Quick tips: Start with a clean moustache, comb your moustache straight down to check evenness, trim if necessary, or work to adjust your styling technique.
One of the most common questions we receive from fellow growers of facial hair is “My moustache (or handlebar) is uneven how do I fix it?” We are not experts, but we have been around the block a few times, and here are a few tips on how to fix an uneven moustache that we have learned that may help you along the way.
Especially when considering uneven handlebars, you must make sure that it is your moustache that is uneven and not your styling technique. Start with a clean moustache, fresh out of the shower after a good wash with Every Day Beard Soap, apply the beard oil or beard dry oil of your choice and then use a flat iron (if your moustache is long enough) or hair dryer on a low heat setting, and moustache comb, and comb your moustache straight down. Don’t be afraid to make multiple passes to make sure your moustache is lying as flat as possible.
Check your moustache closely in the mirror. Does it appear even? It may not look even all the way across, but you want the parts that are directly opposite each other to be the same length, so the outermost tips should be the same length, the innermost parts right above the split of your upper lip should be the same length, and so on. Should you decide that a trim is in order, do so judiciously and with caution, trimming even just millimeters at a time. Place a ruler or even a level flat across your moustache to help you gauge the evenness on the outermost points.
Once you have trimmed, if that was necessary, take some time and use some Primary or Secondary wax and style your moustache as you normally would. However, a quick caveat; if you did use a beard oil or dry oil when straightening your moustache, take a moment to wash that out prior to styling. The extra oil can degrade the wax mixture and reduce the styling capabilities of the wax. However, don’t hesitate to utilize the flatiron or hairdryer here, to make sure the wax is evenly distributed through your moustache as an uneven amount could cause uneven handlebars. Check for evenness, repeat the early steps if necessary, or sit back and admire your handiwork.
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Tim Kramer says...
Hey Rodd,
Tim here. First of all, thanks so much for reading the blog and for leaving a comment. I’d say the first takeaway is don’t ever trim or shave. Ha! But seriously, it happens all too often and you pretty much always regret it after the fact.
That is a bit strange that the growth this time around seems to be less and taking longer. My best advice is to be really patient with it. Make sure you are keeping your skin and moustache clean and well hydrated. I recommend using beard oil on the moustache on the days you are not training with wax. Diet certainly is a factor but if you haven’t drastically changed your diet recently, it’s probably just your whiskers being difficult.
Basically, I’d just be patient and keep taking care of those whiskers. Daily combing with a brush and weekly training with moustache wax will go a long way. Please let me know if I can help with anything else, ok?
Tim
Can You Handlebar
On September 24, 2018
Rodd Sala says...
I started growing a moustache and after a couple of months, it looked pretty darn good. I’m in my mid 50’s so it was 90% grey. I wanted a bit of a handle bar look and all was going well with the length of each hair about the same and even “fill”
I shaved it off on vacation for no particular reason but when I got back home, I started growing it again. Now 2 months later, it is no way as impressive as it was when I first grew it. With some hairs as long as a centimetre, others are only a few millimetres. So it’s looking a bit patchy. The length is not the same either because on the previous effort, I was able to start twirling the ends. Now, the length is not sufficient to do that and in fact looks rather shaggy instead.
Is it my diet, something else? Curious to get your expert opinion.
On September 24, 2018
Tim says...
Hey Sandeel,
Thanks for reading our blog! Great question about your moustache. How long are you letting it grow before you shave it?
I would highly recommend that you stop shaving it and let it grow for at least 3-6 months. After that time, if one side is still smaller then trim the least amount possible on the bigger side and then let it all grow for several weeks. Sometimes it is just how the facial hair grows but sometimes all you need is some patience and time.
If one side remains smaller, you may just need to keep your moustache at that maximum length. Combing with a good moustache comb may help it grow and lay the way you want it to as well.
Hope that helps!
Tim
Can You Handlebar
On June 13, 2018
Sandeel says...
Sir my one side of moustahe are growing uneven and when I shave then it’s again grow big from one side , what I do
On June 13, 2018
Tim says...
Hey Logan,
Great question!
Ultimately we each need to find what works best for us. It’s your face and your moustache. :}D
That being said our general approach is to not shave or trim unless you have to. How long have you been growing the moustache? When you say thinning - is that how it is growing in or have some of the hairs on the thinner side been coming out?
If possible I’d say to let it keep growing and, if you feel necessary, trim the fuller side a tiny bit when needed so as to keep a more even look. Keep your face and moustache hair clean and hydrated so those hair follicles have a chance to grow in stronger.
Hope that helps!
Tim
-CanYouHandlebar
On January 24, 2017
Logan says...
I’m 16 right now and one of my sides on my handle bar has become thinner than the other to a point where it is noticeable. Should I just go ahead and trim both sides off or shave again so that it will grow out bigger and more even later on?
On January 24, 2017
Tim says...
Hey Krish,
The first thing we’d recommend is to get rid of the foil shaver. :) That’s not going to help your face or hair be healthy. It may be best to shave everything and let it regrow from the same place. Then just leave it be and be patient. IF you do decide to trim use scissors not a shaver. Best of luck to you!
Tim
On November 03, 2016
Krish says...
I’m 15 and I started shaving when I was 14 I use a machine and trim it then I started using a foil shaver and I recently saw that on the right side at the end there is less shir very less unlike the left side at the end. I shaved and it came out again with less hair on the right side at the middle of my Lip, can you help me
On October 30, 2016
Tim says...
Hey Narain,
How long have you been growing your mustache? Do you trim or shave often or just let it grow? If you’ve been growing for a while and just seeing some patches there’s a good chance it might just be genetic. Some fellas just have hairy genes while others get a bit more of the patchy genes :) The important thing to remember is to be proud of your facial hair because it’s yours and find what works well for you.
Cheers,
Tim
On June 03, 2016
narain says...
my mustache is growing well in some place, not growing in some place
On June 02, 2016