The mustache has been making a real comeback for several years now. While full beards used to be the focus, more and more men are now consciously opting for a well-groomed mustache. This can be a classic Chevron, a striking Handlebar with twisted ends, or a subtle mustache combined with a 3-day beard.
A mustache often appears to have more character than many other beard styles. At the same time, it stands out more because it is directly on the face. It is all the more important to groom it regularly, trim it neatly, and style it to suit one's own face shape.
In this guide, I'll show you what mustache styles there are, how you can grow your mustache, and which care products are truly useful.
Why the mustache is so popular again
The mustache has a long history. Sometimes it was a symbol of elegance, sometimes of adventurousness, and sometimes simply an expression of individual style. Today, it is popular primarily because it is versatile.
A mustache can look very neat and classic, but also casual and modern. Furthermore, not every man has to be able to wear a dense full beard to achieve a striking look. Often, a well-groomed mustache is enough to give the face more character.
The combination of mustache and 3-day beard is particularly popular right now. This makes the beard style a little more relaxed and less conspicuous than a standalone mustache.
Growing a mustache: The first few weeks
Anyone who wants to grow a mustache for the first time needs one thing above all: patience.
Most men underestimate how long it takes for a mustache to reach its final shape. After a few days, the mustache often still looks uneven. After two to four weeks, the contours become much more clearly visible.
Especially during this transition phase, you should not reach for the trimmer too early. Many men repeatedly shorten their mustache, thereby preventing enough length for a beautiful shape.
Another typical problem: The hairs eventually start to grow over the upper lip. This can be a little annoying when eating or drinking. It is precisely at this point that some beard wax is useful to direct the hairs in the desired direction.
The most popular mustache styles
Chevron
The Chevron is one of the best-known mustache styles. It is relatively wide, dense, and follows the natural shape of the upper lip.
This style was made famous by Tom Selleck, among others. The Chevron looks masculine, uncomplicated, and suits many face shapes.
Those with dense beard growth usually achieve this shape quite easily. The only important thing is to keep the contours clean and regularly trim the hairs above the lip.
Handlebar
The Handlebar is probably the most striking of all mustache styles. The ends are left to grow longer and then twisted outwards or slightly upwards with beard wax.
For a Handlebar to look good, it needs some care and patience. The side areas must be significantly longer than the middle. At the same time, beard wax ensures that the characteristic shape holds throughout the day.
Those who like to experiment with different looks will find the Handlebar to be a real eye-catcher.
Pencil Moustache
The Pencil Moustache is significantly narrower and finer than other mustache styles. The hairs are trimmed very precisely and run as a narrow line above the upper lip.
This style requires a little more care, as even a few millimeters too much can quickly look unkempt. However, a Pencil Moustache often appears particularly elegant and classic.
Walrus
The Walrus mustache is the exact opposite of the Pencil Moustache. Here, the hairs are deliberately worn long and dense, so that they partially fall over the upper lip.
For a Walrus mustache to look well-groomed, it needs regular care and sufficient moisture. Longer beard hairs in particular benefit from beard oil or a nourishing beard cream to prevent them from looking dry or straw-like.
Combining a mustache with a 3-day beard
One of the most popular variations in recent years is the mustache with a 3-day beard.
This photo, by the way, is not AI; this is actually how I looked in 2022 :)
The light beard shadow optically connects the mustache with the rest of the face and creates a modern look. At the same time, the combination often appears somewhat more uncomplicated than a freestanding mustache.
It is important that the lengths match each other. A strong mustache usually harmonizes well with a 3-day beard of about 2 to 4 millimeters. This creates a balanced overall look.
Trimming a mustache correctly
When trimming a mustache, often less is more.
First, the desired basic shape should be determined. Then, individual protruding hairs are carefully trimmed. The line directly above the upper lip is particularly important. It largely determines whether a mustache looks well-groomed or unkempt.
For most men, a good beard trimmer with a precision attachment is completely sufficient. Those who want particularly clean contours can also use a razor.
A common mistake is to thin out the mustache too much. Many styles appear so striking precisely because sufficient density is maintained.
What care products does a mustache need?
Even a short mustache benefits from regular care.
Beard oil ensures that the hairs become softer and the skin underneath does not dry out. At the same time, the mustache is easier to shape and feels more pleasant.
Those who wear a longer mustache or want to style their hair specifically should also use beard wax. It provides hold and helps to maintain the desired shape throughout the day.
For slightly longer mustaches, a beard balm can also be useful. It nourishes the hairs, provides moisture, and ensures a well-groomed appearance without weighing down the beard.
Conclusion
A well-groomed mustache is much more than just a few hairs above the upper lip. With the right shape, a little patience when growing it, and the right care products, a style can be developed that perfectly suits one's own face.
Whether Chevron, Handlebar, Pencil, or Walrus: Those who regularly trim, care for, and shape their mustache will enjoy it for a long time. A good beard oil for daily care and some beard wax for hold are often enough to turn a simple mustache into a real eye-catcher.
