Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past decade, you’ve no doubt heard of Movember. What started as in Australia with just thirty men is now a global event, with thousands of men growing moustaches each year to raise money for prostate cancer research. We may not be scientists, but we like to think we know a thing or two when it comes to facial hair. Whether you’re growing your ‘tache for charity, fashion or competitive sport, here are some moustache grooming tips from Pall Mall Barbers to guide you through the process.
Moustache grooming tips
First, choose your style. If you’re completely stumped, the Movember website has a handy guide for your perusal, or try a Google image search for “great TV moustaches” (the American spelling yields far greater rewards). For those who want to do it by the book, consider one of the six judging categories: World Beard and Moustache Championship’s Natural, Dali, English, Imperial, Hungarian or Freestyle. Take notes – their standards are pretty technical.
When in doubt, you can never, ever go wrong with Magnum, PI as your style guru. This maxim will serve you well in the face of any manly dilemma, but especially when it comes to growing a full, luxurious mo.
Next for our moustache grooming tips, assemble your tools. At a minimum, you will need electric clippers, a razor, a fine-toothed comb and shaving foam. True devotees of moustache craft would also add barber’s scissors to the list, but that takes a steady hand and the confidence of a seasoned pro, so skip them if it’s your first time. If you’re planning a Dali or some other surrealist follicular formation, you’ll also need a tin of moustache wax.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to prepare yourself mentally. Things are going to get itchy. When the going gets tough, ask yourself, “What would Magnum, PI do?” He’d thrown on a fresh Hawaiian shirt and cruised down the Pacific highway to grab a beer at the King Kamehameha Club, that’s what. In the absence of a vintage Ferrari and beachfront bar, a Routemaster to your local pub should do the trick.
You’re committed now, so start with a clean slate. Movember rules state that you must shave your face completely before you grow. Mark the occasion by investing in a proper gentleman’s razor and a luxury shaving foam. It sounds a bit extravagant but think of it as a leaving do for your five o’clock shadow.
Make sure you nurture your moustache and keep it clean. If you’d been a particularly fastidious Edwardian gentleman, you might have invested in a specially designed moustache spoon to save you the embarrassment of lingering lunchtime soup stains. We don’t suggest you go off antique hunting, but a bit of shampoo and conditioner in the shower wouldn’t go amiss. We would, however, advise investing in a pocket-sized moustache comb for a quick post-meal once-over. After all, did you ever see Magnum, PI sporting toast crumbs in his ‘tache? Of course not.
Don’t forget to document your journey. Salvador Dali penned an entire book dedicated to the glory of his own facial hair. There’s no need to go that far, but you can take selfies and share your progress on social media using the hashtag #movember. Your friends may have you muted by the end of the month, but not everyone can appreciate the work of a great artist such as yourself.
Finally, assess your results. How was it for you? If it’s a thumbs down, time to call in the professionals and book a luxury wet shave with one of our expert barbers. You’ve earned it.
On the other hand, if you think you’ve got what it takes to join the hallowed ranks of Tom Selleck, Charles Bronson and Hercule Poirot, whip out your credit card and log on to Expedia. The next World Beard and Moustache Championship takes place in Antwerp in 2019. Our moustache grooming tips will see you in good stead.
