The mustache is a symbol of manhood and style for centuries. From the prestigious gentlemen of the Victorian era to the modern Hollywood stars, facial hairs over the upper lips give a bold statement. Whether you want to add character to your face, follow the latest trends, or just express your personality, choosing the right bar to change your entire look. This wide guide will run through everything you need to learn about the styles of Bart, which will help you find the right look that corresponds to face shape, lifestyle and personal preferences.
What Is a Mustache Style?
A bare style refers to a specific way, facial hair is grown, shaped and maintained over the upper lip. Unlike the beard that covers a large part of the face, the mustache in particular focuses on the area between the nose and the mouth. The style you have chosen depends on many factors, including your natural hair growth pattern, face shape, personal taste and maintenance volume, which you are ready to do. Some styles require daily care and special products, while others require minimal maintenance. The key is looking for a style that complements your features and fits your lifestyle.
Types of Mustache Styles
The world of mustache styles is incredibly diverse, ranging from subtle and professional looks to bold and artistic statements. Each style has its own character and requirements, making it important to understand the differences before making your choice.
Thin Mustache Styles
Thin mustache styles are perfect for men who want a sophisticated, refined look without overwhelming their facial features. These styles typically involve keeping the hair closely trimmed and well-defined along the upper lip. The classic thin mustache sits just above the lip line and requires regular maintenance to keep its clean appearance. This style works exceptionally well for men with smaller facial features or those in professional environments where a subtle look is preferred. The pencil mustache falls into this category and has been popular since the 1930s, offering a debonair appearance that’s both timeless and elegant.
Beard and Mustache Styles
Combining a beard with a mustache creates a powerful, masculine look that can dramatically change your appearance. The key to successful beard and mustache combinations is ensuring both elements complement each other rather than competing for attention. Popular combinations include the full beard with a handlebar mustache, the goatee with a chevron mustache, and the stubble beard with a pencil mustache. These styles require careful grooming to maintain proper proportions and clean lines. The mustache often serves as the focal point, while the beard provides supporting structure and balance to the overall look.
Mustache Styles for Men
Men’s mustache styles have evolved significantly over the decades, offering options for every personality and face shape. Modern men can choose from traditional styles like the walrus or horseshoe, or opt for contemporary interpretations that blend classic elements with current trends. The key is selecting a style that enhances your natural features while expressing your personal style. Consider factors like your hair color, skin tone, and lifestyle when making your choice. Some styles require significant time investment for daily grooming, while others are more low-maintenance and perfect for busy professionals.
Mustache Styles Chart
A mustache styles chart serves as a visual guide to help you understand the differences between various options. These charts typically show the shape, thickness, and coverage area of each style, making it easier to visualize how different looks might appear on your face. Charts often categorize styles by maintenance level, face shape compatibility, and professional appropriateness. Having a chart reference can be particularly helpful when discussing options with your barber or when you’re experimenting with different looks at home.
Short Mustache Styles
Short mustache styles are ideal for beginners or men who prefer a neat, controlled appearance. These styles typically don’t extend far beyond the corners of the mouth and are kept relatively close to the lip. The chevron is a popular short style that provides good coverage without being overwhelming. Short styles are generally easier to maintain and eat with, making them practical choices for active lifestyles. They also tend to be more acceptable in conservative professional environments while still providing that masculine edge that makes mustaches appealing.
Pencil Mustache Styles
The pencil mustache is a thin, precisely trimmed style that follows the natural line of the upper lip. This sophisticated look requires meticulous grooming and regular touch-ups to maintain its clean, defined appearance. The pencil mustache gained popularity in the 1930s and 1940s, worn by movie stars and distinguished gentlemen. It works best on men with well-defined lip lines and requires steady hands for proper maintenance. This style is perfect for formal occasions and professional settings where you want to make a refined statement.
