20 Best French Mustache Styles To Grab Attention
The French mustache is the definition of timeless style. Sharp, elegant, and full of character, this iconic facial hair look brings a polished edge to any appearance.
Below, explore the history and appeal of the French mustache, how to grow and style it, and the best looks to try.
The French Mustache: A Study in Style
The French are known for many things, not least of which is their ability to set new styles, revive old favorites, and even add their own twist to established French beard styles. When it comes to the French mustache, however, few other countries surpass them in classically groomed, stylishly sophisticated facial hair.
The word moustache entered English in the late 16th century from French, though upper-lip facial hair had been worn across cultures long before then. In France, it later became closely tied to style, status, and polished grooming.
A few hundred years later, the French have moved through a symphony of mustache styles over the years, displaying finesse and innovation with their choices in mustaches that few other countries have bothered to master. When it comes to fashion, the French certainly pave the way, and not just with Dior and Chanel.
How to Grow a French Mustache
Growing a French mustache is similar to growing any other mustache in that the first thing you need is the facial hair to support it. Contrary to popular belief, trimming your upper lip does not make the hair grow any faster.
Instead, the key to a good French-style mustache is leaving that hair alone and letting it grow. The next thing you will need is a little patience.
Prized mustaches can take a long time to grow in fully, and you can’t really start trimming into the style you desire without having enough hair there to begin with. Have patience and buy a mustache comb to start training the hair into the style you want to wear.
While your mustache is growing, a little extra care is needed to keep the area neat. Avoid the use of electric razors to ‘tidy up’ since it is far too easy to slip and lose important growth. Instead, rely on scissors if you absolutely must neaten it up.
You should also avoid abrasive facial scrubs or anything else that irritates the upper lip while new growth is coming in.
When the hair on your upper lip does start to come in, it will grow all over the area. Be patient and don’t rush to trim it into shape. Style it with your comb for as long as possible in order to get the most from your new mustache.
Try to keep your hands away from your face even though the facial hair will be itchy when it comes in. Touching your face can transfer oil and bacteria, which may irritate the skin and make ingrown hairs more likely.
Let the facial hair grow in and continue to tame it with your beard comb. Before too long, you will have the hair you need to start sporting the classy French style.
How to Style a French Mustache
When you are looking for that perfect French-inspired mustache, you first have to allow it to grow long enough to look full. That length also makes it easier to shape.
- Start with a photo of the specific kind of mustache you are keen on for reference.
- Comb the mustache thoroughly before you start to trim, shape, or twirl it.
- This smooths the hair and makes the whole look appear more uniform.
- Trim the mustache to the proper shape and remove stray hairs.
- Now apply hair gel or mustache wax on it evenly.
- Gradually pull it outward toward the cheeks and twirl the ends up.
- This way you are training your stache to stay up at the ends.
- Also, ensure that the rest of the mustache follows one neat line. The hair should not be scattered all over the upper lip.
- Pull the entire mustache into one neat and thick line for the best results.
- Comb once again after the product has set for the best results.
French Mustache Styles to Try
Look at some of the striking French mustache styles you can try now.
1. Soft Brown Lampshade Mustache
Turn things around with this French mustache, though in a subtler way. The shape stays fuller through the middle and tapers softly at the ends for a clean lampshade finish. It is polished, playful, and easier to wear than more dramatic curled styles.
2. Wide Handlebar Mustache with Soul Patch
This handlebar mustache seems to have grown out of a typical chevron. The mid-section isn’t too thick, and the curls on both ends add a playful finish. The squared soul patch is a great addition to the style.
3. Victorian Handlebar Mustache with Full Beard
This is less of a chinstrap and more of a full beard with a curled Victorian-style mustache. The mustache extends past the outline of the face with straightened, lightly rolled ends, while the beard keeps the look rugged and theatrical.
4. Handlebar-Walrus Hybrid Mustache
Look closely and you’ll notice two different mustache styles coming together here. The sides are rolled and curved, making it a handlebar mustache. However, the fuller hair in the mid-section gives it some of the weight of a walrus mustache.
