How to Trim a Beard and Moustache

Why Trim the Beard and Moustache Together?

The moustache is part of the beard but it grows differently. The hair is often denser, it grows toward the mouth and it is constantly disturbed by eating, drinking and talking. If you trim the beard and forget the moustache, the moustache soon looks heavier than the rest of the face. Trim the moustache hard while leaving the beard and the moustache disappears into a gap.

Learning how to trim a beard and moustache as a single job keeps the two in proportion. It also means the connection at the corners of the mouth stays neat. At Broadway Barbers in Chesham every beard trim includes the moustache for exactly this reason. The method below follows the same order our senior barbers use.

What Tools Do You Need?

How Do You Trim a Beard and Moustache Step by Step?

Always start with a clean, dry beard. Trim the beard first and the moustache second. This order lets you match the moustache to the beard instead of the other way round.

1. 1
   Comb everything down

   Comb the beard in its natural direction and the moustache straight down over the lip. This shows the true length of both.

2. 2
   Trim the beard to length

   Using a guard, trim the cheeks, jaw and chin to your chosen length. Keep the chin slightly longer than the sides for a natural taper.

3. 3
   Set the moustache length

   Use the same guard as the beard (or one size longer) to reduce the bulk of the moustache. Trim with the grain to avoid taking too much.

4. 4
   Trim the lip line

   With the mouth relaxed and the moustache combed down, use scissors to snip hairs that fall over the top lip. Work from the centre out to each corner.

5. 5
   Blend the corners

   Comb the moustache corners down into the beard. Trim any hairs that stick out so the moustache flows into the beard without a visible step.

6. 6
   Tidy under the nose

   Use a detail trimmer to remove stray hairs under the nose and around the nostrils. Keep your head tilted back slightly.

7. 7
   Check the lower lip

   Trim any hairs growing over the lower lip and decide whether to keep or remove the soul patch area.

8. 8
   Final check

   Smile, talk and relax your face in the mirror. The moustache should stay off the lip in every position.

How Long Should a Moustache Be Compared With the Beard?

The right balance depends on the look you want. The table below shows the most common combinations and how to achieve them.

If your moustache hair is noticeably denser than your beard, keep it one guard shorter so it does not look heavier. If it is thinner, leave it one size longer to balance the look.

How Often Do the Beard and Moustache Need Trimming?

The moustache usually needs attention more often than the beard because even a few millimetres of growth reaches the lip. The chart below compares typical intervals.

A quick scissor tidy of the lip line every few days keeps the moustache comfortable when eating and drinking. It takes under a minute and keeps the whole beard looking freshly cut.

If you would like a barber to set the balance between your beard and moustache, see our Beard Trim Prices for beard trims and combined haircut and beard appointments at Broadway Barbers.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid?

For the full routine on the rest of the beard, including guard lengths and neckline placement, see our guide on How to Trim a Beard.

How Do You Style a Moustache With a Beard?

Once the moustache is trimmed, comb it down and slightly out toward the corners. A drop of beard oil softens coarse moustache hair and stops it poking at the lip. For a more defined look, a small amount of moustache wax lets you sweep the ends out to the sides. Keep the wax light on shorter moustaches so it does not look stiff.

Some men prefer the moustache slightly longer so it becomes a feature of the beard. If that is your aim, trim the rest of the beard a little shorter so the moustache stands out without looking out of place.

To perfect the full look, use our guide on How to Shape a Beard to plan the outline, follow How to Use a Beard Trimmer for better blending and revisit How to Trim a Beard for guard lengths and necklines.

How Do You Keep a Moustache Clean and Comfortable?

The moustache sits directly in the path of food and drink, so it needs a little extra care. Rinse it after meals where possible and comb it back into place. Coffee, sauces and grease cling to moustache hair and can leave it looking dull or smelling stale. A quick wipe with a damp cloth followed by a comb through is usually enough during the day.

When you wash your beard, give the moustache the same attention. Use a small amount of beard wash and rinse thoroughly, since product left in the moustache can irritate the skin under the nose. A light drop of oil afterwards stops the hair from becoming wiry. If the hairs curl into the lip despite regular trimming, training them sideways with a comb and a little wax each morning helps them sit flatter over time.

When Should You Let a Barber Handle It?

A barber is worth seeing when the moustache and beard have grown out of balance or when you want to change the style. A barber can blend the corners of the mouth cleanly and set a lip line that holds its shape when you speak and smile.

At Broadway Barbers, senior barbers Dan, Harry, Ann and Catherine trim beards and moustaches every day. Each barber has their own Booksy profile so you can choose who you see and book ahead. We are open seven days a week, with late opening until 8pm on Thursdays.

For more beard advice from the Broadway Barbers team, explore the Beard Grooming Hub, where every guide on trimming, shaping and beard care is gathered in one place.