In case you are not yet (completely) familiar with this phenomenon, we are happy to explain its origins. Movember. Mo is slang for MoustacheandNovember is awareness month. Let your mustache grow for a month. And all this for a wonderful cause.
A charitable organization, Livestrong & The Prostate Cancer Foundation, who bring worldwide attention to the serious conditions: prostate cancer, testicular cancer and the mental struggles that this entails. Movember also draws attention to depression and suicide prevention in men.
Various large-scale actions and events not only raise as much money as possible for scientific research but also draw attention in playful ways. One component is growing a mustache. A symbol that is all over the world in the month of November. And rightly so.1 in 6 men are faced with prostate cancer while testicular cancer occurs very regularly in men between the agesof 18 and 35.
How did Movember come about?
The Movember Foundation was founded in Australia in 1999. Around 2004, a group of 30 men started growing mustaches to give the initiative a face. The Movember Foundation is the driving force behind all the charitable work and they want to generate the right attention, or rather: give a face to men's (un)health, by wearing the mustache.
With the symbol on the lip, both physical and mental health can be discussed all over the world. Goal: raising as much money as possible for research and: finding The Cure. So that survival chances grow! The mustache thus becomes A Badge Of Honour and stands for MOVEMBER.
What has Movember achieved over the years?
Especially through Social Media, the attention for Movember has increased tremendously. It now has a large fan base of followers who are positively out in force worldwide to draw as much attention to and raise money for research as possible. These are both men and women better known as, The Mo Bro's & Mo Sisters.
At the end of November, especially in The States, they organize so-called Gala Parté's where the men and women come together to celebrate their Mo'Journey. The men then choose the best outfit to go with their mustache and can win the Man Of Movember title. Always amusing, that game element. Despite its serious nature.
Some facts about the successes of Movember
- Over 800 million Euros have been raised for research since Movember began
- The organization is active in more than 20 countries - and more to come
- The Movember Foundation now has some 3 million members worldwide (Bros & Sistas)
- The Foundation is not government-affiliated and is in the top 100 best charity organizations worldwide
- Proceeds in the Netherlands go to the Radboud and Erasmus Medical Center
- Administrative costs are a fraction at 8%, which fortunately means that most of the money is actually used for research. This is a minimal percentage compared to other charity organizations
The mustache: From historic dandy to unsightly flax
Moustaches are actually not very numerous nowadays. Perhaps because it is reminiscent of the 1970s and the beginning of The Eighties. In the Seventies, the mustache and sideburn were quite hip. And especially the feral versions of them. Prospering they did. Especially in the porn scene, a mustache was an important eye-catching detail. Type of walrus. This upper lip hair is still regularly associated with that. We think. And wide pipes. Also hot & happening again.
On the other hand, even a soft drink was named SNOR. Mostly also because if you sipped it as a child a white horizontal white hair sniffer appeared. In the '80s no sideburns with the mustache but the familiar mat. These became hip again for a while when New Kids was released. The assholes from Maaskantje. Delicate Nitro.
Then earlier. 20s & 30s. Bowler hat. Suit. Dandy mustache full of mustache wax. Stiff British. Roaring! This type of mustache, thankfully, we are seeing where more are popping up. Including bow tie and matching attire. To be honest? We Are Loving This! Ultimate self-care. And if you do grow a mustache... Beards have been around for a while now. And we don't see this changing any time soon.
From sleek short design to masculine beards that were perfect for a Viking. If you have a beard, growing a mustache is easy. As of November 1, you can immediately make a statement by trimming away the beard and letting the mustache shine in full force!
What is the best way to grow a mustache?
Basically, you shave the upper lip bald the day before November 1. From then on, nature takes over. Of course, you shave away the beard stubble so that there is only 1 visible eye-catching work of art under the nase. Iconic hair that serves a purpose. Here's the road to a fancy moustache.
- The kick-off
You have decided to grow a full mustache. It wants to stand its ground. Just make sure the stiffer lip is in good shape. In terms of skin. You can use a good oil to take good care of the skin. Especially when the first whiskers appear. Or perhaps all that thick stubble that matters right away. Let it grow nicely. Just stroke a little. But: not too much.
