An avid beard lover who loves helping her partner improve the look of his facial forest.

How to Grow a Pointed Beard

Have you ever wanted to get your beard to be a bit more shapely?

Many guys just have wild beards. Sticking out at one end and totally flat on the other. Most of that comes from how you sleep and the kind of natural parting that you create through hours of being asleep.

However, when you want to get something a bit more specific, you may wish to get a pointed beard. No, not like the caricature style of Satan; more like something akin to a Van Dyke or Stiletto beard style. How, though, do you go about doing that? Specifically, this post will show the steps you can undertake to get an all-around more pointed style beard.

Step 1: Take Your Whole Beard Off

To get a quality pointed beard, we recommend going back to the start.

This means dicing off as much of the beard as you can and then getting it back to totally smooth. We even recommend going for a classic Turkish barbers razor shave. Within a week or two, you should now have a solid level of growth (well, at least the foundations).

Anything from 1/4” to ½” in length should be good enough for this point. This allows you to build the beard from the start into that sharp-pointed overall look for the beard.

Step 2: Get Your Cheeks Nice and Smooth

Make sure that you have your cheek areas entirely smoothed. They should not have any kind of hair or build-up, even those silly whisker-like hairs that come in need to come off. If you do that, then you will already have created a lot more definition.

Now, your beard will have a clear point of definition, especially as the chin is often the place with the most prominent beard growth. You can still use a beard trimmer for most of these steps; again, these are general guidelines and not hard and fast rules.

Step 3: Get the Little Parts Right

The next challenge of making a pointed beard is making sure you leave the right shape for your beard.

So, make sure that you start from the sideburns and then move inward. Get to around 2” from the mouth, and you should shave the neck sides and the bottom hairs underneath and around your Adam’s apple. This should leave you with a kind of circular beard style.

Step 4: Get the Goatee Sorted

Next, you will want to start working on the goatee part of your beard.

This means making sure that you get the line as clear and as defined as is possible. Trim from the neck upwards, taking off increasingly smaller sections of the beard as you go about the shaving process. You should look to use a good quality razor to help you achieve this, as cheaper razors will typically create messier finishes.

Step 5: Style It Right

Now, to finish this cleaner and sharper beard off, you want to use some form of beard wax. It should leave your chin, beard, and your mustache separate from one another. With some wax, you can create some natural protrusion that should help to make your beard a bit sharper and pointier.

This is a hard thing to get right, and it will usually mean that you have to keep coming back and making small adjustments daily. If you want to get a quality pointed beard, though, you’ll need to learn the value of patience and precision.

With the beard trimmer, you will want to start on a higher grade and come in naturally towards the beard. Then gradually lowering the grade more but getting further away from the beard as you reach the bottom of the point. This is what creates that natural point. Less is more at this stage; you rather take off too little than too much. Then make sure to mimic the same actions that you are doing on one side of your face and beard as you do the other to create the symmetry naturally.

Towards the very end, you will be one of the lowest grades but also barely on the edge of your beard as you create the natural curve and pointed aspect of your beard.

You can see a great example of this in the video just above. Notice how the beard trimmer barely gets into the beard towards the end, but make sure to be brave enough to actually shape and curve out the beard-pointed aspect that you want.

The Alternative Approach: See a Barber

If you are looking for a quicker approach to the whole few steps above on styling and growing a pointed beard, you can always just grow a standard one and then head down to the local barbers and ask for that style.

Then take note of what they are doing to form that style you're after, and don't hesitate to just ask them questions about general beard care and how to form the point.

Just to be sure, it's a good idea to bring a picture of the beard style that you're after, so you and the barber are on the same page as to how you want your beard to actually look.

They will be more than happy to help you with the above. Plus, make sure that you do actually take care of your beard the right way as well. Make sure it doesn't get too dry; lukewarm showers and beard oil are good for that. Be sure to wash your beard as well, because just like regular hair that forms on the top of your head, they get dirty and smelly too.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Carlyn Hayes

A beard-grooming enthusiast who writes about beard products, styling and other related facial hair trivia who also sports a beardstache.

If you have a beard that is fairly light in color and you want to give the look of a fuller and thicker beard, a great way to do this is to simply darken the beard. It’s quite simple as to why this works so well.

Those who have a darker beard tend to have less visible gaps than those with lighter ones — hence giving the appearance of a thicker and fuller beard — despite there probably being the same amount of facial hair, all things being equal.

Firstly, we urge you to embrace the one you’ve got and quash any potential beard envy you might have. A lighter-colored beard is something to be celebrated not frowned upon—after all, it is quite rare. So this account is more intended to make the most of the beard that you’ve got rather than to completely change it.

So let’s examine how you can go about darkening the beard you’ve got to give the look of a fuller and thicker beard.

10 Grooming Tips for a Darker Beard

1. Apply Beard Oil Daily
2. Prune Your Beard
3. Separate the Hair Follicles
4. Don’t Dry Out Your Beard
5. Wear Darker Clothing
6. Use Beard Styling Products
7. Shape and Style Your Beard
8. Grow Out the Beard
9. Limit Sun Exposure
10. Die Your Beard

1. Apply Beard Oil Daily

Using beard oil is something that any guy sporting a beard should be carrying out. It’s got a tonne of benefits, including ensuring your beard hair remains strong, keeping your skin supple and leaving you smelling awesome.

Of course, just like dampening your hair , moisturising your beard with oil creates a darker look. You might even want to get a specialised beard-darkening oil. Either way, we suggest investing in a high-quality oil. If you are looking for a particular brand, we advise looking into the Beardbrand range, as they have a really high-quality level of beard oil production.

The best time to apply beard oil is just after a warm shower, when your beard is slightly damp. This is because your facial skin pores are more exposed than usual due to the heat, allowing the oils to seep in better.

2. Prune Your Beard for Split Ends

Split ends are the fuzzy curly bits at the end of the beard that look lighter than the rest of your beard. Firstly, you want to be preventing these anyway by regularly dousing your beard with a quality oil to prevent it from becoming overly dry.

You also want to make sure that when you find a split end, however, that you deal with it when you can with a pair of dedicated beard scissors. Don't just use any old scissors though, as this will likely cause more damage than the original problem you are trying to solve.

Snip it just under where you can see the breakage happen. Otherwise, it is just going to grow out again. Refrain from going snip-happy though. Be conscious in the snips you decide to take. If you are really unsure, we recommend that you visit a beard barber to help advise and take care of the issue for you.

3. Separate the Hair Follicles

A classic grooming aspect that many beardsmen forget to work on is simply combing out their beard. Sure, using oils and balms will do a great job for the health of your beard, but that’s only half the equation. Actually, ensuring your beard looks good is the other half.

This is where combs and brushes come in. Not only do they help to naturally spread the oils that reside on your face around the beard, but they also help to make sure it looks good. Plus, it prevents the beard hairs from becoming intertwined. This intertwining can lead to a patchier, lighter-looking beard.

Make sure you brush or comb your beard once or twice (and no more) every day. This will ensure your beard doesn’t create knots and will prevent it from getting split ends too.

4. Don't Dry Out Your Beard

This ties into the first point somewhat, as well and the sixth one. When looking after a beard, the main point is to try and prevent it from going scraggly and wiry.

This means that the beard is supplied with plenty of moisture, including from beard oil to top it up. You also want to ensure that you don’t dry out your beard through overexposure to heat. This typically comes in the form of guys using a hair dryer on their beard or, worse still, a hair straightener.

Why this works against you is that you are stripping the oils that reside on your beard strands. These oils help to give the appearance of a thicker and darker beard, as they lie on the hairs throughout. Ensuring that you are giving your beard the proper treatment and respect will do wonders for its overall look and health.

5. Wear Dark Clothing

Wearing a black or dark grey top—as opposed to a light-coloured or white T-shirt—is also a great way to ensure the look of a darker beard. Of course, it won’t make the beard actually darker. But the gaps between your beard will be less obvious when someone is looking at you.

Conversely, a white or light top makes the gaps pop in the beard, which can lead to it appearing thin and light — especially if light is shining at you and the color reflects this. A darker color will blend the gaps and make them harder to perceive at first glance.

What's the best color? The one that matches your beard. Though we’re not sure that many of you want to be rocking a dark brown T-shirt, so a black one is always a good alternative.

6. Use Beard Styling Products

Just like how you can get conditioning products for your hair and the equivalent for beards, you also get styling products for your beard, much in the same way you would for your hair. These are typically known as either a beard styling balm or a beard wax. Both are made of waxes and contain conditioning properties too.

What makes them different to a standard beard conditioning product though is that they offer a hold to them. This then allows you to style your beard and make the hairs lay flat and prevent them from sticking out.

They actually create a matte texture effect to your beard too. This allows the beard to look darker, as opposed to shiny, which is the appearance that beard oil can give.

7. Shape and Style Your Beard

We would also recommend that you head to your local beard barber and see what recommendations they might have for you to achieve the appearance that you want. They might be able to craft a certain style that complements your overall look and gives the appearance of a darker, fuller and thicker beard by focusing in on where it grows best.

Plus, there are other aspects that you can undertake as well to give the look of a fuller beard with regards to styling. With the use of a beard brush and comb, you can ensure that the shape your beard is styled and plays to your advantage too. Start to brush your beard inwards towards your face, giving it a darker appearance.

8. Grow Out the Beard

By growing out the beard further, of course, you are going to create the look of a naturally fuller beard (because you actually are). It will also allow the beard to appear darker. You can see this type of effect with a lot of beard time-lapse videos created over the course of several months. The beard starts off relatively light, but as more and more hairs start to grow and intertwine with one another, the hairs appear darker.

This gives you the look of a fuller and darker-looking beard. Just make sure that you up the quantity of oil that you are applying to your beard as it grows out.

You could even start to grow out your head hair as well to combine the look—especially if your head hair is darker than your bear— and to give the overall impression of darker facial hair.

9. Limit Sun Exposure

When you stay out in the sun for a long period of time, your hair starts to lighten up. Even my typically dark brown hair has attempted going blonde. The same thing will happen to your beard. When exposed to the sun for a long while, it is naturally going to start to lighten up.

You can protect yourself against this by simply remaining in the shade and making use of a range of beard-grooming products to try and reduce the impact. The best course of action though is to just stay out of the sun for long periods of time if you can.

10. Dye Your Beard

Of course, if you really want to darken your beard, dyeing it is the most effective route. I just want to express caution about this method, however, as the result can be sometimes disappointing if you don’t carry it out correctly. Although darker, the beard can look somewhat unnatural, like you just have on a beard wig.

Make sure you invest in a quality product, such as natural henna beard dye. You might even want to consider a professional carrying it out first, then you practice further when you get home.

Be sure to check out some of the comparison before-and-after shots for people who have actually used the range of beard dyes. Then you can ultimately decide if it is for you or not.

If you do have any questions or additional tips about darkening a beard, then let us know in the questions and answers section just below. We would love to hear them.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2019 Jonathan Lees

A beard-grooming enthusiast who writes about beard products, styling and other related facial hair trivia who also sports a beardstache.

Reasons Your Beard Won't Connect

If you are trying to figure out why and how to fix a beard that doesn’t connect with your mustache, this is the guide for you. This is a common issue that is raised amongst beardsmen, and it mainly comes down to genetics— and honestly, it’s not that big of a problem. That said, this is certainly something that can be addressed.

First, you need to know why your beard isn’t connecting to your mustache. Many times, it's simply a case of being very young and not having reached your peak beard-growing years. Sometimes there is a dietary issue, or your genetics simply won’t allow it. There are different reasons for different folks for why this might be happening.