Handlebar Mustache Styles
The handlebar mustache is characterized by long, curved ends that can be twisted and shaped with mustache wax. This distinctive style requires patience to grow and daily styling to maintain its characteristic shape. The handlebar comes in various sizes, from subtle curves to dramatic spirals that extend well beyond the mouth. This style is perfect for men who want to make a bold statement and don’t mind the daily grooming routine. It’s become increasingly popular in hipster and vintage-inspired fashion circles.
Modern Mustache Styles
Modern mustache styles blend traditional elements with contemporary grooming techniques and personal expression. These styles often incorporate asymmetrical shapes, varying lengths, or creative combinations with other facial hair. Modern interpretations might include faded edges, geometric shapes, or artistic flourishes that reflect current fashion trends. The modern approach to mustache styling emphasizes individuality and creativity while maintaining good grooming standards.
Black Men Mustache Styles
Mustache styles for black men take into account the unique characteristics of African American hair, which tends to be coarser and more prone to ingrown hairs. Popular styles include the thick chevron, which complements strong facial features, and the pencil mustache for a more refined look. The key is working with your natural hair growth pattern and using appropriate grooming products designed for coarser hair textures. Regular moisturizing and proper shaving techniques are essential for preventing irritation and maintaining healthy skin.
Face Shape Mustache Styles
Choosing a mustache style based on your face shape can enhance your best features and create better overall balance. Men with round faces benefit from angular styles like the chevron or horseshoe that add definition. Those with long faces should consider wider styles like the walrus or handlebar that add horizontal visual weight. Square faces work well with most styles, while heart-shaped faces look best with fuller styles that balance a wider forehead. Understanding your face shape is crucial for selecting a mustache that complements rather than conflicts with your natural features.
Cowboy Mustache Styles
Cowboy mustache styles evoke the rugged, masculine appeal of the American West. The horseshoe mustache is the quintessential cowboy style, extending down from the corners of the mouth in a distinctive U-shape. These styles are typically fuller and more dramatic than business-appropriate options, perfect for men who want to channel that frontier spirit. Cowboy styles often pair well with other Western fashion elements and are popular in rural areas and among motorcycle enthusiasts.
Mustache Styles Without Beard
Wearing a mustache without a beard creates a clean, focused look that draws attention to the upper lip area. This approach requires the rest of the face to be cleanly shaven, creating contrast and definition. Popular standalone mustache styles include the chevron, pencil, handlebar, and walrus. Without the supporting framework of a beard, the mustache becomes the primary focal point, so choosing the right style and maintaining it properly becomes even more important.
Specific Mustache Styles
Chevron Mustache Style
The chevron mustache is a thick, full style that covers the entire upper lip area in a distinctive triangular or chevron shape. This classic style gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, worn by celebrities like Tom Selleck and Freddie Mercury. The chevron requires dense hair growth and regular trimming to maintain its shape. It’s an excellent choice for men with strong facial features and those who want a masculine, authoritative appearance. The style works well in both professional and casual settings.
Walrus Mustache Style
The walrus mustache is characterized by its impressive length and fullness, often extending well below the upper lip and sometimes covering the mouth entirely. This dramatic style requires significant patience to grow and regular maintenance to keep it looking intentional rather than unkempt. The walrus is perfect for men who want to make a bold statement and don’t mind the practical challenges that come with such a substantial mustache. It’s often seen in artistic and creative communities where individual expression is valued.
Horseshoe Mustache Style
The horseshoe mustache extends from the upper lip down around the corners of the mouth, creating a distinctive U-shape that resembles its namesake. This style is popular among bikers, cowboys, and men who want a rugged, masculine appearance. The horseshoe requires careful shaping to achieve the proper proportions and regular maintenance to keep the lines clean. It’s a bold choice that works well with strong jaw lines and square face shapes.
English Mustache Style
The English mustache is characterized by its neat, well-groomed appearance with slightly upturned ends. This refined style typically doesn’t extend far beyond the corners of the mouth and is kept relatively short and tidy. The English mustache reflects a sophisticated, gentleman-like approach to facial hair that’s appropriate for professional settings while still maintaining character and style. Regular trimming and occasional waxing help maintain its distinguished appearance.
