You may have noticed a few more moustaches than usual sprouting up recently. This is not a new fashion statement (though for some it might be) but mainly because of ‘Movember’.
On Movember 1st, guys register at Movember.com with a clean-shaven face and then for the rest of the month these men, known as Mo Bros, “groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery” and seek sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.” (read more here)
In 2010, over 112,000 UK Mo Bros got on board, raising £11.7 million.
The artists at Emma Davies thought it was perfect time to look at male grooming to help these selfless and generous men through the month.
Moustache Tips:
- When trimming your moustache there are two things to consider, the silhouette or outline shape and the overall thickness and length. Shave just around the outside of the moustache and then tidy up properly with scissors and a comb (Kent Brushes have developed one especially for Movember). Use your lip as a template and trim one side first and then the other side. Take your time and try and get the shape as symmetrical as possible, a magnifying mirror would really help with this. Electric trimmers are also good to use but beware as one slip and your mo’ could go for a burton! Scissors are safer!
- Use Moustache Wax from Murdock’s or Oregon Wild Hair to add volume and definition to your ‘tache. For extra control apply the wax firstly to your moustache then use a hairdryer to warm the wax which makes it more malleable and allows greater control!
- Choose a style most flattering for your face shape. The size of your philtrum (area between nose and top lip!) will obviously have a bearing on this. i.e. the larger the philtrum the wider the moustache should be.
Anna Cofone however, suggests having fun and men should be experimenting with different shapes, lengths and thicknesses! Anna pointed out how good they can look giving the example of “Johnny Depp at the UK premier of ‘The Rum Diary’ wearing his trademark Tom Ford suit, an open necked shirt and his ever groomed moustache.”
For ‘a very gentlemanly look to match your Movember moustache’ Philippe Tholimet suggests using a bit of any conditioner in your hand to give the hair a feel that it has brillantine in it without using brillantine… He says to comb through the hair then make a side parting with your fingers and let it dry naturally. Philippe says “The hair should look that it has been groomed at some point in time and then this is about a few hours later.”
Eli Wakamatsu’s favourite mens pre-to-post shaving products are from Kiehls as there is a lot of variety for different skin types. She says, “Men’s skin needs to have cleansed well into pores and regular gentle scrubbing at least once a week”.
Maria Comparetto agrees “Make sure you exfoliate your skin at least once a week”, she suggests using “a ‘sloughing brush’ these are available from most high street stores including Boots, Muji and The Body Shop.”
“This little wooden brush is used to lather up your usual facial wash in the palm of your hand, then with small circular motions massage all over your face and neck for a few minutes (avoiding delicate eye area). Wash the product off using warm water and apply a moisturiser (such as Clinique lotion)”
For a flawless look for the Movember party at the end of the month, Maria says, “Grab your girlfriend’s YSL ‘Touche Eclat’ (or get your own) and dot just under the eyes where you may have dark circles then gently pat with your ring finger until the product disappears, this will reflect the natural light and give you a fresh & rested appearance.” She adds “Just be careful to use the shade that suits you. There are 7 available. You’ll look smokin! and noone will know how/why….”