Updated date:

Nov 26, 2019

What's Up With the Fake Mustache Trend?

Author:

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.

Your 'stache guide
By Yana Segal, CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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:

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!