Dali Mustache Style
Named after the surrealist artist Salvador Dali, this dramatic style features long, thin extensions that curve dramatically upward or in artistic directions. The Dali mustache is more of an artistic statement than a practical grooming choice, requiring significant styling time and strong-hold mustache wax. This avant-garde style is perfect for creative individuals who want their facial hair to reflect their artistic nature and aren’t concerned with conventional grooming standards.
Zappa Mustache Style
The Zappa mustache, inspired by musician Frank Zappa, combines a mustache with a small patch of hair beneath the lower lip, creating a distinctive bohemian look. This style typically features a full mustache paired with a soul patch, creating an artistic and unconventional appearance. The Zappa style is popular among musicians, artists, and creative professionals who want to express their individuality through their grooming choices.
Lampshade Mustache Style
The lampshade mustache is a wide, rectangular style that covers the upper lip area in a shape reminiscent of a lampshade. This style requires thick hair growth and precise trimming to achieve its characteristic boxy appearance. The lampshade offers good coverage while maintaining a neat, geometric shape that’s both unique and masculine. It’s an excellent choice for men who want something different from traditional mustache styles.
Fu Manchu Mustache Style
The Fu Manchu mustache features long, straight extensions that hang down from the corners of the mouth, often extending below the chin. This distinctive Asian-inspired style requires patience to grow and careful maintenance to keep the extensions straight and even. The Fu Manchu has cultural significance and should be worn respectfully, understanding its origins and meaning. It’s a dramatic choice that makes a strong visual statement.
Hungarian Mustache Style
The Hungarian mustache is characterized by its thick, full coverage of the upper lip area with bushy, untamed appearance. This natural-looking style requires minimal shaping, allowing the hair to grow in its natural pattern while keeping it clean and healthy. The Hungarian style is perfect for men who want a mustache without high maintenance requirements, offering a rugged, masculine appearance that’s both practical and stylish.
Imperial Mustache Style
The Imperial mustache is an elaborate style featuring upward-curving ends that are often waxed into dramatic spirals or points. This regal style requires significant grooming time and high-quality mustache wax to achieve and maintain its impressive appearance. The Imperial is perfect for formal occasions, vintage-themed events, or men who appreciate the artistry involved in elaborate facial hair styling.
Conclusion
The selection of the right mustache is an individual journey that involves assessing face shape, lifestyle, maintenance preferences and personal style goals. The wide selection of available styles ensures that there is an option for each man, from subtle professional to bold artistic statements. The key to success lies in choosing a style that complements your natural features while fitting comfortably in your daily routine.
Remember that patience, dedication and right tools and products are necessary to increase and maintain mustache. Start with a style that corresponds to your maintenance skills and consider developing in more complex styles with experience and confidence. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different looks unless you find what works right for you.
Read More : Beard Styles For Men
FAQ
How long does it take to grow a mustache?
Most men can grow a basic mustache in 2-4 weeks, but fuller styles like the walrus or handlebar may require 2-6 months of growth. The exact timeline depends on your natural hair growth rate and the desired thickness.
What products do I need for mustache care?
Basic mustache care requires a good quality mustache wax, fine-toothed comb, small scissors for trimming, and moisturizing oil or balm. More elaborate styles may need additional styling tools and stronger-hold products.
Can I grow a mustache if my facial hair is patchy?
Patchy growth can limit your style options, but certain looks like the pencil mustache or creative asymmetrical styles can work with uneven growth patterns. Consult with a professional barber for personalized advice.
How often should I trim my mustache?
Most mustache styles benefit from light trimming every 1-2 weeks to maintain their shape and remove stray hairs. More elaborate styles may need daily styling and weekly professional maintenance.
Are mustaches appropriate for professional environments?
This depends on your specific workplace culture and chosen style. Conservative styles like the chevron or pencil mustache are generally more accepted in professional settings than dramatic styles like the handlebar or Dali.