Some think that November is just about Thanksgiving and turkey (that’s still very important!). But it’s also a month now affectionately known as “Movember” or “No-Shave November.” These two organizations both raise awareness for men’s health issues by challenging guys to grow out their facial hair, especially their mustaches! Learn more about Movember® and No-Shave November, get top grooming tips to help you grow out your 'stache, and see three awesome mustache styles to try this November!
What is Movember?
The Movember movement was started by two friends in Australia who wanted to bring the mustache trend back, and found 30 friends willing to take up the challenge. The name comes from “support a mo,” which is Aussie slang for mustache. Since its start, the Movember Foundation has raised over $649 million through over 4.5 million participants worldwide, helping to fund over 832 men’s health projects. The charity’s goal is to help men live happier, healthier, longer lives by bringing year-round awareness and support to men’s health issues, including early prevention and treatment of prostate and testicular cancers, and mental health issues and suicide prevention.1
What Is No-Shave November?
Similar to Movember, No-Shave November is a charity organization dedicated to raising awareness and donations for important men’s health issues, especially cancer prevention and treatment. No-Shave November focuses on a one-month fundraising challenge: put down your razor for 30 days and donate the money you’d typically spend on shaving and grooming to the cause. They believe by embracing your hair, and letting it grow wild and free, you can grow awareness – and funds – for these important issues.2
How To Grow a Mustache This November
Guys, if you haven’t given much thought to men’s health issues before, there’s no better time than right now to do your research and raise awareness by growing out your ‘stache. Follow these grooming tips to make your no-shave November as smooth as possible.
1. Grow Out a Full Beard First
A newly sprouted mustache can look a little awkward, like you just missed a spot while shaving. Avoid this uncomfortable stage by letting your beard grow out for at least a week. Then shave your beard once your mustache reaches your desired thickness and length.
2. Use a Beard Trimmer
Maintaining a mustache requires a handy little tool called a beard trimmer. Trust us, this will make it far easier for you to shape and trim your mustache instead of using a razor and scissors.
3. Fill It In
If your mustache is coming in a little patchy, use Toppik Hair Building Fibers with the Spray Applicator attachment. Make sure to choose the shade of Toppik Hair Fibers that most closely matches your facial hair color. Then, place the tip of the Spray Applicator a few inches away from your mustache and slowly apply pressure. This helps to give your mustache more depth and appear thicker. After applying Toppik Fibers, lightly spray Toppik FiberHold Spray to help bond the fibers into your facial hair.
Mustache Styles for November
1. The Pencil Mustache
Made famous by Old Hollywood movie stars, this mustache is easy to pull off with just one month’s worth of facial hair growth.
To style a pencil mustache, use a trimmer to carefully remove the hair between your nose and upper lip, until you’re left with a neat, straight line. Then remove any hair that extends beyond the corner of your lip.
2. The Chevron Mustache
This retro style is easy to maintain. Shape your mustache so that it points down at the corners. Then trim any hair that extends beyond your upper lip. Don’t trim anything between your nose and lip – this area should be thick and full.
Be aware, though, that this popular mustache style can take several months to grow in fully.
3. The Handlebar Mustache
If you want to take the Movember or No-Shave November Challenges beyond this month, you can also try this hipster trend. The Handlebar Mustache is a longer style, made by twisting long ends up towards your cheekbones. To style this look, let the ends of your mustache grow out, then use a small amount of styling wax to shape the mustache into the “handlebar.”
Will you take the no-shave challenge in November? Let us know in the comments!
1For more about the Movember® Foundation, visit www.movember.com
2For more about No-Shave November, visit www.no-shave.org