The mustache is having a major moment in men’s grooming, from Tom Selleck’s chevron mustache to Miles Teller’s lampshade mustache. What was once considered old school is now a statement of individuality and refined taste, driven by vintage fashion, social media, and personal grooming routines.
Market research says the global men’s grooming industry is growing big time, with beard and mustache care products set to hit $4 billion by 2027. This isn’t just about fashion, it’s about self-expression and the resurgence of the barbershop.
Whether you’re a newbie looking to try your first mustache or a seasoned pro looking to try something new, choosing the right mustache style requires understanding your face shape, lifestyle, and grooming commitment. This ultimate guide will take you through classic styles with historical significance to modern trends that are changing facial hair fashion.
Evergreen Mustache Styles
The Timeless Trio: Chevron, Handlebar, and Pencil
Three styles have stood the test of time and are the benchmark for men’s grooming. The chevron mustache features thick natural growth that follows the curve of the upper lip. Tom Selleck and Burt Reynolds wore this in the late 20th century as a symbol of masculinity. This style became popular because it’s rugged and requires minimal grooming.
The handlebar mustache, with its curled, waxed ends, peaked during the Victorian era among military and aristocratic men. This iconic style has been revived by modern enthusiasts and is worn by historical figures like Wyatt Earp and modern-day actors like Taylor Kitsch. The full handlebar mustache requires discipline and attention to detail; it’s a favorite among those who appreciate traditional mustache grooming.
The pencil mustache emerged during Hollywood’s golden age of the 30s-40s. It’s a thin, precisely groomed line just above the lip that requires a hard line and exceptional precision. Clark Gable and Eddie Murphy have worn this style, which works best with darker, thicker hair that can be defined.
Why Mustaches Are Making a Comeback
So why the mustache revival? Vintage fashion trends are back in, and classic grooming styles are cool again for younger generations. Social media has made style inspiration accessible to all, and men can now discover and try out facial hair looks that were once niche.
Also, there’s been an increase in artisan grooming products and traditional barbershop experiences. Men are investing more time in their self-care routines and seeing their mustache as an extension of their brand. The mustache has lost its old man connotations and is now a symbol of rebellion against the clean-shaven norm and style.
Popular Mustache Style Comparison Overview
| Style | Growth Time | Maintenance Level | Best Face Shapes | Celebrity Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevron Mustache | 2–3 months | Low | Oval, Triangle, Square | Tom Selleck |
| Handlebar Mustache | 6+ months | High | Oblong, Square, Diamond | Henry Cavill |
| Pencil Mustache | 2–4 weeks | High | Oval, Heart, Round | Eddie Murphy |
| Lampshade Mustache | 1–2 months | Medium | Square, Oval, Diamond | Miles Teller |
| Walrus Mustache | 6–12 months | Low | Oval, Square, Rectangle | Teddy Roosevelt |
Once you’ve picked a look, mustache grooming tips help keep it neat day to day.
How to Choose the Right and Best Mustache Styles
Determining Your Face Shape
Choosing the right mustache starts with measuring your face shape. This is a systematic approach of measuring the widest points of your forehead, cheekbones, and jaw and comparing those to categories.
Oval faces are longer than they are wide, with a slightly rounded jawline and balanced proportions. Round faces are the same width and length, with soft curves all over. Square faces have a strong jawline and equal width and length measurements. Oblong faces are longer than they are wide, and Diamond faces have wide cheekbones with a narrower forehead and jawline.
Triangle faces are wider at the jaw than the forehead, and Heart shaped faces are wider at the forehead with a pointed chin. Knowing these helps you choose mustache styles that complement your natural face shape rather than competing with it.
Matching Styles to Face Shapes
So the experts always say to match your mustache style to your face shape for maximum impact. Chevron and lampshade mustaches work well on oval or square faces as they add horizontal lines without overwhelming the face. Handlebar and Hungarian mustaches can elongate round faces with their curves and height.
The horseshoe mustache is great for lengthening round chins, while the pencil mustache suits softer face shapes. Diamond faces should avoid styles that add width at the cheekbone level and go for fuller styles like the walrus mustache that balance out the narrow jawline.
Growth Patterns and Hair Thickness Considerations
Your natural hair growth patterns will dictate which style will work best for you. Men with thick, coarse hair have more flexibility in style choices and can go for fuller styles like the walrus or standard handlebar mustache. Men with finer or patchier hair can go for hybrid styles like the beardstache, which is a mustache combined with cheek hair to disguise sparse areas.
Knowing your hair growth rate is key to timeline planning. A pencil mustache can be achieved in 2-4 weeks, a full handlebar mustache in 6 months or more. Consider your patience level and commitment to the growing out process when choosing your style.
Lifestyle and Professional Requirements
Your daily routine and work environment will play a big part in mustache style selection. Corporate environments will favor neat, moderate styles that look professional. Creative fields will celebrate more eccentric or bold choices that express individuality and artistic flair.