That said, no matter the reason, there are several solutions available to you. What might work for one person may not work for another. So it’s about considering your options and carrying out the best one for you. Whether it’s ensuring you are getting enough biotin in your diet, whether you need to reach for a beard-growth pen or just you just need to mask the patch.

We’ll discuss all the possible options for you to make your beard and mustache connect, but first, we need to discuss what factors have an impact on your beard-growing potential.

Age

One of the most common reasons for not achieving a particular goal with your beard is age. Specifically, being too young. As you get older, your beard potential starts to increase. This is particularly true for those who are in their teen years as well as their early 20s. When you start to get into the late 20s and early 30s, you will have almost reached your peak beard potential. If you are less than 30, there is still a chance that your beard will naturally connect to your mustache. So there’s no need to worry about why your beard won’t connect at the moment. If you are past that age, it is likely due to the following issues.

Genetics

Genetics plays a huge part in a man’s ability to grow a beard. If you are over 30, and your beard isn't connecting, chances are, you’re going to need some outside assistance. Remember, though, genetics play across all aspects of your beard from the color, density of the beard and whether it’s patchy or not. Ultimately though, you can enhance your beard just like any other physical aspect of your body.

Neglect

Although your beard is largely dependent on the genetic aspect, there are additional things that are within your control. There’s what’s known as the inner beard. Is your body getting the right vitamins and supplements to grow out your beard to its full potential? Is your body getting enough rest and sleep to grow sufficiently? Do you make sure stress is kept to a minimum? There are outside aspects too. Are you caring for your beard? Do you supply it with a healthy beard-growing environment by using grooming products such as beard oil?

Time

This one is certainly for those who have just started to grow out a beard and are trying to find out more about the bearded lifestyle. Ultimately though, have you actually given it enough time to fill in the gaps with the beard connectors? You don’t want to be waiting for three weeks and then be wondering why they haven’t filled in. You should be asking yourself this question after three or more months. Your hair grows at different rates, where one part of your face starts off , the other is lagging behind. Give it time, and don’t rush it. Remember, your bathroom mirror is your worst enemy when it comes to growing beards.

Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Beard

When it comes to making your beard connect, make sure you identify the above causes first. Essentially, ask yourself the following:

• Do I have a healthy enough diet to justify good beard growth? If not, this is an area that you can work on.
• Am I old enough to genetically warrant a good beard yet? If you are 12, and wondering why you haven’t got beard connectors, chances are, there’s your answer. If you are 30, and haven’t grown them, please read on.
• If you are a beard beginner and wondering why it hasn't joined up after three weeks of growth, come back after three months and see if it hasn't.
• If you think it might be your weak beard genetics, then the next series of suggestions should be able to help you out.

Let’s take a look at the available options for you.

What You Can Do to Fix a Beard That Won’t Connect

Embrace It

I can almost guarantee that you don't like this suggestion already. However, this is the first recommendation simply because there is a range of really cool beard styles that you can pull off with a beard that does not connect. Check out styles like a goatee or a chin strap. We suggest you head down to your local beard barber and ask them for a bit of advice on making the most of your beard. You will be amazed at what they can pull off. In fact, you will probably be glad they don’t connect as the style overall is easier to maintain.

Potentially Stimulate Growth

There are techniques you can undertake to potentially stimulate growth. This involves increasing blood flow to the areas where there isn’t growth. This only tends to work where there are exiting hair follicles. A good way to do this is by investing in a good quality boar-bristle brush and running it through your beard.

Beard Makeup

Another option for you to consider is beard makeup. There is a range of makeup products out there that are dedicated to helping give the look of a fuller beard, as well as help connect beards to mustaches. A particularly good one we recommend is a beard-growth pen that can be used to help give the impression of hair follicles . These can appear very realistic, even up close.

Keep Growing

This is to take the three-month point further and keep growing your beard. This applies to your mustache as well as your beard. The extra length will give you further styling options to help cover the gaps. You can then start using beard styling balms, waxes and pastes. Products provide hold that you can cover up all the holes and gaps that your beard won’t fill in. So leave it, and keep on growing  it until it literally fills in. Then you can start to get creative when it comes to beard styling, which your beard barber can help out with.

Take Extra Care of Your Inner Beard

Make sure that your body is getting all the good things (and avoid the bad things) that your beard needs to grow. For instance, a good diet that includes plenty of biotins (you might need some supplements if you have a poor diet), as well as exercise (particularly pumping iron). Make sure you get plenty of sleep and avoid stress. These all have an impact on the level of testosterone your body is maintaining, as well as the nutrition that the beard hairs are getting. Both are vital for your beard to be the best it can be and will have an impact on how much and the quality of the beard hairs you can produce.

Invest in the Outer Beard

As touched on briefly above, the way you look after your beard from an external aspect will have an impact on how well your beard grows out. Invest in a quality beard oil that will help to improve your skin and the health of your beard. Make sure you exfoliate and moisturise your skin. Investing in beard grooming tools such as a comb and beard brush will go a long way to not only improving the look of your beard on a day-to-day basis but the beard growth aspect as well.

Cover It With Hair

You have the chance to cover the gaps with more beard. However, you could potentially cover it with the actual hair on your head if you grow it long enough and style it in a way that helps cover any missing beard connectors. Again, this is something that I would advise you to ask your barber. Make sure that you are also looking after your beard and ensuring the beard lays flat (rather than spiking out everywhere) to give the maximum coverage for your beard.

Other Beard Connecting Methods

There are other more drastic measures that you could take, such as using rogaine, potentially looking into beard transplant surgery or even microblading for beards. These three options require a word of caution and a lot of research to ensure this is actually what you want. I would recommend you look back to my first suggestion, and embrace the beard style you’ve got. However, we want you to be aware of all of the options that are available to you.

Let us know if you have any questions on how to make a beard and mustache connect, and we will be more than happy to help.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2019 Jonathan Lees

A beard-grooming enthusiast who writes about beard products, styling and other related facial hair trivia who also sports a beardstache.

How to Get the 10-Day Stubble Length

If you have done any research into facial hair attractiveness, you might have found that numerous studies show that a bit of stubble is the most attractive. Stubble is more attractive than being completely clean-shaven or having a full-on beard.

So you have an upcoming date, you might just want to skip the razor (or in the case of a long grizzly beard) give it trim down. Now that you know, you want to get a stubble though — how can you make the most of it? That’s exactly what we want to discuss right here.

1. Feed Your Stubble With Beard Oil
2. Use a Stubble Softener
3. Tidy Up the Stubble Beard Lines
4. Fade Your Stubble Beard
5. Make Use of Stubble Dye

Note: A 10-day stubble in terms of length and the mm you are looking at between 4mm to 5mm. So you will get somewhat of a light to heavy stubble.

1. Feed Your Beard and Use Beard Oil

Now you might be thinking that beard oil is literally just for those with a good solid beard, when in fact it can be very much used to help bring out the most in your beard stubble too. See, beard oil is basically a specialised concoction of carrier oils as well as essential oils. With regular use allows your stubble to be soft as well as smell freaking great.

If you take a look at the ingredients, you will see the likes of Argan Oil, Coconut Oil and a range of other carrier oils that all contain great hair properties that include strengthening, softening and basically bolstering the hairs. This will not only work great for the stubble that you are now sporting, however, but it will also work very well for the very foundations of your beard, your skin.

See, the main job of a beard oil is to not just keep the hairs themselves healthy but also help aid the oils that naturally reside on your face (namely sebum). It keeps the hairs moist. What tends to happen is that as you grow out your beard, they naturally soak up the oils that reside on your face that can leave it feeling dry and itchy (this combined with the fact that your hairs are shorter and stubbly) this is what causes the ‘itchy beard syndrome’ which causes a guy to shave it off (and repeat the whole process again).

So by applying beard oil, you are adding surplus oils to your face that can help keep your skin moist as well as the beard hairs, leaving you with a fresher looking skin, a non-itchy beard and not to mention due to the essential oils — you will smell fantastic as well.

In truth, if there is any tip that you want to be using from this guide to achieving the best possible looking stubble you can, it would be investing in a top-quality beard oil. If you are looking for a particular brand to do that with, I highly recommend the Beardbrand beard oil range, all fantastic beard oils that will really help to bring out the best in your beard as well as smelling absolutely great.

2. Use a Stubble Softener

Now as mentioned, using beard oil will definitely help to soften up the stubble beard somewhat. However, if you are particularly conscious of a rough stubbly patch — you can take further precautions to help soften up your stubble further.

For instance, you can use a product called Soft Goat, which is basically a pad that you can use across your stubble to smooth out the hairs. How this works is basically like the following.

When you shave or trim your beard, you are basically creating sharp jagged edges. That’s what you can feel as you brush your hand across your stubble and it feels rough — almost like a sandpaper type feel.

What Soft Goat essentially does after applying it a few times, will start to get those sharp-edged hairs and smooth them over. Creating a much smoother surface, and less jagged edges. This will then allow your stubble to not only be smoother but it will have a cleaner looking appearance too. Once using it though, I definitely recommend that you then top up your stubble with a few dabs of beard oil as it will also remove some of the much-needed moisture that keeps your facial hair in good condition.

3. Tidy Up the Stubble Lines

Now, to get the perfect stubble you need to make sure that it doesn’t go out of bounds. The styling doesn’t stop for the stubble just because you have trimmed it down to your desired length.

You need to account for the lines that you are making. There are two sets that you need to pay particular attention to. The pairs of cheek lines as well as the necklines. You don’t want to be going too low or too high.

The video below has a good demonstration of what and how to go about making sure they are in sync with one another. The general aspect to bear in mind is that they want to be parallel to one another and naturally contour your face.

Plus, ensure that you don’t follow the common but horrible beard and stubble shaping grooming error of mistaking your neckline for your cheek line. You don’t want to be clean-shaven underneath your chin. Otherwise, it looks like you have a range of floating hair upon your cheeks.

Instead, naturally, follow your jaw around but at about two fingers above your Adam’s apple. This is where your neckline should follow around. Make sure you take a look at the video to get a good understanding of this before you take a good quality beard trimmer to your beard.

4. Fade Your Beard Out

Now if you are looking to earn some extra style points — you can try some beard fading. This is basically where you can fade your beard into your hair or just fade it across your neckline.

You will need a sophisticated beard trimmer (or general clipper) to do this. However, if we start with your neckline. As you are sporting a 10 day stubble at roughly 5mm. What you can do, is set your beard trimmer down to around 3mm and then shave slightly inwards from your beard line all the way parallel to your beard line with about one finger in.

This gives the look of a faded inwards beard as it naturally draws the eye in to a faded out look.

A similar method can be carried out with your sideburns in the way it connects into a disconnected undercut style hair cut. Where the beard length joins up with the same length hair cut — with incremental fades that take place. See the video below for further explanation. However, this is quite an advanced undertaking for a first go — so I recommend either heading to your local barbers to get it done or at least trying it out a few times at home before you head out on a date.

5. Make Use of Stubble Dye?

If you are worried about sporting the odd grey hair or simply that your stubble is spouting a lot of different colours. Firstly, I think this is not a big concern and it can really add a lot of character to facial hair. That said, some guys can be conscious of this fact and hence I recommend that you reach for a dye.

You can natural dyes such as the Henna Dye to match up with your beard as well as other options. Ensure you follow the right instructions to get the results that you want. Then carry on with the above steps to make the most out of the 10-day stubble length that you've got. I'd recommend trimming and shaping up the beard first and then applying the dye. If you want, you could even get a professional to carry this out for you. However, there are plenty of great guides on there on how to do this such as the video below:

What If You Have Patchy Stubble?

