How to Grow a Horseshoe Mustache (And Decide If It’s Right for You)

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Plus, learn which celebrities popularized this legendary mustache
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The horseshoe mustache is a thick mustache that drapes over the corners of the lips to resemble a horseshoe. It’s often associated with manliness and toughness, as it was popularized by celebrities like Hulk Hogan. If you’re looking to emulate that manly look, we’ve got you covered. For this article, we spoke with professional barbers and cosmetologists to teach you how to grow and maintain a horseshoe mustache, as well as how to decide if it’s the right facial hair for you .

What are horseshoe mustaches?

The horseshoe mustache is a full, fluffy mustache that grows over the corners of the mouth and down towards the chin, like a horseshoe. It was popularized by celebrities like Hulk Hogan. To shave the horseshoe mustache, shave everywhere but your smile line areas, then use a straight razor to clean the edges.

Section 1 of 6:

What is a horseshoe mustache?

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  1. The horseshoe mustache is a full, fluffy mustache with hanging sides. Often worn by burly bikers, the horseshoe mustache is a low-maintenance style that’s easy to grow, depending on how fast your facial hair grows. It sits above the upper lip, taking up most of the area between your nose and lips. Rather than ending at the corners of the mouth like other mustaches, the horseshoe mustache extends vertically over the corners down towards the chin. [1]
    • The horseshoe name comes from the mustache’s shape, which wraps around the mouth like a horseshoe wraps around a horse’s foot.
    • The styles of the horseshoe mustache vary. They include:
      • Classic: A thick, rugged horseshoe mustache that extends vertically toward the chin.
      • Biker: A horseshoe mustache with short vertical ends and a long, thick top.
      • Tamed: A horseshoe mustache with carefully trimmed edges.
      • Cowboy: A horseshoe mustache without stubble that’s thicker than average, especially on the sides.

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Timmy Yanchun is a professional barber and co-founder of Svelte Barbershop + Essentials in California. He’s been cutting hair since age 13.

    Juan Sabino is a professional barber with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in comb-overs, fades, and tapers.

    Mark LoBiondo is a licensed cosmetologist and the owner of Markdaniel Barbershop. He has over 9 years of experience in providing barber services.

    Joshua Pompey is a relationship expert based in New York City. With over 15 years of experience, Joshua helps clients navigate online dating.

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Section 2 of 6:

How to Shave the Horseshoe Mustache

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  1. 1
    Wash and comb your beard. Professional barber Timmy Yanchun says to wash your beard with beard shampoo and conditioner before trimming. If you don’t have beard shampoo, regular shampoo will suffice. Once your beard is washed and conditioned, comb it with a fine-toothed comb to bring the hairs out for an even trim. [2]
  2. 2
    Shave off all your facial hair except your mustache. A beard trimmer works best, but a razor is also acceptable. Shave off the beard everywhere other than inside your smile line areas (from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth). Cut the hair on your chin, too, but keep a vertical sliver of hair running down from the sides of your mouth. [3]
    • For the cowboy horseshoe style, leave about 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of hair on the sides of your mustache.
  3. 3
    Use a straight razor to clean the sides and top of your stache. Now that you’ve defined the shape of your mustache, grab a straight razor and use it to outline the edges. Shave the lines leading up to the hair below the nose at an angle. Outline the sides by running the straight razor down the vertical edges, carefully trimming any overgrowth. [4]
  4. 4
    Shave off extra stubble to further define your mustache. If you want your horseshoe mustache to be the primary focus of your face, shave away any stubble with a razor. Apply shaving cream to the area(s) that you want to get rid of, then shave over the cream with a razor to remove the stubble. [5]
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Section 3 of 6:

How to Maintain the Horseshoe Mustache

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  1. 1
    Use a gentle cleanser daily to keep your mustache germ-free. A gentle cleanser will ensure that the germs that get caught in your mustache throughout the day are promptly removed. If you’re still in the early stages of growth, lightly exfoliate about twice a week to prevent ingrown hairs. [6]
  2. 2
    Wash your horseshoe mustache 2-3 times a week and comb it daily. Wash your mustache 2-3 times a week with beard shampoo to keep it clean and get rid of any unnecessary buildup, dirt, or grime that isn’t removed by cleansers. If you don’t have beard shampoo, regular shampoo will work just fine. Comb the mustache daily to keep it from tangling and matting. [7]
  3. 3
    Trim your horseshoe mustache a few times a week. While the horseshoe mustache typically looks best with a grown-out, thick look, you’ll still want to trim regularly to keep it (relatively) tamed and avoid overgrowth. Use a razor or electric blade with a fragrance-free shaving oil, gel, and lotion, and trim any overgrowth, especially over the lips and nose. [8]
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Section 4 of 6:

Is the horseshoe mustache right for you?

