The handlebar looks like a commitment most men assume they can’t make, with all those curled ends and daily wax. The truth is it’s far less work than it appears.
A little wax can help hold the curls, though the time needed depends on your mustache and the shape you want. Patience matters while the ends grow long enough to style. Here are 23 handlebar variations, from a subtle upturn to full Victorian curls.
Find what suits you: browse all beard styles, mustache styles, or the trimming guide.
Handlebar Mustache History
Although early variations of the handlebar and similar-looking mustaches appeared on depictions of and monuments to the Celts from the Iron Age, the handlebar mustache as we know it today was popularized during the latter half of the 19th century in the United States. It wasn’t dandies or wealthy, stylish men who made it famous, but iconic characters with handlebar mustaches such as Wild West legend Wyatt Earp.
At the same time, European soldiers were sporting the distinctive mo, a trend that lasted all the way through World War I. The style surfaced during the Gay 1890s, saw a brief surge in the 1970s, and modern barbershop culture keeps bringing it back.
What Does a Handlebar Mustache Look Like?
The handlebar resembles the handlebars of a bicycle, no surprise there. Beyond its general neatness and well-groomed shape, the mustache is defined by ends that are twisted into a thin line and curled into a fine, precise swirl.
How to Grow a Handlebar Mustache the Right Way
Growing and training are the two most important aspects of nurturing a handlebar mustache. To start, just let it grow. In the early stages, you barely want to trim it at all.
The style depends on length, especially at the ends. As the hairs reach your upper lip, comb them outward and preserve the outer length that will form the curls.
Use mustache wax to guide the hair outward. You can trim stray hairs or the lip line when needed while leaving the ends long enough to curl.
How to Trim & Shape
Comb the mustache outward from the center above the upper lip, then make small, careful trims where needed. Preserve the longer ends that form the handlebar.
If hairs enter your mouth, comb them aside or trim the ones that interfere with eating. You do not have to leave every hair uncut to grow a handlebar.
The Grooming: Practical Tips
- Preserve the Length at the Ends
- Trim Stray Hairs as Needed
- Use Beard Oil
Yeah, okay, your mustache is not a beard, but don’t be a pedant about it. Facial hair is coarse and wiry. A quality beard oil, applied regularly, will keep your mo-hair softer and far more manageable.
Comb It
Comb it often, comb it with care, and sweep each side toward its respective cheek. Start this regimen as soon as your ‘stache is long enough to comb.
Train It
You should train the mustache hair to lie in the direction(s) you want. You also want to train the ends by twisting them as your mustache grows longer.
Use Wax
Always finish your ‘stache with a wax made specifically for facial hair. That’s how you lock in those signature curls at the ends.
How to Curl a Handlebar Mustache
Curling your handlebar is simpler than it sounds. You don’t need any tools beyond a comb and some mustache wax. First, comb your mustache on each side so the ends point toward either cheek.
Using just your fingertips, pinch your ‘stache and, when you reach the end, give it a twist. Then lightly coat your fingers with mustache wax and repeat, using the wax to set and curl those ends into place.
How to Trim a Handlebar Mustache
Keep the length in the curled ends
Comb your mustache into its usual parting. Separate the long hairs at the ends from the shorter hairs in the center.
If you want bigger curls, leave the ends to grow. Trimming the whole mustache to one length can cut away the hairs you need.
Don’t listen to anyone who says never to trim the handlebar mustache. You should trim the mustache to keep it looking polished and purposeful. Just make sure you’re not cutting the ends where the mustache will curl up into the handlebar shape.
Focus on stray hairs and your preferred lip line, and leave enough outer length to shape the curls. Comb clean, dry hair into place before making small cuts. Gillette’s mustache-shaping guide also recommends small trims and checking the shape as you go.
Tidy the hairs over your lip carefully, checking whether any of them form part of the curl before you cut.
Check the shape regularly and trim when needed; there is no schedule that suits every growth rate. Preserve the outer length as your mustache develops.
Growing enough length for curls takes time, and the timing varies with your starting length, growth rate, and intended style. Keep the surrounding facial hair tidy while the ends grow.
Use a small amount of mustache wax if needed. Shape both ends gently and check them again before trimming; one may simply need restyling.
Handlebar Mustache with Light Stubble and Undercut
Contrasting your handlebar mustache with light stubble and an undercut is a sharp way to make it pop. Less hair around it means the mustache commands more attention. You can even consider going clean-shaven on the beard altogether.
02 of 23High-Curled Ends Handlebar Mustache
The ends of a handlebar mustache leave a lot of room for creativity. The longer they are, the more you can experiment. One bold option is to use mustache wax to push the ends straight upward and get them as high as possible.
03 of 23Thick Handlebar with Upturned Ends
This thick handlebar has upward-curved ends and mostly bare cheeks. Keep the central body full, then use a small amount of wax to bring the tips upward. Aim for the amount of curl you like without cutting away the length needed to form it.
04 of 23Handlebar Mustache with a Full Beard
Pairing the right beard with your handlebar mustache is crucial. Too much fullness and the mustache gets swallowed up. Too messy and the clean lines of the mustache are wasted.
