Moustache Care Advice

[Andy]

Hi all,
I have joined Movember this year and am going to grow a Moustache, and am planning to keep it at the end of the month.

Has any one got any hints or tips for moustache care?

I did have one prior to starting wet shaving, but if I remember correctly I used to wash it with shampoo every now and again, which caused it to itch.

Anyone have any favourite products or tools for moustache care?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Thu'umhammer]

Hey Andy. If you've received my latest letter you'll know that I've been growing a handlebar moustache for about a month now. I can't help you much regarding the later stages of moustache life, but I can impart some advice for the first month. For the first couple weeks let it be itself and don't bother it at all. Once it starts to get big/bushy you can begin to train and tame it with some moustache wax using a moustache comb(I find the comb is quite important for even wax distribution). Firehouse moustache wax is a brand I can recommend highly, although to be fair it's the only brand I've tried. As for shampooing it I find I only need to do it about once a week. This prevents any irritation but also ensures the old wax is out of the moustache. I hope this helps.

 

[Andy]

Hi Jordan,
Thanks for the info, am unlucky in that my moustache area grows really slowly, so will probably take a good couple of months before I will have to start doing anything to it.
Will have a look for firehouse brand, and shall pick up a comb when it starts to get to the longer stage.
(Letter received and reply already on the way)
Andy.

 

[Thu'umhammer]

I'm in a similar situation, my facial hair everywhere but my moustache grows insanely quickly, but my moustache grows slowly, it's bizarre. If you go the Firehouse route I'd recommend ordering directly from their site, it's the cheapest you'll find it and their shipping prices are some of the lowest. Kent moustache combs are supposed to be the best, but I fell for convenience and bought a little kit at a local drugstore for $10 that had a comb in it. So far it seems to be working well.

 

[jamesrobert]

Hey same here my mustache grows quite slowly. And yeah the comb used for the mustache is very important and be careful while using shampoos because some does cause itching. Natural Skin Care Products

 

[tailoredfamcam]

It depends if you decide to wax it or not, and ultimately what kind of wax you use. I've been growing my handlebar for the past 3 years and I use Firehouse Wacky Tacky and Cowboy Comb's product. I need a pretty stiff wax to get it to hold for a decent amount of time. I also fashioned curlers out of a chapstick lid and paper clips and use a blow dryer.
I blow dry my 'stashe and try to comb out as much wax a possible, pre shower. As far as washing, I apply shampoo and comb out in the shower. I then proceed with my regular washing regimen that includes a Neutrogena grapefruit acne wash. This cleanser works well too remove the sticky beeswax.

Hope this helps!

 

[Andy]

Thanks everyone, great advice

 

[blindmouse]

I've grown my moustache well beyond Movember for the past few years (ruining Christmas I'm sure if you ask my mother). Basically just let it grow. I once made the mistake of trimming it too early. I now let it get good and long, and trim it flush with my lip so it falls straight down and let the sides grow for the handlebar.

Firehouse is, as mentioned, great. I've never used the Wacky Tacky though.

Clubman's wax is not worth your time.

 

[Thu'umhammer]

Thanks for the tip on the Neutrogena acme wash. And yeah, the reviews on Clubman seem to peg it as hit or miss, whereas Firehouse seems to have overwhelmingly positive reviews. Another brand I'd like to look into is Can You Handlebar? but the Firehouse stuff is so good my moustache hasn't seen it fit to wander yet.

 

[tailoredfamcam]

I've also used the Mr Kings Marvelous Moustache Wax. It's great, but with shipping, the .5oz tin costs about the same amount as the Firehouse's 1oz tin. The Cowboy Comb's is pretty decent.
I find it difficult to find something that will hold when it gets hot outside.

 

[edolecki]

I have nearly a handlebar now, but have in the past. Oregon Wild Hair wax is the best I've used and I've tried many. I have thick hair and it's seriously awesome. Get some and enjoy!!

 

[Andy]

Thanks all, I see that WCS has a few different types of wax, will have to add them (minus clubman) into my next order.
Probably for the first couple of months I won't use anything, will take some time before it is even comb-able.

 

[rotarygov]

I've had a moustache for 40 years. Not a handlebar or anything fancy, just a moustache under my nose. I trim it with scissors and thin it with my DE razor occasionally. I also give it a comb regularly with a small comb. I have NEVER done anything else with it. It gets washed with my face of course in soap.

 

[milkmanv1]

I'm pretty new to the whole handlebar thing, however, I've got some (smaller) but definite curls going on!

I usually just use soap on the 'stache, but I've been using just conditioner or soap then conditioner lately, and it makes the 'stache feel a lot less crunchy after the shower. So I can definitely recommend conditioner!

I saw a post on the facebook group "The BiG Shave" where someone asked about 'mustache wax removers' (which are basically conditioners) and there are all kinds of brands and scents for those, dunno if that'd be something that you might be interested in.

For wax recommendations, I got wacky tacky, and it didn't work for me at all. It's sticky, and allows me to have a good initial styling, but it seems like it fails miserable to actually hold up the 'stache. I haven't tried it since my stache got longer though, so it may work fine now. As for the wax I do use, and as far as I'm concerned the ONLY one I need to use- Rex Wax. Very firm, has lanolin in it, so it's a tad bit more water resistant, and is still natural, having beeswax and most of the stuff FH-WT has. The lanolin really helps stiff it up though! It's a neutral color, and I've never had problems with mo-dandruff because of it. One style lasts me all day if I don't minds the stach looking a little scraggly 3/4 through the day. Even the best waxes need a restyle if your going out at night, and want your stache to look perfect!

roughly 12 bucks for a plastic tub that looks like it will last for years. I paid almost the same price for the wacky tacky, which looks like it will last more in the months range.

Goodluck on the 'stache my friend! Wait till the compliments/comments start pouring in from strangers! I can't tell you how many times I hear "I like your Moustache!" while out and about.

 

[Thu'umhammer]

I'm looking forward to that. Right now mine's a nice ordinary moustache, but it's not quite big enough to be curled into a handlebar. I'm looking forward to moving into the "how manly" category and away from the "lady repulsor 5000" category

 

[Andy]

Thanks everyone, am looking forward to trying the 'mo gro' again.
Hopfully this time I can get past the 80's "movie star" look, it has been a few years so perhaps I might have a little luck.

My attempt last time, taken after a couple of months, if I remember correctly

Spoiler

 

[Thu'umhammer]

I think you might have a shot Andy old boy. It's hard to tell on moustache growth in pictures, especially for people with brown hair like yours, as they can hide some of the more significant undergrowth. My moustache significantly grew in appearance when I dyed it one half shade darker, it was bizarre.

 

[Andy]

I think you might have a shot Andy old boy. It's hard to tell on moustache growth in pictures, especially for people with brown hair like yours, as they can hide some of the more significant undergrowth. My moustache significantly grew in appearance when I dyed it one half shade darker, it was bizarre.

Funny you mention that, I remember that when I did shave it off, underneath the surface it was grey and light brown.

 

[Thu'umhammer]

Just remember that as your secret weapon for if you get a month in and feel discouraged at being in the "in between phase". As long as it matches your hair colour well enough it'll look natural and your moustache will almost double in size(or at least mine did, obviously I can't speak for everyone).

 

[justadivebum]

I am dreading shaving everything for Movember and then starting the grow out of the 'stache after that. We will see how it goes. Never tried any products but likely will give something a go this time around.