How to Grow a Mustache: 5 Tips

Not every guy can sport a mustache. You must have the facial hair genetics, the head shape, and most importantly, the swagger to pull it off. If you think you have what it takes, here’s all you need to know about how to grow a mustache.

1. Accept Your Limits

The upper lip is usually the first place where guys can grow facial hair. Let your mustache grow for two weeks, then take a long look at yourself in the mirror. If you see some hair coming into your cheeks but not your upper lip, you probably can’t grow a mustache.

Mustaches also come in many shapes and sizes. Some are thick and wiry, while others are thin and wispy. Feel your facial hair’s texture, and accept that no amount of grooming or hair products will change it. Don’t pay attention to those supplement companies that claim to make your hair thicker, either. 

The only things you can do to improve your facial hair’s thickness are:

• Keep your skin hydrated and moisturized
• Eat a diet with limited processed foods
• Exercise

2. Acquire the Right Tools

While you can’t make your mustache grow more thickly, you do have the tools to improve its health and appearance. If you’re serious about growing your mustache, you should acquire the following devices:

• Trimmer: use the trimmer to keep your mustache neat and clean.

• Scissors: these tiny scissors are effective at snipping those pesky long hairs off your lip.

• Beard Oil: if you want to keep your facial hair soft to the touch, a few drops of unscented beard oil each day will do the trick.

• Mustache Wax: mustaches are sometimes difficult to tame. Mustache wax can lock in your style.

Just remember to use these products in moderation. Constantly tending to your face with trimmers and chemicals can irritate your pores and negatively affect your facial hair’s health. 

3. Let Things Grow

The only way to know how thick your mustache can get is by letting it grow. Better yet, let your entire beard grow and see what your face is capable of. Perhaps you will find a new style along the way. 

Give everything at least three weeks. You can trim the excess hairs that pop up on your upper cheeks, but leave the bulk of your mustache and beard alone. You want to give them ample time to fill in the patches and grow a few layers of hair.

4. Get to Trimming

Once you see how much your mustache can fill out, you can make minor adjustments to clean up its appearance. Use the trimmer and scissors to tie up loose ends. Apply the oil to keep the hair soft, and use wax on your bad hair days (yes, they even happen with mustaches).

Remember, you only have so much facial hair. Keep the adjustments to a minimum and leave the foundations of your mustache alone. One wrong move, and you have to shave it and start over again.

5. Find Your Style

At this point, you can experiment with different styles. The mustache itself can take several forms:

• Chevron
• English
• Handlebar
• Horseshoe
• Pencil
• Pyramid

If you’re satisfied with your mustache length and style, you can also make changes to the facial hair surrounding it. You can rock the ‘stache with a goatee, mutton chops and all kinds of other beard styles. Many male celebrities rock different looks these days, so perhaps you can draw inspiration from them.

Be Patient With Your Facial Hair

If you want to know how to grow a mustache (or any facial hair, for that matter), you must learn to be patient. Hair takes time to grow and fill in, especially for those in their late teens and early twenties. Your facial hair might not fill out until you’re 30. Accept your situation, take care of your mustache when necessary and trust the process.