Grow an Awesome Mustache in Movember
Edited by Nerissa Avisado, Lynn, Eng, Doug Collins and 4 others
Have you heard of "Movember" before? If it sounds too familiar, it is because it sounds much like "November" and there's a good reason for it too. November is actually the month for an annual tradition of growing mustaches during the entire month. It is a portmanteau word that fuses mustache and November in reference to the month-long challenge for men to grow facial hair to change their look and the face of masculine health. With their "Mo's", men let the world know about their growing awareness about their gender's common health issues - prostate, testicular, and other male cancers. For 30 days, these self-sacrificing men become effective walking and talking advertisements promoting the Movember charity event.
November is an excuse for men to let their facial fuzz sprout into a bushy growth. It's not just an excuse to discard the razor for the whole month, but it's also an opportunity for men to use their facial hair for a worthwhile cause. If you want to be part of the No Shave Movement, whether, for style, charity, or to promote men's health issues, you've got to plan it perfectly.
It is said that you don't choose the Mo for yourself, but rather it is the Mo that chooses you. Whichever way you put it, staying awesome in November starts with choosing the mustache style to smarten up the maws. Take your pick.
Hot Mustache Styles to Grow for Movember
- 1The Wisp:A neatly clipped style, the wisp is a thin mustache that appears to be drawn using a pencil. It is adjacent or just a little above the upper lip with a large gap between the nose and the thin line of hair. The line either breaks across the middle vertical groove or continues unbroken in straight form. Some men grow this non-committal style. But, be careful in growing this style. As thin as its line is, the fine line that distinguishes the look between debonair and sinister is also.
- 2The After Eight:If you don't want to be categorized among the burly man-bears, grow the barely-there shadow of an after eight mustache. The super suave light growth in the scruff area nevertheless will qualify you as one of the Mo Bros.
- 3The Rock Star:A combination of suaveness and confidence, the rock star Mo is a perfectly groomed facial frill that ladies cannot turn down. It takes a guy who is serious about his facial hair to maintain this type of mustache to the nines.
- 4The Connoisseur:This look will remind you of movie villains and circus ringleaders who deserve a second look. The curly-cue style of the connoisseur is reserved for the classiest gentlemen with lots of time to attend to a Mo that requires maximum grooming and a generous amount of lacquer.
- 5The Detective:Oozing with authority, the detective Mo is just a complement "brother" to men who know they are handsome and suave. It goes perfectly with a pair of aviators or a pipe to achieve a higher notch in looks.
- 6The Box Car:This no-fuss growth is ideal for fellas who only want some warm covering for the upper lip. It is shaped as an inverted "V" and left hanging below the nose. The Mo is ideal for novices because it requires low maintenance but is high on style points.
- 7The Regent:The big and bushy regent Mo droops down around the mouth reminiscent of a Walrus, the other name for the style. Hungarians are said to start off this 'stache trend with twirled up ends, but many Hollywood elites are sporting the look for obvious reasons.
- 8The Abracadabra:Otherwise called "The Surrealist", this absurdly stylish Mo delivers the ultimate "tah-dah" impact to whoever wears it. It combines aristocratic elegance with outrageous artistic flair.
- 9The Trucker:Anyone who grows this "crowbar" means business. The heavy duty growth with ends plummeting down to the bottom of the chin is not for the faint-hearted, but for the more ambitious. It makes one look fearsome.
- 10The Fu Manchu:The name itself suggests an Asian connotation to it. This want-to-be Chinese look is embraced by fans who adore great masters of the martial arts. But, other famous celebrities like Christopher Lee and Peter Sellers have worn this style and succeeded effortlessly.
After picking which Mo you want to rock this November, it's time to grow some hair. Each style has a different personality that requires different grooming techniques and a few tools.
What You Need to Grow, Shape and Groom a Mustache
- mustache comb
- electric or battery razor, trimmer, or clipper
- wet razor set
- barber trimming scissors
- sharp razor
- mustache wax
- mustache shampoo and conditioner
- mirror
How to Grow a Mustache
- 1Don't shave!You can only achieve that luscious Mo if you stop shaving.
How to Trim a Mustache
- 1Dampen the mustache before starting the trimming session.It is easier to cut wet hair because it can be easily controlled.
- 2Tidy the mustache by running the comb in the direction you want to train the growth.Hold the comb in the Mo with one hand then trim the hair that pokes out in between the teeth.
- 3Start trimming first long and stray hairs on the outer edges.Use a pair of barber scissors to trim sparingly, following the basic shape as a guide.
- 4Run the clippers all over the Mo for a consistent level and bounce.Adjust the clippers to the right setting. Do not set at a low cut setting if you're using the clippers for the first time. You can reset to a lower setting after using the clippers a few times.
- 5Use a sharp razor to define the outer lines.Hold the razor firmly to shave the upper part and the sides of the Mo for more definition. Check both ends to see if they are the same length.
- 6Apply mustache wax to shape and control hair in place.Repeat the same waxing process when growing a Mo. You can comb the wax through then use your fingertips to give the tips some slicks or twists.
How to Groom a Mustache
No matter how much you try to prevent it, particles can accumulate in the bushy growth, giving an unsightly appearance to it. Fussing over ways to groom the Mo doesn't mean you're vain. Just like the rest of the body, facial hair also needs some amount of care and grooming.
- 1Brush in a single direction until all the flakes are gone. This is not only healthy for the skin, but you will also look and smell better during intimate moments.Keep the mustache clean..Remove accumulated dead skin cells by using a dry toothbrush to exfoliate
- 2Wash the mustache with good shampoo rather than soap.Massage the Mo with a squirt of conditioner. Wait for a few minutes to soften the hair before rinsing thoroughly.
- 3Give the face a steam bath to cleanse the skin underneath the mustache.Steaming the upper lip will open up the pores thus preventing stunt hair growth.
The type of food and drinks to approach with caution if you want to stay awesome in Movember:
- Singapore Crab
- Toffee Apples
- Spaghetti Carbonara
- Meat Pie
- Tacos
- Sloppy Joes
- Cotton Candy
- Cupcakes
- Souvlaki or Kebabs
- Cappuccino
- Glass of Milk
- Milk Shake
- Irish Cream Ale
- Guinness Ale
Tips and Tricks:
- Avoid using caustic face cleansers, especially those intended for acne treatment. These products have bleaching ingredients that can give a totally new look to your mustache.
- Refrain from touching your Mo. No matter how itchy the upper lip area gets, keep your fingers off it to avoid bacteria getting into the pores. Ingrown hairs and mustachioed pimply lips are not awesome sights for Movember. The same thing goes for someone else's mustache unless you ask permission.
- Hang out with other "Mo Bros". You will feel a lot better in the company of men who share the same growing, trimming, and grooming tips - all for a good cause.
- Don't let negative comments demoralize you. I can't help it if some bullies don't understand the reason behind that Mo. After all, the month-long facial fuzz is supposed to be an icebreaker to ignite a conversation about masculine health.
- Enjoy the benefits of the Mo. Some women can't resist the charm of men sporting a mustache, regardless of style, size, and shape. If you decide to compete in any category of the No Shave Movement, there's no telling to what prize you'll end up bringing home.
If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
