I never appreciate the thickness of my mustache until I see it in a photo. Even more surprising is when other amply mustachioed men ask how I get mine to look so big. This is always a good conversation starter, and it usually turns out that we have similar mustache histories.
I first grew mine at 15 to hide pimples on my upper lip. This was encouraged by my dad and older brother, who both had very good specimens of their own.
Although mine wasn’t quite in their league, it was bulky enough to make me the envy of all my schoolmates.
So I think it’s fair to say that mustache thickness has a lot to do with genetics. But not entirely. To promote fuller growth, there are several factors we can control—as I later discovered.
When I Lost Mustache Thickness
My mustache reached full density when I was in my early 20s. At the time I smoked, lived mostly on fast food (I worked at a burger joint back then, which is where I ate my main meals), and never paid any attention to mustache grooming. It seemed to look after itself.
I continued in this vain until I was in my late 40s, which is when I noticed a loss in density. Thinking it was part of the aging process, I didn’t worry too much.
Actually, there was so much going on in my life at the time that my mustache was the least of my concerns.
To cut a long story short: With a growing feeling that I wasn’t getting anywhere in the world, I began making major lifestyle changes. And as a nice side effect, my mustache not only regained its former glory, it became thicker than ever.
This leads me to conclude that our facial hair is a mirror of our overall well-being, and that with a few positive changes, any grown man can improve mustache thickness.
Lifestyle Changes for a Thicker Mustache
1. Stop Smoking
The best thing I ever did for myself was quit nicotine, which narrows blood vessels, thus prohibiting circulation and mustache thickness.
If you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or the pipe (all of which I’ve enjoyed), stop immediately. You’ll notice an overall improvement in skin and hair quality, including that of the face.
The same is true of vaping.
2. Reduce Stress and Get Plenty of Sleep
I reduced stress and got more sleep by ditching my job and adopting regular hours.
Back then I worked as a waiter in shifts that changed by the day. I was usually short of sleep and the only “valid” reason to take a break was to go for a cigarette.
This kind of lifestyle disrupts hormonal balance. Higher cortisol levels through stress lead to hair loss. A reduction of human growth hormone through a lack of sleep slows hair growth. This pertains to the whole body, not only facial hair.
3. Adopt a Nutritious Diet
Quitting smoking caused me to feel super healthy, which inspired me to improve my diet.
Like the hair of the head, facial hair also needs proper nutrition to thrive. By coincidence, I chose foods that are particularly beneficial to beard and mustache thickness, and I still consume them.
- I eat fish in the form of salmon at least twice a week.
- Lunch consists of three eggs, either boiled, scrambled, or as an omelet.
- Instead of snacking on chips and candy between meals and in the evening, I munch nuts that are both unsalted and unroasted.
Combined, these foods are rich in vitamins B and E, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, biotin, and zinc.
Apart from that, I eat plenty of fresh and frozen vegetables.
In case I’d otherwise be missing anything, I also take numerous supplements—consult your doctor on this.
Finally, I minimize carbohydrates and avoid processed foods and refined sugar.
4. Drink Plenty
I keep myself hydrated with filtered water, green tea, and black coffee. The latter two contain caffeine, a stimulant that increases circulation and may, as a result, increase facial hair growth.
I never drink sodas. But I may take a small glass of wine or champagne if the occasion calls for it.
5. Exercise Daily
If you want a thicker mustache, you need to be physically active.
Resistance exercises are said to increase testosterone, which is essential to facial hair growth. With this in mind, I possess a couple of dumbbells and work out with a power twister every morning.
I also take two 20-minute power walks to and from work three days a week.
Being somewhat shy, I’ve never been to the gym.
Source: The Neat and Tidy ManCorrect Grooming for a Thicker Mustache
1. Cleansing
Just like your scalp, you must keep the skin of your upper lip clean for healthy hair growth.
I massage my mustache daily with a face wash containing salicylic acid and zinc. This prevents flaking, unclogs follicles, and increases circulation.
To enhance the effect, I shower and shave with cold water. This keeps the cuticle closed, thus preventing loss of moisture.