A well-groomed, medium full beard gives the handlebar a worthy companion without competing with it.
05 of 23Bushy Handlebar Mustache with a Chin Strap
Pairing a full, bushy handlebar with a thin chin strap creates a striking contrast that really works. Grow the handlebar out with plenty of volume, keep the chin strap trimmed tight, and let that contrast do the heavy lifting.
06 of 23Handlebar Mustache with a Short Full Beard
This photo pairs a curled handlebar with a short full beard, including sideburns and cheek coverage. For a more open-cheeked alternative, you could grow a Balbo beard and keep the mustache separate from the chin beard.
07 of 23Natural Handlebar Mustache
This mustache has a soft outward sweep rather than a tightly rolled curl. Comb from the center toward the tips and use as much hold as your hair needs; combing does not guarantee that the ends will curl naturally.
08 of 23Thick Full Handlebar Mustache with Long Beard
If you prefer substantial facial hair, this combination pairs a broad, outward-swept mustache with a dense full beard. Shape the ends separately so they remain visible against the beard.
09 of 23Polished Handlebar Mustache with Slicked Hair
Choosing the right length is a big part of caring for your handlebar. Once you’ve locked in that length, the mustache trim becomes much more straightforward. A polished, well-cut handlebar is absolutely essential for a sharp, put-together look.
If you’re just starting out, your barber is a solid resource.
10 of 23Compact Curled Handlebar with Beard
This handlebar has thick sides and upward-curled tips above a short full beard. Comb the body outward and shape the ends into a compact curl, keeping the mustache distinct from the beard below.
11 of 23Wide Handlebar with Upturned Tips
The mustache extends beyond the mouth and curves upward at the tips. Preserve the outer length and shape each end with a little wax. The curves can be modest or more pronounced without needing an exact angle.
12 of 23Compact Handlebar with Softly Upturned Ends
This compact handlebar has slightly upturned tips and a short beard. The softer ends give it a relaxed finish. Keep the beard close and use a small amount of wax if needed to define the outward tips.
13 of 23Classic Short Handlebar Mustache
A great entry point into the handlebar world. It’s not overly long, won’t crowd your mouth, and is much easier to wear and style day-to-day. The twisted ends are modest, not theatrical.
You can always offset the classic proportions with some sharp accessories.
14 of 23Fine-Tipped Handlebar with a Chin Patch
The mustache has narrow, slightly upturned tips above a long chin patch. Keep the cheeks clear if you want the same separation, and trim the chin patch independently so the mustache remains the main horizontal feature.
15 of 23Subtle Twist Handlebar Mustache
Not ready for a full theatrical curl? A slight twist at the ends is a low-commitment way to add some character to your mustache style. It won’t come across as a full-on classic handlebar, but it’ll still make people look twice.
16 of 23Wide Handlebar with a Pointed Beard
This wide handlebar has a full central body and fine, outward-curving tips. A pointed full beard completes the look below. Preserve the mustache’s outer length and shape the tips away from the beard.
17 of 23Pointed Handlebar with a Short Beard
This mustache has a full center and narrower pointed ends, paired with a short full beard. Keep the beard’s edges tidy and shape the mustache tips separately so they remain visible.
18 of 23Full Beard Handlebar Mustache Combination
For a more romantic, free-spirited look, pair your handlebar with long locks and a natural full beard. Just keep in mind: the longer the hair, the beard, and the mustache, the more demanding the grooming routine becomes. Beard oil and a good boar-bristle brush will be your best friends.
19 of 23Looped Handlebar with Full Beard
The long handlebar ends curl into clear loops above a full beard. Glasses and a necktie complete the look. Keep the mustache tips separated from the beard when styling the curls.
20 of 23Thick Handlebar with Compact Curls
A thick central mustache narrows into compact curled tips, with light stubble around it. Keep the central body full and use small amounts of wax at the ends to hold the shape.
21 of 23Handlebar Mustache with a Connected Goatee
Pairing a connected goatee with your handlebar is a reliable way to give the whole look a more contemporary edge. Notice the precision on those twisted ends, too. That kind of clean mustache trim and detailing takes practice.
22 of 23Fine Handlebar with Chin Patch and Light Stubble
A fine curled mustache is paired with a small chin patch and light stubble. Keeping the surrounding growth short makes the curl easier to see. The bow tie adds another point of detail.
23 of 23Thick Handlebar with Light Jaw Beard
This thick, sharply pointed handlebar is paired with light jaw and chin hair. Keep the mustache fuller than the surrounding beard growth to preserve that contrast.
Recommended Mustache Wax for Handlebar
Mustache wax can help hold a handlebar’s tips in place. The amount and hold level depend on your hair and the curl you want. Start with a small amount, shape the ends, and add more only if needed.
Our top pick is Firehouse Moustache Wax. If you’re on the fence, check the reviews and you’ll see why it consistently comes out on top.
Keep the ends long enough to curl, and trim the center separately. Style both sides before deciding whether either needs another snip.
