out.