The Ultimate Guide to Growing a Cowboy Mustache

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Barber Jacob Joseph shares tips on growing an epic cowboy ‘stache

Co-authored by Jacob Joseph and Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: January 22, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Growing a Cowboy Mustache
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• Types of Cowboy Mustaches
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• Maintenance Tips
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• Best Hair, Beard, & Fashion Styles
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• Video

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If you’re looking for mustache inspiration, it doesn’t get much more iconic than a cowboy ‘stache. Cowboys are known for rugged independence, and that’s channeled in their bushy, confident facial hair. We don’t blame you for wanting one for yourself, so we talked to professional barbers and a facial hair specialist to learn everything you need to know to grow your own cowboy mustache, plus info on the different cowboy mustache shapes and how to take care of your mustache once it’s grown out.

How do you get a cowboy mustache?

Barber Jacob Joseph says if you want a cowboy mustache, grow it out for about 3 months. Comb it to the side during that time so it won’t get in your mouth while you eat. Once your mustache starts to thicken, trim it regularly to maintain a handlebar, horseshoe, or walrus shape.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

How to Grow a Cowboy Mustache

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   Avoid shaving or trimming your mustache for about 3 months. If you’re starting from clean-shaven, you’ll have to commit to an initial grow-out period if you want to sport a cowboy-approved ‘stache. Joseph recommends giving it about 3 months to reach the length you want. During that time, your mustache might look a little fuzzy, patchy, or sparse, but try to stick with it—it will be worth it in the end.

   • Some people prefer to grow a full beard and mustache combo for the first 2–4 weeks. This can look a little more intentional than just growing in a mustache by itself. After your mustache starts to fill in, shave off everything but the mustache.
   • Be patient. Joseph says that mustache hairs tend to be fairly slow-growing.
   • Contrary to popular belief, shaving or trimming your mustache won’t help it grow faster, so try to leave it alone while it grows.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Jacob Joseph is a professional barber and the owner of The Barber Lounge in Turlock, CA. He has over 700K followers across his social media accounts, where he posts educational content to help men master beard and hair grooming.

   Timmy Yanchun is a professional barber and the co-founder of Svelte Barbershop + Essentials in Los Angeles. He’s been featured in publications like GQ, Men’s Fitness, and Hypebeast.

   Marlon Rivas is a barber and the owner of MGX Professional Men’s Grooming in San Francisco. He’s also the founder of Busystyle.com, an online scheduling service.
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   Comb your mustache as it grows to help train it in the right direction. As soon as your mustache hair is long enough to comb, smooth it down with a fine-tooth comb or beard brush. Do this every day (or even multiple times a day) to train your mustache hairs to grow in the direction you want them to. This can help you avoid a messy, overly bushy look.

   • Joseph recommends combing your mustache out to the sides. That way, it won’t get into your mouth throughout the day.
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   Eat a balanced diet rich in protein. You’re more likely to see noticeable growth if you’re eating nutritious foods. In particular, plenty of lean protein (from sources like chicken, turkey, and fish) is helpful when you’re trying to grow out a mustache or beard.

   • Other nutrients that may boost hair growth include omega-3s (nuts, seeds, and fatty fish), biotin (egg yolks), and vitamin C (fruits, berries, carrots, peppers).
   • While nutrition may help encourage hair growth, it’s worth noting that how well your mustache grows is largely based on genetics—so avoid supplements or other treatments that promise quick results.
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   Shape up your mustache once it starts to thicken. Once the initial grow-in period is passed, you should have a fairly even-looking mustache covering your top lip. At that point, you can start carefully trimming your mustache. Always trim with your ideal mustache shape in mind.

   • Use a mustache trimmer or beard trimmer for larger-scale shaping and mustache scissors for tiny trims.
   • Not sure where to start? Professional barber Timmy Yanchun says, “I recommend going to a barber and having them give you the first trim. Then from there, you just have to do the upkeep.”
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Section 2 of 4:

Types of Cowboy Mustaches

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   Handlebar mustache A handlebar mustache is a thick mustache that curves up at the ends. It’s usually worn parted in the center, and the ends are held in place by mustache wax. There are a lot of variations on the handlebar—for a true cowboy look, go with a thicker, bushier look, like a Hungarian handlebar or bandito ‘stache. Note that this a little higher-maintenance than some mustaches, as it needs to be styled daily.