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  1. 1
    Grow a horseshoe if you have an oblong, triangle, or square face. When paired with the oblong face shape , the horseshoe mustache makes the face appear wider and stronger. When paired with triangle and square face shapes, the horseshoe mustache helps complement the underlying bone structure, emphasizing the jaw and chin. So, if you’ve got any of those face shapes, the horseshoe mustache is for you. [11]
    • Oval and round face shapes are also acceptable matches, but with certain stipulations:
      • For oval face shapes , keep your horseshoe mustache tamed and away from the chin.
      • For round face shapes , keep your horseshoe mustache tamed and trimmed.
  2. 2
    Consider a different style if you have a heart or diamond face. The small chin of the heart face shape makes the face look rounder when paired with the horseshoe mustache. Although the mustache’s fullness may offset some of the roundness, the vertical length will only accentuate it. For diamond face shapes , the horseshoe mustache makes the face look thinner , as the vertical ends clash with the high cheekbones. [12]
    • If you have a round face shape, opt for facial hair that adds structure to the chin, like the circle beard or Balbo beard.
  3. 3
    Ultimately, rock the horseshoe mustache if it makes you feel confident. According to relationship expert Joshua Pompey, you can’t fake confidence. However, getting a new haircut (or facial hair style) to feel like your most physically attractive self is a step in the right direction. [13] If you’re interested in growing a horseshoe mustache, don’t let anything stop you! As long as you wear it with confidence, it’s right for you!
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Section 5 of 6:

Famous People With Horseshoe Mustaches

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  1. Hulk Hogan popularized the horseshoe mustache in the 70s. Once Hulk Hogan started wearing the horseshoe mustache in the 70s and 80s, the Hells Angels biker club followed suit and gave the mustache a masculine feel. Other celebrities who wear (or have worn) the horseshoe mustache include Tom Selleck, Burt Reynolds, and the following: [14]
    • John Lennon
    • Sam Elliot
    • Axl Rose
    • Morgan Spurlock
    • Paul Teutul Sr.
    • Luis Tiant
    • Trevor Gillies
    • Goose Gossage
    • Mitchell Johnson
    • Merv Hughes
    • Jeff Odgers
Section 6 of 6:

Other Mustache Styles

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  1. 1
    Fu Manchu The Fu Manchu mustache is similar to the horseshoe mustache, as they both drape over the lips for a vertical drop-off. However, the Fu Manchu is straight, features a wide gap at the philtrum (the indent above your upper lip leading to your nose), and hangs primarily from the mouth’s corners. It’s a slimmer look, too, so if you’re looking for a more kept style, consider wearing the Fu Manchu. [15]
  2. 2
    Pencil mustache A pencil mustache is a narrow, pencil-thin mustache that sits on the upper lip. Typically, it’s a singular line, but in some cases, it’s worn with a shaved gap in the center. It’s called a pencil mustache because it’s so thin that it looks as if it were drawn onto the face with a pencil. If you want a soft, subtle look, go with the pencil mustache. [16]
  3. 3
    Chevron mustache The Chevron mustache is a full mustache that covers the upper lip and takes an inverted V shape. It’s a look that’s often associated with masculinity and toughness, being popularized by celebrities like Burt Reynolds and Tom Selleck, who were known for their masculine, tough acting roles. If you want a clean, masculine look, consider the chevron.
  4. 4
    Handlebar mustache A handlebar mustache is a mustache that extends and twirls past the corners of the lips, creating a shape reminiscent of an old motorcycle handlebar. They were a lot more popular in the 19th and 20th centuries than they are in the present day, being worn by historical figures like former president William Howard Taft and former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://bespokeunit.com/grooming/moustaches/horseshoe/
      2. ↑ Timmy Yanchun. Professional Barber. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/yGUISsEPEHY?si=WumOs7e0EvADI5pV&t=628
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/yGUISsEPEHY?si=BM2s3FfDvqoixALF&t=642
      5. ↑ https://youtube.com/shorts/vw8XxwiTf9E?si=qOEFY3KXLtJx82Z2
      6. ↑ https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2024/07/beard-health-how-care-your-facial-hair
      7. ↑ https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2024/07/beard-health-how-care-your-facial-hair
      8. ↑ https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2024/07/beard-health-how-care-your-facial-hair
      9. ↑ Mark LoBiondo. Licensed Cosmetologist. Expert Interview
      1. ↑ Juan Sabino. Professional Barber. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ https://bespokeunit.com/grooming/moustaches/horseshoe/
      3. ↑ https://bespokeunit.com/grooming/moustaches/horseshoe/
      4. ↑ Joshua Pompey. Relationship Expert. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ https://bespokeunit.com/grooming/moustaches/horseshoe/
      6. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Fu+Manchu+mustache
      7. ↑ http://www.nortonofmorton.com/2015/11/pencil-moustache-debonair-dozen.html

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