Once upon a time, mustaches were all the rage and were a symbol of coolness and rebellion. However, the end of the 1900s saw an end to the popularity of the ‘stache. But are they now finally making their comeback?
Much like fashion trends, facial hair styles come in and out of fashion, and the past few years have seen men favor everything from full beards to the clean-shaven look (Also check out Why Do Muslims Grow Their Beard But Shave Their Mustache?).
However, it’s becoming clear that the mustache is beginning to find its way back into the mainstream once again.
In this guide, we’ll talk about everything there is to know about the mustache’s return to the fold, including which styles are hogging the limelight, and what style you should be looking to grow for yourself.
So, if growing a mustache has been on your agenda for some time now, then you need to catch up!
What Mustache Styles Are In?
While mustaches are definitely in, it’s important to recognize which styles exactly are in, so it’s important to look toward the fashion-forward in society to understand what is hot, and what is not.
In this section, we’ll cover everything from the parted pencil to the handlebar mustache, as well as the necessary grooming techniques you’ll need to successfully grow your own (Also check out What Does A Mustache Say About A Man?).
All of which will hopefully provide you with a better understanding of what is going to work best for you.
The Chevron
Arguably the go-to style of mustache for many men out there, this style is characterized by its upside-down V shape, with corners wider than the mouth, and a partial covering of the upper lip.
This mustache’s shape tends to just go along with the shape of the upper lip, with the result being an incredibly natural-looking mustache that takes the shape of an upside-down V. Aptly named after a chevron (The shape, not the company).
For those who have never been bold enough to try a mustache, and are still undecided as to whether or not it will suit them and their face, then a chevron ‘stache is an excellent place to start, especially thanks to its minimal grooming requirements.
To grow one of these mustaches for yourself, all you’ll need to do is allow your mustache hair to grow naturally, and within two or three months, you should have the right thickness and length for this style.
The grooming for this style is incredibly minimal. While the hair should partially cover the top of your lip, you shouldn’t be having any stray hairs in your mouth, so be sure to use beard-trimming scissors to keep it nicely trimmed.
The Painter’s Brush
Any guesses where this mustache style’s name comes from? This style is something of a cousin of the chevron style, so makes for a great alternative if you’re looking to develop your style beyond the basics.
Featuring all of the thickness of the chevron but absent of any of the downward angles, this mustache is styled to not go beyond the width of the mouth and is great for those who are looking for something slightly tidier than the chevron.
Growing your own is relatively simple, all you need to do is allow your mustache to grow naturally, while keeping it trimmed across the top lip, forming a perfectly horizontal line, as well as ensuring it doesn’t grow beyond the corners of your mouth.
The Handlebar
When it comes to impressive mustaches, very few things are as impressive as a handlebar mustache, which means that if you’re looking for a mustache that is going to seriously impress, then this is the way to go.
The typical handlebar ‘stache has a decent thickness, and the ends of the hairs are groomed with mustache wax for them to curl into fine ends. These curls usually go out over the cheeks, before coming back into the middle of your face.
Growing one for yourself is a little trickier than some of the more simple styles out there, and the time it takes to get the correct length could take as long as 6 months.
It also depends on the terminal length of your mustache hair, which is something entirely dependent on genetics and DNA, so it truly might be an impossible task for some men out there.
You’ll need to stay on top of the grooming too, the center of the mustache needs to be trimmed and neat, and you’ll regularly need to tidy up the outer corners of your mouth too.
There are plenty of guides for styling out there, but mustache wax is necessary to achieve those pointy curls!
The Parted Pencil
Although a much less popular style than others on this list, the parted pencil is a devilishly cool choice of style if you can pull it off.
That being said, it’s a style more suited to those who are often found sporting a suit, as it just doesn’t quite look the same when worn by someone in jeans and a T-shirt.
To grow one of these mustaches, you’ll need to allow your mustache to grow naturally, while regularly trimming the length, preventing it from reaching your top lip, and ensuring that you trim the bottom of the mustache to go along with the shape of your mouth.
Of course, the star of the show of the parted pencil is the parting itself, which is a hard line split at the philtrum, which is done using an electric trimmer.
Final Thoughts
So, with mustaches back in the mainstream, even those who have never dared to sport a mustache before are beginning to consider doing so, and between four of the most common styles we’ve mentioned here, you’re bound to find one that suits the look you’re aiming for!
