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Many people might think “beard and mustache wax” was a product sold in the 1800s, conjuring up images of old presidents and barbershop quartets.
Achieving the popular “manly man” look with fierce beards and mustaches, also known as moustaches, often requires using the best beard and mustache wax.
While these facial hair styles symbolize masculinity, they can become unkempt and curly without proper grooming. Therefore, specially formulated wax can help prevent a full, bushy beard from turning into numerous small curls.
Here’s a look at the top 6 best beard and mustache wax options on the market, with a few tips on how to use the wax to display your manliness best.
Why Use Beard and Mustache Wax?
The experience of growing a beard and mustache can be a rollercoaster ride filled with moments of euphoria and horror. The initial euphoria stems from the noticeable growth of facial hair, transforming into a real mustache and beard. However, this feeling can quickly turn into horror as uneven growth patterns start to emerge. Some areas may grow faster than others, while certain spots may not grow at all.
To help through this phase you probably need a beard trimmer in your grooming kit. There’s an interim stage where everything just looks messy because your hair isn’t long enough to style. Finally, the beard and mustache grow in, to the point where you can start to tame them through the use of balms or waxes.
If you haven’t got a full beard yet please read these 10 Amazing Tips on How To Grow A Beard.
There are two primary reasons to wax a mustache
The first is practical: it keeps mustache hair out of your mouth so you can speak, eat, kiss and do whatever else you need to do with those lips hiding underneath the hair.
Second, it’s an attractive look when you style the mustache to give it a slightly glossy, controlled look; you can even grow handlebars if you wish. Obviously, mustache wax is designed to provide a firm hold on hair, because the skin around the mouth moves quite a bit when you smile, speak, frown, yell and chew. Keeping the mustache hair in place can be a challenge, so you need a wax which is going to provide a very solid hold.
How to Use Beard and Mustache Wax
Using mustache wax is a straightforward process. Start by opening the tin and using your fingernail to extract a small amount of wax. Then, rub the wax between your hands until it becomes pliable. Apply the wax to the center of your mustache and use a comb to work it towards the end for best results.
If you have problems, it’s usually because you are using too much wax. Start with a tiny amount and add more, a little at a time, until you find the perfect amount for your mustache.
Beard waxes perform a different task than their mustache brethren. If you used mustache wax on your beard, it would end up looking something like the one on Travelocity’s traveling gnome – probably not what you had in mind when you decided to grow a beard.
A good beard wax should act more like a conditioner, taming the wild curls and random growth of your facial hair. That’s accomplished by warming the wax in your hands and then running your hands from your cheeks down to the lowest point of the beard. Repeat this procedure a few times, and even the unruliest of beard hair should be turned into a flowing masterpiece.
Please note the Groom+Style team has also reviewed the best beard conditioners which you might want to use before your beard wax.
Now that you know their differences and how to use beard and mustache wax properly, let’s take a look at the top six best beard and mustache wax options on the market from Groom+Style team for art of shaving.
1. Stache Bomb Stache Wax
Produced in Portland, Maine, Stache Bomb Stache Wax is one of those products you just have to love because it was created by a man sick of inferior products. Jamin Badger grew out his mustache to combat the cold Maine winter of 2010, only to find that available mustache waxes didn’t do the job.
Like any enterprising American, Badger decided to make his own homemade mustache wax, and the rest is history.
Stache Bomb Stache Wax is made primarily of soft beeswax, with an underlying pine scent which many describe as citrusy. Stache Bomb is softer than most waxes on the market; it will keep mustache hairs out of your mouth and in place, but without the “caked” texture so many other waxes seem to provide.
Even though Stache Bomb has only been on the market since 2011, it has quickly become one of the most popular products of its kind, because it gives a well-groomed mustache a completely natural look. This product is so versatile you can even use it on your sideburns and beard.
If you’re looking for an endorsement with some weight, the Iron Sheik (of professional wrestling fame) uses Stache Bomb on his famous handlebar mustache. Groom+Style think it’s the best mustache wax on the market. The key features of Stache Bomb Stache Wax:
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2. Honest Amish Original Beard Wax – All Natural and Organic
The Amish are known for many things, including their epic beards. Frankly, they’ve forgotten more about beard care than most of us will ever know.
Honest Amish Original Beard Wax was first sold in the 1970s as an effective way to “wax out the wildness” in a man’s beard. The fact the product is still popular 45 years later should tell you that the quality and effectiveness of this beard wax are top-notch.
Every tin of Honest Amish Beard Wax is made by hand, even after all this time. The ingredients are based on a proprietary combination of ingredients including organic oils, fruit oils, nut oil, butters and beeswax harvested in Pennsylvania Amish communities.
All ingredients are certified as natural and organic – just what you would expect from a people whose life is largely devoted to natural farming.
