Sam Elliot is an actor whose mustache may be more famous than he is. Have you ever wanted a handlebar mustache that won’t move, no matter how much your upper lip does?
You are going to need a good, stiff mustache wax to accomplish that look. Before we get into the details of the best way to find a good mustache wax, let’s cover what it is and what you should be looking for when making your selection.
Choosing the Right Wax and How to Use It:
First things first here, guys. You have to decide what kind of wax you want. There are many different varieties to choose from. You can select a wax that is: organic, petrochemical free, tinted, soy free and even vegan. The majority of waxes come in different holding strengths too. Light/medium, medium, strong and extra strong is the most common options.
Now we move onto selecting the style of wax that you want. It’s kind of important to have an idea of what you are wanting out of a wax before buying so that your expectations are met. You can choose between traditional wax and modern moustache wax/trainer. We feel like this warrants a break down, so let’s bring out the bullet points!
- Traditional Wax: This form of moustache wax usually comes in a tube and contains some petrochemicals (think petroleum jelly and mineral oil). This is an old school approach to taming your moustache and was mostly used before we realized that using chemicals on the daily might not be the best thing. You may experience some skin irritation, clogged pores or acne while using this style of wax.
- Modern Moustache Wax/Trainer: A lot of modern moustache waxes are found in round or rectangular containers. A lot of waxes that come in tins use natural or organic ingredients, but there are of course exceptions. Read those labels carefully to ensure that you aren’t using any questionable ingredients.
Get your choice of wax out because we want to tame those wild whiskers!
We will first need to warm the wax up ever so slightly, just so that it is a bit easier to work with. Running it under some warm tap water is a good option. If you are feeling brave you can always blast it for a few seconds with a blow dryer, but be careful not to do it for too long or on too high a setting. Liquid wax is not your friend here.
Since we’ve got your wax to a workable state it’s time to scoop some out and work it into a little ball. A wax ball the size of a pea should do nicely unless you’ve got a mega-stache, in which case just use more. Go ahead and flatten the ball between your fingers now and rub your fingers together. This will get the wax to a workable state and just warm enough to apply.
You’re now ready to work the wax into your ‘stache, but start from the center and work towards the ends. You can use a small comb or a kids toothbrush if you need to work the wax through a bit more. It’s just important to make sure that you’re covered so that you can move on to shaping it.
This part is easy, really. Dab a little bit of extra wax on your fingers and get shaping. Don’t worry if you look a bit greasy to start, that’s normal and will change as the wax dries and stiffens. You don’t want to see any flaking or in your bristles though. If this becomes an issue you may need a different wax.
There you have it, kids. You now know how to decide which styles of wax you can choose and how to use them. On we go to finding out what the best moustache wax is…
What is Moustache Wax, Anyway?
Most mustache waxes are made from a combination of beeswax and petroleum jelly in a double-boiler. The ratio of wax to jelly varies among brands, as does the amount of stiffness, the scents, and the amount of shine it adds to your mustache. Some companies add coconut oils to condition your hair.
The Best Moustache Waxes for Pliability:
Professor Fuzzworthy’s Beard Care Gloss and Conditioner:
Made with Australian beeswax and honey, Professor Fuzzworthy’s also includes light scents and natural oils to soften your hair. So, if you are looking for a really stiff hold for a particular shape, this may not be the wax for you. However, this wax will take care of errant hairs, add some conditioning and shine, and hold your mustache in a soft shape. It’s easy to apply and non-greasy.
As with most mustache waxes, you’ll want to warm this between your fingers before applying. The conditioning natural oils will keep your hair looking healthy and reduce the occurrence of beard or mustache dandruff. It can also be used to keep your beard untangled.
The product description is pretty funny, too, and it’s always great to support a company with a sense of humor: “A gentleman’s beard or moustache must be well groomed at all times, or risk being mistaken for a cad (scoundrel), or worse, a bounder (a dishonorable man)! This simple yet luxurious grooming aid will prevent this socially disastrous faux-pas.”
Honest Amish Original Beard Wax:
Honest Amish is another pliable wax. It will keep your ‘stache from getting too wild, just like the Amish. And it will make your mustache nice and shiny. The product description makes it sound like Amish folk with a canny sense of humor make this product: “Our original recipe will leave your beard with a light natural masculine scent, have you looking good all day, and your girl will be smiling and swooning in awe at your majestic whiskers. Needless to say, we know beards.”
Murray’s Natural Beeswax:
This product contains 100% natural beeswax… AND petroleum jelly. Just so we’re clear about that.
Because of the petroleum jelly, the wax has a similar consistency. The fact that the wax is mixed with petroleum jelly makes it easier to wash out than some waxes with a higher beeswax ratio. However, you are still going to want a deep shampooing after using this wax.
You will have this wax forever. But don’t feel like that is a commitment. You can still try other waxes. It has a good hold — but not stiff — and it smells like vanilla.
For a Stiff Upper Lip:
Firehouse Moustache Wax:
I’m not sure what firemen have to do with it, except that this moustache wax holds up even under hot and humid conditions. Oh, and also, it is really easy to apply, which would be really good for firemen if they stop to put on moustache wax before… nevermind.
Even though it is easy to apply, I’m including it in the stiff category because its hold matches that of, well, stiffer waxes. The wax continues to stiffen with exposure to air. It will wash out with soap and water, but a lot of men do not wash it out completely because that dries out both their hair and skin. So, as with many of the stiffer waxes, you might also want to consider getting a conditioner (see below).
Captain Fawcetts Moustache Wax:
This is a stiffer wax than the previous have been. It doesn’t dry to as stiff a beard as some of the other waxes ahead in this review, but it is more moldable than other stiff products. One positive feature is that even though this is a stiff pomade, it doesn’t flake off in waxy pieces during the day if you touch your mustache.
Captain Fawcett’s may smell good, but it’s neither going to make your beard shiny, conditioned, nor luxurious. On the other hand, you don’t have to reapply it during the day the way you do with some waxes, so it will last you for awhile.
For Extra Stiffness:
Bounders Extra Firm Moustache Wax:
This is a great moustache wax, but there are a few things to consider, especially pertaining to marketing. These packages? Are really, really small. So, it works really well, but there isn’t much content for your buck. On the other hand, it works really well, so you don’t need as much wax. And I think that may be part of the point of the packaging.
This wax has a nice scent. You may have to play with it a for a few days to get used to it. For extra stiff waxes, you can scrape out the wax with your fingernails and then rub it between your fingers until you can apply it. Others carry their wax in their pockets, letting their body temperature warm the wax. Another thing you can do is use a hair dryer on it to soften it before use. Despite its stiffness, this wax washes off easily
How to Apply Mustache Wax (courtesy of our freinds at Beard Brand):
And finally…
I would be re-miss in not including these products for you if you want to use a mustache wax regularly. Just as with so many hobbies, if you need to buy mustache wax, you ought to get a balm like Wicked Cookie Duster Moustache Wax Remover & Conditioner] to keep the wax and soap you use from drying out your skin and your mustache.
And when you are applying mustache wax, trust me when I say that you are going to want a comb to go with it. The comb will really spread out the wax and eliminate any clumps from forming. Because we all know that right under your nose is not where you want clumps.
And if you are a fan of A Christmas Story, you are going to want this comb.