Handlebar Mustache: Tips for Training & Trimming Handlebar Styles

The handlebar mustache has made a comeback in recent years, primarily thanks to bold hipsters with a taste for sophistication and style. What was once the signature look of 19th-century gentlemen and Wild West legends has found its way into modern society for guys confident enough to add a dash of personality to their look.

Rocking the handlebar mustache is quite a glorious feeling, and make no mistake—you’ll be part of an elite group of beardsmen that spans hundreds of years. Furthermore, as unique as the style is, it offers a diverse range of looks. You can make it your own by adjusting the thickness, length, and twirl.

With beard grooming at its peak, there’s never been a better time to grow and maintain this iconic facial hair, and we’re here to show you the way. Let's dive in! 

What Is A Handlebar Mustache? A Tale of Twirls

The handlebar mustache gets its name from its distinctive, curled ends, shaped like—you guessed it—bicycle handlebars. You probably know that much, but as one-of-a-kind as the style is, it has variations that may suit different gents!

The look itself has evolved over the past century, from the dramatic curls of an imperial mustache to sleeker, more refined versions. These days, a handleful of mustache styles, including the English, Walrus, and Hungarian, fall under the handlebar umbrella.

Each style brings its own personality, but no matter which you choose, growing a handlebar mustache isn’t just about letting it happen—it’s about training it into a masterpiece. Here’s how to grow and maintain it properly.

How to Grow a Handlebar Mustache

Patience, Beard Care, & Self Care

In truth, growing a proper handlebar mustache takes time. At least a few months, depending on how fast your facial hair grows. Some guys may need a whole year to achieve the length necessary for those signature curls.

Patience and a solid grooming routine are key. Avoid unnecessary trims, and give those hairs time to reach their full potential.

Want to speed things up? Lifestyle is huge. Healthy eating, hydration, and quality sleep can promote facial hair growth. Kick it up further with beard growth oil or beard growth vitamins.

To Trim or Not To Trim? That Is the Question

At first, your mustache might look a little unruly, but that’s part of the journey. Before you reach for the trimmer, make sure you’ve given it enough time to grow to its full potential—then, and only then, should you consider shaping it.

Put the clippers down unless you can grow a full beard in a week. Please resist the urge to trim your mustache until it has some solid growth. For guys worried about the awkward in-between stage, consider growing a light beard alongside your mustache to balance things if this is a first-time mustache journey.

Once your ‘stache reaches a trainable length, you can clean up your cheeks with a beard trimmer and let your mustache take center stage. Unless, of course, your beard style of choice is the handlebar beardstache.

Shaping & Training Your Mustache Handlebar Style

Training your mustache is half the battle. As your mustache comes in, you’ll need to guide hairs into position early on to get the classic handlebar curl. How you trim, style, and nourish your beard will all impact how it grows and looks in the long run.

To start, we recommend applying beard oil and regularly combing your mustache hairs in the direction and aimed style, especially after showering or washing your face. Combing and brushing regularly is key to guiding those hairs into position.

A beard brush isn’t just for detangling full beards—it helps distribute natural oils, conditions your mustache, and makes styling easier by really working in any beard oil or moisturizers. You’ll also come to value your trusty mustache comb more than any other tool in your beard care arsenal.

Once your mustache hairs become pinchable, it’s time to introduce mustache wax to train the curl. Depending on your facial hair type, light to medium hold mustache wax may be ideal, while strong hold might be necessary for those with straighter mustache hair or in the early stages of training their mustache.

A good mustache wax is essential in holding the handlebar style and rangling stubborn hairs. But be careful with how you shape that glorious ‘stache. Don’t twist enough, and you could lose your curl. Twist too tight, and you risk breaking the strand ends.

The eventual goal is for your mustache to retain its hold and shape with little to no product. And that, my friend, alas, will come with more patience. Once you’ve achieved good length and trained your mustache for your chosen style, it’s time to refine the look with proper trimming.

Pro Tips for Elevating Your Handlebar Mustache

1. The Secret to a Perfect Curl: Apply mustache wax while the hairs are warm (right after a shower or using a hairdryer on a low setting). This makes styling more manageable and helps set the curl in place.

2. Use a Hairdryer for Extra Hold: After applying wax, gently use a blow dryer on a low to no-heat setting while twisting the ends. This locks the shape in and prevents flyaways.

3. Comb Throughout the Day: Keep a mustache comb on hand to tame stray hairs and keep your curls looking fresh.

4. Condition for Softness: A stiff, dry mustache can be uncomfortable. Regularly apply beard oil or balm to keep your ‘stache soft and manageable.