- Grand design
Of course, it does depend on what type of skin and hair follicles you have. With some men, mustache and beard growth doesn't always want to work out. Again, that has to do with genetics. How hair growth is genetic. If you are afflicted with the Tom Selleck DNA you will have an extraordinarily funky mustache within a short time.
If you are less fortunate you will simply go through life as Rikkert New Kid Biemans. Jonguh! Generally speaking, you'll manage to grow a mustache and then consider carefully what type you want to shape. With the ones from Ron Jeremy or Jim Post, you're going to loosen tongues even in Movember...
What to do when a mustache starts to irritate?
It doesn't have to but it can. That under the whiskers a sneaky irritation starts to take hold. Especially if you fiddle with it all the time. The under skin is no fan of that. And neither are the hairs. An oasis for the mustache? Beard oil. It keeps the whiskers vibrant and nourishes them. So does the skin, for that matter. That keeps things oiled smoothly.
There are very fine ones. Even versions that smell of rum and tobacco. But you and those around you have to like that. There are also vanilla versions that smell comfy. Good news. The Itch Will Stop. Eventually. And you know, compared to a terrible disease, a little itch is childplay.
What's the best way to maintain the mustache?
When your whiskers, after first sobbing to consume the first rays of the sun, enter their adolescent years, it is important to keep them happily moustached. Of course, it does depend on how quickly the work of art takes shape but it can't hurt to keep a mustache comb handy to dress the hairs.
A pair of scissors is also handy because the mustache is not meant to grow over the lip section. That's irritating and doesn't look like it. Are you going to bite on it all the time. Just do that on your nails! With a small pair of scissors you can trim and shape the mustache flawlessly. You can also use a trimmer, of course.
What products can I use to keep the mustache healthy?
When the moustache starts to take its (final) shape, it is important to cherish it. There are different products developed for that purpose. Which, of course, we have in our digital showcase. Let's list the most important ones.
What's the best way to keep my mustache clean?
If you've always had a shaved beard, it takes some getting used to. Grooming becomes a little different with a mustache. Chicken munching, for example. Or a bowl of fresh mustard will inadvertently coat the whiskers. Goulash or chicken curry likewise.
So to keep the mustache in the right color and in good condition, it is important to keep the moustache clean after consuming food. So after eating, rinse briefly with lukewarm water. With a beard shampoo you can keep the hair fresh and fruity and a beard conditioner that keeps it moisturized and shiny.
How can I keep my mustache in lasting shape?
TLC - Take care of the mustache like your rare convertible or Harley Davidson. Even a moustache needs love a attention. Then you get a lot in return. A shiny eye-catching trim that makes you look just a little more serious Freddy! For the sake of completeness, let us give you a few Alpha to knows so you can keep your mustache shining in style well beyond Movember.
- Don't pick your nose. Not on your mustache either. A mustache hates to be puckered.
- Take care of it with a mustache comb, trimmer and scissors.
- Sing (or hum) a song to it from time to time.
- Wash it regularly with an organic beard shampoo (NOT those fop vials of fluffy foam from the super!).
- Use mustache wax to style & oil so your mustache looks healthy, masculine and vibrant.
- Consume vitamin B.
- Hydrate by drinking as much water as possible. Then your whiskers will be frequently oiled with aqua from the hair follicles.
How can you participate in The Movember Foundation's various initiatives?
The Movember Foundation has some super initiatives again this year such as:
- Move for Movember - Run or walk 60 kilometers this month for the 60 men who are taking their own lives scattered around the world.
- Grow your mustache and save lives - Your Mo can spark donations, conversations and real change.
- Organize an MO-ment - Get your crew together and do something fun and easy, virtually or together.
Of course, we Alpha's hope you too will grow your mustache by November 1 and contribute to this wonderful and much needed charity. So will we! Of course, we also hope to get you started on how best to let your artwork flourish under your nose.
Keep it growing & flowing!
Your friends, The Alpha Men.