How to Grow a Moustache

Nothing screams manliness more than a healthy-looking moustache. There are different types of moustaches that you can rock, but taking care of them is an entirely different thing.

Before that even happens, you have to know how to grow a moustache first. This is a whole different challenge, especially for those who are not genetically inclined to grow facial hair.

Fortunately, this guide is here to help you with everything there is to know about moustaches. This includes the type of moustache that would fit you, how to grow one, and how to keep it well.

You might even realize that a moustache is really not for you.

Still, if you want to learn more about growing and taking care of a moustache, then read on as you will surely learn a lot.

Types of Moustaches

You can grow some fuzz on your face and call it a moustache. However, there are numerous styles that you can wear. Like haircuts, there are different names for moustaches depending on their shape.

These moustache types are also designed to enhance or improve the looks of different types of faces. As such, one moustache type may look better depending on your face’s shape, while another may not really complement it well.

Here is a list of some of the more famous types of moustaches, and what face shapes they fit the most.

Pyramid Moustache

One of the most versatile moustaches that can fit any face type is the pyramid moustache. It is defined by having a wide bottom that narrows as it goes upwards towards the nose.

The pyramid moustache can also be maintained quite easily, with only a few regular trims necessary for it to retain its shape.

Handlebar Moustache

The handlebar moustache is a type of moustache with the leftmost and rightmost ends extending away from the face and curved upwards.

Examples of handlebar moustaches include the ones worn by Russian dictator Joseph Stalin, former American President William Howard Taft, and several famous cowboys during the 19th century.

The length and extremity of the curve will depend on the wearer, with many going to the extreme when it comes to dimensions.

Those who want to look like a true gentleman can opt to try out this style. It can suit any facial type, although this is one of the more difficult moustaches to maintain, even throughout the day.

Pencil Moustache

The pencil moustache is a sophisticated style of moustache. Various thicknesses can be done depending on your personal preferences.

Examples of celebrities who have worn this type of moustache include Little Richard, Prince, J.K. Simmons, and Chris Cornell.

Pencil moustaches look good for any face type, and they complement a bald or semi-bald head well, too.

Horseshoe Moustache

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan is probably the most famous person that has rocked the horseshoe moustache.

The horseshoe moustache is for someone who wants to add a lot more manliness to their look. This is a full moustache that angles down the sides in a straight line towards the chin or even beyond that.

This type of moustache is good for square or round-faced individuals that want their faces to look a bit longer.

Dallas Moustache

If you’re familiar with Queen’s Freddie Mercury, then you’re familiar with the Dallas moustache as it is one of his most iconic looks.

The Dallas moustache is a full moustache with just a little bit going over the sides of the lips. This is good for those with strong jaws.

This type of moustache requires a lot of care, particularly trimming and washing to keep it from looking unkempt.

Zappa Moustache

Named after Frank Zappa himself, the look is similar to a full moustache, albeit with a slightly fuzzier style and longer at the sides. The most important aspect is a full soul patch at the bottom of the lip.

The Zappa moustache is the perfect look for those with faces that are a bit elongated.

Toothbrush Moustache

Popularized by Charlie Chaplin and Adolf Hitler, this style is a nearly vertical moustache that spans the width of the nose.

This type of moustache was popular during the early to mid-1900s and is also known as the Hitler moustache.

Toothbrush moustaches suit oval or oblong faces well, although this look has dropped in popularity due to the negative image of the person most associated with it.

Clark Gable Moustache

The Clark Gable moustache was popular during the black-and-white era of cinema, with many prominent actors sporting this style.

This moustache is a well-trimmed style that is somewhere in the middle of a pencil-thin and full moustache.

The daily upkeep of this style can be very difficult, especially trimming and keeping it in shape. This style is also best for those with darker hair.

Tips to Grow Your Moustache

While some men can grow their facial hair almost overnight, there are others that have already reached adulthood with only a few strands visible.

The main reasons for men not growing full, thick moustaches are hormones and genetics. Still, there are some things that you can do to help you grow your moustache to your liking.

Clean and Exfoliate Your Face

A dirty face can cause clogged pores, which block follicles under the skin and prevent hair from growing.

Proper skin care is important to keep skin and follicles clear and healthy. Regularly cleaning your face, exfoliating, and moisturizing your skin ensures that you have healthy skin and a higher chance of moustache growth.

