How to apply moustache wax: “From the can to the man”
Pre-work: warming the wax
Before you can apply moustache wax, you have to own some. Want some help picking the right wax? Check out this page-it will help! Or you can just “get a pair” and dispense with all that deciding nonsense!
There are a lot of ways to warm your moustache wax. If you have steam heat in your home you can set your can on a register in the morning for a few minutes. Some folks use a hair dryer or you can use the hot water from your shower or sink, allowing the water to run over and around the can for a few minutes, with the lid on, until you are ready to apply. I would like to point out that because CanYouHandlebar cans are free of pesky stickers you can run water over them without making a gluey and paper pulp mess! However, you get here, the end result is that the wax should be soft enough to yield to the pressure of the back of your fingernail or other improvised scraper. It should not be so hot it starts to liquify. Do not microwave the wax or heat on an open flame or candle warmer. These seem like a good idea for 0.5 seconds but won’t do what you are hoping for.
Step One: admire the can
This is kind of tongue-in-cheek, but also kind of serious. I really enjoy this ritual. At this point I double check that I am using the right wax (unless you are one of the very first folks to order, you will have a “P” or “S” stamped on the bottom indicating “Primary6″ or “Secondary6.”
Step Two: scrape some wax
I usually use the index finger of my right hand because I am right-handed. In this photo I used my left index finger since I was using my right hand to take the photo. It really doesn’t matter which hand you use because you will use both pairs of thumbs and index fingers since your handlebar moustache has a left side and a right side. On occasion I have stolen one of my wife’s hair clips or the back of a pair of tweezers because it allowed me to keep more wax out of the corners of my fingernails. I would advise against using a key because you don’t want gum up the inside of your car or door lock. The back corner of a standard men’s comb works well too.
Step Three: transfer to finger tips
This part takes a little practice at first but it is really not too tough to master pretty quickly. I use my middle finger to push the wax off the back of my index finger and then transfer the wax to the thumb and forefinger of the same hand or I transfer the moustache wax to the opposing hand at this point. Maybe your booger manipulation skills in elementary school will come in handy as you master this test of dexterity. (Of course, as gentlemen, we never pick our noses these days, we only use Kleenex or cotton handkerchiefs!)
Step Four: rub between fingers
Now that you have about two grains of rice worth of wax between your index finger and your thumb rub it back-and-forth until it feels like it has melted and coated the pads of both digits. This may seem super obvious, but your handlebar moustache is a three dimensional object. That means it has a front and a back and sides. By having wax on your thumb and index finger you can properly wax all angles to get the right amount of coverage. Notice how little wax I am working with. Fight the temptation to try to work with a lot of wax at once. Even a large or bushy handlebar moustache should be waxed in phases, not all at once.
Step Five: confirm wax is melted
Notice how the wax is almost invisible? That is the reason you don’t need to use a colored moustache wax. Relative to the volume of hair you have, the amount of wax you use is very small and will be clear if applied correctly. If there are small “clumps” have no fear, they will be massaged into your whiskers and come out clear and invisible.
Step Six: wax back of moustache
Touch ups: In this picture I am just doing a “touch up” so I focused mostly on the ends of my handlebar moustache. In addition to touching up the tips, I occasionally add a little wax to the lip line before dinner to keep those hair out of my mouth and a dab for any fly aways. I basically trace the side of the moustache, starting in the middle and working my way out to the ends. The ends are where most of the wax is needed. The middle of the moustache doesn’t support or look good with a ton of wax because you are breathing out at ~98.6 degrees all day long and constantly melting anything you put there.
Fresh application: When I have just taken a shower, I start with a totally dry moustache (oil and water don’t mix!) and put a light amount of wax in the center, working my way out and, as above, focus most of my attention on the tips. I like to use a hair dryer on low heat to ensure no wax clumps are visible and to make sure I am not dragging a comb through wax that at holding strength. If you pull a comb through wax that isn’t warmed you may pull out hair ahead of schedule. I recommend combing the freshly waxed hairs down first and then to the right and left. After the hairs are combed I gently twist the ends toward my face, using extra wax as necessary.
Under construction: If your handlebar moustache is still in the growing phase, use more wax because it is training the hairs to grow the right direction, soothing the skin underneath that my be scratched by hairs as they grow out and it will help you resist the temptation to trim at the hairline and give yourself a mullet handlebar moustache. After three months, start using less wax in the middle (see above).
Emergency touch-up tips: I live in Michigan and have had to apply or reapply wax under less that optimal conditions. Here are some tips and tricks for these emergency situations.
- In a vehicle: crank the heat up to high and use it to warm the wax and to blow onto your moustache after application to melt any clumps. I turn all vents “off” except for the one right in front of me to get maximum airflow on my face. Then I cup my hands to aim all of the air at my moustache. This is surprisingly effective.
- Armpit: Your armpit is the closest you can get to your body’s core temperature that isn’t illegal in some states. Putting your wax in your armpit for several minutes will soften it better than riding shotgun in your pants pocket (where I normally carry my Primary6)
- Cup your hands: If all else fails, you can use your own breath to soften the wax you’ve just applied. The trick is to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Cover your mouth like you are sneezing and you will be exhaling nearly 99 degrees of heat to your moustache. After 10-15 breaths you can usually get a pretty decent outcome. Just pay close attention to clumps and use as little wax as possible to reduce the amount of wax as possible-the less you use, the less you have to try to warm with your own breath. The tips you can warm by rolling them back and forth with your thumb and forefinger.
Step Seven: wax rest of moustache
As mentioned above, the best way to apply wax is based on whether you are touching up or applying from scratch and on whether you are growing out a new handlebar moustache or have a fully grown specimen. In the final analysis just make sure you use just enough and no more to get the desired look.
Step Eight: wipe off excess wax
I have a full beard growing under my handlebar moustache. Therefore, any wax left on my fingers and thumbs I use to encourage the “connector” hairs to grow straight down. This keeps the hairs at the lip line out of the way. I use my beard products one verything South of the moustache. Once you are done shaping, twisting and admiring yourself in the mirror, you really should wash your hands with a soap that will remove the waxes and oils from your hands so you don’t gum up your keyboards, touch screens or-as I learned the hard way-gum up the home button on your iPhone. I know that not everyone has an iPhone, but the principle still applies, regardless of your phone.
Step Nine: confirm all is well
Admire the handlebar moustache you have wrought. Keep an eye out for any clumps of wax, fly-aways or any particulates stuck in your manly maw. In this picture I can see a hair on the right side of my face (left side of the photo) that has its own agenda. I thought about “fixing” it in post-production but I left it to show that even a guy that owns a moustache wax company has to work diligently to keep the hairs in their place. I have since fixed this fly-away using just a very small bit of wax.
In closing
I hope this guide helps you regardless of which wax you use. Obviously, I hope you’ll give my waxes a try but I want you to look your best no matter what. Did I miss a step or would you like more information? Email me at Gentleman@CanYouHandlebar.com and I will respond or update this page with your feedback! Thanks for reading and happy handlebar moustaching! Cheers!