When I was growing up, mustaches definitely weren’t something you associated with stylish, well-groomed guys.
But trends come full circle, and right now, the mustache is officially back, and I think it’s here to stay. On the right guy—and groomed properly—it can look masculine, stylish, and incredibly cool. Just remember: growing the mustache is the easy part. Knowing how to groom it is what makes the difference.
The problem is, there’s a fine line between a mustache that looks masculine and sexy and one that looks awkward. If you’re going to rock one, you’ve got to groom it properly.
How to Rock a Mustache Without Looking Ridiculous
The first and most important rule is you need to be able to see your lips. Never let your mustache grow down into your mouth. Use a grooming tool to follow the natural edge of your upper lip and keep those hairs under control. It doesn’t matter how long or thick you want your mustache—the hair should never be curling into your mouth.
Second, don’t trim your mustache too thin. A great-looking mustache should start naturally underneath your nose. When guys shave too much away and turn it into a thin pencil mustache, it looks overly groomed and you immediately start seeing stubble above it as the hair grows back. Leave the natural thickness, but clean up any stray hairs around your nostrils.
Next, focus on the corners of your mouth. If your mustache stops at the corners, taper the sides instead of leaving them big and square. If you want it to extend beyond the corners, you can leave the sides more natural—but I wouldn’t let it extend much lower than the bottom of your lower lip. Once it gets too long, you start entering handlebar territory, which is a look very few guys can pull off.
I also think a mustache often looks better when there’s something underneath it to create balance. A soul patch or beard-stache combination can look incredible. Riley Green is a great example: longer mustache, soul patch, and some beard or stubble. If you’re interested in trying a mustache but aren’t sure you can pull off the standalone stash, adding some stubble is one of the safest, most universally flattering ways to wear it.
There are also a few styles I personally wouldn’t recommend. Super-long, waxed, curled mustaches aren’t my thing, and neither are wild, untrimmed ones. You also need enough density to make a mustache work. If your growth is extremely sparse or inconsistent, forcing a standalone mustache probably isn’t your best facial-hair option.
Ultimately, your mustache should match your personal aesthetic. If you’ve got a rugged style, you can wear it thicker, fuller, and slightly longer. If your style is cleaner, more polished, and gentlemanly, keep it shorter, tighter, and more defined.