   • How to style: Joseph recommends applying a little pomade or beard or mustache wax. Then, twist the ends in toward your face, then curl them upward with your fingers. Trim the ends as needed to maintain the shape.
   • Best face shapes: Square, oval, oblong, heart-shaped
   • Worn by: Kurt Russell (as Wyatt Earp), Val Kilmer (as Doc Holliday), and Michael Biehn  (as Johnny Ringo) in Tombstone; Paul Newman (as Buffalo Bill Cody) in Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull’s History Lesson
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   Horseshoe mustache A horseshoe mustache forms a downward curve from your upper lip down to your chin. To get a cowboy look, keep it thick and try to maintain a natural look on the edges—if you trim it too thin or give it neat, straight lines, you might channel ‘70s bikers or wrestling icon Hulk Hogan instead of the rugged Wild West.

   • How to style: Trim your horseshoe mustache as needed to maintain the shape, but overall, this is a pretty low-maintenance style. It usually looks best if your beard is clean-shaven or with light stubble.
   • Best face shapes: Round, rectangular, square
   • Worn by: Sam Elliott (as Shea Brennan) in 1883; Robert Duvall (as Boss Spearman) in Open Range; professional bull rider Billy Ray Coffey
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   Walrus mustache A walrus mustache is big, bushy, and droopy. This bold statement style was a favorite in the Old West. But a walrus mustache takes a true commitment—while other mustache styles might be completely grown in after 2–4 months, this one can take up to 3–6 months to grow.

   • Styling tips: Comb your ‘stache down and to the sides while it’s damp to train it to stay out of your mouth, and trim stray hairs as needed—but otherwise, leave it alone as much as possible. This style is meant to be wild and woolly.
   • Best face shapes: Oval, square, rectangular, heart-shaped
   • Worn by: Sam Elliot (as The Stranger) in The Big Lebowski; U.S. military officer George Armstrong Custer; Wilford Brimley (as Joe Gill) in Crossfire Trail
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Maintain a Cowboy Mustache

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   Wash and condition your mustache 2 to 3 times a week. Washing your mustache will help remove oil and product buildup that can irritate your skin. After washing, Yanchun recommends conditioning your mustache to soften the hairs.

   • You may need to wash your mustache more often (maybe even daily) if you use a lot of product, like if you have a handlebar mustache that you style with wax.
   • Use a face cleanser or beard shampoo instead of regular hair shampoo—it won’t strip away as much oil, which can help prevent the skin under your beard from getting dry or irritated.
   • Work your fingers all the way down to your skin and scrub lightly to help exfoliate every time you wash.
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   Brush or comb your mustache every day. Yanchun recommends combing your mustache very well with a fine-tooth comb. If you prefer, you can use a beard brush instead.

   • Combing or brushing your mustache every day will help distribute the oils from your skin evenly along your hair, which might help your mustache hairs be less brittle and healthier overall.
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   Trim to shape up stray hairs and to maintain length. For a true cowboy ‘stache, don’t overgroom. Just trim about once a week, or when you notice a few longer hairs sprouting out past the rest of your mustache line.

   • Unlike more neatly-groomed styles, cowboy mustaches often have an overgrown, bushy look, sometimes coming down over the mouth.
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   Use a small amount of beard wax to shape your mustache. Facial hair specialist Marlon Rivas says that if you’re trying to get a specific look, work in a little mustache wax and use your fingers to shape it. He also says you can add a little beard oil to give it a bit of shimmer.

   • Joseph agrees, saying a mustache wax or pomade can help you get the style you want.
   • For extra styling power: Use your hair dryer (set to a low, warm setting) on your mustache to make it easier to spread the product and shape the style. When you’re finished, switch the hair dryer to a cool setting to set the shape.
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Section 4 of 4:

Best Hair, Beard, & Fashion Styles for a Cowboy Mustache

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   Wear your hair messy or slicked-back. Cowboys are known for their rugged, slightly unkempt look. A cowboy mustache looks most natural paired with haircuts like messy waves or tousled layers. But it can also work with slicked-back hair—picture a cowboy bringing flowers to his favorite lady.

   • Undercuts are another popular cut that can work with a cowboy mustache.
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   Opt for clothes made of rugged materials like denim, leather, and flannel. Cowboys need their clothes to be as hard-working as they are, so look for clothes that are built to last. Don’t feel like you’re required to lean all the way into cowboy wear to make your cowboy mustache work. Anything you wear should feel natural and casual—not like a costume.

   • Something as simple as jeans, work boots, and a T-shirt or plaid button-down can be the perfect complement to a cowboy mustache.
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   Keep your beard clean-shaven or short and scruffy. If you grow your beard too long, you’ll look more like you belong in the mountains than out on the open plain. Keep the focus on your cowboy mustache by shaving your beard. If you prefer a little facial hair, keep it fairly short—think a shadowy stubble rather than a full face cover.
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