Movember's Coming: Should You Grow That Mustache?

Let's be honest – not every guy can pull off a mustache. And Movember proves that every single year when Toronto fills up with patchy, awkward lip caterpillars that make everyone uncomfortable at the office.

But here's the thing: some guys genuinely look great with a mustache. The difference between looking distinguished and looking like you got lost on the way to a costume party comes down to knowing what works for your face, committing to proper maintenance, and being brutally honest about whether you should bail halfway through.

So before you put down the razor for November, let's talk about what you're actually getting into.

The Brutal Truth About Growing a Mustache

Growing a mustache isn't like growing a beard. With a beard, the awkward phase kind of blends in – it just looks like you're between shaves. With a mustache, there's no hiding. You look exactly like what you are: a guy trying to grow a mustache.

The first two weeks are rough. Really rough. You'll have this weird shadow above your lip that's too thin to look intentional but too obvious to ignore. Your girlfriend will make jokes. Your coworkers will ask if you lost a bet. Random people on the TTC will stare.

Week three is when things get interesting. Either your mustache starts filling in and looking like something, or it becomes clear that genetics didn't bless you with upper lip hair. There's no shame in the second option – plenty of guys just can't grow good mustaches.

If you make it to week four, congratulations. You either look good or you've committed so hard to the bit that people respect the dedication. This is usually when guys decide whether they're keeping it past November or shaving it off at 12:01 AM on December 1st.

The itchy phase hits around day 10-14. Your upper lip will feel weird. You'll want to scratch it constantly. You'll notice it every time you eat or drink. This is where a lot of guys bail, and honestly, that's fine.

Who Can Actually Pull Off a Mustache?

Not everyone's face works with a mustache. It's not about being manly or having good genetics – it's just face shape and features.

Guys with longer faces usually do well with mustaches. The horizontal line of a mustache balances out the vertical length. Think about classic mustache guys – they almost always have longer, narrower faces.

Strong jaw and chin help a lot. A mustache draws attention to your mouth area, so if you've got a weak chin, it can actually make things worse. Strong facial structure gives a mustache something to work with.

Fuller lips are better for mustaches. Thin lips with a mustache can create this weird visual imbalance. Fuller lips provide better proportion and make the mustache look more intentional.

Darker, thicker hair is easier. Blonde or red mustaches can work, but they're harder to pull off. You need more density for them to show up properly. If your mustache hair is super light or patchy, you might be fighting an uphill battle.

Your nose matters too. A larger nose can actually support a mustache better than a small one. It's about facial balance and proportion.

Here's the reality check: if you're not sure whether a mustache works for your face, it probably doesn't. Guys who look good with mustaches usually know it pretty quickly.

Mustache Styles That Actually Work in Toronto

Not all mustaches are created equal. Some styles are classic and timeless. Others will make you look like you're about to sell someone a used car.

The Classic/Natural – This is your safest bet. It's basically just letting your upper lip hair grow out naturally, keeping it neat and trimmed. Nothing fancy, nothing extreme. Works for most face shapes and doesn't scream "I'm trying too hard."

The Chevron – Think Tom Selleck or Freddie Mercury. Fuller, covers the entire upper lip area, slightly downturned at the corners. This is a commitment mustache – it's obvious and bold. Only works if you can grow thick facial hair.

The Pencil – Thin, precise line just above your upper lip. This is high-maintenance and honestly pretty hard to pull off in 2025 without looking like a villain. Skip it unless you're going for a very specific vintage look.

The Handlebar – Curled ends, often waxed. Look, this is a personality statement more than a mustache. If you're considering this, you probably already know if it's your vibe. Most Toronto guys should probably skip it.

The Horseshoe – Extends down past your mouth to your jaw. This is the biker/wrestler mustache. It's bold, it's aggressive, and it's not for everyone. Unless you're very confident in your look, this is probably too much.

The Walrus – Big, bushy, hangs over your lip. This is the most "Movember dad" of all mustaches. Can look distinguished on older guys with the right face, but younger guys usually can't pull it off.

For most Toronto guys doing Movember, stick with the classic or chevron. They're the most forgiving and the easiest to maintain.

The Awkward Phase (And How to Survive It)

There's no way around it – growing a mustache means looking awkward for at least two weeks. Here's how to make it less painful.

Keep everything else sharp. Get a fresh haircut before November starts. Keep your beard (if you have one) well-maintained. When your mustache looks weird, having everything else dialed in helps balance it out.

Tell people what you're doing. Just own it. "Yeah, doing Movember this year" immediately explains the situation and stops the weird questions. People are way more supportive when they know it's for charity.