5. Rollie Fingers Mustache with Light Stubble
The hooks are very thin yet very prominent in this style. It’s what you would call a typical Rollie Fingers mustache, finished with sharp ends, long wavy hair, and a little stubble on the face.
6. Long Handlebar Mustache with Full Beard
This is one of the more classic French-style staches. The mustache stands apart visually, even with the beard adding density underneath. In this case, you see a full beard growth flowing into the sideburns.
7. Clean Pencil Mustache
The pencil mustache is another example of a well-kept mustache. It is rather minimalist in its getup with no beard and an overall clean-shaven look. It is simple yet classy both in terms of maintenance and overall upkeep.
8. Curled Imperial Mustache
This is a rather imposing French mustache and another striking option in the list of styles that you may try.
But this is also a rather high-maintenance style and requires regular care. That way alone will you be able to maintain the curls and twirls properly.
9. Petite Handlebar Mustache with Goatee
This mustache, along with the almost squarish French beard, is both sophisticated and very masculine.
It exudes an immensely suave image without undermining masculine energy one bit. The natural beard is allowed to grow in a carefully careless manner across the jawline.
10. Classic Painter’s Brush Mustache
Clean-shaven with just a statement-making stache can be both imposing and understated. This fuller painter’s brush shape sits thick across the upper lip and is still a relatively low-maintenance mustache style under the French umbrella that exudes absolute class.
11. Soft Chevron Mustache
In this French-inspired style, the mustache is worn full through the center and tapered softly at the edges. The natural mustache growth is lightly trimmed and stray hairs are removed to keep a uniform and symmetrical look across the upper lip.
12. Natural Mustache with Chin Curtain
The emphasis in this style of the mustache is always on natural growth. The natural mustache line is maintained and it is paired with a lightly patchy beard along the jawline covering the chin.
The disconnected patches add to the natural look instead of sticking out as sore points and exude an effortless charm.
13. Slim Mustache with Statement Sideburns
This is a classic look brimming with history and a legacy of the aristocracy. There is also a hint of old-world charm in this French mustache.
The mustache is kept narrow and neat at the lip, while the sideburns heighten the drama. Those sideburns complement the intensity of this mustache style beautifully.
14. Thick Mustache with Soul Patch
A beautiful combination of old-style and modern interpretation, this mustache style celebrates a fuller upper lip and a sharp soul patch.
The little soul patch further accentuates the natural mustache line, adding a rugged charm to your face.
15. Natural Mustache with Goatee
This is a fairly low-maintenance option that you can look for if you do not have the time to shape a high-maintenance mustache style inspired by the French.
The natural mustache line is allowed to grow and just stray hair is removed. The small patch of beard on the chin emphasizes the look. It is rugged and casual all at once.
16. Curled Mustache with Beard
This is a combination of the classic curled French mustache with beard. It highlights understated machismo with classic, rugged statement-making panache.
It best suits anyone who does not go by the rules and makes his own at every step. Without a certain degree of irreverence, it is hard to carry this look.
17. Walrus Mustache with Soul Patch
This mustache style is reminiscent of the point where indifference meets style. The walrus mustache is almost Einstein-like in its length, width, and degree of unkempt charm. The dark little soul patch in many ways seems to accentuate the overall look.
18. Classic Imperial Mustache
This is one of the classic French mustaches. The hardcore imperial with the twirls at the end gives an edge to your masculine charm and eccentric perspective. It is, however, a high-maintenance style that needs constant tending and care.
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19. Van Dyke Beard with Curled Mustache
This is the classic French-style Van Dyke mustache with the pointed beard. When you talk about celebrating a classic style statement, it decidedly cannot get better than this.
20. Ginger Chevron Mustache
Another classic mustache, this chevron style gets a brand-new dimension with this clean-shaven, rugged, no-beard look.
Therefore, if you are keen on that perfect French mustache, patience is key. You also need to maintain a healthy diet to make sure that your mustache remains healthy, soft, and pliant.
But some people may have really coarse mustache hair. You can use beard wax or oil to train your mustache and keep it in shape.