If you have a patchy beard then that's absolutely fine. In fact, they add more character to stubble and you will see plenty of people rocking a mighty fine looking patchy beard. It doesn't need to be exactly uniform to look perfect. Much like, beard and stubble dye really aren't required - having a patchy beard adds authenticity to the stubble and it's only really the first three points that you might need to take care of.

Let us know how it goes with your quest to achieve the perfect stubble and if you have any questions or comments, then please let us know. If you want some studies to take a look at to prove stubble is the way to go, the see the following:

References

The Role of Facial Hair in Women's Perceptions of Men's Attractiveness, Health, Masculinity and Parenting Abilities (2013)

The Masculinity Paradox: Facial Masculinity and Beardedness Interact to Determine Women’s Ratings of Men’s Facial Attractiveness (2016)

The Effects of Facial Hair Manipulation on Female Perceptions of Attractiveness, Masculinity, and Dominance in Male Faces (2008)

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2019 Jonathan Lees

A beard-grooming enthusiast who writes about beard products, styling and other related facial hair trivia who also sports a beardstache.

Stop Your Beard Hairs Sticking Out and Get Them to Lay Flat

When you first start growing out a beard, everything is reasonably organised. Sure you might go through a slight itchy phase and a bit of a patchy beard, but on the whole, everything is neat and organised — besides there is not that much there to actually look after. However, when you start getting around the two month mark, you will find your beard starts to get a bit of out of control.

If your beard is particularly unruly, you’re going to have bits of your facial scruff stick out in every direction but the way you want it to go. That’s what this guide is going to be about — how to get your beard to lay flat and prevent it from sticking out everywhere (and give an overall darker beard look that looks fuller and neater).

Beard Grooming Products You Need

Firstly, we are going to cover your beard grooming arsenal and potentially what you might actually need to combat this. If you haven’t already got the following, I recommend you look into potentially purchasing them from a top-quality beard brand.

These are products are specifically designed to help keep your beard in top condition. In the same way that you might use argan oil for your hair or a conditioner, there are products out there that help to tame your beard and keep it healthy and strong (not to mention smelling great as well):

Beard Oil

Beard oil is pretty much your staple go-to product, it’s a concoction of carrier oils (that do the most good for your beard) such as coconut oil and argan oil as well as essential oils (that provide the scent). This is what you should be using day-in-day-out regardless of the state of your beard, whether you are 1 day in our 1001 days into growing your beard. It keeps the skin fresh, the beard hairs healthy, not to mention they offer come in a variety of gorgeous scents.

Beard Balm

This is also a conditioning product, very much like beard oil, however, is the ‘solid version’ — it’s basically a mixture of butters and waxes in addition to the essential and carrier oils. So it is great for your beard hairs as well as the foundation of your beard (your skin) but it also provides a bit of hold to the beard. This gives you somewhat of a styling capability.

Note: Using beard balm itself might well be the answer to help you to stop your beard sticking out and getting it to lay flat. This will only really work for those who have got quite a tame beard though and is only slightly unruly — where just a bit of help is needed.

Beard Styling Products

Now if we take the analogy of your hair again, like you get hair clays and hair pastes to style your hair. You also get beard products that are meant specifically to help how they look as well. The key with these products is that they often a high wax content along with a range of butter, this is what’s going to help give you the hold to help your beard lay flat.

Beard Styling Balms

Like we mentioned before, however, these beard styling balms usually have a much higher content of wax and butter content and can be used somewhat as a paste. This ensures that it is not only good for your beard but also helps you to style up your beard.

If your bead is quite unruly, this is the one you want to be going for. This where most beards will fall into.

Beard Wax

The clue is in the name, but a beard wax is majorly made up of wax and has a very high level of hold. They should be only really used for the most serious beards that are struggling to stay down. The reason being is that they tend to be quite discomforting for the beard and can feel somewhat greasy, so usually, try to avoid this.

Steps to Get Your Beard to Lay Flat

Follow these five steps to keep beard hairs from sticking out:

1. Wash your beard
2. Apply beard oil
3. Comb your beard
4. Apply beard styling balm
5. Shape with a beard brush

How to Get Your Beard to Lay Flat

1. Wash Your Beard

Ok now you have you got everything you need. It is firstly time to hop in the shower and give your beard a wash. Make sure the water isn’t too hot (as this can potentially damage the beard by drying it) but at a luke warm temperature and that you wash the beard with a ‘beard friendly’ conditioner (usually not the same stuff that you used for your head) and certianly not a standard shampoo.

A standard shampoo acts to firstly not only strip the natural oils that are within your beard (such as sebum) to keep it moist but it will also provide a coating that will prevent extra moisture from getting in. Great, for making it look healthy and shiny, bad for the actual beard.

2. Apply Beard Oil

Now, once you have washed and towel patted dry your beard to a certain dampness — you can apply some beard oil. This is a great time to do this as this is when your skin pores are most exposed. Continue to pat and dry off your beard.

3. Comb Your Beard

Comb it through to help spread the beard oil right throughout the beard and untangle potentially any beard hairs that have become intertwined. Make sure you do it in a motion that isn’t tugging on the beard — short simple strides is fine. If you prefer to use a beard conditioning balm here that’s fine too, but instead of a comb — I’d recommend reaching for a brush instead.

4. Apply Beard Styling Balm

Now reach over to the beard styling balm and emulsify it through your hand and start to spread it out across the beard and right through it. Then gradually start to shape it downwards towards your cheeks and face. Essentially, with the hold that the balm is giving you, you will be able to help it lay flat.

5. Shape With a Beard Brush

In addition to this, reach for the boar bristle brush and run it through your beard and do this regularly for a few weeks. This will start to train your beard to grow in a certain direction. You are essentially shaping it into place. Then for the really sticky out bits, either just give them a snip or reach for a wax to apply just to that particular section.

Still Got Beard Hairs Sticking Out?

Ok, you can take it a step further. However, this poses potential risk and damage to your beard, so you have to be incredibly careful as to how you go about straightening your beard.

You will need to invest in a beard straightener (basically a short hair straightener). The reason why this isn’t mentioned in the tools above is that in the long run they can be potentially harmful to your beard. You are applying a lot of heat to it, which can in turn, sap out the natural oil that resides in your beard, causing the hairs to go brittle and in turn weak and scraggly.

However, using it the correct way can help to achieve your flat beard (and is particularly useful for those wanting to get dressed up or might even have a beard competition coming up). Invest in some heat protection spray as well as getting a straightener that has heat insulation pads too.

The way you want to approach is much like before but the final step before adding any products is using the straightener. As soon as you are done with the straighteners, your beard will be crying out for some moisture — so be sure to add some beard oil with a comb straight after.

Please see the instructional video guide above to get more of an idea of what you can do to keep your beard laying flat and prevent hairs from sticking out.

Does Your Beard Need a Trim?

Failing this, it could simply be the case that your beard is due a trim. Head down to your local beard barber (who you trust with your beard) and get it a proper trim down. Then this will then give you the framework to maintain yourself for a while. Then use the beard styling balm to help you keep it under control.

If you are looking for a beard styling balm to try out, I would certainly recommend the range that Beardbrand offers in their white, silver and gold line (old money, certainly goes down as a personal favorite).

Then once that it is no longer working after a while, it will be time for you to revisit the barber (unless you are confident enough for yourself to sort out). Let us know how you are getting on with your beard and if you have any questions on how to keep your beard hairs from sticking out, please make them below.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2019 Jonathan Lees

Comments

Blow it out your ass on January 18, 2020:

I refuse to read this because the picture the man doesnt have a FULL beard. Thats what i had in 9th grade.

Jorge is a hairy guy with years of experience carrying a jungle of fur on his mug.

Good Reasons to Grow a Beard

Any reason to grow a beard is a good reason.

You know, I always found it funny that people even need reasons to grow a beard. If you think about it, hair just naturally grows out of your face for no reason at all (if you have the genetics for it, of course), so the question isn’t really why you should grow a beard—it’s why you would shave it off in the first place!

If you do nothing, hair grows. A beard is the default position. You have to do something to remove it, after all. And who wants to do something when you can just be lazy and do nothing?

This brings us to our first reason why growing a beard is a great idea:

1. Beards Are Convenient

If you have a beard, this means you haven’t been shaving, which is one less thing that you have to do in the morning when you wake up. Think of all the time you save by not scraping a sharp piece of metal over your skin every single day of your life.

Now, some people might say, “Actually, no! Having a beard is a pain because then you have to take care of it with beard oil and lotions and potions and—”

That’s where I would interrupt and point out an obviously false premise: that you have to “take care” of your beard. That’s ridiculous. That’s like saying you have to “take care” of the weeds that grow in your yard. They take care of themselves!

Similarly, your beard just grows. Maybe people say that you have to “take care” of it because otherwise it will be messy. Of course it’s messy! That’s what a beard is supposed to be like; it’s a forest of hair on your face. Trying to make it pretty defeats the whole purpose of a beard, which is to frighten people when you walk by them on the street.

2. Beards Make You Look Hairy and Wild, Like an Ape

I was going to say “like Tarzan,” but Tarzan didn’t have a beard because instead he had all the time in the world to shave his face. Either that, or he just couldn’t grow a beard.

If you want to add an extra flavor of the untamed wilderness to your look, then nothing gives you that ape-like flair than growing a beard. Thump your chest while you’re at it.

3. Beards Hide Blemishes on Your Face

You know what else is a waste of time? Putting on acne cream or worrying about any flaws on your face. Why not just grow a beard instead and never think about it? Beards are the best cure for vanity.

It doesn’t even have to be a specific blemish that you’re trying to hide. Let’s say that your whole face is a blemish and you consider yourself to be hard on the eyes—a beard will cover at least half of that travesty and give you a new lease on life. This is actually why Abraham Lincoln grew a beard, after a girl wrote him a letter to tell him that he should cover up his unattractive mug with whiskers.

4. Beards Strike Fear Into the Weak-Hearted

Are you antisocial and want people to cross the street to avoid you in public? Nothing says “I have fleas and know how to use them” like a scraggly, unkempt beard. People will be in awe of your power and will quickly move to get out of the way.

Either that, or they’ll assume that you stink or something.

5. Beards Make You Look Intellectual

This one seems counter-intuitive because you wouldn’t think the same thing that makes you seem like a skull-crushing badass would also make you look bookish, but it certainly can. If you think about it, it makes sense. Intellectuals are so deep in thought all the time, they don’t have the time to shave, and so it’s only natural that they’ll develop scraggly beards. Lots of great philosophers wore beards.

6. You Can Store Things in Your Beard

If your beard is sufficiently long, you can even start storing things inside of that small grove you have on your face. Actually, many times, your beard will catch stuff for your, like portions of your food that fall from your mouth while you’re eating. This way, you can save part of your lunch and have it later.

You might even be able to store less substantial things, like a tattoo. Who says that you can’t get a job if you have facial tattoos? No problem, just grow a beard over it and no one will be able to see it. If you get a tattoo of a beard, even better.

7. Beards Can Distract People From Your Head If You’re Balding

Hair is hair, right? Draw people’s eyes away from your thinning hairline and down to the thick, growing, healthy locks on your chin. If you’re able to grow enough hair on your face, you might even be able to snip some of it off and make your own toupee. It might be a little coarse, but it’s better than a shiny melon, right?

8. Beards Keep Your Face Warm in the Winter and Covered During the Summer

One of the most practical functions of a beard is of course to protect your face from the harsh environment during the colder seasons. Why stop at protecting yourself from the cold, though? A beard can also keep your face from roasting in the sun during the warmer months, too. If you’re going to the beach, that’s a handful less sunscreen that you have to use.

