How to Improve a Mustache

Create the mustache you crave.

Mustaches are often synonymous with "manly men" and have been worn by the likes of "macho" actors such as Clarke Gable, Tom Selleck and Burt Reynolds. A sign of "growing up" among men is the ability to grow a 'stache, though younger men may need the help of makeup or should keep their upper lip naked until they can grow a proper mustache. Keep your mustache in shape through assorted mustache tools, including strategically placed wax.

Things You'll Need

• Eye pencil
• Mustache wax
• Mustache scissors
• Mustache comb

Instructions

1. Wear a mustache that best suits your facial shape and features. For example, those with larger noses may opt for a medium to large-size mustache to take attention away from the nose, while those with narrow faces and refined features look good with thinner mustaches. The size of the mouth is another facial feature that requires consideration when styling a mustache; for example someone with a small mouth will benefit from a thin, short mustache. Semi-square mustaches look attractive on those with rounder faces, while a square-shaped face will benefit from a linear mustache that features slightly curved edges that face downward.

2. Fill in bald or sparse patches on your mustache with a same-color eye pencil. Use waterproof versions so the makeup doesn't slide off when you sweat or go swimming.

3. Apply a small amount of mustache wax to your 'stache to keep the ends in shape. Use the wax on the ends of the mustache only to avoid eating the wax when you eat or drink. Apply mustache wax that comes in a tube directly to the hair, then comb it through to shape it. If using mustache wax that comes in a pot, rub a small amount between your thumb and forefinger to warm it before applying it evenly into your mustache.

4. Keep the ends trimmed in a straight line using a pair of scissors specifically designed for trimming mustaches. Trim your mustache as often as needed to avoid an "overgrown" look.

5. Comb your mustache daily with a mustache comb to keep it looking neat, which will also help you avoid the "overgrown" look.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply wax from a tube with the fingers to better control application.

• Use stiffer waxes for shaping mustaches and softer versions for maintaining the ends of your mustache.

References

• Hudson's Guide: Facial Hair: Growth and Grooming
• The Handlebar Club: The Wax Factor
• Time News Feed: The Top 10 Celebrity Mustaches

Resources

• American Mustache Institute: Mustache Styles