Take the Right Nutrients

The right nutrients can encourage facial hair growth, especially if you don’t have any underlying problems and are just deficient in a nutrient or two.

Make sure to eat foods rich in vitamins B1, B6, and B12. A diet rich in protein can also help as they are the nutrients that promote growth.

There are supplements specially formulated to help stimulate facial hair growth. However, some of these may not work or, at worst, have some harmful side effects.

As such, seek the help of a physician or doctor if you intend to take any supplements to help stimulate moustache growth, or if you want to try out a product that has, at best, questionable claims.

Massage Your Face

Massaging your face improves blood circulation. This can also help stimulate the hair follicles to grow. Add some oil while massaging your face for added moisturization.

Aside from your fingers, you can also use electronic or manual massagers like rollers on your face. There are many products that for designed specifically for use on the face.

Have Plenty of Sleep

Getting plenty of rest is needed by the body to repair cells and optimize growth. This includes hair follicles on your face.

Six to eight hours is recommended for a healthy body. This will also help regulate your hormones so that it can improve hair growth.

Work Out

Many people do not grow moustaches because they lack the hormone testosterone in the body. Healthy testosterone levels promote muscle and hair growth, particularly on the face and chest.

This is the reason why those using steroids and artificial testosterone, even women, tend to grow some fuzz on their faces even if they weren’t originally inclined to have facial hair.

Working out is a natural way to increase testosterone levels in men. Focus more on weight training than cardio to maximize the benefits for the purpose of growing your moustache.

Reduce Stress

Stress increases certain hormones in the body that inhibit hair growth. Studies have shown that being in a state of constant stress puts hair follicles in a dormant state, causing them to grow slowly or not at all.

Make it a point to reduce stress by doing relaxing or meditative exercises like yoga, deep breathing, and full body massages. Learn also how to manage stress at home or work.

You may also need to detach from time to time by going on vacation to distance yourself from the daily stresses that you experience.

Avoid Smoking

The chemicals in cigarettes can damage cells and inhibit the release of hormones that help in hair growth. This means that if you want your moustache to reach its full potential, you have to quit smoking.

There are various methods that can help you quit smoking. Not only will it help you better grow your moustache, but it can also help you avoid a myriad of complications and serious health conditions.

Moustache Care and Maintenance

Once you’re able to grow your moustache, it is not the end of the battle. Unless you want your moustache to look sloppy and look pretty much like a homeless person, proper maintenance of your moustache is essential.

Here are some of the tips that can make sure that your moustache can grow luxuriously and that you can maintain, style, and take care of it well.

Patience is Key

It may take a long while before your moustache fully grows. You might be tempted to shave it off on the belief that it will grow faster. Don’t do it!

Especially if you are growing out your facial hair for the first time, it will take a while. You will see some uneven patches at first, but let everything grow out for around two to three weeks.

This will allow you to see what style you can fashion out of what you’re working with.

Combing and Trimming

Depending on the style of moustache that you would like to wear, you would need to make sure that it retains the proper shape and length.

Like the hair on your head, this would mean that you would need to trim and comb for it to have the best appearance. Some people do maintenance work daily, while others do it a few times a week.

If you are only rocking a moustache, this would also mean taking care of any neck or cheek hair to ensure that your moustache is the only thing that stands out.

In some cases, you might also need a little bit of wax to ensure that you style your moustache just right. All of these add to a little bit of extra work before you go about your day, but the effort will be worth it.

Wash and Moisturize

Like the hair on top of your head, you would also need to make sure that your moustache, and the skin underneath, remain healthy and supple.

There are specialized washes and other products specially formulated to treat facial hair. Do not use shampoos made for your head as this can cause side effects on your skin.

There are also conditioners, beard oils, and moisturizers that you can use to keep your moustache looking and smelling clean and fresh.

Go visit your local supermarket or pharmacy and ask for recommendations on the best products that you can use for your ‘stache.

Conclusion

A moustache is a welcome addition to any face, especially for those who want to enhance their look. Knowing the right style that best fits their face and personality is very important, so some research on the perfect look for you is a must.

Experimenting with different styles is also encouraged as it can be a fun experience as well.

Of course, growing and maintaining your moustache to look its best can always be a challenge. Fortunately, there are some ways that you can go over these obstacles by following the tips mentioned above.