A Brief History of the Moustache

With a moustache renaissance underway, Murdock take a look back at top-lip topiary over the years.

Moustache Beginnings

Moustaches have been theoretically possible since flint razors where first fashioned around 30,000 B.C, although it’s unknown whether or not Stone Age man sported the first ever example of upper-lip topiary.

The moustache is usually a proud signifier of impending pubescent transformation; it is an effective visual marker for the journey from boy to manhood. In the past, the thickness of a man’s moustache denoted military rank and experience, with new recruits making do with wispy whiskers, while seasoned commanders could show off luscious beards.       

Notable Moustaches

The last century also saw the strong negative connotations of moustaches come to the fore; Hitler and Stalin will forever associate the ‘tache with callous dictatorship, yet it also worth remembering that these were two intensely charismatic individuals whose striking physical appearances added some weight to their leadership credentials.
 
Facial hair as an indicator of villianry has been perpetuated in modern fiction and is up there with an English accent as a signpost of immoral intentions; examples include Daniel Day-Lewis's Bill the Butcher from Gangs of New York and Bugs Bunny's nemesis Yosemite Sam.
 
The 1980s were the last time the moustache was truly fashionable; Tom Selleck’s Magnum P.I. had an iconic chevron moustache, which only added to his sex appeal, while professional wrestler Hulk Hogan defied conventional wisdom and somehow managed to get away with a bleached blond horseshoe 'tache.

Keeping Your Beard in Shape

Beard trends come and go so it is as important to be aware of what looks fashionable, as it is to find a style which will suit your facial features. Keeping the beard long and natural will always have a certain timeless quality, but if you take this option make sure you go for a look more in common with Prince Michael of Kent and less like Tom Hanks in Castaway.

Frequent grooming is the key to beard success and is where your sense of personal style will come into play, so before you go shaving big areas around your beard, have a think about what will sort your face-size and face-shape.

Beard maintenance should begin with a trim to the required length, either by using an electric beard trimmer or by using a pair of sharp scissors, taking care not to nip any skin. Have a good look at where your beard naturally grows to; this will usually be to just below the cheekbone in a natural curve. Above this there may be a smattering of hairs which seem to be out of place; shave these off without mercy.

Below the chin is a different story. This is an area I often see much more varied beard growth-patterns, directions and thicknesses. Some beards just keep going, seamlessly merging with chest hair whilst others come to a natural but abrupt halt somewhere above the Adam's apple. If it grows neatly, then just tidy up the endline, in the same way as you did around the cheeks.

If your growth is erratic and looks unkempt then consider shaving away to create a tidy line. Start by shaving just a centimetre off the bottom, and keep going until you are happy. This will help you work out what suits your face-shape and features. Also this way you leave room for error of the razor. Aim to work in an arc, with a slightly flattened apex; start in the middle with the width of your razor and work sideways from there. The higher up your neck you go the more of the arc you will see. Avoid going right below the jaw as this can look like you are trying to create an artificial jaw-line and can look a little odd in profile. If you are slightly large in the face, this will definitely run the risk of looking as though you are 'drawing in' your jaw. In such cases you are better off leaving the natural growth underneath (kept very short) while growing it slightly longer above the jaw to create softer lines but with better contrast.

The Good Beard Guide

There are often times in life when we tire of the daily grind and of the daily shave. The solution to the former is a holiday; a solution to the latter is to grow a beard. Yet this is not necessarily a choice born out of laziness; it allows the gentleman to rest his weary skin and let it recover from any problems caused by frequent shaving. It also offers the opportunity for a man to personalise his facial hair, perhaps cultivating a new image or getting in on the latest trends; think of your beard as a free fashion accessory. Be aware though that the growth of a successful beard does require some care and attention.

If you've made the noble decision to grow a beard, you're best option is to wait until you have some time off work before you stop shaving completely. This way you avoid merely appearing to colleagues and peers as someone who has simply forgotten to shave for a few days, a look that is consistently popular amongst the homeless fraternities of the world. After 3-4 days your new growth is likely to itch maddeningly; the solution is having the beard trimmed, thus removing the sharp, pointed end of the stubble left by your last shave. Trimmed hair has a blunt end so will not scratch your skin so much. Think about purchasing a beard-trimmer as it will enable you to look just so hirsute rather than like a destitute beat poet. If you don't want to invest in a beard trimmer until you are completely sure about your new facial furniture, then treat yourself to a beard trim at one of Murdock's luxury stores.