It doesn’t matter if you have a fully-grown beard and mustache or only some facial hair. You’ll always be looking for new styles to try and spice things up every now and then. A friend might recommend trimming or shaving the middle of your mustache for a change.
But should you shave the center of your mustache, or will you regret it soon afterward?
You should shave the center of your mustache if that area isn’t as dense with hair as the rest of the mustache as a way to improve growth or to embrace the gap. People who aren’t comfortable about highlighting their mustache gap might prefer to trim the hair there instead.
It’s all up to your preferences, after all. In this article, we’ll help you achieve that flawless mustache look by answering a few questions you might be having.
Let’s dive in!
Shaving vs. Trimming: What’s Better for the Center of the Mustache?
It all boils down to what you’re more comfortable doing.
The majority of men let that part of their mustache grow naturally, only trimming it along with the rest of their mustache for a cleaner look. Doing this on a regular basis also prevents mustache hair from getting in your way when you’re eating or drinking.
Other men trim the center of their mustache until it’s slightly shorter than the rest, which is usually the case if they have a natural mustache gap. This way, the light sprinkle of hair over their philtrum won’t appear too awkward.
Some merely do it because they like how it looks on their faces, especially if they already have short mustaches and beards!
Others have a different philosophy. See, even though they have a mustache gap, they shave the middle of their mustache purposefully to embrace it, making it stand out even more.
Now that you know the various viewpoints of shaving vs. trimming the center of a mustache, it’s your call to decide which might suit your appearance better.
How Often Should I Trim the Center of My Mustache?
If you’re all about trimming that middle part of your mustache, you’ll probably need to do this once every two weeks, but it’s not a rule. It’s all based on the hair growth rate.
Generally speaking, a good way to tell if it’s time to trim your mustache is if the hair on the center begins to grow over your lip. If things become uncomfortable, then you’ll need to pick your comb and scissors and get to work!
What Are Some Styles to Consider for Trimming the Center of My Mustache?
When it comes to the middle of your mustache, there are three ways to handle this area to give your facial hair a new look. Here’s a quick preview of each style so you can pick your favorite with no hesitation:
1. The Notch Style
Known as “The Notch”, this style is the go-to look for people who struggle a little bit with growing hair on their philtrum. Even some of those who don’t have this issue may like to add a twist to an otherwise flat mustache by following this look.
Simply, getting a mustache notch means trimming the middle part of your mustache so that it appears like an inverted V. Of course, this could be done using a pair of straight scissors or a trimmer if the hair isn’t long enough.
Remember that a perfect notch is only achievable if the angle you’re cutting on both sides is the same. To make sure that’s the case, it’s a good idea to work your way slowly to increase the size of the notch instead of making two giant cuts in one go!
2. The Flat Blended Style
This look can be more suitable for people who have a thick mustache that grows evenly above their upper lips without any gaps. It depends on letting the middle part of the mustache get longer until it’s as long as the sides.
Therefore, when it’s time to trim the center, you’ll have to trim the entire length of the mustache to maintain this look. Use a pair of trimmers to rock this style with, hopefully, no hiccups!
3. The Full Middle Shave Style
The middle shave look can be just perfect in two scenarios:
- If you’re having trouble growing the center area of your mustache
- If you have a short mustache and beard
As the name suggests, this style will have you shave the middle part of your mustache, but there’s a correct way to do this. To do it right, you must taper the shaved area so that the top part is a bit thinner than the bottom.
A good beard trimmer should get you there without having you break a sweat.
How to Shave or Trim the Center of Your Mustache in 3 Easy Steps
You’ve finally settled on a style to give a shot, but you may be unsure where to start your shaving or trimming journey. Personally, I’d find this task a bit intimidating if it was my first time, especially since I’d have to start right in the middle.
From my experience, here are a few directions that could set you on the right track whether you choose to shave or trim the middle of your mustache.
Step 1: Grab a Few Items
You can’t possibly get to work without having all the necessary tools to help you achieve your goal, right?
Before taking a seat, or standing up, in front of your mirror in a brightly lit room, you’ll need to get the following:
- A beard comb
- A pair of sharp scissors
- Beard trimmers
Step 2: Make Your Mustache Thinner
If your mustache grows thick with no gaps, you’ll need to make it manageable if it’s too dense. All you’ll have to do is place the comb into your mustache, facing upward, and move it slightly farther off your face.
At this point, only some hairs will be poking through the comb. Remove this excess hair with a beard trimmer or scissors to thin out your mustache.
To make sure you don’t remove too much hair, cut or trim a few hairs at a time and assess the change in the mirror. If you feel like you need to trim more, repeat the process until you’re satisfied with the results.
Step 3: Give Your Mustache a Notch, an Even Trim, or Full Middle Shave
After brushing your thinned mustache several times with the comb, it’s time to give the center a new look!
If it’s a short mustache, or there’s a gap between its two sides, you’ll probably not need the previous step. Just grab the trimmer to create a V-shaped notch or do a full middle shave.
A longer and thicker mustache will probably look better with a flat blended trim. Or, you could always go for the mustache notch here, too, for some change.
Final Thoughts
Should you shave the center of your mustache?
It’s a good idea to consider if you want to embrace a mustache gap or try something new even without having a gap. It’s all up to your preferences and whether or not you like having a disconnected mustache.
If you’re looking for ways to improve the appearance of your mustache gap, why don’t you take a look at this article for some new ideas?