If you use a clay mask, don’t forget your upper lip and mustache: when dealing with spots as a teenager, I discovered that it’s a great way of improving texture and body. A rhassoul mask is best for hair.
2. Moisturizing
In the morning, I rub into my mustache whichever cream I’m using on the rest of my face. Day creams are very light and don’t leave a greasy residue.
I’ve tried beard oils but find them to be no more beneficial than pure jojoba or castor oil. For me, their main function is to protect against hair breakage and split ends while sleeping, which will stop your mustache from ever reaching its full potential in terms of thickness.
If you want to wear an oil during the day, try argan. This is referred to as a “dry oil,” meaning it is absorbed completely and won’t undermine the fullness of your mustache.
3. Combing and Brushing
If you want a thicker mustache, you can’t use just any old brush and comb.
Mustache Combs
To prevent damage, combs should be seamless and hand sawn or made from carbon.
I comb my mustache twice a day: when it’s still wet after my morning shower and last thing at night to distribute oil.
For grooming throughout the day, mustache combs are small enough to slip into your trouser pocket. But, to be honest, I’ve never found this necessary.
Beard and Mustache Brushes
The bristles of your brush should be natural. Sisal is one option, but boar is best.
Natural bristles smooth the cuticle to improve texture and encourage the mustache to lie flat. In fact, boar bristles are great to train a wiry mustache that has a will of its own.
Brushing also stimulates circulation, which, of course, promotes thicker growth.
I brush my mustache once a day before going out in the morning.
4. Trim for a Thicker-Looking Mustache
I’ve dedicated an entire post to mustache trimming. But here are a couple of tips to help you enhance thickness.
Trim Regularly
Sometimes I grow my chevron out to a walrus or handlebar, but I still trim every other day. Just a millimeter (or less) along the lower contour keeps my it looking sharp and bristly.
Although I never reduce bulk, I do check daily for hairs that stick out—if you can’t get them to lie flat, chop them off.
Trim Below the Lip Line
If you wear a chevron, as I usually do, you’ll get a thicker appearance by trimming below the lip line rather than along it. Take a look at Tom Selleck—this is the secret behind his fuller look.
Trim Beneath the Nostrils
To prevent my mustache connecting with my nose hair, I use a Wilkinson Sword Precision Styler just below my nostrils. This achieves not only a tidier look; it creates dimension for a bulkier appearance.
Source: The Neat and Tidy Man5. Try a Handlebar Mustache
Had I been born a century earlier, I’d have waxed my mustache into the biggest handlebar I could manage, and nobody would have batted an eyelid.
Nowadays, it draws attention, which is why I’ve never managed to wear one for more than a week. But it does give an illusion of greater proportions. It covers more facial span while the wax adds definition—take a look at mine in the above photo.
This works even if your mustache is a little on the skinny side.
In case you want to try it out, you can wax and curl after just a couple of weeks of growing out the ends.
6. Dye Your Mustache
I’ve dedicated an entire post to dyeing facial hair. But the darker your mustache, the thicker it will appear.
Turning gray or white can undermine mustache density. Or you may be blond, which can cause hairs not to show up well.
When dyeing, always choose an ashy shade (e.g., ash blond or ash brown), which will appear less saturated and more natural. And don’t darken by more than two nuances.
To play down my grays and give a tidier overall effect, I use Men’s Master Repigmenting Gray Hair Shampoo. It temporarily tints white hairs to gray with completely natural-looking results.
Minoxidil for a Thicker Mustache
You’ve probably heard of minoxidil under the brand name of Rogaine.
Topical minoxidil is an over-the-counter drug that can enhance facial hair growth. It’s available as a liquid or foam in 2 and 5 percent strengths. You can expect fewer side effects and irritations with the foam product.
Don’t use if you are pubescent, nor without seeking medical advice.
I’ve never tried it, neither for my beard nor my head—I actually like my full-blown male pattern baldness. But a friend of mine used it to even out the upper contour of his mustache, which was a bit patchy. He achieved desirable results within a few months.
© 2024, J. Richardson. All rights reserved.
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