Trim the neckline and cheek lines. Even if you're growing a mustache, keep your other facial hair boundaries clean. Messy edges make the whole thing look more unkempt.

Don't touch it constantly. I know it feels weird. I know you want to check if it's growing. But constantly touching your upper lip makes you look nervous and draws more attention to it.

Stay consistent. The worst thing you can do is grow it for a week, shave it, then try again. Commit for the full month or don't start.

Moisturize your upper lip area. New facial hair can dry out your skin. A little moisturizer prevents flaking and itching.

Maintenance: The Part Nobody Talks About

Here's what they don't tell you about mustaches – they require way more maintenance than you think.

Trimming is constant. Your mustache will grow into your mouth. It'll get uneven. You'll need small scissors or a trimmer to keep it neat. This is weekly at minimum, daily if you want it to look really good.

Eating becomes complicated. Food gets stuck in there. Drinks leave residue. You'll need to check yourself after every meal. Napkins become your best friend.

It gets gross faster than beard hair. Because it's right by your mouth, your mustache picks up everything – food, drink, whatever. You'll need to wash it more often than you think.

Wax or balm might be necessary. Even if you're going for a natural look, some product helps keep things under control. Just don't overdo it – you want to look groomed, not like you used a whole jar of wax.

Regular trimming at the barbershop helps. We can clean up the edges, fix symmetry issues, and make sure it's growing in the right shape. Don't try to do everything yourself with bathroom scissors.

When to Call It Quits

Sometimes you need to accept that the mustache isn't working. Here are signs you should probably shave it off:

It's super patchy after three weeks. Some guys just can't grow connected upper lip hair. If you've got random patches and gaps by week three, it's not going to get better.

It makes you look way older or way younger – and not in a good way. Mustaches can add 10 years or make you look like a teenager pretending to be older. If people keep commenting on how different you look, that's usually not a compliment.

Your partner genuinely hates it. Look, Movember is fun, but if your girlfriend or wife is really not into it, you've got to decide what's more important.

It's affecting your work. In some professional environments, a mustache that's still in the awkward phase can look unprofessional. If your boss is making comments or you're worried about client meetings, it might not be worth it.

You hate looking at yourself. If you can't stand your own reflection, shave it. Movember is supposed to raise awareness and funds, not make you miserable for 30 days.

There's no shame in starting Movember and bailing. The point is raising awareness about men's health, and you can donate regardless of whether you keep the mustache.

Making It Work at the Office

Toronto's gotten more casual, but mustaches still raise eyebrows in some workplaces. Here's how to make it work professionally:

Address it early. At the start of November, mention you're doing Movember for charity. Gets ahead of any weird comments and explains the situation.

Keep it neat. Even during the awkward phase, make sure it's trimmed and clean. A messy mustache looks way worse than a thin one.

Everything else should be professional. Fresh haircut, clean shave on your cheeks and neck, good grooming overall. The mustache is the only "off" thing about your appearance.

Have a donation link ready. When people make jokes, mention the charity aspect and share your Movember page. Turns awkwardness into fundraising.

Know your industry. Finance and law are tougher on facial hair than tech or creative fields. Read the room.

After Movember: Keep It or Kill It?

December 1st is decision day. Some guys discover they actually like having a mustache. Others can't wait to shave it off.

If you're thinking about keeping it, wait a few days before deciding. Let the novelty wear off and see how you actually feel about it.

Ask people you trust for honest opinions. Not "does this look okay?" but "should I keep this?" There's a difference.

Consider maintenance long-term. Are you willing to trim it regularly, deal with the eating situation, and commit to the upkeep? If not, it's probably not worth keeping.

If you do keep it, get it professionally shaped at a barbershop. We can clean it up and set you up with a maintenance routine that works.

The Bottom Line on Movember

Should you grow a mustache for Movember? Maybe. It depends on your face, your commitment level, and your ability to handle looking weird for at least two weeks.

The good news is it's just a month. Even if you look ridiculous, it's for a good cause and it'll be over soon. Plus, you'll have a bunch of awkward photos to laugh about later.

The better news is that some guys discover they actually look great with a mustache and end up keeping it. You won't know unless you try.

Just remember – keep everything else groomed and sharp. A mustache on a guy with a fresh haircut and clean lines looks intentional. A mustache on a guy who hasn't seen a barber in two months looks like he gave up on life.

Starting Movember with a fresh cut? Book with JDED and we'll set you up with a style that works with your mustache goals – and we'll keep you looking sharp all month long.