Moustache
Upper lip only, nothing below.
What it is
With the jaw and chin left bare, a moustache moves attention to the middle of the face. It works when the jaw is already strong enough to stand alone, and it is the shortest route to a distinctive look without a growing-out period.
Who it suits
- Oval
Slightly longer than wide, with the cheekbones as the widest point and a gently rounded jaw. The most forgiving shape — most cuts work, so the decision comes down to hair texture and how much effort you want to spend.
- Square
Jaw, cheekbones and forehead are close in width, with a pronounced jaw angle. The structure is already strong, so the job is either to show it off or to soften its corners.
- Rectangle
A square jaw on a longer face. Height on top works against you here; width, fringe and side volume bring the proportions back.
- Diamond
Cheekbones dominate, with a narrower forehead and a narrow chin. Width at the brow and along the jaw evens the outline out.
When to think twice
- soft jawline
- receding chin
Show this to your barber
Shape to the width of the mouth or slightly beyond. Trim off the lip line. Everything else shaved clean, including the chin.
Related styles
- Short Boxed Beard
Full but close-cropped, with defined cheek and neck lines.
- Heavy Stubble
Three to five millimetres, everywhere, all the time.
- Extended Goatee
Chin and moustache connected, cheeks clean.
- Full Beard
Grown out, shaped, not sculpted.