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Gentleman's Guide to Proper Mustache and Goatee Care

Gentleman's Guide to Proper Mustache and Goatee Care

The beard boom of the last several years has led to a renewed interest in just about every variety of facial hair styles. A full beard isn’t for everybody, and now that men are free to pursue what looks best for them many are settling on the classic mustache and goatee styles.

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Why Should I Grow a Mustache or Goatee?

With less overall upkeep involved, they make a great alternative to full beards for those who prefer a more minimal vibe or whose employment eschews the lumberjack look.

While they are certainly not as much work as keeping a beard, there are still some grooming tips to keep in mind to help your mustache or goatee look its best. We’ll run down a few of the high points and offer some product suggestions as well. Let’s get started with the most important aspect: trimming.

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Which Mustache or Goatee Style?

Man-with-Chevron-mustache

Chevron

The chevron mustache is a thick, lustrous mustache that sits on the top lip and resembles, as the name suggests, a chevron.

Original Stache

Much like the chevron, but more tailored. This one sits on your top lip but is neatly shaved to fit the corners of your mouth more closely.

The English Mustache

A thin strip of long hairs parted in the middle of the philtrum (the divot above your lip).

The Handlebar Mustache

A thick and bushy mustache that is characteristically curled at each end. Donned by cowboys and hipsters alike.  

Man with handlebar mustache

The Pencil Mustache

A thin strip of mustache that looks as if it’s drawn by pencil, forming a line just above the lip.

Horseshoe Mustache

Rocked by such legends as Hulk Hogan, this powerful piece of facial hair is a mustache that features down-pointing ends. The mustache continues past the top lip and heads down to the chin, ending at the jawline.

Pure Goatee

This may surprise you, but goatee purists will tell you that an authentic goatee includes no hairs above the lip. Shave your cheeks, necks, and mustache, and what remains on the chin is the goatee.

Full Goatee

This is what most people think of when they picture a goatee. It’s essentially a mustache that continues down to the sides of the lips and joins a closely shaved chin beard, leaving the cheeks and neck bare. 

The Pretty Boy Moustache

The Pretty Boy

This one’s like the full goatee, but more refined. Instead of a wide thick area of facial hair, it’s significantly trimmed back to create a thin mustache and goatee.

The Landing Strip

As the name suggests, this style forms a line of hair akin to an airplane landing strip. To achieve this airborne aesthetic, shave the mustache entirely and chin hair apart from the area directly below the mouth.

man-with-van-dyke-mustache-wearing-grey-suit-3651814

The Van Dyke

The Van Dyke is perfect for guys who don’t want or can’t grow a full goatee. The style incorporates elements of a soul patch, mustache, and chin goatee, without connecting the three.

The Anchor

This one is like the Van Dyke in that it combines a soul patch, mustache and chin goatee, but the hair coverage is expanded. The anchor sees hair stretch further below the mouth and wider towards the sideburns, giving it it’s anchor-like shape.

How Do I Trim My Mustache And Goatee?

The best trimming advice we can offer is to always keep your blades sharp. Whether you’re using scissors or a trimmer, dull blades can fray the cut tips of the hair, resulting in split or fuzzed ends.

 This is doubly important if you are attempting to grow any length, but even for routine trims you’ll want to be sure you are using the sharpest edge you can manage to keep the hair looking its best.

blond man with mustache

Think about it in terms of carving meat. There’s a reason you sharpen your knife before digging in, it not only makes the job easier, it makes the clean edges of the cut more appealing. Your barber or stylist may be the best option for routine trims and the occasional touch-up.

If you’re trimming at home, you’ll want to consider sharpening periodically to keep a keen edge.

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brush comb and bottle for article

Do I Need to Brush My Mustache / Goatee?

Brushing and combing can be of equal importance.

Again, this is always more critical if you’re growing length of any kind, but even with a closely cropped goatee or mustache, you’ll find benefit in regular brushing or combing. Just as you can train a part in your hair, so too can you train your mustache or goatee to “lay” in the pattern you prefer.

What Kind of Brush Do I Need?

This can help subdue flyaways and promote a fuller more manicured look. We’d advise a soft brush for shorter hair, a comb for length.

Depending upon what style of mustache you are growing, you may choose to comb the hairs straight down, or to part them in the middle with the hairs flowing to each side of the lip.

Goatee styles typically lean toward brushing straight down, keeping a tight look that draws a distinct shaved line.

What are the Health Benefits of Brushing

Brushing and combing can also stimulate hair follicles and disperse natural oils throughout the hair and skin. A note: you will notice some stray hairs brushed or combed loose.

That’s entirely expected, just as it is with the hair on your head and nothing to be alarmed about. If it seems excessive, you may be combing or brushing aggressively or excessively. Try a softer brush and a softer approach.

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What Styling Products Do I Need For My Mustache / Goatee?

You may want some additional assistance in styling your facial hair, so let’s discuss products. There are some immediate considerations.

Can I Just Use My Hair Styling Products on My Mustache/Goatee?

While it may be tempting to use the same products you might use to style the hair on your head, keep in mind that the skin of your face and the skin of your scalp can be entirely different environments. 

As you will be applying product to your mustache and/or goatee, you’ll want to be mindful of harsh chemicals and strong scents. What may work for the hair on your head could be annoying that close to your nose and mouth or even damaging to the more sensitive hair and skin of your face.

What Should I Look for in Styling Products?

Shoot for mild or all-natural products, if they include conditioning properties, all the better. Even if you aren’t going for a dramatic handlebar mustache style, a small amount of mustache wax can be ideal for helping you maintain a well-groomed look. 

What Types of Styling Products Do I Need?

Mustache wax works as a great supplement to training the hair with brushing and combing, reinforcing the look and lay of the hairs you desire. Subsequently, it can also be used to help tame or style a goatee, though typically a looser hold pomade or even a beard balm may do the trick.

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How Do I Care for and Condition My Mustache / Goatee?

And that leaves us to the last bit of advice, conditioning. You may not have considered the hair of your mustache or goatee worth the effort of conditioning, but we’d like to make a case for its importance.

Why Does My Face Itch When I Try to Grow Out My Facial Hair?

It’s common for men to experience some dryness, itching or even flaking when growing out their facial hair. This is caused by a discrepancy in natural oils in the skin, as the hair grows in it can sometimes rob the skin of those oils and dry it out.

A small amount of beard oil or beard balm applied daily can often be all the solution needed to clear this up.

Do I Have to Condition My Facial Hair?

Even those who don’t experience dryness can benefit from conditioning. Another frequent complaint of facial hair is that it can be stiff or wiry. Oils and balms soften the hair, making it more manageable as well as more, well, cuddly.

If your partner has ever complained about the scratchy nature of your goatee or mustache, consider doing them the favor of softening it up with a quality oil or balm. These conditioners hydrate the skin and nourish the hair.

They also bring out the natural shine of the hair, helping your facial hair to look its best.

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Final Thoughts

There are a multitude of products on the market these days to help you maintain, style, condition, and manage your facial hair at a range of price points.

Beware of fly-by-night companies offering miracle growth serums or simply hoping to cash in on the facial hair trend.

Look for brands that have an established presence, coherent testimonials from actual customers, and who are unafraid to list their ingredients.


Author...

Man with long beard and a beanie

Adam Barraclough is a featured writer and editor of Can You Handlebar’s educational and lifestyle blog, The Beard Mentor. Focused on men’s grooming and facial hair, Can You Handlebar is a leader in the industry, providing quality beard and mustache goods built and packaged for actual use, made in the U.S.


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Proper Mustache and Goatee Care