Oh, how we love some good gruff.  And that tickly little number above the lip, the mustache or moustache (from the French word "moustache" which in turn comes from the Italian word "mostaccio" which doesn't even directly refer to facial hair but actually means a biscuit or cookie, but stick with me...), is having a well-deserved resurgence of late.  

Famous Facial Hair

When a client comes into the shop or salon, it can help them communicate their desired style outcome if they are able to reference some memorable moustaches. 

Without fear of dating myself, I would reference those iconic staches sported by Hollywood's Tom Selleck, Sam Elliott, Burt Reynolds as being powerful influences in the '70s through the '90s.  Going back further, we have the distinctive staches of artist Salvador Dali, or that well-groomed lip duster that Clark Gable sported as Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind."  And among rock royalty, we remember the mos on these monsters of music,  Jimi Hendrix, Freddie Mercury, and David Crosby; even Paul McCartney had his lip rug moment.  

Ultimately, says Jason Biggs, master barber at Murdock London, a moustache is now a fashion statement that reflects a gentleman isn’t afraid to experiment with his own unique and personal style. 

“An overgrown moustache opens a whole host of doors when it comes to experimenting with different styles. However, once a client has trimmed his beard into a particular shape, it can be hard for him to then go and change it. Making sure they like the shape they’re choosing so that years of hard growth don’t go to waste is paramount.”

— Jason Biggs, Master Barber at Murdock London

With different ways to style a moustache, Joe offers his advice on how to achieve and succeed at wearing the ‘stache.

The Chevron

"Probably the most simplistic when it comes to moustache styles, this neat take on upper lip hair needs to stay just that; neat. A Chevron moustache accompanied by stray and unruly hair is going to look nothing short of a scruffy mess. To maintain the super slick look and highlight that blunt, block shape, trim the moustache closely with scissors. Slick with an oil such as Murdock London Beard Oil to ensure all hairs stay exactly where they should."

The Pencil Moustache

"For clients who want to add a hint of vintage to their style, the pencil is a great choice. (Think Clark Gable here.) Minimal but effective, the pencil moustache has slowly become less forties movie star and more of a street-style favorite. To really stand out, the pencil requires a clean-shaven beard and just a small hint of beard product to pull the hairs into the corner, giving that signature straight line look. Because the chin and face area will be shaved regularly, a good quality razor and Murdock London Beard Moisturizer are also recommended." 

The Handlebar Moustache

"This style is not only sharp, but it’s also great for anyone that struggles to grow thicker hair above the lip, as it can be styled out by thickness at the sides. Originally named for its resemblance to handlebars on a bicycle, the handlebar moustache is now a quirky style that can be easily maintained with the correct products. Due to its signature shape, maintaining a handlebar moustache not only requires a regular beard shampoo for thickness and shine, but also a strong hold product, to ensure that the shape remains intact throughout the day." 

A ‘Scruffy’ Moustache

"A lot more suave than you may think, a scruffy moustache is usually favored by high profile actors such as Johnny Depp, and is often accompanied with a small amount of stubble. Although it doesn’t require much grooming, it’s important to ensure that it is still looked after. A product such as Murdock London Beard Oil maintains its shine and thickness, as well as protecting the skin underneath that can often become irritated and itchy with stubble."

The Gunslinger

"This look combines the class mutton chops beard style with the upside-down horseshoe moustache. By combining two beard and moustache styles, you’re giving your client a look with a little bit of extra flair. It isn’t as daunting as it sounds to keep it maintained; make sure clients invest in the right products to this look stays as slick and clean as possible — recommend a traditional shaving soap and sharp razor and invest in a post-shave balm."