The Handlebar Club Forum

As I mentioned in another post, I just got my Kent moustache comb yesterday. I think it will be ideal for minor touch-ups and combing out crumbs, but it will never replace my moustache brush.

As part of my morning routine, I use the Oregon Wild Hair moustache brush (boar-bristle), brushing each side of my moustache - with a slight forward roll to train the hairs and sort of up and to the side (not straight up as some recommend here - that makes my moustache go crazy and I end up looking like a cat). I do this right out of the shower - many times, both with the hair dryer and without. That brush was one of the first things I bought when my moustache reached a respectable length and I couldn't imagine my morning routine without it.

Which brings me to my question: do you use a brush, comb, or both & what is your technique?

Comb. Haven't had much success with a brush.

Comb down and out. Let sit while I brush my teeth. Clean off toothpaste. Recomb. Apply wax. Comb wax through stache. Shape ends. Touch up if necessary. Total time: 5 minutes.

I use both; a small variety of combs and brushes, plus fingers.

My current technique takes care of all my training, styling and conditioning maintenance needs and is, as follows:
(also, bear in mind that this works for me because I have trained my 'tache for the better part of a decade, and it's long; this may not work for a petite handlebar wearer and someone using styling products).

Towel dry and pull damp whiskers to sides with fingers;
apply (LUSH Retread) conditioner to graspable extremities only (hirsute, and of the upper lip variety) with fingers, and leave in;
load comb with a leave-in spray conditioner and/or heat protection spray and comb through entire 'tache, only if required;
directional training with detangling comb/brush and blow dryer (currently, a lower heat setting than once used);
shape and create upward curve with fingers, while pulling end whiskers outward to side; now substantially dry,
begin to style with bristle brushes - initially curl around small round brush and hold briefly under blow dryer to 'set' curve or curl; then,
a (finishing) boar bristle brush and fine tooth moustache comb for directional finish styling and any final light stylistic touches, respectively;
no styling products used and I walk away most days in about two minutes, five maximum on a troublesome day.

[To be honest, most days the foregoing can and is done with the fingers only]

During the day I use fingers to sweep bottom whiskers to sides and away from mouth. I also carry a small moustache comb for any critical touch-up, should a real need arise.

Prior to bedtime I return to yet another boar bristle brush and spread the natural oils throughout the whiskers;
I read one page of a book and fall asleep ;
awake each morning to find my 'tache completely dishevelled by the pillow; and,
the whole process begins again;
or not, depending on what the man in the mirror says.

I don't really put enough time into caring for my tache. If there was a royal society for the protection of cruelty to moustahches I would probably be in their most wanted.

Basically I shower, ..., er that's about it.

In fairness I try not to style it too much at work and after my summer kull for work it doesn't need much more, but a bit of love and conditioner would go a long way especially as I am decorating at home so it spends half it's life covered in plaster at the moment.

When I do spend the time I use a normal hair comb with two sides ie one wide bristle one side narrow. Then depending on how it is behaving that day I use the appropriate part to style into place. My latest wax is the bounder wax. It is so much easier to get a good finish than my previous wax, so very happy. Thanks Mr Wax! Apart from that it's finger sweeps through the day to prevent eating too much of the hair and that's all.

I use to be able to wash and wear, until the grey advanced and needed more taming. Hence, the conditioner to make them more pliable and less dry.

Very nice of you to say that. I almost felt young again!

I had a great little comb that came with my head hair clippers, but one day I dropped it in the car and it fell down the crack out of which the emergency brake lever emerges and disappeared like Gandalf down the abyss in Moria.

I have a another comb that came with the same instrument that is of short tines that I use when applying glues. Other than that, when I get out of the shower it's just a matter of massaging the curls back into shape, mashing the mid-stache to the sides, then setting the shape with the blow dryer. I don't fuss with it much these days as it's getting long.

apw1970, interesting that you haven't had much success with brushes. My little brush has been indispensable in my training routine. Maybe you have been trying the wrong kind of brush?

Schnauzer, sounds like you have quite an arsenal! I am impressed that you can condense that extensive routine into such a short time frame!

EricJT, "massaging the curls into shame" and "mashing the mid-stache to the sides" - sounds like you have an abusive relationship with your moustache, man! I also use a lot less time on styling than I used to - I would say 2-5 minutes as opposed to the 15 minutes I used to use! Get yourself a good brush for your post shower routine, you won't regret it

When I started on this handlebar adventure, I had no idea that it would also lead to collecting waxes and grooming tools...not that I am disappointed by the prospect of my impending addiction...now, what will be my next purchase...

I've been at it a long time; and, as I said, most days I use just the fingers. It takes about the same amount of time as it took you to read it. I only go to the extra fuss with combs and brushes for special occasions and a bit of experimentation.

But with less chance of reappearing at an opportune moment

I have two combs, one that came with a beard trimmer and one antique. The antique doesn't work in my tache no matter what. The modern one I only use at home when styling. If I need to comb during the day I use my pocket comb; I don't wax the centre any more which is what usually needs combing. I still would like one of those Kent combs, there's no reason to hold off at the price they are.

@smedstad: the "shame" was a mis-spelling of "shape" - now corrected above. Certainly no shame here, just awesomeness. The shame comes if I forget to shape it up and it's all lopsided, random and fuzzy.

I kind of figured - I just had to tease I'm sure you treat your awesome moustache with all the respect it deserves

I looked for your comb Smedstad, looks nice if its the one I think. My missing one was great as it was flexible plastic and fit in my wallet without problem. I may disassemble my car console to get at it.

Here is a link to the comb - and yes, it is pretty fantastic. I guess I have only ever owned cheap combs before, but I am surprised with both how effective it is and how nice it feels both in my hand and in my moustache. It is really small - about 2 3/4 in. for you non-metric types - and would certainly fit in your wallet, but it is also quite rigid, so I am not sure whether it might break if you sit on your wallet...

My only issue is that, because it is so small, it seems like an easy thing to lose, but you know all about that...

In any case, I say you should disassemble your centre console - you never know what you may find! Think of all the coins you have lost over the years - you may be rich!

Time to comb the stache

Do you guys use a brush or a comb after you wax? I'm trying to prevent clumps, and John over at Firehouse suggested I use a brush or just my fingers.

All ideas accepted!