9. Beards Catch Flying Insects That Would Otherwise Land on Your Face

Hate getting bit in the face by mosquitoes? Give them less surface area to land on by growing a beard. They’ll get trapped in all those fibers and be unable to find their way out. At the end of the day, wiggle your beard and count all of the bugs that fall out.

10. You Save Tons of Money on Razors

Even with new innovations in the market, I still say that disposable razors are kind of a rip off. Even electric razors can be an extra expense that you have to deal with. Stay out of the rat race by avoiding razors altogether and going natural. After all, if nature intended for you to have a clean-shaven face, it would have gifted you this privilege already, wouldn’t it? Who are we to fight nature with our flimsy safety razors?

Be Natural, Be Hairy

While you’re at it, there’s no reason to groom any of your body hair at all. Just as with your beard, obviously it’s all there for a reason. You can argue with millions of years of evolution if you want, or you can go with the flow of life and throw out those silly notions of presentability. Body hair is good; it lets you retain that natural musk and overwhelm potential mates with your pheromones.

Don’t listen to people who say it’s unattractive. Obviously, they are just deluding themselves. Our ancestors were hairy all over and they seemed to have done just fine, so pay your respects to the apes that came before us and stay as furry as you can!

© 2018 Jorge Vamos

An enthusiastic reader and miserable writer, I hope to translate my interests in language, fiction, and history into interesting articles.

Why Would You Do this to Yourself?

If we're being honest with ourselves, safety razors are incredibly simple to use. The innovation of a razor head with multiple blades served to decrease pressure on the skin, limit the risk of cuts, and generally make shaving easier.

But there's something to be said for history isn't there? Since the discovery of copper, and its subsequent use as tools, men and women alike used single blade razors to remove body and facial hair. Plus, given common expectations for working men and women to appear hairless, shaving companies are more than happy to charge exorbitant prices for disposable razor heads that serve for only a few short shaves.

Reasons and benefits abound for both tools, and no one should be begrudged their choice of either. But because I'm particularly drawn to them, this article is about straight razors.

The Tools

I received my razor as a part of a shaving kit, on one fine Christmas when my fiancé decided I wasn't getting a close enough shave. To that end, my blade is from the Art of Shaving, nothing fancy, though with a factory sharpened edge and a wooden handle, it gets the job done. Due to the factory edge, I have yet to sharpen it or pick up a razor strop, so I can't comment on that particularity of the straight razor experience.

The kit also included a few oils, creams, brushes, and general accessories that I'll touch on in terms of their use, helpfulness, and whatever else I can imagine.

First off, the sample kit comes with a pre-shave oil. Ideally designed to lubricate the face and to minimize friction between the blade and your cheek, it can facilitate the whole not shaving off the top layer of your skin. I tend to shave only after a few weeks, so while the oil may help more on a smoother face, I tend to have a problem with too much hair and the oil effectively not adequately penetrating to my skin. That said, it smells nice, and I'm a sucker for making myself smell nice.

Second, you'll find yourself in need of shaving cream. Unlike what I traditionally have used, the shaving cream in my kit (smelling of sandalwood, how manly!) comes in a tube, like toothpaste, and is at times a little reluctant to come out, unlike the aerosols I'm familiar with. The more interesting tool that is paired with the cream, is the badger hair brush, used to distribute the shaving cream across the hair-afflicted area. An added bonus is that it makes me feel like a Victorian lord. Of course, if you're not into feeling like you go pheasant hunting on vast tracks of land with an entourage in tow, then feel free to skip the brush. Hands work fine.

Third, is the aftershave oil/lotion. My skin is particularly sensitive (I have to use children's sunscreen) so you can imagine that after shaving I look like a tomato and my neck and face feel as though I've sat in a particularly focused tanning booth for a few hours. So for me this is a necessity in terms of moisturizing. If you're of a hardier type, which you probably are, then you might be able to skip the it altogether or just use the lotion you'd use for anything else.

I have an additional item that my future mother-in-law bought for me separate from my kit: an anti-septic pencil. It serves to close wounds fairly quickly and I'd recommend everyone get one because you will cut yourself. Maybe you're a sushi chef, or a fencer, or a lumberjack, or maybe you're just preternaturally skilled in the use of sharp tools close to your hands or face or whatever. I am not, and I've needed it more times than I can count, so I cannot recommend its use enough.

Bonus item: there's also some anti-aging oil that came in my kit. Mine sits unused on my shelf. I haven't used it, maybe because of my hubris from being in my middle twenties. Will I regret it when I have crow's feet and laugh lines? You decide America!

Anti-Aging Oil: Necessity or Beauty Product Conspiracy?

Fear No Evil—Let's Do This!

Shaving with a straight razor for the first time is daunting. There is a real threat implied in its edge, and it's worth taking the time to consider your avenue of attack. Hot water is a necessity, as it softens the hair and further limits friction.

Another thing to stop and consider is how exactly you'll hold the razor and position it against your skin. Replicating the angle of your everyday-average safety razor isn't a bad idea, given that you will cut yourself if your angle of attack is too direct. I also hold the razor by the metal neck that connects it to the handle, pinching it between my thumb and index. Sometimes I'll switch to the surgeon's grip (index finger applies pressure from the back of the blade) depending on what part of my face I'm shaving.

I keep my Gillette around in the event that I need to touch something up, or I feel like I can't reach an area with my straight razor without severely harming myself. There's no shame in being careful and I always recommend it in lieu of rushing ahead.

Actually Doing Stuff

Now we're set. We've got our tools, we've thought about how we're going to attack the problem that is our hair. I shower before I shave because, as Patrick Bateman explains in American Psycho, it helps soften the hairs and frankly you'll need all the softening you can get.

I follow the advice on he labels of the products I've bought, starting with the application of that good old pre-shave oil.

Next comes the shaving cream, which I brush on after wetting the brush with hot water.

This leads into the shaving. The hardest hairs on those on your chin and side-burns (thanks again Patrick Bateman!), and so I often leave them for last.

As another general tip, shaving your neck for the first time can be pretty spooky, what with the whole knife right next to your jugular thing (if you shave your neck and all that). Personally, this is where I bring out my safety razor, along with my mustache and chin hair. Having cut my lip open more than a few times, I'm just a little cautious around them now.

Then, once you've sculpted your face into the beautiful hairless shape you want of it, you can apply the aftershave oil and then boom, you've been freed of the burden of your hair.

Of course, the actual labor of it is far harder than this article may make it seem. Take your time, work at it, and remember that your can only get better if you work at it!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Luke Castille (author) from Emeryville, CA on November 09, 2017:

Test

A beauty consultant and former hairdresser by profession, Jayne has been helping men and women improve their appearance for almost 20 years.

Learn how to properly trim and shape a mustache to keep it looking groomed and stylish. Find out, too, how to get the perfect chevron, horseshoe, or waxed handlebar.

As a former hairdresser who always enjoyed a sizable male clientele, I've handled more mustaches than I could possibly count. One thing I discovered is that most guys can wear a full beard, goatee, or balbo, but it's the stand-alone mustache that separates the men from the boys. To pull it off, it takes a certain inbred maturity and confidence.

But even if you have what it takes, a mustache can still make or break you. It's a question of finding a style and shape you feel comfortable with and keeping it properly trimmed and well-groomed.

How to Trim a Mustache

What You Need

• Mustache, hairdressing, or straight nail scissors
• Hair or beard clippers (optional)
• A fine toothed comb (preferably a mustache comb)
• An extra hand mirror
• Good lighting

Trimming With Scissors and Clippers

Use scissors to reduce length, and clippers to tidy and reduce bulk.

1. Comb your mustache downwardly.
2. Using the lip as a guideline, trim the lower contour with scissors. If you wet your mustache, remember that it will appear shorter after it's dried.
3. Run the clippers over your mustache downwardly. Use a longer size guard if you only want to clip hairs that don't lie flat, and a shorter one to thin and reduce bulk. Until you've gained more experience, it's best to start with a longer guard to prevent cutting off too much hair.
4. Comb again and trim away any hairs that stick out at the sides with scissors.

Trimming Without Clippers

If you don't have clippers, you can tidy and reduce bulk with a comb and scissors, as hairdressers and barbers do. The comb basically serves as a guard, but getting the mustache symmetrical is more difficult than with clippers, especially if you want to thin out more radically.

Tidying

1. Run the comb lightly over one half of the mustache at such an angle that hairs that don't lie flat poke through its teeth (see photo above).
2. Snip away offending hairs, working from the center.
3. Do the same on the other half of the mustache.
4. Comb and trim away any hairs that stick out at the sides.

After you've finished, use an extra hand mirror to view the profile, checking that all hairs lie flat.

Thinning

Hold the comb upside down and push it under the mustache. Pull it slightly away from you until only the hair length you want to trim pokes through the teeth.

Trimming the Philtrum

Cut a nick into the center of the mustache at the bow of the lip. This suggests the philtrum (the groove that runs between the nose and mouth), which is considered one of the most attractive features of the human face. You may have noticed that James Franco shaves his philtrum completely when wearing a mustache.

How Often Should You Trim a Mustache?

Trim your mustache about once a week. If you dye it to cover grays or even out color, do this before you trim. The color will then seem less saturated and more natural.

Mustache Styles

The three most popular mustache styles today are as follows:

• the chevron
• the horseshoe
• the handlebar

Which you choose depends mostly on your personality. The handlebar is certainly for the more extroverted, the horseshoe suits the free-spirited, and the chevron is for the man who feels very at ease with his masculinity.

The Chevron

The model featured above is sporting a chevron, but its most famous wearers are probably Taylor Rice, Tom Selleck, and Burt Reynolds (above).

Shaping Your Mustache to a Chevron

Keep the ends more or less level with the corners of your mouth, and trim along the lip line or just below it. You can allow it to get bushy, but make sure it's always tidy.

If your face is very thin, it's recommended to shave the ends so that the mustache is no wider than the mouth. You may need to do this, too, if you're in military service. Trimming above the lip line is often another stipulation.

If you grow out a chevron until it covers the top lip or even the whole mouth, it becomes what is known as a "walrus". This looks super manly, but eating and drinking can become awkward.

The Horseshoe

The horseshoe is named not only after its shape (an upside down horseshoe), but those who traditionally favor it, too: truckers and bikers.

The horseshoe, trucker, or biker mustache is basically a chevron with ends that extend to the chin, which are called "pipes."

Shaping Your Mustache to a Horseshoe

The easiest way to create the horseshoe is by first growing a goatee. When length and thickness are substantial, simply shave off the chin, leaving the "pipes" intact.

Men with long faces should avoid this style.

The Waxed Handlebar

The handlebar is so called because it resembles the handlebars of a bicycle. It can make its wearer seem slightly eccentric, as it does the British humorist Michael Attree, or extremely attractive, as it does the models Greg T. Brown, Nathan McCallum, and François Verkerk.

Shaping Your Mustache to a Handlebar

Some men part their mustache at the philtrum and brush it towards each end where it's then curled up, either with or without wax. The trouble is, this tends to look scruffy.

For a groomed appearance, trim the main body as you would a chevron so that it can be combed downwardly, but let the ends grow. After a couple of weeks, you should be able to start curling with wax.

Which Mustache Wax?

Choice of mustache wax depends on the type of curl you want. For a natural-looking curl, use a soft-setting product, like Taylor's of Old Bond Street. For a more defined curl, go for something that sets stiffly and holds firmly, like Brother's Love Bavarian Moustache Styling Pomade—this one is available in clear and hazelnut. Most men find that a stiff-setting wax works better during the early stages of growth.

