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A man with the trash stache mustache style.

How to Do a Trash Stache Mustache

The Trash Stache or Pencil Mustache is actually one of the tidier mustaches you can grow. It does a great job of giving the upper lip a little more character, while not drawing away from the rest of your face.

How to Do the Trash Stache Mustache Step-by-Step

1

Closely trim or shave your cheeks and chin clean but allow the mustache to grow for 1 to 2 weeks, or until you have a good amount of hair growth. You need the mustache to extend just beyond the corners of the mouth.
2

Once hair has reached a light but visible length, use your Wahl trimmer to create a 1/4-inch straight line of hair that tightly hugs the upper lip. The straighter the line you trim, the better.
3

Continue to trim stubble or stray hairs in the area between the ‘stache and nose.

What to use

Lithium Ion+™ Stainless Steel Grooming Kit

Lithium Ion+™ Stainless Steel Grooming Kit

LITHIUM ION™ MULTIGROOM

Lithium Ion™ MultiGroom

LITHIUM ION™ TOTAL BEARD

Lithium Ion™ Total Beard

POWERPRO™ CORDED CLIPPER / TRIMMER

PowerPro™ Corded Clipper / Trimmer

Beard & Stubble Rechargeable Trimmer

Beard & Stubble Rechargeable Trimmer

Need help deciding what you need?

Wahl offers trimmers and grooming kits that let you achieve the look you want and keep it looking great.

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More Mustache Style Tips

Combing Your Mustache

A man combing his mustache.

Always comb hair straight down before you trim.

Lining Your Mustache

A man lining his mustache with a Wahl trimmer.

Use a compact precision ground trimmer—like the Wahl Mustache Trimmer—for great lines and hard-to-reach areas like under the nose.

Shaping Your Mustache Without a Guide Comb

A man shaping his mustache with a Wahl trimmer.

Experiment with different styles to see what shape suits your face or personality best.

Shaping Your Mustache With a Guide Comb

A man shaping his mustache with a Wahl trimmer and attachment head.

When trimming with a guide comb, work from inside out and cut in a downward motion.

Applying the Right Pressure

A man using just enough pressure to trim away hair from his mustache with a Wahl trimmer and attachment head.

Applying too much pressure with your trimmer may remove more hair than desired.

Using a Taper Guide to Trim

A man using a taper guide to trim the mustache hair above his lip.

Use the taper guide comb post trim to refine or tighten up any whiskers above the lip.

Maintaining Your Facial Hair Between Trims

A man maintaining his facial hair between trims.

Remember, style dictates the amount of time you need before trims.

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Wahl Lithium Ion Beard & Stubble Trimmer

Wahl Lithium Ion Beard & Stubble Trimmer