Perhaps you’ve always fancied growing a horseshoe mustache after seeing this style of mustache in 70s movies, or maybe you’re simply happy to settle for a pencil mustache.
If you’ve always wanted a handlebar mustache, you’re in the right place!
In this complete beginner’s guide to the handlebar mustache, we’re telling you absolutely everything you need to know about this style of mustache.
We’ve included information about what this style of mustache is, how to find out if it is right for you, how to grow a handlebar mustache, and lots more.
So, if you want to find out more about the handlebar mustache, read on!
What Is The Handlebar Mustache?
First things first, let’s take a look at what a handlebar mustache is. A handlebar mustache is an interesting style of mustache that was particularly popular in the second half of the 20th century.
This style of mustache has existed for many years, but it was during the 1970s and 80s that it was most popular.
The handlebar is a very long mustache. It is named after the unique shape of this mustache, and it requires styling to achieve the full look. In a handlebar mustache, the outer edges are particularly long.
So long, in fact, that they can be styled to point upward.
This style of mustache has gained its name from its shape. The shape of the handlebar mustache somewhat resembles the handlebar of a bicycle, hence why this style of mustache is known by this name.
It is very popular in Italy, which is why this mustache is also sometimes referred to as the “spaghetti mustache”.
When you think of the stereotypical style of mustache in your head, it is likely the handlebar mustache that you will think of.
It is this style of mustache that became iconic as the “fingerstache” that has gone through various phases of popularity since the early 2000s.
Now that we know what the handlebar mustache is, let’s take a look at how to find out if it is right for your face.
Is The Handlebar Mustache Right For You?
Every human being has a face that is totally unique to them. All of our faces are different from each other, and so are our facial features too.
For that very reason, a mustache shape that suits one person will not necessarily suit somebody else. That is why the handlebar mustache isn’t necessarily right for you!
So how do you know if the handlebar mustache is right for you? Well, the easiest way to do this is to identify what facial shape you have (check out our guide on how to do this!).
Once you have identified your facial shape, you will then be able to get a good idea of what styles of mustache work best for you.
Generally speaking, handlebar mustaches are best for anyone who has a longer face. If you have a rectangular or an oblong face (meaning that your face is longer rather than wider), then a handlebar mustache will likely work very well for you.
When you have a long face, you want to avoid styles that will make your face look longer, the handlebar mustache will do the opposite.
This wide and bushy style of the mustache can really help to balance out your face if your face is naturally longer in shape. So, if you have a long face, a handlebar mustache will likely work well for you.
How To Grow A Handlebar Mustache
Now that we’ve taken a look at pretty much everything you need to know about how to grow a handlebar mustache, let’s take a look at how to grow this style of mustache.
Before you get started, it is important to know that this isn’t the easiest style of mustache to grow. Handlebar mustaches are pretty tricky to grow, and it takes a lot of time to grow these for the first time.
So remember that you need to be very patient if you want to attempt to grow a handlebar mustache.
Generally, it will take around 2 months (8 weeks) to grow a handlebar mustache, so we’ve included a guide below on how to help your mustache grow into a handlebar throughout this time.
Week One To Two
The first two weeks of growth are critical. Begin by growing out your beard as well as your mustache as it will give you some cover as you grow out the hair in your mustache.
During the first two weeks, you won’t have enough hair to create the tips using wax, so growing a beard will help you look presentable as your handlebar begins to grow.
Week Three To Six
The next month will be a period in which you should continue growing your beard. During this time, you should start to feel the beard hairs that you are used to trimming scratching at your lips.
If you want to grow a handlebar, you will have to avoid the temptation to trim them.
As you feel the longer hairs start to irritate your beard, you should start using your wax. Take a small amount of wax and begin to train the longer hairs so that they stay out of the way.
Sweep them to the left and to the right to start forming your handlebar mustache.
Week Six To Eight
By the six-week mark, you should have sufficient hair growth to start styling a handlebar mustache.
This is the point where you can decide if you want to keep your beard, or shave it and make the handlebar mustache the show-stopper of your face.
Continue to use your wax to style the tips so that they point upwards at the edges, and do this every time that you wake up to keep your handlebar mustache in shape.
Summary
In short, a handlebar mustache is an interesting style of mustache that was particularly popular during the 1970s and 80s.
This style of mustache is iconic of that era, but it is very much making a comeback, as more and more people dream of growing a handlebar.
In this guide, we’ve taken a look at everything you need to know about how to grow a handlebar mustache. We’ve included information on what this style of mustache is, how to identify if it is right for you, as well as how to grow one of your own.
We hope this information has been helpful – thanks for reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take To Train A Handlebar Mustache?
The handlebar mustache isn’t the easiest style of mustache to grow, and it will take some time to grow this type of mustache. Generally, it will take around 2 months to grow a handlebar mustache on average.
After that, you will have to trim the mustache to keep it in shape.
Can Everyone Grow A Handlebar Mustache?
No, not everyone can grow a handlebar mustache. Some people are lucky as growing a mustache is something that comes easily to them. But this isn’t the case for everyone.
If you are someone who struggles to grow a mustache, then growing a handlebar will likely be difficult. However, with a lot of patience and time, you will usually be able to do this.
