If you’re searching for the best mustache wax, we’d like to officially welcome to the ‘stache renaissance. Whether you like it or not, the hairy upper lip is completely in vogue (thanks, Timothée Chalamet). While modern styles are less hairy Hulk Hogan and more refined Eddie Murphy, it’s possibly time you embraced your journey to ‘stache status. But before you lather up your cheeks for a midweek shave to perfect the pencil, you should know that you’ll almost certainly need one of the best mustache waxes if you’ve got any hope of it looking half decent.
Even if all you can muster is a very thin dusting of follicles under your nose, using a wax will do wonders for your look. A quality wax will nourish the skin, command the hairs to do what you want, and add a bit of pizzazz to the aesthetic, regardless of the style you’re going for. So, which wax deserves a spot in your grooming cabinet? Below, we’ve collected the top options for treating facial hair correctly. We’ve selected brands well-known for providing hydrating hair care for men, and tested them on our beards to guarantee we only advise on the best options.
The Best Mustache Waxes, According to GQ
Looking for Something Specific?
Best Mustache Wax Overall: Bulldog Original Beard Wax
You’ll be familiar with Bulldog’s legacy in almost every drugstore, from its moisturizers to its shaving balms, but the wax is one of our favorite options. The wax is a bit grainy, but holds your mustache firm all day and gently moisturizes the skin underneath without being greasy or sticky.
Best Mustache Wax for Lighter Hair: Death Grip Mustache Wax
Sounds and looks scary, but Death Grip takes a no-nonsense approach to facial hair management, with an all-natural recipe that firmly controls your mustache throughout the day. This particular one is purpose-made for lighter hairs, so if you’re blonde or rocking a grey handle, we respect you and point you to Death Grip.
Best Vegan Mustache Wax: Seven Potions Beard Wax
We love a product that is all natural, promotes fair animal treatment, and also does a great job of taming wild whiskers. Seven Potions ticks all those boxes with the Woodland Harmony. It’s a medium-hold option for those with thinner, lighter mustaches and carries all the vital, natural oils to take care of your skin in the process.
Best Non-Greasy Mustache Wax: Captain Fawcett Expedition Strength Mustache Wax
Take a look at the image of the bloke on the front of the tin. Sure, you might not be able to grow a mustache of that magnificence, but you can style whatever you’ve got with confidence thanks to Captain Fawcett’s wax. It’s creamy but not greasy, so use it sparingly.
Best Shine-Free Mustache Wax: Reuzel The Stache Mustache
You may have noticed Reuzel as a brand in your local barbers, and we have it on good authority that it’s one of the most trusted brands for hair control. This particular one is a matte wax, with no shine, that’ll firmly grip your whiskers in the perfect style. A light scent of orange and mint will also stick with you throughout the day.
Best Medium-Hold Mustache Wax: Percy Nobelman Mustache Wax
Percy Nobleman is the sort of masculine “everyman” brand that fills you with confidence in your facial hair. The mustache wax, while arriving in a teeny, tiny tin, holds mighty power. Formulated from beeswax and argan oil, it will take care of your bristles while still holding it in place. A great option to shove in your bag or pocket for a quick adjustment on the go.
Mustache Wax FAQ
Just like the hair on your head, you can’t expect your facial hair to behave itself all day without a little bit of product. Beards need oil, hair needs sea salt spray or a pomade, and your lip duster also needs wax. It acts in the same way as those other products, gripping the hairs together in a firm hold to allow you to style it. And you can get pretty creative if your hair is long enough. Full on handlebar mustaches are achievable with a quality wax, but if you’re working with shorter hair, it’ll still ensure all your hairs point in the right direction, look neat, and stay hydrated through the day.
How do you apply a mustache wax?
Depending on your mustache length, you might need different tools, but you’ll rarely go wrong with your own fingers to apply the wax. Add a small amount—roughly half the size of a pea—and roll it between thumb and forefinger until the wax has turned to a workable paste.
For short pencil mustaches or half goatees simply rub your fingers in a downward motion over your mustache hair, gently coaxing them to the corners of your lips, or whichever desired effect you’re hoping for.
Longer hair requires a bit more finessing, which may mean you need a mustache comb to coax the wax through the hairs thoroughly to ensure a firm hold all day. Also, remember to use a proper beard wash and moisturizers when clearing your mustache at the end of the day. Proper hygiene should be practiced at all times.
How We Tested
No beard or mustache owner should be expected to put anything on his precious facial hair without knowing if it will be good, and we here at GQ understand that perfectly. Therefore, where possible, we’ve tested the waxes below on our whiskers to find the best. Over a two-week testing period, Owen Gough, the grooming Senior Commerce Writer for British GQ‘s Recommends page, slathered these waxes over his beard and mustache, assessing the consistency of the product, the ease of application, and the overall results. He judged products based on their overall value for money, how well they hydrated or tamed unruly hair and how easy it was to maintain and manage through the day.
This story originally appeared on British GQ.
