40 Handlebar Mustache Styles That Look Sharp

When you are considering growing facial hair, a handlebar mustache is probably at the back of your list as the most complicated option. But you shouldn’t be afraid of committing to it. In fact, this mustache style is pretty straightforward to create.

All it needs is some daily styling. Keeping a handlebar neat and sharp will take just a few minutes of your time, and the result will genuinely turn heads.

Knowing how to style this mustache is a great skill that’ll help you manage your facial hair for years to come. If you need some inspiration, take a look at some of the most popular handlebar options below to see just how great your choice really is.

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 and the Roaring 1920s, saw a brief surge in the 1970s, and today’s on-point hipster culture is giving it a full-blown revival.

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. After a while, as the hairs begin to overlap your upper lip, you might think you’re ready to trim. Not yet.

Keep the scissors and the razor away from your top lip, and start working mustache wax into your routine to build flexibility and train the direction of growth.

How to Trim & Shape

Trimming a handlebar is tricky, mainly because you largely shouldn’t. The real move here is combing it. Your philtrum is a natural divide, and you comb your mustache hair to either side of it.

Combed straight down, the hair may brush or even cover your upper lip, but you still don’t cut it. You need that length.

The Grooming: 5 Tips

Leave the Scissors Alone
Don’t trim it. Don’t. Just don’t.
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

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 your mustache trim on the bulk of the body, and always do it on clean, product-free hair. Comb the mustache to one side and snip any strays or flyaways.

Another key point: make sure the mustache isn’t creeping into your mouth. That’s genuinely annoying. Trim anything growing down the lip line, since you don’t need that length for a handlebar.

Some guys want to trim constantly, which is the wrong call. Once a week is plenty for a clean, well-maintained result.

Fashionable Handlebar Mustaches

A handlebar mustache is something many men dream about. To sport the sharpest version, you need to grow a pretty substantial mustache first.

Let your hair grow for a while, even if it looks a little unkempt during the process. You’ll need to sacrifice your neat appearance for about six weeks to get a solid result.

Brush your mustache while it’s growing. It helps your hair get accustomed to the shape you’re after. Use a quality mustache wax to twist and sculpt your new handlebar as it develops.

1. Handlebar Mustache with Heavy Stubble and Undercut

Contrasting your handlebar mustache with heavy 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.

2. High-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.

3. Asymmetrical Handlebar Mustache

Think a handlebar can’t look modern? Think again. An asymmetrical mustache, with one side sitting lower than the other, is a genuinely fresh take. Just make sure the hair is very neat, because without clean lines, the asymmetry will just look accidental.

4. Center-Parted Handlebar Mustache

A particularly distinctive approach is to separate the mustache at the center, creating a clear part right at the philtrum. It requires real precision during the mustache trim, so take your time. Don’t overdo the spacing, or you’ll end up starting from scratch.

5. Handlebar 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.

6. Silver Handlebar Mustache with Short Boxed Beard

Gray hair is absolutely no reason to skip the handlebar. If anything, a silver mustache with a tidy short boxed beard looks distinguished and sharp. The non-negotiable here is keeping everything well-groomed. Messy silver facial hair comes across as neglected, not distinguished.

7. Bushy 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.

8. Handlebar Mustache with a Balbo Beard

If you’re bold enough to wear a handlebar mustache, take it one step further and grow a Balbo beard. These two styles complement each other beautifully and project serious grooming confidence. Give it a go.

9. Natural Handlebar Mustache

With consistent combing and shaping, you can actually minimize how much mustache wax you rely on. When you train your mustache hair well from the start, it will naturally curl in the right direction with minimal product needed.

10. Thick Full Handlebar Mustache with Long Beard

If you’re drawn to substantial facial hair, this combination delivers. When your hair is coarse and dense enough, the handlebar shape almost forms itself. That said, keeping both the mustache and the full beard well-groomed takes real commitment.

11. Polished 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.

12. Low-Hanging Handlebar Mustache

One compelling way to style a handlebar is to let the curls hang low. This works especially well for long, dense mustaches where the weight of the hair naturally pulls the ends downward. Let the mustache hang, then curl just the very tips for that signature finish.

13. Wide 90-Degree Handlebar Mustache

For a truly commanding look, style both sides of the handlebar into a 90-degree angle. It takes some maintenance and can feel a bit unwieldy at first given how much of the mouth it covers, but the payoff is a seriously dramatic mustache style.

14. Modern Unstyled Handlebar Mustache

Some guys grow out the full length of a handlebar but skip the twist entirely. The result is a softer, more relaxed mustache style. It still looks solid, but without that waxed curl at the ends, some of the personality is left on the table.

15. Classic 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.

16. Horizontal Leveled-End Handlebar Mustache

Want to carve your own path? Skip the curl and style the ends of your handlebar horizontally, keeping them level and straight rather than upswept. As long as the lines are clean and the mustache trim is precise, this unconventional finish is all your own.

17. Subtle 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.

18. Wide Chevron Handlebar Mustache

If you like a mustache with real presence that covers the mouth, an acute-angle handlebar delivers exactly that. You’ll need to invest more time in growing it out, but the ends can be finished with either a tight twist or a leveled horizontal shape.

19. Thin Pencil Handlebar Mustache

While a classic handlebar is typically fuller and longer, a thin, pencil-style handlebar is its own compelling option. Fine mustaches have a more contemporary feel, making this a smart pick for younger guys who want something fashion-forward.

20. Full 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.

21. Tightly Curled Handlebar Mustache with Full Beard and Bow Tie

This guy is committing fully. From the precisely curled handlebar to the vintage glasses and bow tie, every detail is dialed in. The full beard grounds the look and keeps it from tipping into costume territory.

22. Thin Waxed Handlebar Mustache with Light Stubble

Sure, it carries a slightly vintage-villain energy, but sometimes thinner is sharper. You don’t need a long, dense brush to achieve the handlebar curl. A finer mustache with a precise wax finish can be just as striking.

23. Handlebar 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.

24. Handlebar Mustache with Soul Patch and Heavy Stubble

This is about as close to hipster perfection as it gets. The heavy stubble softens the perimeter of the soul patch, and the handlebar curl is absolutely flawless. The bow tie seals the deal.

25. Handlebar Beardstache with Short Full Beard

Here’s a virile combination for you. The handlebar is subtle rather than theatrical, but the shape is undeniably sharp. Paired with a short full beard, this is a genuinely well-balanced look.

Recommended Mustache Wax for Handlebar

Mustache wax has no real substitute when it comes to styling a handlebar mustache. No other product can guide and hold the mustache in the right direction with the same reliability. You can find a thorough breakdown in our article on the best mustache wax.

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.

FAQs on Handlebar Mustache

Can everyone grow a handlebar mustache?

Not everyone, no. You need a healthy density of facial hair in the mustache area to pull this off. If you’ve got decent coverage above the upper lip, you’re in good shape to grow a handlebar.

Which artist is famous for the handlebar mustache?

According to a survey reported by The Daily Telegraph, Surrealist artist Salvador Dali is the most recognized figure for his distinctive handlebar mustache.

Where did the handlebar mustache originate?

The handlebar mustache came into prominence in the latter part of the 19th century. No specific year is officially recorded, though the possible year of origin is often cited as 1872.

How do you curl a handlebar mustache?

Mustache wax is your most reliable tool. Apply wax to the ends of your mustache and guide them upward and inward, shaping the curl with your fingertips until you get that signature handlebar arc.

We hope these options inspired you to start growing. And here’s the best part: if you try it and it’s not for you, you can always shave it off. Permit yourself to experiment.