How to Shave a Mustache

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You’re ready to say goodbye to your mustache, but what’s the best way to shave it off? Should you trim it down first? How do you prevent dreaded razor bumps? Don’t worry—this article will walk you through exactly what to do step-by-step whether you’re using a cartridge, electric, or safety razor. Follow the steps below to get a smooth, clean shave every time.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cartridge or Safety Razor

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  1. Beard shampoo and conditioner are preferable, but you can use regular hair shampoo and conditioner too. After you wash your mustache, comb it well with a fine-tooth comb. Washing and combing your mustache will soften the hairs and make them easier to trim. [1]
  2. You want to start by trimming the mustache with a pair of clippers or a small pair of scissors. The shorter hair is less likely to catch in the razor, and you’ll also have a clearer view with which to work.
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  3. Whether in the shower or just over the sink, you should clean the skin and then apply heat. If you do not shower, then the best way to apply heat is with a wrung out, warm towel over the mustache for about a minute. [2]
    • The heat both softens the hair and opens the pores, which means a closer shave with less irritation.
  4. Pre-shave oils give you both an extra layer of lubrication and protection against skin irritation when wet shaving. Apply a small amount to the skin around your upper lip that will come in contact with the razor.
  5. Whether you prefer canned shave gels or mixing your own shaving soap in a mug, you need to work it into a creamy lather and apply it to your face. Regardless of which type you use, applying with a shave brush helps exfoliate the skin as well as lifting and softening the hair.
  6. Using a fresh razor that has been heated with warm water, make short strokes in the same direction as the grain of the hair. Since hair does not typically grow at right angles out of a man’s face, you can test the grain direction for your particular mustache by running your fingers over the scruff to find the direction it feels smooth as opposed to prickly.
    • For safety razors, you want to hold the razor at about a 30-degree angle, and you do not want to apply pressure. Simply allow the weight of the razor to slide across the skin with your hand guiding it instead of pulling it.
    • For cartridge razors, keep the plane of the cutting surface parallel with the skin. The close spacing in multi-blade cartridges will likely require rinsing the blade after each short stroke.
    • Stretch your upper lip downward to give yourself a taut, flat shaving surface.
    • Especially if you have a thick mustache and didn’t trim it very short to start, this may take several passes. Be thorough, but also be aware that many passes can lead to more nicks and shaving irritation. Reapply shaving gel or soap as needed.
  7. A nice cold water rinse when you have finished will soothe the skin and close the pores that you opened with the shower or warm towel.
  8. As with an electric shave, you will want to apply an aftershave the complements your specific skin type.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Electric Razor

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  1. Most electric shavers are designed to tackle stubble not long, thick facial hair, so you will need to use a beard trimmer to trim away most of the mustache. [3]
  2. Apply a pre-shave product to dry skin. These products differ for electric shavers. Instead of pre-shave oils one might use with a cartridge or safety razor, most electric pre-shave products are alcohol based or powders. These products help the hair stand straight up to get a closer shave with less irritation. [4]
    • If you have naturally dry or very sensitive skin, you may prefer pre-shave powders to alcohol-based products.
  3. Use your fingers to pull down around the edges of your mouth gently. This makes a nice taut surface over your upper lip for the electric shaver to pass. [5]
  4. For rotary electric shavers, you’ll use small circular motions to get the best result. For a foil electric shaver, you will use straight strokes.
    • Regardless of the shaver type you use, make slow passes to give each hair plenty of time to pass across the cutting surface.
    • Though discouraged with razor blades, shaving against the grain with an electric shaver can yield the closest shave results since it helps raise the hair.
  5. The aftershave product you need depends on your skin type. For people with dry or sensitive skin, they may prefer aftershave balms, whereas those with oily skin will likely opt for an aftershave splash with a toner.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Straight Razor

