Can Beard Trimmers Be Used For Mustaches?

Most men that prefer to wear a beard also like to maintain a mustache. But a question that’s often asked is: can you use a beard trimmer on a mustache? 

You can use a beard trimmer to trim mustaches and you don’t need a full beard to justify it. Many beard trimmers come with attachments specifically designed for grooming mustaches. 

Having said this, beard trimmers are better for maintaining short mustaches or stubble mustaches, while scissors are better for trimming longer mustaches. 

A mustache defines a beard more fully, and the majority of people seem to feel that a beard without a mustache simply looks strange and incomplete. However, a mustache without a beard often looks just fine. 

Either way, lots of men have mustaches nowadays. Maybe you used to also have a beard, but now your beard trimmer sits unused in your bathroom cabinet. 

If you want to learn about the correct way to use a beard trimmer on a mustache, keep reading on. 

This article will also give you information on some of the other essential tools that will keep your mustache looking its best. 

It will also tell you situations when you might find that a pair of mustache scissors is more appropriate for your mustache grooming needs.

How To Use A Beard Trimmer On A Mustache  

Thankfully, using a beard trimmer on a mustache is fairly similar to using one on a beard. 

An important thing to remember is that it is best to trim a mustache modestly at first, as it is easier to cut off too much in comparison to trimming a beard. These mistakes are also harder to hide.

In order to properly use a beard trimmer on your mustache, simply follow these steps: 

1. Comb It First 

As you would with a beard, be sure to comb your mustache out fully before trying to use beard trimmers on it. 

This is particularly important once you’ve got more than 4-6 weeks’ worth of length. Before that point you could probably get away without it. 

Comb your mustache when it is dry, as wet hair stretches and looks longer, which can make it difficult to judge how much length you are actually taking off and risks you trimming off too much.

Once your mustache is dry, combed, and sitting at full length, you can start to figure out how you want to shape and trim it. 

2. Define The Shape 

Start by defining the shape of your mustache prior to working on its length. Reshaping your mustache in this way will make it easier for you to visualize how long you want it to be. To do this, start by trimming along the bottom of your mustache. 

When you go to trim the bottom, start in the center and work outwards on one side first, then return to the center and work outwards on the other side. After shaping the bottom of your mustache in this way, do the same on the outer edges.

The blade of a beard trimmer is perfect for snipping the edges of those scraggly hairs that creep across the border of the upper lip. 

Do not turn your head while you trim, but continue to face forwards. Looking ahead and keeping a neutral face will allow you to create even an even line. 

3. Cut For Length 

If your beard trimmer comes with a mustache trimming attachment, you will probably want to use it on this step when working on removing length from your mustache. Such attachments make it a little easier to trim in modest amounts. 

If your beard trimmer does not come with any mustache attachments, do not worry. Simply start with a longer trimmer guard. 

Then, if you still think your mustache is too long, you can gradually switch to using shorter guards until you reach your desired length. 

Starting off long and gradually trimming shorter is a good way to ensure you don’t trim off too much. 

4. Final Comb 

Give your mustache a final comb to see if you left any stray hairs. At this stage, it will likely be easier to cut these extra hairs with a small pair of mustache scissors than to go back in with the beard trimmer. 

In other words, beard trimmers would be better for the heavy-duty trimming, while the mustache scissors can be brought in for the fine-tuning. 

Are Scissors Better Than Beard Trimmers For Mustaches?

Most mustache and beard scissors are made of stainless steel and often have shorter and thinner blades than other types of hair cutting scissors, which means you can reach a level of precision that is difficult to achieve with a beard trimmer alone. 

As a result, there are some situations where mustache scissors may be more appropriate than beard trimmers. 

For example, if you prefer to keep a longer mustache style and need that extra precision when shaping your mustache, then mustache scissors are likely to be the preferred option for you.

Or you might be trimming your mustache for the very first time, and you might appreciate the extra control a pair of scissors can give you. This is especially the case if you are not used to using a beard trimmer. 

However this doesn’t mean that beard trimmers are inferior – actually, they are easier to use for maintaining short or stubble mustaches. 

If you’re considering getting some scissors to maintain your mustache, it can be confusing to know where to start. 

Some scissors are labeled specifically as beard scissors, others as mustache scissors and some will be marketed as both beard and mustache scissors. 

Mustache scissors may be slightly shorter in length with sharper ends, but in reality, both beard and mustache scissors can be used interchangeably and it is more about finding a length and handle size that works for you.

Other Essential Tools For Maintaining Mustaches 

While scissors and trimmers have a central role in the basic grooming of facial hair, they aren’t the only thing required to keep your mustache looking as good as possible. 

To keep your  mustache looking neat and classy, you will need the following items: 

A Mustache Comb 

Again, this is more important for longer mustaches. 

You may already have a comb that you use for the hair on your head. Do not use this comb for your mustache as it could transfer products like gel or other hair products. 

It could also clump up the mustache hair, cause greasiness, and potentially even obstruct the trim. 

Get yourself a nice mustache comb if your mustache is long enough. Mustache combs are smaller, with narrowly-spaced teeth. They’re able to navigate the tiny area your mustache occupies. 

Alternatively, you could just use a regular beard comb – the same one you use for the rest of your beard. It really depends on how prominent your mustache is in your overall facial hairstyle and how much attention you think it deserves. 

Beard Oils  

Even after trimming and tidying your facial hair, beards and mustaches may look dull. Sometimes facial hair lacks necessary oils, leading to a dry, weak, lifeless appearance. 

To prevent dull facial hair and dry skin, there are a few products that can restore these necessary oils. 

Consider getting some beard oil – it’s very nourishing and moisturizing to both the mustache and as the underlying skin. 

Conclusion

A beard trimmer can be an excellent tool for trimming a mustache, especially if the mustache is short, or if you want a stubble mustache. 

With longer mustaches, it is often better to use scissors for the trimming process, as you can get more precision without the risk of removing too much hair. 

Some men will prefer using a combination of the two. At the end of the day you want to feel comfortable with the tools you are using, and most importantly take your time. By doing this and following the above steps you’ll then be sure to look your best.