5. Don’t Neglect the Rest of Your Face: A great handlebar mustache stands out even more when paired with a well-groomed beard or a clean shave. Make sure the surrounding areas complement the look.

Trimming The Handlebar Mustache Step by Step

You put in the work and committed to growing it out, and you now have the handlebar mustache of your dreams. However, those mustache hairs will need proper trimming in time.

Trimming isn’t about taking away from your hard-earned growth—it’s about keeping your mustache looking intentional and well-maintained. Even though trimming your mustache is back on the table, read on before doing anything reckless.

1. A clean mustache is a happy mustache. Whether showering or washing your face, clean your mustache with a moisturizing beard shampoo.

2. From there, gently pat dry with a towel and dab with a small amount of beard oil. Use a mustache comb to brush out and condition your mustache hairs.

3. Now, beginning in the center, apply wax like you usually would for styling. Applying wax pre-trim may seem counterintuitive, but it’s essential for judging what actually needs to be trimmed.

4. Once the mustache is shaped, grab some high-quality beard-trimming scissors and target the hairs closest to your nostrils, leaving a slight separation.

5. Now, get your beard trimmer and carefully buzz off any strands that stray or fall far enough on your lips.

6. Finally, focus on the ends of either side and delicately cut away any rogue members until everything appears even. Aim small, miss small.

If you stay in these lanes and take your time, you’ll never have a bad mustache day again.

4 Different Handlebar Mustache Styles: What's Your Vibe?

Looking for style inspiration? Let’s explore the top handlebar mustache styles and see which one most suits your vibe.

1. The Classic Handlebar Mustache

The one that started it all—thick, full, and curled at the ends with a good dose of mustache wax. This mustache oozes vintage charm, conjuring images of 19th-century strongmen and well-dressed gentlemen. Growing this out takes patience, but the payoff? A look that demands attention.

2. The Hungarian

This is the big boy of the handlebar mustache family—thicker, bushier, and extending well beyond the corners of the mouth. The Hungarian mustache comes with a presence, worn by military leaders and old-world aristocrats. If you want your mustache to make a statement, then this is the one.

3. The English

Think of this as the refined cousin of the classic handlebar. Instead of dramatic curls, the English mustache extends outward in straight, neatly styled lines. It pairs perfectly with a tailored suit and a pocket watch, for those who like their mustache with a touch of sophistication.

4. The Walrus

This mustache doesn’t play around. It’s thick, full, and long enough to drape over the upper lip. Worn by icons like Teddy Roosevelt and Sam Elliott, the walrus mustache is for those who embrace their facial hair in all its untamed glory. Unlike the classic handlebar, this requires minimal styling—just let it grow wild.

6 Historic & Famous Handlebar Mustaches

The handlebar mustache has quite a legacy in the world of facial hair, remaining one of the most recognizable mustache styles throughout history. Kurt Russell even called this facial hairstyle a work of art.

1. Buffalo Bill Cody was the Wild West showman with an iconic curled mustache.

2. Rollie Fingers is the Hall of Fame baseball pitcher who perfected the handlebar.

3. William Howard Taft was our 27th U.S. president, rocking serious mustache energy.

4. Daniel Day-Lewis (as Bill the Butcher) wore a next-level handlebar mustache in Gangs of New York.

5. Friedrich Nietzsche was a philosopher with one of the thickest, most dramatic handlebars of all time.

6. John L. Sullivan was a 19th-century boxing champ with a mighty mustache.

Can You Handle It?

The handlebar mustache isn’t just a relic of the past—it’s a bold statement. It’s a mustache with character, one that demands patience, confidence, and commitment. But the payoff is undeniable for those willing to put in the time and effort: a timeless, head-turning style that sets you apart from the crowd.

Mastering this mustache isn’t just about growing hair on your face—it’s about training it, shaping it, and making it uniquely yours. Some men prefer the classic curled handlebar, while others prefer the more rugged Hungarian or refined English style. Whatever your preference, one thing’s for sure—this isn’t a low-maintenance ‘stache.

From daily grooming rituals to perfecting your twirl, every handlebar mustache comes with its own journey. And like any great journey, you’ll need the right tools along the way. A high-quality mustache wax, a mustache or beard comb, and a precision trimmer will be your best allies in keeping your ‘stache looking its best.

So, are you ready to join the ranks of mustache legends? Whether you’re channeling the grit of a Wild West outlaw or the charm of a vintage gentleman, The Beard Club has everything you need to keep your ‘stache looking strong, sharp, and undeniably stylish.

Explore our best-sellers, including mustache wax, beard trimming kits, and beard care essentials to keep your handlebar in peak condition. Your mustache deserves royal treatment—groom it like the legend it is.