Note: Honest Amish also has a great Beard Balm. Beard Balm is great for those men who are looking to soften their beard hair, eliminate itchiness and even to get rid of beardruff – see link below.
The Groom+Style team believes this is the best beard wax you can buy. Important features of Honest Amish Original Beard Wax:
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3. Mountaineer Brand 100% Natural Moustache Wax
Mountaineer Brand Mustache Wax is produced in West Virginia, a state where many mountain men have mighty impressive facial hair.
This product is a firmer mustache wax than the Stache Bomb; if your mustache is exposed to extreme elements during activities like riding a motorcycle or you live in an environment with high humidity, a firmer wax is necessary to keep your hair under control.
Mountaineer is a lesser-known brand, but it makes our top 6 best mustache wax list for a unique reason. It’s made from a beeswax base like many other products but does not have the off-yellow appearance of almost every other mustache wax on the market.
It is nearly clear in color, thanks to a proprietary oil mixture. This is particularly important for men with blonde or ginger mustaches.
A firmer mustache wax ideal for real men who regularly expose their beards to the elements and therefore need more help to keep their facial hair under control. Some key features of this product:
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4. Professor Fuzzworthy’s Beard Care Gloss and Conditioner with Organic Leatherwood Beeswax
Although the makers have given this product the “gloss” moniker, Professor Fuzzworthy’s Beard Care Gloss and Conditioner is really a softer form of beard wax because of its beeswax base.
The wax comes from a single species of plant which grows in Tasmania, and it is then mixed with a number of oils including jojoba, castor and olive to create an impressive beard treatment.
Professor Fuzzworthy’s does not “cement” your beard as a classic wax product does; instead, it achieves the goal of controlling facial hair through a thorough conditioning process. As a bonus, this product relieves the itchy sensation many feel when growing out their beard for the first time.
A high-quality beard gloss and conditioner ideal for the man who doesn’t want a “cemented” hold and who might want some help to reduce the itchiness during the early days of growing their beard. Features of Professor Fuzzworthy’s Beard Care Gloss and Conditioner:
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5. Firehouse Moustache Wax Wacky Tacky
A wonderful thing about many beard and mustache waxes is that they are made not by large, faceless corporate conglomerates, but are homemade mustache wax (or beard wax) produced by face hair enthusiasts.
That’s the case with Firehouse Mustache Wax. John Pitts, a Mississippi fireman and farmer, produces these waxes at the international headquarters of Firehouse Moustache Wax – his cabin.
Pitts found himself in the mustache wax business because the company making his favorite brand went out of business, and he needed a very firm mustache wax recipe to handle the humidity and heat of Mississippi. Poof – Firehouse Mustache Wax was born.
As you might imagine, Pitts designed this wax to be very stiff so that it can handle just about any conditions. Whether you’re facing Equator-like heat or August humidity in Miami, this wax will not falter: no drooping, no running.
Wacky Tacky is the serious stuff, best used by those with darker hairs. No fragrances are added to this wax. Here’s what to expect with Wacky Tacky Wax:
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6. CanYouHandlebar Primary Moustache Wax
Yes, it’s really spelled that way: “CanYouHandlebar,” but don’t let the cuteness put you off. The company’s Primary Wax is designed to hold mustache hairs in place for a full day in all but the hottest and most humid climates.
This wax not only styles mustache hairs, but also helps keep them healthy through the inclusion of vitamin E, shea butter and other ingredients. This is a homemade mustache wax, with each batch made by hand from locally-sourced beeswax in Michigan.
Primary Wax is a great product for the man who is growing out his mustache for the first time. Features of CanYouHandlebar Primary Moustache Wax:
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Just Missing The Cut
There are two other products which just missed out on our top 6 list: Clubman Mustache Wax, which is made from beeswax, coconut oil and other ingredients and is excellent for training brand-new facial hair; and Fisticuffs Mustache Wax, a beeswax product which performs well but can feel a bit greasy, due to the addition of ingredients like jojoba oil, coconut oil and raw petroleum jelly to its mustache wax recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I use beard and mustache wax?
It depends on how fast your hair grows and how often you want to reshape your beard and mustache. Some men use it daily, while others use it only when they need to reshape or style their beard and mustache.
Can I use beard and mustache wax on a short beard?
Yes, you can use beard and mustache wax on a short beard. However, you may not need as much wax as you would for a longer beard, and you may need to use a light hold wax instead of a strong hold wax.
Can I use beard and mustache wax on a curly beard?
Yes, you can use beard and mustache wax on a curly beard. However, you may need to use a light hold wax that is specifically formulated for curly hair, as a strong hold wax may make your curls look stiff and unnatural. Also, it’s important to use a wax that does not contain harsh chemicals which may dry out your curls.