If the main body is unruly, "train" it and keep it under control with a soft-setting wax.

How to Apply Mustache Wax

Your mustache should be completely dry before applying wax.

1. Rub a tiny portion of wax between thumb and index finger.
2. Spread the wax through the length of one end only, then shape to an upturned curl. Work quickly if using a stiff-setting product to prevent it balling up.
3. Do the same on the other end.
4. Inspect for perfect symmetry and tweak if necessary.

If applying wax to the main body, use a mustache brush or a soft toothbrush, working from the philtrum outwardly.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2015 Jayne Lancer

Comments

Jayne Lancer (author) from West London, UK on August 30, 2016:

Thank you, Fish.

It sounds like a sort of Mexican mustache.

fish on August 02, 2016:

i have a chevron/horseshore with extended side going down to my bottom lip. My mustache is like the horseshore butt shorter sides. mustaches rule thank . fish

Jayne Lancer (author) from West London, UK on April 14, 2015:

Thank you, Mary615! I can imagine you never need to visit the hairdresser, unless your daughters live far away. At least they could take it in turns - I'm the only one in my family, so I end up having to do practically everybody's hair. :)

I'm quite the opposite of you where facial hair is concerned. I'd never let my husband get away with shaving completely!

Jayne Lancer (author) from West London, UK on April 14, 2015:

Thank you, Susan! It's actually much easier than it may seem. The only difficult part is getting it absolutely symmetrical.

Jayne Lancer (author) from West London, UK on April 14, 2015:

Oh yes, Kirsten. I'd love to see a few more of them about. :)

Mary Hyatt from Florida on April 13, 2015:

I have three daughters who are barbers! I enjoyed reading this, but I have to tell you I prefer a clean shaven man.

Great HOTD. Voted Up, etc.

Susan Deppner from Arkansas USA on April 13, 2015:

Great instructions! Seems like a lot of work, but if a guy likes wearing a mustache he certainly should keep it neatly trimmed, whichever style he prefers. Congratulations on your Hub of the Day!

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on April 13, 2015:

You've very wlecome Jayne. I hope you're right. It could be attractive on some men who man-scaped their facial hair.

Jayne Lancer (author) from West London, UK on April 13, 2015:

Thank you, Kristen! I've noticed an increase in wearers over here, which was my inspiration. Let's hope it continues. :)

Jayne Lancer (author) from West London, UK on April 13, 2015:

Thank you, Agvulpes! I love the way Emiliano Zapata looked with his mustache, at least in the photos I've seen. But the chevron is tidier and less conspicuous.

Jayne Lancer (author) from West London, UK on April 13, 2015:

Thank you, MySuccess8! As far as the photos are concerned, it was a choice of Tom Selleck or Burt Reynolds. I decided on Burt. :)

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on April 13, 2015:

Congrats on HOTD, Jayne. This was an interesting hub on how to trim and shape a mustache. Very useful for men! Voted up!

Peter from Australia on April 13, 2015:

I have had my 'mo' for about 50 years in one form or another, sometimes coupled to a beard!

Nowadays it is mainly a chevron and modified to a Zapata at times, when I get lazy! Then back to the chevron lol

mySuccess8 on April 13, 2015:

Growing and maintaining a well-groomed mustache can enhance the attractiveness of men. As a former hairdresser, you have shared some interesting tips on its proper care for the different styles and shapes. I love your example of Burt Reynolds', one of my favorites. Congrats on Hub of the Day!

Jayne Lancer (author) from West London, UK on March 26, 2015:

Thank you, pstraubie48! Your grandson sounds like a very smart young man.

Jayne Lancer (author) from West London, UK on March 26, 2015:

Thank you for the kind words, Venkatachari M! Most men I know who have had to shave it off end up missing it very much.

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on March 26, 2015:

This made me smile as it reminded me of watching my Daddy trim his when I was a wee bit of a girl

Now my eldest grandson has a mustache and a goatee...and he takes great pains to keep them looking just so!!!

No doubt this hub will be of benefit to those in need of such instruction.

Angels are on the way to you this morning ps

Venkatachari M from Hyderabad, India on March 25, 2015:

Very interesting and beautiful article. You have explained everything so clearly with good supporting images. I used to keep the chevron moustache till I reached 45. After that I removed it due to maintenance reasons and other reasons and keep clean face now since then.

Thanks for giving guidance to those who need it. Voted up.

Penelope is retired but teaches English in Rome. She is a published feature writer, playwright and poet. She loves local Italian customs.

Mustache, Beard Trimming

I'm passionate about my man's facial hair. His beard has the perfect combination of masculinity and softness when it's at that perfect length. I especially love when his mustache is trimmed around his lips to show what a fine mouth he has. It is a totally different story when he is not trimmed.

He's losing his hair now, and what hair he does have left has gone gray and is very fine. I gently trim his hair up with a pair of scissors (a good pair that I keep in the bathroom) because he doesn't have a barber. Sometimes, I trim his beard after he shaves with his electric razor, and I trim his eyebrows because he has some crazy single hairs that curl upwards.

I suggest investing in a very good pair of small scissors and keeping them in a safe place in the bathroom. I really must do the same. (Have made note).

Trimming Unwanted Facial Hair

The barber hasn't been an option for us ever since he started losing his hair. When I notice his hair is getting too long, I suggest he trims it. This takes us to the persuasion phase where I have to navigate around millions of excuses like, "My beard keeps me warm" and "I will, later." Eventually, he will trim it, and allow me to get at all the bits that have begun to over-grow. I've found the hardest part about male hair maintenance is the persuasion phase because it can last a few days (it's best not to argue.)

Eventually, (hopefully within the first 24 hours of the major beard- trimming performance) the opportunity will present itself, and it will be time for you to grab your scissors. Take advantage of when he is reading his newspaper, watching a game, or listening to a radio play million miles away.

Electric Shaver

Tips for Mens Facial Hair Grooming

1. After you notice that one unruly hair on his eyebrow has grown up to his forehead, suggest that you be allowed to trim it. Swiftly grab those scissors when you get the green-light. It is just ONE hair. There are usually two of them above each brow. You get to both sides, and you're done!
2. After you notice the hair in his ears looks like it needs cutting, trim the hair inside one ear close to the skin. There are not many snips, he will sit still for this.
3. There will be a few hairs on the lobes—get rid of those.

The Benefits of Trimming Your Man's Facial Hair

It's economic. Once you have found the style that you both like, and you've found the right way to trim it, you'll always have his hair, his beard and his mustache looking nice and presentable. This means he won't ever come back from the barbers looking like the wrong man. Plus, the intimacy involved in the process keeps you both close.

Comments

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on December 22, 2014:

Graham, your wife knows best. Vanity in a man can be really charming!

Thanks commenting. Appreciated.

Graham Lee from Lancashire. England. on December 22, 2014:

Hi Penelope. A first class hub. I have worn a beard for 12 years now. I have recently trimmed the 'full set' down to a chin beard. I'm not sure if I like it. My wife does and says I look younger; O vanity, vanity. I think It will be regrown before to long. Tip Top.

voted up and all.

Graham.

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on April 21, 2013:

Life wouldn't be worth living together without the love and the trust would it?

Thanks.

LongTimeMother from Australia on April 19, 2013:

Awesome hub, GoodLady. Isn't it wonderful when your fella trusts you! When my husband wants a trim he wanders outside into the garden with a chair and pair of scissors, and takes a seat in the sunshine. It has become as familiar and cozy as sharing a hot chocolate by a warm fire.

I imagine for some couples, though, the process could be far more stressful. lol.

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on April 15, 2013:

Glad you enjoyed it and many thanks for being so up about it with nice comments (especially about my handsome man!)

Marites Mabugat-Simbajon from Toronto, Ontario on April 15, 2013:

Good Lady, you are, and great handsome man you have! I really enjoyed the tips you've given here and so amused with the accompanying photos. Good job! Congratulations too!

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on April 11, 2013:

Oh she'll be doing it again when she's sick of seeing you look like someone else often enough, Im sure.

Thanks for dropping in.

Phillip on April 11, 2013:

Mary used to do this for me but she's given up for the moment, lucky S.

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on April 11, 2013:

True CozyPozy. A bit like chimpanzees really. Thanks for your sweet comment.

CozyPozy from USA on April 11, 2013:

Your hub really made me smile. What a wonderful way to show your love & keep close.

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on April 11, 2013:

Thanks so much for looking at and liking this post everyone!

It's being a lot of fun. Fun to do, to write and share.

Appreciate your comments Victoria Sheffield, The DirtFarmer, rebeccamealey, SimeyC, Toytasting, pinto2011,ytsenoh

Cathy from Louisiana, Idaho, Kauai, Nebraska, South Dakota, Missouri on April 10, 2013:

Good for you and your subject and your companion's help on this subject--some people don't like to read about unwanted facial hair, BUT some people NEED to!! Love it and glad you made Hub of the Day. You earned it well. Tips and images and writing all nicely done. Have a good week!

Subhas from New Delhi, India on April 10, 2013:

Very nice ideas and interesting hub.

Toy Tasting from Mumbai on April 10, 2013:

Hey GoodLady, this is an interesting post. Congratulations on HOTD!

Simon Cook from NJ, USA on April 10, 2013:

Brilliant hub - and one I must show my wife!!!

Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on April 10, 2013:

This is an evil thought, but this somehow reminds me of that scene in The Color Purple where Oprah "shaves Mista".

Jill Spencer from United States on April 10, 2013:

Congrats on HOTD! I sometimes shave my husband's neck between his haircuts, but maybe I should expand my repertoire. Thanks for the tips!

Author Victoria Sheffield from Georgia on April 10, 2013:

cute!

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on April 10, 2013:

Beard rash hm? Too many minutes of being too up close? Nice problem wouldn't you think? Joking. Well, maybe. Thanks so much for dropping in and enjoying the party. I'm so enjoying all these stories.

Suzanne Ridgeway from Dublin, Ireland on April 10, 2013:

Hi Penelope,

Great hub, congrats on a well deserved HOTD! Really interesting and what a hunk you have in Tuscany by your side! My partner only sees facial hair on the lazy days as I got beard rash and didn't know what the hell I had! Have done some trimming for him but will keep this close by for further tips you shared! Great hub, voted +++++

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on April 10, 2013:

He's a very handsome man now, thanks!

Appreciate stopping by.

Bajazid from Sarajevo, Bosnia on April 10, 2013:

Great job, now he is younger for 15 years at least. Congratulate for your HotD!

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on April 10, 2013:

So we're two peas in the same pod then cclitgirl, now that's nice isn't it? Love finding folk who do the same things I do beecause I like doing those things! Nice of you to pop in and share. I appreciate it, thank you.

So amazing to get the HOTD for this quirky Hub! I'm very pleased about it.

Cynthia Calhoun from Western NC on April 10, 2013:

Penelope - this is freaking awesome. I love this. :) My hubby has the same kind of mustache/beard and it's just so...wonderful, LOL. I love your tips, too. My hubby doesn't go to the barber, either...he actually trims his own and I trim my own hair, too. :D

Congrats on your HOTD!

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on April 10, 2013:

I got mine to let me take the pictures when he was watching a game and just too tired to resist. I sneaked on him with jut that one hair routine, then said, I'm going to make a hub of you. I think he's kind of vain (?). Anyway, it was all lovely to do and just so fun that it was turned into a HPTD.

Your guy seems to have wonderful hair. Bless.

