Ask the experts: How do I groom my moustache for daily wear and maintain healthy facial hair all year long?

Q: Movember has come and gone, but I’m still loving my moustache. How do I go about grooming it for daily wear and maintaining healthy-looking facial hair all year long?

A: At Movember, there is one key moustache-growing tip to live by: keep it neat. First, be sure to shampoo regularly to keep clean and get rid of any dirt or buildup. Moustache hair is coarse and benefits from regular conditioning– work a dollop of conditioner into your Mo then rinse thoroughly. This will help keep it nice and soft. Lastly, the skin under your moustache can suffer from dryness, resulting in uncomfortable itching. To prevent this, wash your face with a hot towel to steam and cleanse the skin under your moustache. This opens pores and softens the hairs.

When you’re all done, close pores with a good aftershave or lotion and cold towel, making sure to choose a product with a scent you can withstand for the day. For regular maintenance, trim the area around the lip, use a beard oil or balm to soften the hair, and cut unruly hairs that stick out from the shape of your facial hair.

To properly style your mo’ like an expert, you can follow this simple guide:

1. Dampen your moustache to trim. Wet hair is easier to cut but – be warned – will bounce up as it dries.
2. Use a fine-toothed comb to gently rake the hairs so they run in one direction.
3. With barber scissors, trim stray hairs on the outer edge and bottom line of your moustache. Your comb will come in handy to restrain your Mo while you snip away. Trim conservatively.
4. Run clippers over the body of the Mo for a consistent level of bush and bounce.
5. Foam up, then run a sharp razor along the outer edge.
6. For more outlandish styles, use moustache wax to shape the remaining hair into place.

—Jason Culala, owner of the BarberSalon, OGX expert and Movember-approved barber, ca.movember.com