A pencil moustache is a thin moustache style right above the upper lip. It is a net and cleanly trimmed moustache that resembles a line drawn by a pencil. It either breaks at the middle cleft or is a continuous line.
This moustache style originated sometime in the 1930 and the 1940s. It however was popularised in the Hollywood Golden Era by many actors and celebrities. It is a symbol of sophistication and elegance.
When one wants to grow out a pencil moustache, common questions that arise are how long to grow out a pencil moustache, and how to style and trim a pencil moustache.
Table of Contents:- Part 1: Pencil Moustache Styles & Variations
- Part 2: Pencil Moustache Actor & Celebrity List
- Part 3: How to Shave a Pencil Moustache?
Part 1: Pencil Moustache Styles & Variations
One can experiment with the various pencil moustache styles listed below:
Single Pencil Moustache
A single pencil moustache is the easiest pencil moustache style to maintain and care for. It is a simple style where one trims the moustache into a thin line, such that it resembles a line drawn by a pencil, there is a tiny bit of gap left between the moustache and the nose.
Thick Pencil Moustache
A thick pencil moustache is very similar to a single pencil moustache except that it is thicker. This is best suitable for those with finer, lighter and patchier moustaches. To achieve this look one needs to grow out hair depending on how light one’s moustache is, the lighter the moustache, the thicker hair needs to be grown.
Pencil Moustache with a Goatee
This is a pencil moustache style that has emerged in modern times. One can style a single pencil moustache, a double pencil moustache or a thick pencil moustache with a goatee or 5 pm shadow beard to add a modern touch to this classy moustache style.
Thin Ends Pencil Moustache
This kind of pencil moustache variation includes a thick middle part and thin ends. One can achieve this look by growing out the middle part and trimming the ends and shaping them in such a way that it appears to be thin. The thin ends are to extend beyond the lip line.
Double Pencil Moustache
This is an iconic and evergreen pencil moustache style and it involves partition of the moustache at the middle. They are narrow strips of the moustache separated by a small section at the middle cleft and slope down the side of the upper lips.
Thin Moustache with a Chin Strap Beard
This style is best advised for those who do not want to just stick to a moustache and want to try something in addition to it. For this moustache and beard variation, one needs to have thick and dark hair for it to look good and noticeable.
Part 2: Pencil Moustache Actor & Celebrity List
George Orwell
George Orwell is an English author, and journalist born in 1903 who sported the Pencil Moustache look. He had a well-defined dark thin pencil moustache. He is best known for his book 1984, Animal Farm, Homage to Catlouina and Burmese Days.
David Niven
David Niven was a British actor and soldier born in 1910 who was widely known for having a pencil moustache. He maintained this look for most of his career. His best works include Dodsworth, The Charge of the Light Brigade and The Prisoners of Zenad. He opted for a more thin pencil moustache.
Jude Law
Jude Law is a British actor born in 1972, he had sported the pencil moustache look in his movie The Aviator as the character Errol Flynn. The film is directed by Martin Scorcese and is based on a nonfiction book of the name ‘Howard Hughes: The Secret Life by Charles Higham’.
Claude Raines
Claude Raines is an English actor who was born in 1889, he has worked as an actor for nearly 7 decades. He wore a pencil moustache for his character Captain Louis Renault in the movie ‘Casablanca’. The movie is directed by Michael Curitz and is based on the story of an American man choosing between helping his lover and her husband or fleeing from the country.
Leslie Phillips
Leslie Phillips was an English actor born in 1924, he is seen sporting the pencil moustache look quite often. Leslie has more of a thick pencil moustache. He is best known for playing comic roles, his movies include Thunderpants, Harry Potter and Millions.
Gary Carr
Gary Car is an English actor and dancer who is seen sporting the pencil moustache look in the British drama series The Downtown Abbey. He plays the role of Jack Ross, the series is based on the aristocratic lives of the Crawleys and the lives of domestic workers in the Edwardian era.
Rupert Friend
Rupert Friend is an English actor born in 1981. He styles himself with a pencil moustache for his role as Albert Prince Consort in the movie The Young Victor. The film is a British period drama that is based on the early life, reign and marriage of Queen Victoria.
Cary Elwes
Cary Elwes is an English actor who wore a pencil-shaped moustache for his role as Westley in the movie The Princess Bride. The movie is a fantasy adventure comedy film based on a farmhand who must rescue a princess from an odious Prince. Cary plays the role of the farmhand in this movie.
Part 3: How to Shave a Pencil Moustache?
This section illustrates how to get a pencil moustache at home:
Materials Needed
- Razor or Trimmer
- Fine Toothed Comb
- Razor
- Mirror
- Shaving Gel
- Water
Shaving Process
1. Exfoliation and Cleansing the Skin and Moustache
The skin and the moustache need to be prepared well right before shaving. To do this, use a face scrub, exfoliate the skin and wash it away. Wash the face again with a cleanser best suitable for the skin. After which dry the face and moustache with a soft towel.
2. Trimming the Moustache
Make sure the moustache is completely dry before beginning to trim it. When the moustache has dried, apply clear shaving gel onto the moustache and trim the moustache with a razor or a trimmer. Trim in such a way that the moustache exceeds a slight bit out of the mouth. Bear in mind to not cut the ends too high and to keep it low. Be sure to regularly wash the blades during the process for a smooth trim and to prevent clogging.
3. Shaping the Moustache
Use a scissor and snip the bottom line of the moustache evenly for a smooth look. After which, trim the edges and check for perfect symmetry, if the moustache seems uneven, comb down and trim until it is symmetrical. Next, shave a thin space below the nose using a razor. It is best recommended to use a single-blade razor to achieve the best results when doing this.
Clean Up and Aftercare
Brush off any hair that is left behind and snip off extra hair snooping out of the moustache. Wash the face with clean water and pat it dry with a towel. Use suitable after shave lotion or a gel to soothe skin and rehydrate freshly shaved skin.
Conclusion
This article covers all the details that one has to know about a pencil moustache, its variations and how to trim it right. It also displays several celebrities who did the look, so that the reader can get an idea of what the look is like.
The pencil moustache is an old-time classic moustache and can never go wrong when one wants to look polished and sophisticated. Before one settles down on a moustache style, it is best recommended to experiment with different pencil moustache styles and see which suits one the best. Maintaining a pencil moustache requires a lot of time and effort. Regular grooming sessions are mandatory when it comes to pencil moustaches.
