men · barber guide
Mustache Styles: The Main Types and WhoSuits Each
The main mustache styles, from the chevron and pencil to the horseshoe and handlebar, with who each suits, how long each takes to grow, and how to trim it.
Hairover Team
The main mustache styles are the chevron, the pencil, the horseshoe, the handlebar, the walrus, the English, the short boxed, the lampshade, the Fu Manchu, and the mustache with stubble. The chevron is the most popular because it’s classic, suits most faces, and works with or without a beard. Choose by your face shape and how thick your mustache grows.
The ten styles
1. Chevron. Thick, covering the top lip, trimmed to its shape. Classic and versatile.
2. Pencil. A thin, neat line just above the lip. Old-Hollywood style. Needs precise, frequent trimming.
3. Horseshoe. A mustache that extends down the sides of the mouth to the jaw. Bold and biker-inspired.
4. Handlebar. Long sides styled and curled upward with wax. Takes months to grow.
5. Walrus. Thick and long, falling over the lip. Needs a full mustache.
6. English. Long, thin sides pulled straight out to the side with wax.
7. Short boxed. Trimmed short and straight, no wider than the mouth. Neat and modern.
8. Lampshade. Trimmed into a trapezoid shape above the lip.
9. Fu Manchu. Long, thin strands growing down from the corners of the lip.
10. Mustache with stubble. A defined mustache with short stubble on the rest of the face. Popular and easy.
Who suits which
| Face shape | Good choices |
|---|---|
| Round | Horseshoe, handlebar, walrus |
| Square | Chevron, walrus, horseshoe |
| Oblong | Chevron, English, handlebar (adds width) |
| Oval | Almost any |
| Heart | Chevron, short boxed |
Thin growth: pencil, short boxed, or mustache with stubble. Thick growth: chevron, walrus, handlebar.
Growing it out
- Give it time. Don’t trim the length for the first few weeks.
- Expect an awkward stage when the hair reaches your lip.
- Use a little wax to train longer hairs away from your mouth.
Trimming
- Comb straight down.
- Snip any hairs crossing the lip line with small scissors.
- Shape the corners.
- Trim the length with a trimmer guard if needed.
See how to trim a beard for the full routine.
Related guides
Match your haircut to your mustache
Hairover lets you upload a clear photo, get a hair analysis, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio, so your haircut suits your facial hair.
FAQ
What is the most popular mustache style?
The chevron: a thick mustache that covers the top lip and is trimmed to follow its shape. It's classic, suits most faces, and works with or without a beard.
How long does it take to grow a mustache?
It depends on how fast and thick your facial hair grows. A short style like a pencil mustache can look finished within a few weeks; a handlebar takes months.
Which mustache suits a round face?
Styles with some downward or outward length, like a horseshoe or a handlebar, help lengthen or widen the face. Very small mustaches can make a round face look rounder.
How do I trim a mustache?
Comb it straight down, then trim the hairs that cross your lip line with small scissors. Shape the corners last.
