Picking between mustache styles is mostly a question of how much attention you want. A tidy chevron goes unnoticed in the office. A waxed English mustache starts conversations on the train. There are plenty of options in between.
It’s Movember, so plenty of guys are growing one out for the first time. The awkward phase is real, but it gets a lot easier once you know which shape you’re growing toward and how to trim for it.
Below are 17 real mustaches worn by real men, running from low-maintenance to full showpiece. Each one comes with a practical tip on how to grow it, trim it or keep it in place.
1. Chevron Mustache
The chevron is the default men picture when they think of a mustache: thick, full and trimmed so it just covers the top lip. Here it’s paired with a short, neat haircut and a rugged jacket, which keeps the look grown-up rather than retro.
Comb it straight down after a shower and trim along the lip line with small scissors. Leave the corners slightly wider than the center for the classic sloped shape.
2. Pencil Mustache With Dark Sunglasses
A pencil mustache is narrow, short and sits a few millimetres above the lip. With aviator-style shades and a striped tee, it reads like a modern take on old Hollywood instead of a costume.
Use a trimmer with a 1–2 mm guard to keep it thin, and shave a clean line above it every couple of days. The precision is the whole style.
3. Short Tapered Mustache
This one is full in the middle and fades out toward the corners of the mouth. It’s a good first mustache because it looks deliberate even when it isn’t fully grown in yet.
4. Natural Everyday Mustache
Not every mustache needs a name. This is a natural, lightly trimmed growth that sits just over the lip and pairs easily with a cap and casual layers.
Trim it every week or so and leave the rest alone. Keep the cheeks and neck clean-shaven so the mustache reads as a choice, not a skipped shave.
5. Mustache With Light Stubble
If a mustache on its own feels too stark, keep two or three days of stubble around it. The mustache stays the focal point while the stubble softens the jawline and fills in the face.
Set your trimmer one length longer on the mustache than on the stubble so the shape still shows.
6. Mustache With a Bald Head
A bald head plus a well-kept mustache is one of the sharpest combos out there. It adds structure to the face, and with a suit and tie it looks polished and confident.
Grey hairs can be coarser and wiry, so a drop of beard oil helps it lie flat. Trim it slightly shorter than you would a dark mustache, since grey tends to look bushier.
7. Salt-and-Pepper Mustache
Silver hair and a thick salt-and-pepper mustache work better together than fighting the grey. The fuller shape here balances the lighter hair and makes a big smile look even bigger.
8. Thick Mustache With a Short Boxed Beard
Pair a thick mustache with a short, tightly kept beard and you get a balanced look that works under a baseball cap. The mustache is kept slightly longer so it still stands out.
Use a 3 mm guard on the beard and scissors on the mustache. Keep the cheek line low and natural instead of carving it high.
9. Thin Handlebar With a Skin Fade
This is a handlebar for guys who don’t want a giant one. The tips curl up lightly, and the sharp skin fade and textured top make the whole thing feel current.
You’ll need about 6–8 weeks of growth at the corners. A pea-sized dab of mustache wax, twisted between two fingers, holds the curl all day.
10. Classic Full Handlebar
Dense, dark and curled at the ends, this is the handlebar most barbers picture. A short side part and an open white collar keep the overall look clean, so the mustache gets all the attention.
Train it by combing out to the sides every morning, not down. After a few weeks the hair starts growing in that direction on its own.
11. Wide Sweeping Handlebar
When the handlebar extends well past the cheeks, it becomes a statement. A backwards cap and hoodie keep it from feeling stuffy, and the result is pure personality.
Length this wide takes months, so skip trimming the corners entirely. Only tidy the hair over the lip so you can still eat in peace.
12. English Mustache
The English mustache is long, parted in the middle and pulled straight out to the sides with wax. This one is a dramatic example, with tips curling back toward the ears.
A stronger wax with beeswax and a little resin is a must here. Warm it with a hair dryer for a few seconds before shaping.
13. Victorian Mustache With a Goatee
Curled tips plus a pointed chin beard give you a full Victorian look, and the slicked hair and striped cravat make it look like a period portrait. If you like vintage dressing, this one fits the outfit perfectly.
Keep the cheeks completely bare so the mustache and goatee read as two clear shapes.
14. Thick Curled Desi Mustache
This style is popular across India and Pakistan: thick, glossy black, and lifted at the tips with a confident curl. It’s bold and traditional at once.
Brush it upward at the corners with a small mustache comb before adding wax. The lift starts at the root, not just the tips.
15. Handlebar With a Full Beard
A heavy handlebar resting on top of a full, rounded beard looks rich and dark, especially against a white shirt. Keeping the beard edges tidy stops the whole thing from looking wild.
Wax only the mustache, not the beard, and use a beard balm underneath for softness.
16. Twirled Tips With a Trimmed Beard
Here the mustache tips are twirled into fine points that lift above a well-shaped beard. Wearing it with traditional clothing, a slick hairstyle and a confident pose turns it into a full look.
Twist each side between finger and thumb, always in the same direction, so the point stays tight.
17. Villain Mustache With a Long Beard
The boldest of them all: dramatic curled tips sweeping up from a long, dense beard. The creator calls it the villain stache, and it’s impossible to miss.
This needs real length, a strong wax and patience. Shape the tips last, after the beard is brushed and balmed.
Tips for Growing and Trimming Any Mustache Style
Grow first, shape later. Let it grow for 4–6 weeks before deciding on a style. Short hair can’t tell you much about your natural shape.
Match the shape to your face. Round faces suit a chevron or a handlebar that adds width at the corners. Long faces look better with fuller, wider styles that break up the length.
Trim it dry. Hair shrinks when it dries, so trimming a wet mustache usually means cutting off too much.
Coordinate with your haircut. Sharp fades pair with clean, defined mustaches. Pairing a bold handlebar with a pompadour or slicked-back hair gives a sharp vintage look, while a buzz cut lets almost any mustache become the focal point.
If your hair is naturally curly, as covered in our guide to curly haircuts for men, your mustache probably has some curl too. A bit of wax goes a long way in keeping it tidy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular mustache style?
The chevron is the most worn mustache style because it is easy to grow, easy to trim and works on almost every face shape.
How long does it take to grow a handlebar mustache?
Most men need about 2–3 months to grow corners long enough to curl. Wider styles like the English mustache can take six months or more.
How do I choose a mustache style for my face shape?
Round faces suit styles that add structure, like a chevron or handlebar. Long faces look better with wider, fuller mustaches. Square faces can carry most shapes.
How do you trim a mustache without ruining it?
Trim it dry, comb it straight down, and cut along the lip line in small snips. It’s always easier to take off more than to wait for it to grow back.
