The Handlebar Club Forum

Hello all, I've been perusing this forum with great interest.

I let my facial hair start growing about a month and a half ago. Can someone please give me any advice on what to do with my 'stache. Groom it, trim it, how? I'm trying to grow it, even though I don't know if it looks unkempt or scraggly. People whom I know don't recognize me, but I usually get positive comments, the best of which is that I finally look my age (34)!

Should I go to a barber and trim it?

Also I use clubman, and it seems to leave small dandruffy flakes. Is there a way to avoid that?

Thanks for reading!

Welcome, River. Your stache is off to a good start, and it looks like it suits you. Main tips: patience; never trim - let it grow out to see what it will do; you will go through days when you will hate it or feel weird about it but DO NOT TRIM - my rule is don't cut, trim or shave it off until you have hated it for two weeks solid, because the bad mood will pass in a few days; you will get used to hairs in your mouth and on lips and won't even notice after a while; your moustache will always look better to others than to you, so don't be self-critical; you don't need a barber for your moustache - again, don't even trim it; Re Clubman, some like it, but many don't. Look through the wax review area of the forum.; Check out my blog for my grooming and growing tips (link below) and other moustache related stuff; never worry about what others think of it - a handlebar moustache is awesome, and some will love it, others will hate it. A handlebar moustache is for individualistic persons, not sheep. Stay strong.

Wow thank for all the advice and I will stay strong and not give in to any existential mustache doubting!

Welcome River, good to see someone here of my own age for once, well, I'm 35, but close enough. A Bunch of old timer's here (no offense Schnauzer) lol! Oh I'm only kidding gentelmen! River, there is everything there is to know here about growing/grooming/styling the stache. Enjoy the reading, and may your stache grow long and prosper!!

Im 33!!!!

Thanks.

Greg

Mr River,Great start to your handlebar.Great color too. Cheers scottyb

Hello my mustachioed friends. I haven't posted for here for a while but I've been several times on the site seeking information about the art of facial pilosity.

Here is a recent pic of my 'bar and my Egyptian chin patch. I have kept my moustache with its sides drooping down lately, but today I styled it as a handlebar. I divided my soul patch into two sides, which makes it look more kempt and groomed.

Any grooming or style advice is welcomed.

Also if you have any philosophical musings about your moustache I want to hear them! What is the meaning of life connected to our moustache?

What is the history and symbolism of the moustache?

What do you think of the Egyptian female Pharaoh Hatshepsut, who wore a false beard as mark of her divine status?

Thanks for reading!

From my blog: "The handlebar moustache adds, brings out or speaks of a bit of panache, verve, zest, style and daring in life. They are for breaking the mold, courage, fun, and the independent spirit. They are worn by scoundrels and heroes, gentlemen, cowboys, gentlemen cowboys, not-so-gentle men and big boys who won't be cowed. They are unforgettable and awesome and so are those who wear them."

Meaning of life re handlebar? Awesomeness.

History/symbolism? Awesomeness.

Pharaoh Hatshepsut would have had a lot more power if she had worn a false handlebar moustache.

Hi River,
Welcome to the forum. EricJT hit the nail on the head regarding the handlebar "philosophy." I also think that a well groomed handlebar also shows maybe a bit of nostalgia and a tip of the hat to the old ways in this fast paced, ever changing world - like when a man always opened a door for a woman, a handshake was more binding than a legal contract and common courtesy was actually common.
I found that initially when I first started growing my moustache out from it's normal short/military length, I received a few "hippie" jokes from friends. However, after going full fledged crazy with not trimming it and, consequently, being able have a decent hungarian style or pretty nice waxed handlebar depending on the day, the friends have actually given a few compliments (which if you knew the group I hang around is amazing in itself...) - and, most importantly, my two favorite girls in the world LOVE it.
Keep at yours - it's looking great especially for a new grow. As for the Pinaud wax's flakiness you mentioned, I've experienced the same with what I think was old Pinaud. Bear in mind that this type of product doesn't exactly fly off the shelf! That said, when I've ordered online from stores that specialize in moustache/hair care products, I've always received tubes that were creamy and not at all dry of flaky after application.
As an aside, after I "discovered" Got2BGlued, my handlebars took on a whole new life of their own so to speak. I normally always used Pinaud, as it sounds like you do also, but was never very happy with it's hold. I think it's best used to keep a natural stache in place rather than actually trying to get it to hold a good curl and it's easily affected by moisture. The Got2BGlued product on the other hand is fantastic. If you're not much of a tosser (I mean while sleeping), you can go to bed and wake back up with your stache in pretty good condition. It takes a few times of using it to get the hang of it as it takes a bit of technique while applying and styling to get the stragglers in line. Once, you get the hang of it with a blowdryer, you'll be in for some impressive bars. The great thing about it, too, is that it's cheap and readily available at most any drugstore. Hope this helped.

Yes thanks, ekuck

Thanks for the comment Eric, and btw nice blog.

Greg

Picture of a girl whom I once loved named Marie and me, my moustache, and my army cap. I met Marie while working during a summer in Alaska and never forget her.

May her soul rest in peace her spirit soars amongst the eagles and flies over the thunderous mountains...

I salute you Marie, with all my heart and soul. I feel you are still with me and I with You.

Well done, indeed, Sir!