Final Thoughts on Beard Wax and Mustache Wax
A strong, well-groomed beard and mustache are a true reflection of manliness. However, unkempt facial hair can be a distraction.
Luckily, with the use of the best beard and mustache wax, you can easily maintain a polished look. By taming your facial hair, you can achieve a rugged appearance that showcases your masculinity without looking like a wild sagebrush blowing in the wind.
Invest in these grooming products to enhance your look and embrace your inner man’s man.
Keep reading if you want to understand a bit more about what style of beard will go best with your face shape.
Superb post. Thanks for sharing this amazing post.
My husbands mustache is solid gray and has straggly hairs poking out. We purchased a balm but he can’t tolerate the smell. What no scent would you recommend?
Hey Paula,
Thanks very much for the question. The Firehouse Moustache Wax Wacky Tacky is odorless so sounds like a great option for your husband.
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
I have had a beard since I was 16, a couple years drafted in the army aside, my face hasn’t seen sun. Now in my 70’s I want to let it grow out fully .
Three major reasons
1. in my youth shaving with a straight edge or blue blades hurt and I never got OK with cutting my face
2. I have no upper lip, yeah, just the equivalent of a scar, and not much room between the scar and nose. OK so I hide ugly behind a beard.
3. my 6 Oclock shadow started within a half hour of shaving.
Today my beard is gray and softer than the heavy brillo pad from my teens.
BY the way, girls found kissing a man with a brillo beard was softer than kissing one with a sandpaper face of shaving.
So. Recently I wanted to start handlebars again, and immediately they grew into my mouth, comes from no upper lip.
The beard remains thick though softer than in my youth, but still curly, unlike the few hairs on my head which have chosen to remain while the rest went on permanent vacation. (they quit for a younger man.)
Reading the reviews on Amazon for mustache wax invites more options. For example stache bomb has an 8% one star review and 8% 3 stars.
Based on Amazon reviews Opium Den seems to have the highest review.
Anyway, Thanks for an insightful report. I will decide in a day or two which to try. And please keep up the good work.
Hi Jeremy,
My mustache and beard are so curly it looks like and explosion of mostly grey spaghetti. Which wax/conditioner do you recommend for overall smoothness and control?
Hey Charles,
I love the description! We would suggest trying Honest Amish Beard wax.
You probably also want to consider buying a beard brush if you do not already have one -> http://geni.us/wildboardbristle link to Amazon.
A beard brush will help tame a wild beard by combing beard hairs at all lengths (a good beard brush has different length bristles), by redistributing natural (or added beard) beard/skin oils, and finally, it will help to train your beard hairs to grow in a uniform direction! All things that it sounds like you would benefit from.
Good luck taming that wild beard!
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hey, so I’m a red head. I’ve used that Clubman brand before years ago. It worked decent, but I see there’s a lot more out there. I used it for doing my handlebars. I’m just starting to grow them back. I saw the “Mountaineer” brand was suggested for my hair color for the moustache. What about the beard. I was just thinking about a conditioner. My hair stays straight. Thanks.
Hey Jeremy,
Nice, I am just growing out my beard again, after testing different shavers for a while.
I think both Honest Amish and Professor Fuzzworthy’s would work well for you. Honest Amish is slightly stiffer and just a fraction darker… Professor Fuzzworthy’s might be a great option for you – light in color, quite soft and great for conditioning?
Enjoy!
Cheer Pierce
What about Oregon Wild Hair Mustache Wax
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the suggestion, G+S has not tried their product. Let us know if it is worth testing!
Kind Regards,
Pierce
DOES ANY ONE MAKE A LARGE STICK WAX ANYMORE? LUCKY TIGER ONCE DID NO LONGER, GREAT PRODUCT
BUT THEY DO NOT LISTEN.
Hey Rick,
Looks like it might still be available on Amazon via this link -> http://geni.us/luckytigerwax
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Why have you not mentioned the beard and the wonderful wax. That stuff is the mutts nuts and is my goto wax dudes.
Hi Jaz,
To warrant such high praise as “the mutts nuts” the stuff must be good. We will put it on the to try list. For now, for those who are interested you can find out more about The Beard and The Wonderful’s beard balm on the amazon link below.
http://geni.us/themuttsnuts
Cheers Pierce
I wish to point out my admiration for your kindness for folks that need help with
your content. Your real dedication to getting the solution all through
appeared to be certainly beneficial and has regularly enabled guys just like me to get to their pursuits.
Your warm and friendly publication means a great deal a person like me and far more to my mates.
With thanks; from each one of us.
Thanks Beard Czar,
We appreciate the positive feedback. Glad we can help… 🙂
Kind Regards,
The GNS Team