Thanks for such a great share Sharkye11

Jayme Kinsey from Oklahoma on April 10, 2013:

Awww...beautiful hub. Great job with all the photos too. My husband will gladly let me trim his facial hair, but he would never allow me to take pictures. Not even for a hub! I love that you enjoy doing this for your partner. That is sweet!

Great tips too. I recently talked my husband into growing his goatee into a full beard. He had had the goatee for years and all the other bikers had the same style. He already has beautiful shoulder-length gray hair that curls wonderfully. I get to do all the trimming on that, and have to help him with the beard and mustache in the growing-out stage to make sure the lines are even. It is a lot easier than doing a full shave on a guy--hated that job in the nursing home!

Great hub! You do a wonderful job keeping your guy handsome. Congrats on HOTD!

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on April 10, 2013:

Thanks, SAM ELDER, we're pretty close! The beard is a major attraction of course. Thanks for comment.

moronkee. I know what you mean about trimming our children's hair. We know how cute they are, so we know how to make them look just great. It doesn't cost a thing! Yea.

dellea- I like a bit of humor in a comment. Thanks. Getting that balance just right sounds like a fun challenge.

ComfortB. Glad you enjoyed my Hub. I had a lot of fun doing it too. Thanks you for comments and congrats.

Natashalh. Hi! Your guy in college had a mind of his own. I wonder where he is no and how he keeps his hair. Maybe he's cut it all off and likes a bald look. Wonder how he'll be when he gets to his sixties. It all changes then and they have to make do with what they have (left?). Thanks for share.

Greatly appreciate your comments and so enjoy this HOTD surprise!

Natasha from Hawaii on April 10, 2013:

Congrats on your hub of the day! I'm used to seeing your recipes and such, so this was certainly a change of pace!

I dated a guy in college who was a grooming nightmare! He would let his hair go for years without cutting it. It looked great shoulder length, but not back length! He would do basically the same with his beard.

Comfort Babatola from Bonaire, GA, USA on April 10, 2013:

You are good! Love the details and the images in this hub. Used to help clip my husband hair when there was hair. He's gone bald now, totally!

Enjoyed reading this, and congrats on the HOTD award.

dellea on April 10, 2013:

This is a difficult topic for me. When I shave my face gets prickly and it makes my wife's face itch when we kiss... but when I let it grow too long it gets fuzzy, annoying and itchy for me... it's hard to have an equal balance. What's funny is the fact that I smoke cigars... if my mustache gets too long and bushy I occasionally catch part of it on fire, then I have to trim it up :)

Moronke Oluwatoyin on April 10, 2013:

Your hubby looks cooool after the trimming. I like trimming my son's hair because it is economical.

An interesting hub.

SAM ELDER from Home on April 10, 2013:

LOL , Very close couple :) nice article :)

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on April 10, 2013:

Yea! Thanks Yvonne!

Yvonne Spence from UK on April 10, 2013:

Yay! Congrats on your HOTD Goodlady!

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on March 18, 2013:

It can happen to the best of us! Enjoy it all as it happens. It's all fun really.

Nice of you to stop by thank you.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on March 18, 2013:

I am glad I don't have those issues, so far so good.

bretthov on February 20, 2013:

will have to prod her as she doesn't think she can do it

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on February 19, 2013:

Glad you agree that 's fun; you have to get your partner going on this then!

Thanks for you comment and welcome to Hub Pages bretthov

bretthov on February 19, 2013:

nice post - good reminder for us guys to pay attention to the details. wish my partner would trim me up - would be kind of fun to have her in control with the trimmers and scissors!

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on February 19, 2013:

It sounds as though you have a great relationship too. Letting you get near their balding hair is quite tender isn't it. Nobody ever imagined getting thin on top, but to share it with your wife or girlfriend is really sweet I've always felt.

Oh, you can do it divacratus!

Many thanks for reading and commenting on my article. Appreciated.

Kalpana Iyer from India on February 19, 2013:

Wow! You have done a really good job. I wouldn't trust myself with this task at all considering how clumsy I can get with a pair of scissors.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on February 19, 2013:

I think it is nice that you trim his facial hair. I have trimmed my husbands and given him haircuts as well. I've only done that since he started losing some of his hair, but it is nice that he trusts me to come near him with a trimmer. I am no barber. I enjoyed your hub. It sounds like you two have a great relationship.

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on February 19, 2013:

It get's us close! I like being in control too. Love the way he looks and thanks for liking him too Susan. (I'm not telling him).

tillsotitan, thanks for votes fellow cutter/trimmer. Do you prefer him without a beard? Mine has to look the way I like him too, though he thinks he does what he likes. It's just a great game really.

Mary Craig from New York on February 18, 2013:

And I am the third, nice job Goodlady. My hubby hasn't been to a barber in over twenty years, I do all the cutting and trimming. He gave up his beard though, said it made him too hot!

Voted up, useful, and interesting.

Susan Zutautas from Ontario, Canada on February 18, 2013:

I know Al wouldn't let me trim his beard or mustache but he might let me trim his hair. I agree with Melovy that your man looks great!

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on February 18, 2013:

Compliment taken kind man! Thanks for linking - that's just great.

Jimmy the jock from Scotland on February 18, 2013:

Another well presented and written Hub by you Goodlady, link recriprocated.....jimmy

Penelope Hart (author) from Rome, Italy on February 18, 2013:

It's easy, well it is for us Maybe because his hair is thinning!

Many thanks for commenting!

Yvonne Spence from UK on February 18, 2013:

Interesting hub. I'm not sure my hubbie would let me near his facial hair though, I don't think I've got your skills with scissors. The before and after photos show you did a great job!

Valerie lives in Birmingham, Alabama and writes about fun things, like recipes that really work!

Vintage Gillette Adjustable Safety Razors

The Gillette adjustable double-edge safety razors of the mid-twentieth century—including the Fatboy, the Slim Adjustable, and the Black Beauties—have become popular both for shaving and collecting.

These models have an adjuster beneath the head, that allows you to raise and lower the razor blade to control the closeness of the shave.

These classics make lovely gifts for a man who enjoys wet shaving. Their style and quality bring back the memory of fathers and grandfathers lathering up!

You can find vintage razors in many places—your family's attic, flea markets, yard sales, or thrift stores. In many cases, the razors were put away dirty and wet, and left to corrode and even rust. How can you decide if it is worth buying?

We'll be looking at some old, grimy adjustable razors, and seeing how to evaluate their condition.

Check for a Razor Blade!

Vintage razors at flea markets and yard sales will often still have an old, rusty blade inside. It may be difficult to see under the grime, so don't run your fingers over the finish until you have opened the razor and discarded the blade!

End Caps

Sometimes the endcaps have fallen off—make sure they're present and not loose. The end cap is decorative, not functional, so its loss would not affect the shave.

Razor Doors

Make sure that the razor doors are closed completely and evenly.

Finish on Doors

Look at the finish on the outside of the doors. A brassy color could mean the finish is worn off. Also, look for pits and scratches. This photo shows how the camera and a bright light bring out the small scratches.

Inside

Check the inside corners for rust or verdigris. It will take some work to clean there. You can see that the inside of this razor has a yellowish shellac-like film, that will be hard to remove.

Also, look at the center, the depression under the center bar. This area is likely to corrode badly, and it's almost impossible to remove more than light build-up from under the bar. If there's rust here, the razor will likely need professional cleaning and replating.

Handle Finish

The handle is another place that's likely to show wear. Look at the knurling from different angles to detect brassiness.

Underside Corners

This is another place likely to rust, and difficult to clean.

Date Code

The date code is a letter and number between the Gillette logo and the handle. The letter tells what year the razor was manufactured, and the number what quarter of the year. Many people collect razors made in their birth year or the year of some special event; others try to collect a whole series of years, sometimes with one from each quarter.

Gillette Date Codes

• Date and Feature Guide for Gillette Razors and Blades
  

Adjuster Knob

Turn the adjuster knob. It should turn freely, clicking at each number and the dots between the numbers. This adjusts the blade exposure gap, which let you control the closeness of your shave.

Adjuster Numbers

The black paint in the adjuster numbers and dots is usually one of the first things to wear off. So if you find one with the paint still dark, that's a sign of little use. But wear is not a bad fault—you can easily repaint the numbers.

Open the Doors

Turn the knob at the bottom of the handle to open and close the razor doors. The knob should turn smoothly, and the doors should close straight and tight. Any stickiness is a bad sign, though sometimes it can be fixed by cleaning.

Should You Buy the Razor?

You've completed your inspection, and have a good idea of the razor's condition. But should you buy it? That depends on what you want.

• If you're looking for a daily shaver, you may not mind a worn finish or scratches. But you'll want to be sure that all the mechanisms work smoothly, and that the finish isn't eaten through with rust.
• A collector is usually looking for the best possible condition, so you may not want to buy a razor that's too grimy—it can be hard to tell what damage and wear is hidden under the scum.
• For a collection, you'll want to be very wary of the red and green of rust and verdigris, since this may mean significant holes under the grime. Though if the mechanism works and it's a razor you really want, you could have it replated.
• If you're collecting particular years, or want a complete set of date codes, you may want to take a risk on a less-desirable razor, which you can sell when you get a better one.
• Which leaves the ones with broken adjusters, stuck doors, missing parts, and rust pits. If you enjoy tinkering and rebuilding things, pick these up cheap for parts and experiments. Some can be repaired, and others replated.

Video: Shaving With a "Fatboy"

Demonstration shave with the Fat Boy. Note how he lathers up three times, each time shaving in a different direction. This technique gives the closest, smoothest shave. Also includes interesting technical details about the razor.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2012 Valerie Proctor Davis

Would You Shave with a Safety Razor? Yes, Women Shave with Safety Razors, Too!

S K goel on July 11, 2019:

I have one, black handle bought around 1980. Now screw of shaft has a backlash. Need one new

Dale Szajek on June 18, 2017:

I've used my Gillette double edge slim adjustable razor since it first came out 1961. Received it for Christmas, it replaced my father's old brass one from the 1930's. Still works wonderfully, only problem is the nickle is wearing down to the brass. I thought they were stainless steel. Best razor ever made for durability, comfort and balance. Need a pristeen plastic box to retire it when I die.

Joe Mackey on May 12, 2017:

Where can I buy the Gillette Classic slim adjustable razor? On mine the doors are a mm wider on one end and I don't know if this can be fixed!

Larry on February 05, 2017:

Great article! I am waiting for the delivery of my first Fatboy Gillette. I have returned to double edge safety razor shaving. Anyone who has not tried it simply doesn't know how good and pleasurable an experience true wet shaving can be. It takes time to develop the technique. Its better for the environment and the money I save by not using disposables I can now apply to collecting vintage razors.

Sergeant Prepper on November 17, 2016:

I have been collecting safety razors since I was a teenager. I have double-edge honing devices & a Rolls Auto-strop razor that is like new. I have shaved with just about every kind of razor except a straight-razor and prefer the cheap Personna twin-blade above all others.

I do believe shaving for men is, for the most part, just a moneymaking racket. However I retired from the military ten years ago and still shave almost everyday.

rick-herman-568 on March 20, 2014:

I've shaved most of my life with one (since about 12), and always will, from now on. Sure, I've cheated, a few times, when I've had trouble getting blades locally, but the safety razor always gives the best shave. I've unfortunately lost 5 of them, but I intend to hang on to my current one until it falls apart. Currently, I have a Gillette Fat Boy I rescued from an antique store 5 years ago, for $2.50. Sure, it was grotty, but it made it cheaper than a shiny "looks like new" one, and cleaned up perfectly with a boil in dish soap.

