How to Grow and Maintain a Handlebar Mustache

Growing a beard can indeed change your appearance drastically but if you want to make a flashy statement, then you need to grow a mustache. There are many different styles of mustache but the most prominent one that stands out the most is a handlebar mustache; some men might even crown it as the king of mustaches.

Growing a handlebar mustache involves a series of steps such as letting your hair grow long, combing it, waxing it, and shaping it by twisting the tips. Using oil and balm as well as avoiding trimming are also helpful steps.

In this article, we will be going over how you can grow a handlebar mustache and then maintain it!

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Types of Handlebar Mustaches

As suggested by the name, a handlebar mustache requires the use of mustache wax to style it in various ways at the tips to give it a look similar to that of a bicycle’s handles.

The handles can be styled differently depending on a person’s personal preference hence there are many types of handlebar mustaches. It is important to know which type you want first before thinking about growing one and for that reason, we have compiled a list of handlebar mustache types for you.

• Traditional Handlebar Mustache – This type curls upwards at the tips and sometimes back in on itself. The curl can either be a slight one or tight.
• Petite Handlebar Mustache – It is similar to a traditional handlebar but is more petite and well-suited for men whose hair does not grow long enough for other mustache styles.
• English Mustache – The ends of the mustache in this type are styled to point straight out instead of a curl.
• Hungarian Mustache – This type is perfect for you if you have a lot of mustache hair and it is thick and bushy. The Hungarian Mustache covers the whole upper lip and the points at the end swoop lower than that of a traditional handlebar mustache.

Now that you probably have an idea of which type of handlebar mustache you want, we can dive in further on the topic of how to grow one.   

How to Grow a Handlebar Mustache    

Let it Grow

The first and pretty obvious step in growing a handlebar mustache is to let your hair get enough so that you can style it. A better, less awkward way of carrying this out would be to grow a beard alongside too so that a lonely, half-grown mustache does look less weird.

A typical handlebar takes about three to six months to grow long enough for you to style one. This period can be incredibly irritating due to itchiness and dryness so make sure you have a proper mustache care routine to follow regularly. So essentially, the main step of growing a handlebar mustache is to give your facial hair enough time to grow long.

Do Not Trim  

Considering the location of a mustache, it can become a nuisance to handle (pun intended!) when it begins to get long. This is because it can get in your food as well as become a hindrance when it comes to showing affection to a partner.

But do not, under any circumstances, let it bother you to the point of trimming it. The whole purpose of growing a mustache is to let the hairs get long enough for you to style them, how does cutting them when they are in the growing stage going to help you? 

You need as much hair as possible to groom and shape into a handlebar mustache, especially the hair around the corners of your mouth, these need to be the longest and thickest to achieve that look. Any sort of trimming, however light you keep it, will ruin your chances at getting a nice mustache quickly because then you will have to grow those inches out again that you trimmed.

However, if as we said earlier, you are facing a problem with eating because the hair keeps getting in your food, then you can use mustache wax to style it away from your mouth so the hair is not a nuisance. You must also follow the next step religiously if you want to keep your mustaches from getting wild.

Comb Your Mustache

When the mustache hair has grown long enough for you to comb them then immediately start doing so daily and buy a good comb. A sandalwood comb is a good recommendation, some men even prefer a lice comb or a toothbrush, but you should use what you are comfortable with and what works for you best.

Combing your facial hair daily will not only keep them out of your mouth and get rid of any dirt and dust stuck in it but also train your hair fibers to grow and stay in the direction you want them to. The way a handlebar mustache works is it grows towards the side from the middle so to achieve that look, first begin to part your hair vertically from the middle and then direct hair on each side in the correct direction with the help of a comb.

Doing this daily will eventually train and tame your hair and make it less unruly and wild and also keep it out and away from your mouth.

Use Beard Oil and Balm

Giving time for your facial hair to grow is not enough, you need to actively engage in providing it with nourishment so that the hair fibers are hydrated and healthy. Think of it as growing a plant, you cannot just leave it on its own in the sunlight, you need to water it daily to keep it growing.

Invest in a good beard oil and beard balm and do not just limit yourself to applying it only to your beard, show some love to your mustache as well! Try to search for good products that are made up of natural oils rather than synthetic and mineral oils, and avoid other harsh chemicals as well such as parabens and sulfate.

Beard oil provides your hair follicles with moisture so that they remain fresh and youthful. A beard balm on the other hand is used in protection by forming a layer on top of your hair fibers, shielding it from dust and grime as well as locking in moisture.

These products will keep your hair healthy as well as protect your skin from any dryness and itching. Make sure you buy the right products with the correct ingredients.

Mustache Wax

Apply this after you have used beard oil and balm, try to do so after showering. Rub the product between your fingers to melt it and then start applying from the upper edge to the sides. To make sure that none of the hair is left without any product, use a comb to evenly spread out the wax.

While you are combing, make sure to direct your hair and comb them towards the side to help them train them into the correct position. Use the comb to remove any excess product if you used it too much.   

Shape by Twisting

When your hair has grown long enough that you can now being to style it into a handlebar mustache, use wax to twist the ends upwards and inwards, in the shape of a curl. If you want a straight look, like in the English handlebar style, then point the hair straight outwards.

As the tips continue to become longer, go ahead and use a pen or pencil to create a tighter curl, play around and see what you like. Just keep in mind to do this regularly or else your hair fibers will droop and fail to achieve the handlebar look.

The useful thing about wax is that once it dries, it will hold which shape you used whether it was a large loop or more refined twists.

Patience is Key

The time it takes to grow a full handlebar mustache is almost three months and that is a long time. During this stage, you might even look a bit awkward but you have to remind yourself that this will be worthwhile because once you have that fully grown handlebar mustache, you will be envied by your fellow mustache lovers.

So don’t let any doubt get in your way of looking amazing and just have patience!

How to Maintain a Handlebar Mustache

To maintain a mustache, all you need to do is follow a combination of steps daily and these are: 

• Wash it – Do not wash it daily with any beard wash, do that on alternative days. You should, however, use warm water to cleanse every day.
• Comb it – New cannot stress enough on this step, but do this daily and do not miss out!
• Use wax – To give the mustache the handlebar look, wax it regularly, just like we mentioned above.
• Beard care routine – It is important for you to include other products such as beard oil and balm in your routine to keep your hair fibers nourished and healthy.
• Trim – Only trim when necessary but refrain from trimming the bottom edges of the hair above the lip as that hair is needed to remain long and grow out more to achieve the handlebar look.

Conclusion

If you have the patience and dedication to grow a mustache, then a handlebar mustache may be what you are looking for. Growing it is an irritating process in the beginning but with the right products, tools, and steps, you can have a thick handlebar mustache in no time! We hope that this guide provided you with tips on how to grow a handlebar mustache and then maintain it once you have achieved your dream look!