How to grow a mustache

A well-kept mustache is a compliment to any man’s
appearance this November.
Getty/Andreas Rentz

November is here, and while some of you may still be in a
candy-induced coma, others are taking sharp blades to their face
in order to sculpt the perfect facial hair.

It’s for a good cause, of course — “Movember” started as a
month-long fundraiser for men’s health initiatives, and it called
on guys to grow out their mustaches.

But whether they’re doing it for charity or just for fun,
“Movember” has men wearing a type of facial hair mostly left
in the dust bins of history: the mustache.

If you’re going to grow one, you might as well get it right.
Mustaches are tricky, and they require more upkeep and care than
stubble or fully shaved looks.

Here are a few tips to nail it so you look more like Ron
Swanson and less like Dick
Dastardly.

• First things first: You’re going to have to learn how
  to shape it. Envision the shape in your mind, covering
  all of your lip with a bit of overhang. Your mustache should
  extend farther than the end of your lips, but to a reasonable
  degree. Too wide and it’ll look bushy, too thin and you’ll
  look evil.
• Trim just under your nose, and make sure the hairs don’t
  extend down past your lip line too far. If the hairs get a bit
  scraggly, trim a bit of the length all over with
  an electric shaver fitted with a guard attachment.
• You can use either an electric or regular razor, but it’s
  much easier for an electric razor to get the
  precision required for shaping a mustache. I’d recommend a full
  razor shave for the rest of your face, and using an electric
  precision trimmer for the more precise bits of your mustache.
• Another note: The mustache requires upkeep.
  You’ll have to shave regularly to keep the distinction between
  your mustache and the rest of your facial hair apparent. You’re
  also going to have to trim more often to keep it neat. This isn’t
  like stubble where you can wait a day or two in between
  shaves. 
• For care, brush it down with your fingers or a comb if it
  starts to look unkempt. Apply a bit of beard oil
  sporadically if the skin underneath gets scratchy or itchy. Don’t
  worry about mustache wax unless you’re going for a more creative
  look.

If that’s a bit more than you bargained for, don’t stress out.
Next to well-kempt stubble, mustaches are the easiest facial hair
to have and maintain.

After all, it’s worth it since it’s all for a good cause.
Right?