Handlebar, Walrus, or 70s? Expert reveals how to find the right moustache for your face shape - and why Justin Bieber and Michael Cera got it wrong

Daily Mail​

15-06-2025

From the bushy walrus to a signature handlebar, there's a huge range of moustache styles out there.
And picking the right one can seem like a minefield.
But don't worry, chaps – as it turns out particular variations suit certain face shapes.
In the same way that the right pair of sunglasses can complement your looks, a fuzzy upper lip also has the ability to enhance your features.
Olly Walker, a grooming expert from men's personal care brand Harry's, has shared his tips for growing a moustache that flatters your face.
And it goes some way to explaining how David Beckham and Timothée Chalamet are able to pull off very different styles.
To start with, it's best to work out whether you have a triangular, oval, rectangular, square or heart-shaped face.
And if you're struggling, MailOnline's guide can help point you in the right direction.
TRIANGULAR FACE
People with this shaped face – including Harry Styles, Jacob Elordi and Timothée Chalamet – tend to have a narrower forehead and a wider jaw.
Mr Walker explained that triangular faces benefit from a moustache that adds visual weight up top.
'A fuller style like the Chevron works well here – it helps broaden the upper part of your face and draws attention upward,' he said. 'Be patient while growing – it can take around five weeks to get the fullness needed for shaping.'
OVAL FACE
David Beckham and Jake Gyllenhall are among those with oval faces, which are naturally well-balanced – meaning most moustache styles will suit.
'You've got the freedom to experiment, from a bold horseshoe to a neat pencil moustache,' Mr Walker said.
'The only tip? Avoid styles that are overly long or droopy, as they can throw off your natural symmetry.'
David Beckham and Jake Gyllenhall are among those with oval faces, which are naturally well-balanced – meaning most moustache styles will suit
Styles of moustache
The Chevron: thick and wide, covering the upper lip
The Handlebar: long ends that curl upward like bicycle handlebars
The Horseshoe: like an upside-down horseshoe, extending past the lips
The Walrus: thick and bushy, drooping over the upper lip
The Pencil: thin, finely groomed, just above the upper lip
The Toothbrush: thin with vertical sides the width of the nose
The Fu Manchu: long and thin, extending downward past the chin
The Dali: thin moustache with sharp, upward-curving ends
RECTANGULAR FACE
For longer face shapes – such as those belonging to Ben Affleck and Adam Levine – the goal is to avoid elongating the face further, according to the grooming expert.
'Choose a moustache with some width, like a walrus or a natural, full-bodied style,' Mr Walker advised.
'These help create balance by visually shortening the length of your face.'
SQUARE FACE
Henry Cavill, Pedro Pascal and Brad Pitt are among those with square faces.
This face shape features a strong jawline, as well as sharp angles.
Moustache styles that soften and elongate pair best with this face shape, according to Mr Walker.
'A narrower style like the English or handlebar adds contrast to the bold bone structure and brings in a bit of flair,' the expert added.
Ben Affleck (left) has more of a rectangular face, and so a 'full-bodied style' is best, experts said. Brad Pitt (right) however, has more of a square face. Experts say strong jawlines and sharp angles pair best with moustache styles that soften and elongate
HEART-SHAPED FACE
A wider forehead and narrower chin call for a moustache that adds weight to the lower half of the face.
'A medium-thick moustache – like the Painter's Brush or a soft natural style – can help balance out proportions without looking too heavy,' Mr Walker advised.
'Keep the shape rounded at the edges rather than angular, and trim just enough to define the upper lip.'
Celebrities who have embraced this style include Ryan Gosling and Chris Hemsworth.
WHO GOT IT WRONG?
Back in 2020 Justin Bieber sported a moustache that fans went wild over - and not in a good way. The Canadian star, who has an oval-shaped face, opted for a bushy, droopy moustache, which experts do not recommend for his dimensions.
Michael Cera, meanwhile, has a triangular face and so needs to add 'visual weight up top' with his moustache. Previously, he has sported more of a horseshoe look - which is best for more of an oval face.
In the last century the popularity of moustaches has fluctuated, with significant periods of prevalence in the 1920s and 30s and the 1970s and 80s.
In recent years, however, they have become popular again – particularly among hipsters.
Movember – an international charity event where men grow moustaches during the month of November to raise funds for men's health issues – has also raised their fashionableness.
Despite their recent rise in popularity moustaches are the biggest-turn off for women, according to a poll.
Scientist and expert in facial perception, Professor Tim Andrews, teamed up with Wilkinson Sword on the study about the most attractive facial hair styles on men.
A poll of 2,000 adults found the majority considered stubble to be the sexiest facial hair option.
However the moustache was only considered alluring by three per cent - and they scored highly for 'arrogance'.