Consider your grooming routine realistically. Highly sculpted styles like the Dalí or petite handlebar mustache require daily shaping and regular application of mustache wax. For hold, shape, and texture, the best mustache wax is the practical next step. Natural styles like the chevron or walrus need less frequent but consistent maintenance to keep mustache hairs tidy and avoid hair covering the lip line.
Time commitment varies greatly between styles. A painter’s brush mustache or lampshade requires regular trimming to keep its shape, while a chevron mustache can be maintained with weekly touch-ups. Factor in your morning routine and willingness to invest in the right grooming tools and products.
Classic Mustache Styles
Chevron Mustache Styles
The chevron mustache is the gold standard of natural mustache styles, following the curve of the upper lip and ending at the outer corners of the mouth. This style became super popular through Tom Selleck in “Magnum P.I.” and Burt Reynolds in many of his movies, and is the epitome of 80s masculinity.
Growing a chevron mustache takes 2-3 months to get to the fullness without extending wider than the outer edges of the mouth. The key to a well-groomed mustache in this style is regular trimming to keep the lines clean while preserving the natural thickness that defines the look.
Daily maintenance is minimal – just comb the mustache hairs down and trim any stray hairs that go beyond the lip line. This makes the chevron mustache a great choice for men who want a distinguished look without a lot of daily styling. It works well for oval, triangle, and square face shapes and adds horizontal lines that balance out the face.
Handlebar Mustache Styles
The handlebar mustache is Victorian elegance and military tradition, with the waxed ends curling up or out into fine points. This classic style takes time, 6 months or more, to get the length needed to curl and shape.
The petite handlebar mustache requires less dramatic curves but the same basic principles of growth and styling. Both require daily application of mustache wax and training of the hair to keep the curls. You apply wax the same way to damp mustache hairs, then twirl the ends around your index finger to shape.
This style suits oblong, square, diamond, and triangle faces as the upward curves elongate the face and add visual interest to the upper lip area. Round faces should avoid this style as it will accentuate the width of the face rather than balance it.
The English mustache is a variation of the handlebar, with more subtle curves and a more conservative look for work environments. Whatever the variation you choose, handlebar styles require daily grooming and investment in good products.
Walrus Mustache Styles
The walrus mustache demands attention with its sheer fullness, the hair drooping over the upper lip and sometimes covering the bottom lip. This style was big in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, worn by the likes of Teddy Roosevelt and Mark Twain to project authority and intellectualism.
A proper walrus mustache takes 6-12 months of growth and works best with naturally thick facial hair growth. Unlike other styles, the walrus celebrates natural hair patterns and requires minimal shaping beyond combing straight and occasional trimming to prevent overhang into the mouth.
This style is great for oval, square, and rectangular face shapes where the fullness adds character without overwhelming the face. The walrus requires commitment to longer hairs and tolerance for the practicalities of eating and drinking with so much facial hair.
Maintenance involves using a mustache comb to keep the hairs in check and prevent them from getting unruly. While it looks effortless, it actually requires regular attention to hygiene and management to avoid looking unkempt rather than bold.
Modern Mustache Styles
Pencil Mustache Styles
The pencil mustache demands precision and is the ultimate in controlled grooming. This thin, neatly trimmed mustache line above the upper lip is the epitome of Hollywood glamour. It works best with darker, thicker hair so you have a mustache clean contrast against the skin.
To grow a pencil mustache, you need to grow facial hair for 2-4 weeks, then shave everything except a narrow strip about the width of a pencil. Daily maintenance is shaving the top border to keep a clean horizontal line and trimming the length to keep the mustache short and neat.
This style suits oval, heart, and round faces, where it adds definition without competing with other facial features. The parted pencil mustache is a variation that has a small gap in the middle, creating visual interest while keeping the style intact.
The pencil mustache requires daily attention to keep it looking crisp. Any growth beyond the designated area immediately compromises the look and is not suitable for men who don’t want to put in the work. But if you’re willing to put in the time, it’s a unique, sophisticated look that few other styles can match.
Lampshade Mustache Styles
The lampshade mustache is inspired by military grooming standards and forms a clean rectangle over the upper lip. Miles Teller’s version in “Top Gun: Maverick” brought this style to the masses of young men looking for a retro military style with modern flair.
This style takes 1-2 months to grow in and then requires precise trimming to get straight edges and uniform density. The lampshade mustache cannot extend wider than the top lip and cannot touch the upper lip to look regulation.
The geometric nature of this style makes it perfect for square, oval, heart, and diamond-shaped faces, where the structured lines complement angular features. Round-faced men may find the horizontal line adds width to their face.
To maintain a lampshade mustache, you need to trim regularly with precision tools and pay attention to symmetry. Since the style is military inspired, it has to look immaculately maintained – any unevenness or stray hairs will ruin the crisp professional look.
Beardstache Styles
The beardstache is a modern hybrid, a full mustache with short stubble on the cheeks and jaw. Celebrities, like Henry Cavill and Jon Hamm, have made this style popular by using it to define the jawline while still having facial hair.