Dawn Romine from Nebraska on October 28, 2013:

My Dad used these razors his whole life and my 24 yr old son just announced he bought a Gillette Fat Boy and has using it, saves him money and says he gets a closer shave.

robertzimmerman2 on January 04, 2013:

No thanks! I like the double edge disposables with the lube strip. But I could see collecting them. Small, not too expensive, still out there in enough numbers to find, etc. Thanks for the cool article!

anonymous on January 03, 2013:

As soon as I saw this lens, it brought back memories of my dad in the 1960s.

artmarks on December 14, 2012:

I remember that my father used one of these to shave. They are great.

anonymous on November 16, 2012:

The "Black Beauty" you refer to is often call a super slim adjustable.

poutine on November 04, 2012:

My husband has one of those and likes it.

Ahdilarum on October 29, 2012:

I think, this has become now antique model

Kay on October 29, 2012:

I am just such a fan of disposable razors. I think these are neat though!

Anna is a New Yorker writing about her globe-trotting, culinary, and healthy living adventures. Plus, she loves sharing beauty finds.

My girlfriends and I started doing the mustache thing back in 2008 or 2009, sort of like a joke because it was fun and silly. We sometimes pasted all sorts of mustaches on our upper lips when we went out to lounges in New York. Sometimes we also wore our mustaches as uni-brows. It was hilarious!

It's been a couple of years since then, and I'm really surprised to see how much the trend has caught on. It's even gone international! Last week, I went to a wedding in Portugal and one of the main photo shoot props that everyone started rocking was the fake mustache. Interesting, I thought!

This article explores the trend of the fake mustache and different "'stache" ideas you can try out.

My advice: Embrace the mustache. It's an awesome way to liven up any event!

Mustache Humor

There's a picture of Sean Connery that's been re-posted lots of times over the internet and the heading says, "I mustache you a question but I'm shaving it for later." I bet you read that with a Sean Connery accent!

The Origin of the Mustache Trend

It's believed that the fake mustache trend originated with hipsters as a way to mock conventional ideas of fashion and style. It's meant to be ironic. My friends and I started using them because it was silly and fun!

First we drew skinny Dali-like mustaches on our fingers to make fingerstaches and then we came across some felt fake mustaches at a store that sold party favors. We didn't just use them as mustaches. It was equally fun to use them as uni-brows!

Everyone should be able to rock a fake mustache, not just guys who can grow them out.

Below are some mustache style ideas.

Moustache Finger AKA the Fingerstache

A finger mustache, AKA a fingerstache is a mustache drawn on the index finger. My friend and I usually did this with a black eyeliner. You can do the fingerstache thing by drawing a mustache on your finger and placing it under your nose to pose for pictures. It's a great alternative to wearing a fake mustache, which starts to itch pretty soon after you paste it on.

The trend to draw mustaches is believed to have originated as a copycat version of a mustache tattoo that was the brainchild of Columbus, Ohio-based tattoo artist Giovani.

Mustache on a Stick AKA Stache-on-a-Stick

Another way to flex your masculine side, if you're not quite ready to wear a fake mustache or draw one on your finger, is to sport a mustache on a stick AKA Stache-on-a-Stick. It's a mustache mounted on a little pole, and it's probably edible. You can pull yours out when the situation calls for it.

Fake Mustache Day!

Did you know that fake mustache day is celebrated around the world? Yep, Fake Mustache Day is on February 3rd. So even if you're not into the whole false 'stache thing, at least do it on Mustache Day!

Movember

Movember is a cause that has added to the mustache hype. Movember is a combination of the words November and mustache. It refers to the month of November when men are encouraged to grow their mustaches for the entire month to raise awareness and funds to help research prostate cancer as well as other types of male cancers.

Did you know that one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime? These are the kinds of stats that the Movember movement is spreading.

Women can also support the Movember movement by participating in Mo Sista.

Fake Mustaches and Beyond!

Although the mustache thing started with people wearing mustaches on the upper lip, it's gone a lot further than that lately. There are mustache coffee mugs, jewelry, t-shirts and one thing that I want to get my hands on — a clutch that's shaped like a mustache!

Mustache Terms & Synonyms

Looking for other words used to describe that furry patch above the lips? There are lots and lots of terms to consider, including:

• Abbreviations like stache, tache, tash, and mo.
• Slang terms such as lip blanket, mouth brow, trash stash, face caterpillar, crumb catcher, cookie duster, flavor savor, soup strainer, and booger broom.

Thinking About Shaving Off Your Mustache? Watch This Hilarious Video!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

What do you think of the mustache trend? Leave your comments!

Jo Jo on June 09, 2019:

Age old behavior. If only men can do it feminism says anyone can do it! No they can't. = ) Hipster douche bags know no gender. Female hipsters are just as bad. Fake mustache day? = ) I know there's a phrase for this, somber

somewhere. Thinking, oh yes. Picture William Shatner telling trekkies to "Get a life".

Mike on November 27, 2018:

It just shows what hopeless clones 50% of the population are.

M.weems on January 20, 2018:

Pretty sure its sexual. Look it up.

Cassie on September 03, 2017:

I did the finger stash thing back in 2003 with my highschool friends way before hipsters.

Chuck-Dickens on January 06, 2017:

This was never funny or clever. The fact that tween girls did it should be evidence enough of that. But they can be excused for being young, ignorant and easily amused.

Adults have no excuse.

Just no. on June 29, 2015:

They could have thought of a less childish way of supporting cancer...( this is coming from someone with cancer) I also think 98% of the people are not using it for any cancer reasons. They just think it's "fun & silly." A bunch of people are saying that here....So..Two different things. Getting more childish as time goes on I guess. Couldn't they think of a better symbol? Not flattering for women. Coming from a woman. Not something I'm diving over the counter to wear. I'm not old what so ever. I never thought it was funny or cute. Never. Not before or after cancer. So thx. i'd consider it more of a belittkemsnt to ppl suffering with any type of cancer, everyone running around with these ridiculous mustaches. It does not look cute or funny. Also, trying to take credit for a "worldwide fad" is very interesting. Thank you for that level of comedic balance in your story.

barb bauer on May 19, 2015:

Sounds like a bunch of haters out there !! it's all in fun and or a good cause and there are way more important things out there that u could gear that hostility towards !! Are the "hipsters " hurting u in any way ?

Ed on May 07, 2015:

As bad as any trend there ever was. Anyone who mimics a hipster is an idiot, regardless if they know they're doing it or not. Might as well just go all the way and get tats from head to toe, destroy your ear lobes with enormous gaged earrings, and permanently work in the service industry (meaning you're a bartender at some dive). Get out of my town.

olivia on December 15, 2014:

My friends and I would don fake mustaches in 2005 and drive around town and go on spy missions

slim on August 07, 2014:

Wack as hell, im glad I grew up in the 90s

Toni on July 13, 2014:

It is the dumbest thing ever thought of and whoever started needs to be punished severely. ALL BAD

Played Out and Shot Out

jim on May 12, 2014:

I started a new trend the " booger on a stick ", It's hilarious. Everyone thinks you have a booger hanging out of your nose and the best part is it's safe for the environment.You can eat said booger afterwards since it's made with real boogers. You have to think green these days.

Dale on May 06, 2014:

This is a horrible article, horribly written by a horrible person.

bettyboopfan on March 17, 2014:

Who cares who come up with idea or how ridiculous it may be. It's a passing fad. Least some are promoting it for a good cause. My 80's "higher to heaven aqua net hairsprayed" hair was a fad. And all it did was cause a hole in the ozone.

this makes sense on March 12, 2014:

Seven Nightly News aired a story in 1999 featuring a group of young men in Adelaide, South Australia who coined the term "Movember" and the idea of growing moustaches for charity throughout the month of November.[12] In the news report, members of the Adelaide-based "Movember Committee" explained how they came up with the idea for Movember one night in the pub. The group started with 80 men from Adelaide and soon became a nation wide phenomenon. They also aimed to raise money for the RSPCA through selling T-shirts in what they termed "Growing whiskers for whiskers".[12]

In 2004, an unrelated group in Melbourne, Victoria organised an event where 30 men would grow a moustache for 30 days in order to raise awareness for prostate cancer and depression in men.[13][14] This group would later become the Movember Foundation charity.

The Movember Foundation has since raised $174-million worldwide,[15] after spreading to South Africa and Europe, reaching North America in 2006.[6][7] In 2010, participants in the United States alone raised over $7.5 million.[16] In 2012, 1.1 million people signed up to participate, raising upwards of $95 million.[17]

Mrs. Tee on December 21, 2013:

it's like hearing the same joke over and over again, after a while it's just not funny anymore.

deb ziems on December 15, 2013:

I have been baffeled for years about this fad. Until now. If its just like the pink ribbon for breast cancer, weather I like it or not I will support prostate cancer awareness and Movember. I can think of more rediculous things people do for a lesser cause... so the mmonth of november and february 3rd you will see me rockin a stupid stach. I'm not too proud to do it. It looks silly but I do silly things for charitys all the time. Singer/Songwriter Deb Ziems Nashville Tennessee.

Gwenn Lewis on November 26, 2013:

So as I sit here recuperating from surgery, I am browsing and just reading little nonsense articles ( if you will).

I must say my Mothers words come to mind " if you haven't anything nice to say, say nothing.

Didn't we all get raised with those words of wisdom?

Sometimes people just want to be silly. Frankly if a mustache makes

them feel fun for a minute or a day and it isn't hurting anyone, why would anyone such as "Gack" feel the need to be so rude.

You apparently have no manners or a sense of humor .

Lighten up, life is too short!

Gack on November 18, 2013:

I think it looks ignorant. I get sick of all the "high society" getting together in the ridiculous "photo booths" while they are smashed and pulling out the "stashes". Nothing more pathetic than a bunch of fat, ugly women putting a fake mustache up to their noses. Most of them don't need to because they already have a real one there.

What! on November 12, 2013:

Seven Nightly News aired a story in 1999 featuring a group of young men in Adelaide, South Australia who coined the term "Movember" and the idea of growing moustaches for charity throughout the month of November.[12] In the news report, members of the Adelaide-based "Movember Committee" explained how they came up with the idea for Movember one night in the pub. The group started with 80 men from Adelaide and soon became a nation wide phenomenon. They also aimed to raise money for the RSPCA through selling T-shirts in what they termed "Growing whiskers for whiskers".[12]

In 2004, an unrelated group in Melbourne, Victoria organised an event where 30 men would grow a moustache for 30 days in order to raise awareness for prostate cancer and depression in men.[13][14] This group would later become the Movember Foundation charity.

The Movember Foundation has since raised $174-million worldwide,[15] after spreading to South Africa and Europe, reaching North America in 2006.[6][7] In 2010, participants in the United States alone raised over $7.5 million.[16] In 2012, 1.1 million people signed up to participate, raising upwards of $95 million.[17]

Bueller on October 28, 2013:

If our civilisation happens to be an experiment allowing observers to monitor our intelligence, the experiment could be prematurely terminated due to this. Please don't do it.

marion langley from The Study on July 05, 2013:

voting up! My brother in law loves the fake moustache movement and participates in the november grow out every year three years running. He has done it all, the pasties, the finger-stache, the mo-stick, and the real thing. He never explained there was a cause behind it...maybe he just did it cause it was fun. Now I know a little more than how cute my daughter looks with one on. :-) Thanks for writing!

mai2cents on July 01, 2013:

I get the joke, but ugly is ugly. I agree that we shouldn't take fashion or personal style too seriously. So go ahead and rock your ugly mustache, Ill laugh at you.

