If there’s one thing that always turns heads, it’s a handlebar mustache! People simply cannot resist a second look at one of those beauties. Talk about the ultimate confidence booster!
The handlebar is the iconic definition of sophisticated masculinity. Is there a mustache more distinguished or refined? Is there any symbol of manliness more distinctive? The handlebar mustache perfectly blends ruggedness with gentility and nobility.
Choose Your Style of Handlebar
Yep, there are several styles of handlebar mustaches. While pretty much all handlebar mustaches have a part in the middle, there are some distinct varieties. Check them out and decide which is really you. Of course, we recommend growing one to accompany an awesome beard for double the impact, but it’s up to you.
Classic
Not too bushy, not too thin, just right. The Goldilocks handlebar with points that curl up and round.
Hungarian
Bushier throughout. Even the hairs under the nose are long and thick. The Hungarian handlebar is brushed outwards into a wave of hair that curls a little at the edges.
Imperial
Much like the Hungarian, but not quite as bushy and with more flamboyant twirls that point upwards rather than curling right around.
Walrus
Think Sam Elliott or the late Wilford Brimley, the “diabetes” guy. Think First World War soldiers, especially those from eastern Europe. This big, long lip-forest droops down below the top lip all the way along, hiding your mouth entirely. You can still brush it outwards and twirl it at the corners. This is a commitment to ruggedness that we stand and applaud. If you can do it, mad respect, bro.
English
Time for a spot of tea with cucumber sandwiches while watching cricket, eh? The English handlebar is well trimmed to be quite thin and the ends point straight out instead of twirling. The longer the points, the better!
Manicured
A thin, sculpted handlebar where parts of the upper lip above and below the mustache are kept shaved clean. This style involves the most maintenance but can have the sharpest, cleanest lines all the way along with wiry side curls of immaculate precision.
Growing Your Handlebar Mustache
The key to a handlebar mo. is to let the side hairs near the corners of the mouth grow long. The basic rules are:
- The wider across your upper lip you can let hairs grow, the better.
- The longer you let your mustache hairs grow, the more amazing the handlebar curls can be.
- Be patient. Let it grow and look nasty for a while. Shaping comes later.
Tip: Grow a full beard first. Then when you let the mustache corner hairs grow and grow, they can blend in with your beard and not look so weird. On its own, a fledgling handlebar can look weird to those who are not privy to your majestic mo. plans. Do not trim, no matter how badly you want to!
Growing a Handlebar Mustache: A Guide to Sophisticated Masculinity
Other Growing Tips
- Resist all urges to shave near your mouth corners. Err on the side of growing too many hairs. Even if you’re growing a manicured or English handlebar mustache, let more hair grow and trim/shave later.
- Don’t trim the itchy hairs poking at your upper lip. Developing length to those hairs is essential. The itchiness goes away after a couple of weeks. Let them get long enough to brush to the sides.
- Wash your mo. regularly, just like your beard. Three times a week with a dedicated Beard Wash designed to nourish facial hair and skin. Never use soap or regular shampoo. On non-shampoo days, rinse it with plain water.
- Brush daily with a coarse brush, like a wild boar hair beard brush. The coarse bristles massage and clean the skin, remove dead skin flakes, and help coax hairs to point where you want. Brush outwards from the center line under your nose to develop a part in the middle. Some guys use a comb for delicate shaping and precision, but a comb doesn’t spread oil/balm and help your skin like a good beard brush does.
- As the hairs start to be coaxed to brush outwards, start using a touch of beard oil and beard balm to tame, sculpt and nourish them. Brush the oil and balm in well.
Beard Balm or Mustache Wax?
Without some product in it, your handlebar mustache will sim
ply be a hanging-bar mustache. That’s great if you’re going for the Walrus style. But otherwise, gravity is not kind to those wings.
This is where products come in so you can start creating the distinctive handlebar shape and curls.
Depending on your style and needs, a good Beard Balm and Mustache Wax will be your best friends. They will help train the direction of hair growth and blend growing side hairs in with your beard.
As the handlebar ends really develop, a touch of wax on those points may be what you need, especially if you’re looking to create really fine points or narrow wisps that hold in place all day. Here’s how to apply Mustache Wax, in case you need some pro tips.
Prepare for a New Eating and Drinking Experience
A handlebar mustache isn’t called a soup strainer for nothing! As your mo. lengthens and the side hairs develop a life of their own, you’re gonna have to practice eating and drinking so as not to get stuff all over that epic lip forest. It becomes a magnet for crumbs, liquids, sauces, you name it. Watch out especially for messy foods like wings, ribs, soups, milk, cereal, toast.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a handlebar mustache is more than just facial hair—it’s a bold statement of sophisticated masculinity and a timeless style that turns heads wherever you go. Whether you choose a classic, Hungarian, Imperial, or any other variation, growing and maintaining this iconic mustache requires patience, commitment, and the right tools. With regular grooming, dedicated products like beard balm and mustache wax, and a bit of practice in daily activities, you’ll master the art of the handlebar mustache and carry it with the confidence it deserves.
Q1: How long does it take to grow a handlebar mustache?
Growing a handlebar mustache from scratch typically takes about three months or more. If you are growing it from an existing mustache, it may take one to two months for the edge hairs to be long enough to twirl.
Q2: What products should I use for my handlebar mustache?
For styling and maintaining a handlebar mustache, you should use Beard Balm and Mustache Wax. Beard Balm is great for bushier styles like the Imperial, Hungarian, or Walrus, while Mustache Wax helps create fine points and narrow wisps.
Q3: How do I maintain my handlebar mustache?
Regular washing, brushing, and using beard oil and balm are essential for maintaining a handlebar mustache. Brush daily with a coarse brush, and use beard oil and balm to tame, sculpt, and nourish the hairs.
Q5: How do I eat and drink with a handlebar mustache?
Practice eating and drinking carefully to avoid getting food and drinks all over your mustache. Be especially cautious with messy foods. Using a napkin regularly is a must to keep your mustache clean.