When your moustache first grows in and is formed just the way you like it, it can look magnificent. The moustache is a time-honored symbol of manliness and a surefire sign that you are in control of your facial hair. It doesn’t always stay that way, though. Your moustache can become unruly and unkempt after a while. It can get out of control and need a trimming from time to time.
How do you wrangle your moustache without mangling your moustache? How to properly trim a moustache so that it still looks the way you want it to and doesn’t get trimmed too far? It can be tricky, and if you haven’t tried to trim the moustache yourself, you may run into some problems. We are going to show you how to keep your manly facial hair and keep the look you are going for while still maintaining a trimmed, tightly groomed look. If you don’t know the tricks of the trade, you may give up in exasperation and just shave the whole thing off. That would be a waste of a good moustache and a crying shame, so read on to get some help trimming your moustache.
The Right Tools for the Job
Before you can start your trimming work, you need to have proper tools on hand. You can do all the trimming with a hair trimmer. There are probably different settings and blade attachments you can use, and while those can help you get a more professional look, you will probably be fine with the default attachment, especially when you are just starting out. Let’s not make things too complicated at first.
Scissors work really well too, but they aren’t the best tool to use on their own. they work well when partnered with the trimmer. The scissors can get the longer, way out of control hairs, and the trimmer can take care of the shorter hairs.
We recommend using a trimmer with stainless steel blades so that your moustache is trimmed evenly and easily. Anything less than that may cause problems, especially if you use the trimmer over several years.
How to Trim a Moustache
First off, don’t start trimming until you have some hair their to justify a trim. Let it grow and see how you like the length before you decide to cut some of it off. You can always cut off what you like when you are ready, but you can’t grow it back very fast. It’s better to be cautious and ensure you are waiting for the right time before you start whacking away at the hair above your lip.
You also need to maintain the moustache. One of the first rules of how to trim a moustache is to make sure it is properly groomed. You want to get rid of loose hairs by combing through the moustache. You should also comb all the hairs in the same direction, if possible. That might not be possible if you have a handlebar moustache, but for most styles it is perfectly reasonable to comb everything the same way.
You should comb the hair before you shave. This helps you see how long all the hairs are in relation to one another. They won’t all grow at the same speed, so some hairs will need to be trimmed and others won’t. Combing the hairs when it is time to shave lets you see what the situation is and judge accordingly. If you regularly groom your moustache, it will be a lot easier to get the hairs to cooperate when it is time to trim.
Before you take the trimmer to your moustache, wait! You need to consider a few things. First of all, what kind of moustache are you going for? You don’t trim a handlebar moustache the same way that you would a toothbrush moustache or a painter’s comb moustache. Secondly, you need to consider what length you want the moustache. Should it be long or short? Trim accordingly.
You don’t need to wet the moustache to trim it, though that may be necessary if the hair is not cooperating. Running some water through your moustache and then combing it will get it to behave pretty quickly.
When using the trimmer to maintain the moustache, you should start by working the corners. That is likely where you see hair growing further out than your moustache should be. Work around all the edges to make them as distinct and even as they should be.
Next, work to reduce hair volume. If your moustache is too bushy and big, you can cut that down a few hairs at a time. Take your time with this part, as it is easy to trim all the way down to the skin, leaving little hair in place. Trim evenly and in all areas to reduce hair volume as necessary, but do it very slowly. It’s way too easy to trim more than you planned out and then end up with a patchy or light moustache.
When do you use the scissors? We suggest using scissors at the start to trim up the longest hairs. The trimmer is more exact for getting rid of bushy growth, but the scissors are more exact for targeting specific hairs that are too long. If you have a few stragglers, the scissors can be a safer way to clip than the trimmer.
How to Trim a Handlebar Moustache
If you have that fine classical style handlebar moustache, you may be wondering what would be the best way to go about trimming it without eliminating it. This is one of those delicate moustache styles that can be tricky to trim without destroying it.
We suggest having both a trimmer and scissors on hand. How to trim a handlebar moustache with scissors? You will start off with the scissors and trim away the too long hairs that are sticking out. Be careful not to cut the defining hairs that make up the curls at the sides of the moustache. This is why scissors are so useful when trimming a handlebar moustache.
Then, shape the edges of the moustache with a trimmer. Once again, be very careful where you work and what you trim. You don’t want to accidentally lop off an important part of your moustache. Make sure you keep things even on all sides. The key to a fine looking handlebar moustache is to ensue that it is even on both sides.
Handlebar moustaches will need precise trimming, and it’s understandable if you don’t want to risk trying to trim yours on your own. Just be sure to use a barber with steady hands. Once you become unsteady, you may need to outsource the trimming for this style. Be sure to style out your handlebar moustache to how it should look before you start trimming. That way, you can be sure you are maintaining the proper look. This is not a style where you want to be combing all the hairs the same way in preparation for the trimming.
Why Trim?
We have told you how to trim a moustache, and now it’s time to talk about why you should trim it.
Of course, you want your moustache to look refined and gentlemanly. If it gets out of control, then you look uncouth, but there is more to it than that. There are other reasons to learn how to trim a moustache and beard. One of the better ones is to ensure that your hair grows strong and healthy. Trimming is a great way to get rid of weak hairs and hairs that have fallen out. Some of the hair may be trapped in your beard or moustache, and trimming the hair exposes that. You will have a neater, healthier moustache if you keep it trimmed.
Trimming also helps you to even up uneven growth. Your hairs won’t always grow at the same rate, so it’s not a bad idea to adjust them regularly with a little trimming. Snipping off a bit here and a bit there is great for keeping all the hairs in line.
Trimming is also good for your skin. It clears up the pores and opens up the skin, removing bacteria and other debris hiding in your moustache. Your skin needs to breathe, and trimming the hair of your moustache allows it to do that. All of the skin under your moustache can feel stifled from time to time, so cutting back a bit of the moustache and trimming around the edges clears up your skin and helps keep the growth there healthy.
Trimming the moustache also ensures stronger growth. Some of your moustache hairs may get stifled as the surrounding hairs become too long. You will get rid of problematic hairs and ensure that the hairs that remain grow well if you keep your moustache trimmed.
How often you time is up to you, and it depends on the look your going for and other factors. We hope this guide helps you as you try to keep your moustache trimmed at home and maintain the appearance you want.