... It is funny-cute on pets, babies, and g-mas (so is everything).

craze on May 23, 2013:

i love mustaches cuz there fun and weird and goofy :D i go walking down the mall and u have everyone looking at you then u can wave like your the queen of england :D i got a mustach glasses at clars i love them!! they are bright yellow then i have a other pair that is zebra colors black and white i have like 2 kinds of mustaches im a girl so i would only wear a plasic mustache i don't like fake hair on my lip and its just a little to weird for me lol

Sheila on April 05, 2013:

"It's believed that the fake mustache trend originated with hipsters as a way to mock conventional ideals of fashion and style. It's meant as an ironic piece. My friends and I started using them because it was silly and fun! "

maybe you found it fun just cos you are hipster ...

Stupid on March 23, 2013:

It never seemed funny, clever or the least bit entertaining to me...people are so simple minded.

other guy on March 21, 2013:

I think Josh is a hipsteer

Josh on March 04, 2013:

It isn't "hilarious." Like most hipster trends it is annoying, cloying and full of the self congratulatory vibe that is so common in hipsterland. Lastly, if your goal is to look as unattractive as possible "rock" the fake mustache. For some reason many women find it funny, and "silly," but it looks foolish. One more step in emasculating our society.

Billy on February 20, 2013:

Not sure but it's grow huge and there are entire Mustache Stores now with some pretty crazy stuff. Haha!

Allen-Michael Harber from New Hampshire on September 01, 2012:

At my last Academy we had a day where we all made fake mustaches and wore them around the school. There were all different ones from some of the most crazy to the simplest ones as well. It's a fun game and activity to play with friends as well.

Chantele Cross-Jones from Cardiff on August 06, 2012:

Lol I never got the trend, but have plenty of friends who did it for a luaght and I even have friends who had a wedding anniversary party with it as the theme! Hillarious!

Anna (author) from New York, NY on August 03, 2012:

Hi Virginia! I wish there was an Earthbound near me... I checked out their website but they don't have a NY location (yet). Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Virginia Kearney from United States on August 01, 2012:

I was just in Earthbound today and noticed a bunch of fake mustache items! Thanks for explaining what it is all about!

I like writing about a variety of topics, including personal hygiene and facial hair grooming.

I decided to switch razors a few months ago, just as a trial run. Previously I’d used the Gillette Fusion Power and was determined to test the (Schick) Wilkinson Sword Quattro Titanium Energy and see which was best. I wanted to stick with the vibrating (or micropulse) type of razor, and in the UK there aren't many available by either Wilkinson Sword or Gillette. The Quattro Energy was a serious contender. Here is a quick comparison and joint review of the two.

Note: Schick is the company name when marketed in America and Australia. When marketed in the UK the company is called Wilkinson Sword.

Visual and Design

Both of these razor's designs and colour schemes leave something to be desired. It's not that they're awful per se, it’s just a little juvenile. Cast in dark blue and grey with orange highlights, the Gillette Fusion Power looks a little like something escaped from Noddyland. The Wilkinson Sword Quattro Titanium Energy, with its sharp lines of sky blue and white looks more like it leapt out of power rangers.

In terms of ergonomics, the two are quite different. Fusion Power basically keeps to a shape Gillette has used since before the Mach 3, a cylindrical shaft with some shaping for comfort and grip and a short curl on the end with slight flaring out to the blade. The Quattro has a slightly narrower handle at the point of grip while the section that sits in your palm is slightly wider than the Fusion Power, with a much more pronounced deeper curve flaring out to the blade. Both are reasonably comfortable to hold with more weight than generally found in plastic razors.

I actually prefer the design of the Quattro, at least when shaving, as the deeper curved head makes it easier to shave, easier to see and easier to angle. This is entirely a matter of preference though and as I prefer greater control, I tend to move my hand down towards the blade. The weight is better than the Fusion Power too, tending to be a little heavier while still maintaining balance.

Both of these razors came in cheap plastic flat lying cases. Having previously purchased a Quattro Titanium Precision Freestyle that came with a plastic upright storage case with suckers to stick onto the shower wall, I’ve adapted that to hold the plain Quattro. While not a great point of contention, both of these razors should come with something like the freestyles case. It saves space, it’s more convenient and it doesn’t get grimy necessitating a cleaning every week. It also dries the blades in a downward fashion which is better for them.

As an aside, The Fusion Power appears to come in a number of models such as ‘Stealth Power’ ‘Phenom Power’ ‘Fusion Gamer Power’ and straight ‘Fusion Power’. As far as I can tell, and do correct me if I’m wrong, the only difference appears to be the colour scheme.

The Cartridge and Blades

These are both multi-blade cartridge razors where replacement cartridges click onto a holding system on the head. A note on this is that the Fusion Power system rather sturdier than the Quattro. The first time I used the Quattro, I pinged the cartridge off the handle and nearly sliced my face open, you have been warned!

Both cartridges have systems that allow them to change angle, to pivot on the razor handle. The pivot system and the click-on hold system on the Quattro are one and the same. Two outward-facing (and rather flimsy) sprung loaded plastic clips on the handle slot under curved rails at either side of the cartridge, both holding the cartridge onto the handle and allowing movement of the head to give variable angles whilst shaving.

On the Fusion Power, the hinge is built into the cartridge itself making it two-piece with the handle clicking into a cover. Both razors have a sprung loaded pin in the middle to keep the head in a forward position and allowing it to flex backwards on the hinge as you shave.

Blade Difference

The cartridges have a colour changing gel strip along the top. This supposedly delivers cooling gels of vitamins and aloe while the fading colour indicates when you need to change it. In practice, the Fusion Power strip either comes off in big clumps or fades very quickly when used in the shower, and the Quattro never seems to fade at all. Along the bottom is a kind of textured rubber piece, designed to pick up the hair off the skin and direct it onto the blades. I don’t know if this actually works.

The most obvious difference is that the Gillette cartridges have five main blades and one rear blade while the Quattro only has four main blades and one rear blade. Fitting more and more blades into the cartridge seems to be the current space race between the various razor companies. How much of it is a gimmick, and how much is real benefit seems to be a matter of opinion.

Some people maintain that although there are many blades, they don't have the shaving effect of covering the area five times while they do have a skin irritation factor. All I can say is that with the Fusion Power, I do notice less tugging than the Quattro although that could be other factors rather than the blade count. The Gillette cartridge does have a higher surface area though, which I think helps.

The blades are actually mounted differently to each other in the plastic surround too. The Fusion Power blades sit in tilted slots at either end of the blade, supported by small hard plastic arms that extend a little down the backs of the blades. The cartridge case is basically flat. The trimmer blade sits in a metal surround on the top of the cartridge.

The Quattro’s, while being much more difficult to see, appear to be tiered almost flat, one above the other, and set into the sides of the plastic case. They also appear to have a very thin wire wrapped at seven points across the four blades and round the back. Presumably, this supports the blades and stops the angle changing or the blades moving. The cartridge case is sort of triangular, so when it sits flat on the handle, the blades are angled upwards. The trimmer blade sits in a plastic surround at the top of the cartridge.

Result of the Blades

The net result is that the Fusion Power has a much more open blade set up and the Quattro’s is quite obscured. I would guess that the Fusion Power blades are fractionally more angled too although that’s just a visual.

The Quattro’s marketing point on blades is that they have a thin strip of titanium along the edge in an effort to keep it sharp for longer. I personally feel they'd be better physically thinning the blade a lot, adding a few ppm more carbon to create a single piece harder steel blade and making the spacing between blades a lot wider. Both the thickness of the blades and the narrow spacing carry problems I’ll go into later.

In terms of how sharp they stay, a comparison of time the cartridge lasts puts Gillette out in front by about a week of shaving. I keep a Quattro cartridge in for about two weeks and a Gillette in for three. Both depend on how long and when I shave though.

Good Vibrations

While the Judges are still out (literally in some cases) on whether the whole vibration thing is just a gimmick, for me it’s a real benefit, however, it works (and there are many theories). There are slight differences in the vibrations of the two razors. Just holding the two in my hand the Fusion Power has a lower frequency of vibration. I would guess that the offset weight that creates the vibration is larger or more offset in the Fusion Power than the Quattro. You can hear that the pitch of the noise is higher in the Quattro. Honestly, without fixing a Fusion Power cartridge onto the Quattro handle and vice versa, I couldn’t tell you how much of a difference it makes nor which is the better if either.

The Shave

Following how they look and work comes the real question, how good is the shave? In order to test this, I've shaved with one at a time and both. The one at a time merely involved shaving with one of the razors for a week or so and seeing the results. As this can depend a lot on how your skin is at the time, I've done this at random times over a couple of months. Shaving two at a time, I shaved with Fusion Power on one side of my face and Quattro on the other. I also got my other half (who has a keen interest in making sure my face is as smooth as it can be) to pronounce on the results.

The first thing I noticed is that quite apart from how they ranked against each other, they are a long way ahead of the non-vibrating versions, at least for me. There was very little tug, much less abrasion and irritation and generally a better result. The second is that aside from having a stunningly better battery life and not sounding like an accelerating moped, the Quattro Energy is much better at shaving (for me) than the Quattro Freestyle.

I have to come right out and say it, but in my opinion, the Fusion Power is much better than the Quattro. Even shaving against the grain, the Quattro had a tendency to give a very patchy shave. If I was being thorough, I'd dry my face, check for the patches missed, reapply, water, oil and foam and do it again.

Obviously shaving twice really really irritated my skin, so I only tried this when I really needed a smooth shave. By comparison, the Fusion Power most often shaved relatively close without going against the grain, and patches missed were small, usually around problem areas such as the sides of the lips and just under the chin. A few additional strokes on these areas, and they were fine too.

I also found the Quattro ‘grabbed’ more, and I was left with a few tiny little cuts, even on cheeks where shaving is easy. In comparison, I’ve never cut with the Fusion Power, not one little nick. This by itself makes me choose the Fusion Power.

Conclusion of the Test

The net result of getting a full shave the first time is not only a better shave but also less irritation to the skin. Much less. It’s also possibly a reason why the Fusion Power blades last longer, realistically, I’m using them less because they do the job first time around.

A secondary issue with the shave is rinsing the blades. I find it almost impossible to thoroughly clean the Quattro’s blades. They clog up with foam and hair very quickly, and it seems to sit between the blades even when run directly under the showerhead. As the blades clog up, the ability to shave gets worse. This also means that the razor is never really clean, and spreads bacteria on my face every time I use it. Aside from a hygiene issue, that doesn’t help my skin complexion at all! In marked contrast, the open arrangement of the Fusion Power blades means I’ve never had a problem with this.

Shave a bit off…The Cost

One of the key factors influencing my trial of the Quattro was the price of cartridges. At normal Boots prices and even online, the Quattro cartridges are just shy of half the price of the Fusion Power, even when you buy the straight Fusion blades and not the ‘Power’ variety.

Admittedly the construction isn’t as good but on something I throw away every couple of weeks that matters, not a jot. The only thing to point out is as I get better use out of the Fusion Power, it evens the price per day gap quite considerably, and only the initial outlay is a little eye-watering. Unfortunately, if I want to keep using the Fusion Power, I’ll have to pay the cost, but it’s not an ideal situation for me.

Conclusion

Although I do prefer the economics and the ergonomics of the Quattro, the shave is just not anywhere close to that of the Fusion Power. The Quattro tatters my skin, leaves me with razor burn, doesn’t shave fully and doesn’t clean properly. In short, 9 out of the 10 things a razor is supposed to do, and the most important ones at that, the Fusion Power does better. This is a fairly speedy conclusion but there isn’t a lot to say. If I’m ever feeling evil, I’ll gift the Quattro and remaining blades to my girlfriend, but I don’t think she wants them either.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2010 Lymond