Caring for the moustache... the daily routine

GUEST CORRESPONDENT: DAVID HILL (@tales_from_the_moustache)

Daily Routine
On awakening I have what can only be described as ‘bed moustache’, this is very similar to those of you who are not as follically challenge as myself having ‘bed hair’…except ‘bed tache’ is much harder to tame.

I literally have to soak my face in warm water (not hot as it can damage the follicles), until my whole tache is saturated and flat.

Dry the face thoroughly, I like to use the rough side of a towel (I know weird right?) and vigorous circular motions over the whole face…at this point the facial hair resembles a busted couch.

Apply 4-5 drops of oil (the Captain’s/Ricki Hall’s Booze & Baccy in this case) rub into the palms and apply throughout the whole beard and moustache, smoothing down the hair as you do.

My moustache is so well trained, that at this point it is usually sitting well and looks good in its resting state (we’ll get to that in a minute!) Then, using a small ‘Kent‘ comb, I comb the moustache from the centre of the lip to the edge of the mouth, creating what essentially is a middle parting on the top lip.

Wax time.

I have several to choose from, but for the purpose of this tutorial I’m going with the wax to match my oil. (It smells incredible like all of the Captain’s waxes!) I was a big fan of the ‘Maharaja’ with its tropical scent, I’ve had ‘Nebula’, ‘Big peat’, ‘Triumphant’ and the classic Ylang ylang and lavender scents. 

And for extreme hold, the Captain’s ‘Expedition strength’ is the one! This wax is slightly firmer, I often heat it a little with the steam off the kettle or by leaving it on a radiator for a few minutes, it’s not as pliable but you can hang a coat on the curls when you’re done!

As for the standard waxes one should always keep them in one’s pocket to keep them warm, this makes them easier to apply and makes the wax softer and more pliable.

Pictured above is the tache in it’s resting state (no wax) which is a nice relaxed style but rubbish if you don’t want to eat half of it with lunch.

I like to have either a sharp point or a nice curl on my tache, so wax is in order. Take a small pea sized amount (pictured) then separate into two smaller halves. Rub the wax between the thumb, index and forefinger and then apply. 

If your tache is well behaved then the curl should start to form instantly, sometimes I have a ‘bad tache’ day where I may need to be a bit more patient (not my strong point) with the face fuzz. 

Once the wax is applied, the moustache may need a little trim (I sometimes have little stragglers in the centre, so I trim them off with scissors) to keep it all looking ship shape. As far as trimming the whole thing, I have done this myself (very carefully) with the wax in, so I can control the amount I’m taking off better.

Depending on what your get up to, eat and drink, your curls and your tache should stay neat and tidy, but remember to keep the wax in your pocket handy (along with your little comb) in case you need to reapply, one’s moustache should always be on point.

Removal of the wax at the end of the day is easy, with the standard waxes warm water will suffice, with the expedition strength wax I apply a little oil, comb through then wash with warm water and the Captain’s beard shampoo.

And there you have it! The complete guide to caring for your moustache!

And as the good captain would say…

“All hail the hirsute!”

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Further reading: https://talesfromthemoustache.wordpress.com