To have a beardstache, you need to grow a full mustache and keep the cheek hair and jaw hair trimmed to stubble length, usually 2-3mm. The contrast between the full mustache and the shorter surrounding hair creates visual interest and defines the facial structure.
This style works great for men with patchy cheek hair, as the stubble hides the uneven growth and the mustache becomes the focal point. The beardstache defines the jawline through contrast and adds ruggedness to professional looks.
Maintenance requires balancing mustache growth with controlled stubble length, using different trimmer settings or manual techniques to keep the contrast. Regular trimming prevents the stubble from growing into a full beard and makes sure the mustache remains the main feature.
Specialty and Unique Styles
Hungarian Mustache Styles
The Hungarian mustache is a more elaborate version of the handlebar style with swooping curves that can reach up to 2 inches from the outer corners of the mouth. This style requires a lot of patience; it can take a full year to reach its ideal shape and size.
The Hungarian mustache sits lower on the face than the traditional handlebars; the curved parts go down towards the cheek lines and then curve back up. This creates a more dramatic silhouette that makes a bold statement and requires a lot of commitment to daily grooming.
To grow a Hungarian mustache you need to start with a full mustache base, then train the outer parts to grow longer while keeping the middle part shorter. You need to apply medium-hold, mustache wax daily and shape it by hand to encourage the curl to develop.
This style is best for oblong faces, where the horizontal emphasis can balance the facial proportions. Men with round or square faces might find that the Hungarian mustache adds too much width to the face rather than balancing it.
Dalí Mustache Styles
The Dalí mustache is the most artistic of all facial hair styles, inspired by the surrealist painter Salvador Dalí’s famous face. This dramatic style has a pencil mustache base with super long, upwards styled ends that are unmistakable.
To create a Dalí mustache, which can you need to start with a full handlebar mustache and let the ends grow for 6 months or more. The styling process involves using strong hold wax or even temporary stiffeners to get the ends to point upwards, which can be several inches from your face.
This is pure artistic expression and requires daily grooming to maintain the surreal look. It’s not suitable for most professional environments, but perfect for creative people who want to make a bold personal statement.
Maintenance involves applying styling products carefully and patiently training the hair to keep it pointing upwards. The unique personality required to pull this off makes it only for men who are comfortable with a lot of attention and questions about their grooming choices.
Horseshoe Mustache Styles
The horseshoe mustache creates a bold U shape connecting the mustache to the vertical strips that go down to the jawline. This style has been popularized by sports stars like Aaron Rodgers and Joe Namath, patiently, so it has strong associations with athletic confidence and rebel attitude.
Growing a horseshoe mustache takes 3-6 months to get enough length and coverage in the connected areas. It works well for round faces where the vertical lines elongate the chin and create more balance.
Men with diamond or oblong faces should avoid the horseshoe mustache as the vertical emphasis can make narrow faces look even longer. The style requires commitment to full facial hair coverage and tolerance for the practical challenges that come with it.
Maintenance is keeping the connecting lines clean and defined, and not letting the mustache part get too thick compared to the vertical parts. Regular trimming ensures symmetry and prevents the style from looking messy rather than bold.
Conclusion
Selecting the perfect mustache style is all about maintaining a balance between personal preferences, such as lifestyle, face appearance, and grooming style. It depends on you if you choose a simple chevron mustache, a handlebar elegance, or the precise pencil style, considering the factors and maintenance commitment.
Proper selection of quality tools, required products, and a consistent grooming routine will result in a polished look, making any mustache look work. Styling and maintaining a mustache is a journey requiring ultimate patience and experimentation. What suits one person will not necessarily suit another. Grooming can also be part of personal presentation, which is why bloggers and designers build brands can still fit as a broader read.
FAQS
What’s the most attractive mustache style?
The most attractive mustache style is personal preference and face shape dependent, but popular choices are chevron for a classic look and handlebar for a bold statement. Choosing a style that suits your face and grooming habits will make you look better.
Does a mustache make a man look older or younger?
A mustache can make a man look older or more mature as it adds sophistication and masculinity. But the style and grooming of the mustache also play a role; a well maintained modern style can look youthful and stylish.
Should the mustache go below the lip?
Whether the mustache should go below the lip depends on the style. For example walrus mustache hangs over the upper lip and sometimes covers the bottom lip, while styles like chevron stay above or just at the lip line. Keep the mustache neat and don’t let the hair cover the mouth excessively.
How to shape a perfect mustache?
To shape a perfect mustache, start by growing it out to the desired length,h then regularly trim the stray hairs to maintain clean lines. Use a mustache comb to train the hairs in the desired direction and apply mustache wax to shape and hold the style. Tailor the shape to your face shape and personal style.
What’s the difference between a walrus and a Chevron mustache?
The walrus mustache is characterized by thick, bushy hair that hangs over the lips and can extend past the bottom lip, creating a bold and voluminous look. Chevron mustache is a natural style that follows the curve of the upper lip without extending past the corners of the mouth; it’s a cleaner and classic look.