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  1. Though a straight razor can cut through the hair regardless of length, it takes much more skill on behalf of the shaver if a full mustache is involved, so begin by trimming the mustache down significantly with a trimmer or a small pair of scissors.
  2. When using a straight razor, the natural oils of your skin can actually help lubricate the shave, so you may prefer not to wash your face until after shaving. To prep the skin simply wring out a towel after running warm water on in and place it over your mustache for a minute.
  3. Like with a safety razor, a small amount of a good pre-shave oil will help provide an extra layer of lubrication to protect again cuts and irritation.
  4. You do not want to use a canned gel with a straight razor. Apply shaving soap with a good brush and work it into a rich lather over your mustache.
    • Brushing against the grain of your mustache will help raise the hair and exfoliate your skin.
  5. You want to hold the straight razor at a 30-degree angle with your little finger on the tang—the little curved bit—and your other three fingers on the back of the shank with your thumb on the front of the shank beneath the blade. [6] This will give you the most control and precision with the straight razor.
    • Do not apply pressure. Allow the weight of the blade to do the cutting and use your hand to guide it rather than to apply any pressure.
    • To form a taut surface flatten your lip downward. You can also use your free hand to tilt your nose up slightly, which will additionally tighten the skin on your upper lip.
    • Never under any circumstances use the blade in a sawing motion.
    • If you've never used a straight razor before, consider practicing on a balloon. Apply shaving cream to a balloon and shave it off with the razor. If you pop the balloon, you're applying too much pressure. [7]
  6. As with other wet shave methods, the warm towel or shower to start opens your pores, and a splash of cold water when you’re done helps close them.
  7. Apply a small amount of the aftershave of your choice based on your skin type.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What should you do to prep your mustache before shaving it?
    Timmy Yanchun
    Professional Barber
    Timmy Yanchun is a Professional Barber and Co-Founder of Svelte Barbershop + Essentials. Svelte Barbershop + Essentials is a men’s grooming company, specializing in men’s hair, beard, skin, and shave products, originally located in the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, California but has now branched out to 3 locations across Los Angeles. Timmy has been cutting hair since age 13 and opened his first of 6 barbershops at age 18. He is also the co-founder of the newly launched brand LTHR, the world's first wireless hot lather machine for barber quality shaves at home. Timmy and Svelte have been featured in GQ, Men's Fitness, and Hypebeast.
    Timmy Yanchun
    Professional Barber
    Expert Answer
    First you want to wash it. If you have a beard shampoo that's better, but if you only have regular hair shampoo, that's fine. Also, condition your mustache to soften the hairs, and then make sure you comb it really well. I recommend using a fine-tooth comb.
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  • Question
    What can I use to shave if I don't have shaving cream?
    Timmy Yanchun
    Professional Barber
    Timmy Yanchun is a Professional Barber and Co-Founder of Svelte Barbershop + Essentials. Svelte Barbershop + Essentials is a men’s grooming company, specializing in men’s hair, beard, skin, and shave products, originally located in the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, California but has now branched out to 3 locations across Los Angeles. Timmy has been cutting hair since age 13 and opened his first of 6 barbershops at age 18. He is also the co-founder of the newly launched brand LTHR, the world's first wireless hot lather machine for barber quality shaves at home. Timmy and Svelte have been featured in GQ, Men's Fitness, and Hypebeast.
    Timmy Yanchun
    Professional Barber
    Expert Answer
    I wouldn't recommend doing this all of the time, but hair conditioner or moisturizer will work in a pinch. Make sure you wet your skin first before applying it. And ideally you should be doing the same prep as you would if you were using shaving cream: using warm water to soften your hair and open up your pores.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    What mustache styles are popular right now?
    Timmy Yanchun
    Professional Barber
    Timmy Yanchun is a Professional Barber and Co-Founder of Svelte Barbershop + Essentials. Svelte Barbershop + Essentials is a men’s grooming company, specializing in men’s hair, beard, skin, and shave products, originally located in the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, California but has now branched out to 3 locations across Los Angeles. Timmy has been cutting hair since age 13 and opened his first of 6 barbershops at age 18. He is also the co-founder of the newly launched brand LTHR, the world's first wireless hot lather machine for barber quality shaves at home. Timmy and Svelte have been featured in GQ, Men's Fitness, and Hypebeast.
    Timmy Yanchun
    Professional Barber
    Expert Answer
    As a barber myself, I've been seeing a lot of people rock the horseshoe mustache. It's currently my favorite. I'm starting to see it a lot more.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • It’s a good idea to use a fresh blade for the soft skin under your mustache which hasn’t been shaved in some time.
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      • Though a 30-degree angle is pretty basic with a safety or straight razor, you may prefer to adjust this slightly based on the contours of your face.
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      Warnings

      • Use caution if your trim your mustache with scissors as well since a mistake there can also lead to cuts.
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      • Any razor has the potential to cut, but you should be especially careful when using safety and straight razors.
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      Things You’ll Need

      • A razor whether electric, cartridge, safety, or straight
      • A trimmer or scissors
      • Access to hot water
      • Towel
      • Shaving cream or shaving soap
      • Pre-shave oil
      • Aftershave
      • A mug
      • A shaving brush

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      References

      1. ↑ Timmy Yanchun. Professional Barber. Expert Interview. 22 January 2020.
      2. ↑ Timmy Yanchun. Professional Barber. Expert Interview. 22 January 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvtqDyTbZnc
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvtqDyTbZnc
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvtqDyTbZnc
      6. ↑ http://www.shavemyface.com/downloads/The-Straight-Razor-Shave.pdf
      7. ↑ Timmy Yanchun. Professional Barber. Expert Interview. 22 January 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Before shaving your mustache with a disposable razor, trim it with a small pair of scissors, so it’s less likely to catch in your razor. Then, put a warm towel over it for a minute to soften your skin. Next, apply pre-shave oil, and shaving cream or shaving gel to lubricate your skin. After that, heat a fresh razor in warm water, then stretch your upper lip downward as you shave, using short strokes in the direction the hair grows. When you’re done, rinse your face with cold water and pat it dry before applying aftershave. To learn how to shave your mustache with an electric razor or a straight razor, keep reading!

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