If you are not (entirely) familiar with this phenomenon, we would like to explain its origin. Movember. Mo is slang for Moustache and November is the awareness month. A month long of growing your Moustache. And all of this for a great cause.
A charity organization, Livestrong & The Prostate Cancer Foundation, which raises global awareness for serious conditions: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and the mental struggles that come with it. Movember also raises awareness for depression and suicide prevention in men.
During various large-scale actions and events, not only is as much money as possible raised for scientific research, but attention is also drawn in a playful manner. One part is growing a Moustache. A symbol that spreads worldwide during the month of November. And rightly so. 1 in 6 men will face prostate cancer, while testicular cancer is very common among men between the ages of 18th and 35th.
How did Movember originate?
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 charity work, and they want to generate the right attention by wearing the Moustache, or actually: to give men's (un)health a Face.
With the symbol on the lip, making both physical and mental health discussable worldwide. Goal: to raise as much money as possible for research and: finding The Cure. So that survival chances grow! The Moustache 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 greatly increased. It now has a large number of followers who annually go wild worldwide to give as much attention to and raise money for research. These are both men and women better known as, The Mo Bro’s & Mo Sisters.
At the end of November, they organize, especially in The States, so-called Gala Parté’s where the gentlemen and ladies come together to celebrate their Mo’Journey. The men then choose the best outfit to match their Moustache and can win the Man Of Movember title. Always fun, that game element. Despite the serious nature.
Some facts about the successes achieved by Movember
- Since the start of Movember, over 800 million Euros have been raised for research
- The organization is active in more than 20 countries – And more are following
- The Movember Foundation now has about 3 million members worldwide (Bros & Sistas)
- The Foundation is not government-affiliated and ranks in the top 100 of best charity organizations worldwide
- Proceeds in the Netherlands go to the Radboud and the Erasmus Medical Center
- The administrative costs are a fraction at 8%, which means that fortunately most of the money is actually used for research. This is a minimal percentage compared to Other charity organizations
The Moustache: From historic dandy to unsightly flax
Moustaches are not very common nowadays. Perhaps because they remind us of the 1970s and the beginning of the Eighties. In the seventies, the Moustache and sideburns were quite hip. Especially the wild variants of them. They thrived luxuriantly. Especially in the porn scene, a Moustache was an important eye-catching detail. Walrus type. This upper lip hair is still regularly associated with that. We think. And flared trousers. Hot & happening again.
On the other hand, even a soft drink was named Moustache. Mainly because when you sipped it as a child, a white horizontal hair sniffer appeared. In the 1980s, no sideburns with the Moustache but the well-known mullet. They became briefly hip again when New Kids was released. The hooligans from Maaskantje. Subtle Nitro.
Then, in the past. 1920s & 1930s. Bowler hat. Suit. Dandy Moustache in full Moustache Wax. Stiff British. Roaring! Fortunately, we see this type of Moustache reappearing somewhat more. Including bow tie and matching attire. To be honest? We Are Loving This! Ultimate self-care. And if you’re going to grow your Moustache anyway... Beards have been in for a while now. And we don't see this changing anytime soon.
From sleek short designs to masculine beards that you could already rock as a Viking. If you own a Beard, growing a, now cultivated, Moustache is a piece of cake. Then you can make a statement on November 1st by snitzing away the Beard and letting the Moustache shine in full regalia!
How to best grow a Moustache?
In principle, you shave your upper lip bald the day before November 1st. From that moment on, nature takes over. Of course, you shave away the beard stubble so that only one visible eye-catching artwork under the nose emerges. Iconic hair that serves a purpose. Below is the road to a fancy moustache.
- The kick-off
You have decided to let a full Moustache come to fruition. It wants to stand its ground. Make sure the stiffer lip is in good condition. Skin-wise. You can use a good oil to take care of the skin. Especially when the first moustache flax appears. Or perhaps those thick stubbles that immediately matter. Let them grow nicely. Stroke them a little. But: not too much.
- Grand design
Of course, it depends on what type of skin and hair follicles you have. For some men, Moustache and Beard Growth don't always work out well. That also has to do with genetics. How hair growth is genetically determined. If you are blessed with the Tom Selleck DNA, you will have an extraordinarily funky Moustache in no time.
If you're less fortunate, just go as Rikkert New Kid Biemans through life. Dude! Over the General you can manage to grow a Moustache and then think carefully about what type you want to shape. With the specimens of Ron Jeremy or Jim Post, you'll even get tongues wagging in Movember...
What to do if a Moustache starts to irritate?
It doesn't have to, but it can. That a sneaky irritation starts to spread under the mustache hairs. Especially if you keep fiddling with it all the time. The underlying skin is not a fan of that. Nor are the hairs. An oasis for the Moustache? Beard Oil. That keeps the mustache hairs vibrant and nourishes them. The skin too, by the way. Then everything stays smoothly oiled.
There are very nice ones. Even versions that smell like rum and tobacco. But you, and your surroundings, have to like that. There are also 'vanilla' variants that smell comfy. Good news. The Itch Will Stop. Eventually. And you know, compared to a terrible disease, a little itch is childplay.
How can I best maintain the Moustache?
When your mustache hairs, after initially consuming the first sun rays with tears, reach their puberty, it's important to let them purr contentedly. It does depend on how quickly the little masterpiece takes shape, but it doesn't hurt to have a mustache comb on hand to dress the hairs.
A small pair of scissors is also handy because the Moustache is not supposed to grow over the lip section. That's irritating and doesn't look good. You'll keep biting it all the time. Do that on your Nails! With a small pair of scissors, you can flawlessly trim and model the mustache. A Trimmer can also be used for this.
Which products can I best use to keep the Moustache healthy?
When the Moustache starts to take on its (final) shape, it's important to cherish it. Various products have been developed for this. Which we, of course, have in our digital showcase. Let's list the most important ones.
How do I keep my Moustache clean?
If you've always had a shaved face, it takes some getting used to. The Grooming becomes a tad different with a Moustache. Eating chicken wings, for example. Or a bowl of fresh pea soup provides an unintended coating of the mustache hairs. Goulash or chicken curry likewise.
To keep the Moustache in the right Colour and in good condition, it's important to keep the mustache clean after consuming food. So after eating, rinse it briefly with lukewarm water. With a Beard Shampoo, you can keep the hairs fresh and fruity, and a Beard Conditioner that hydrates and keeps it shiny.
How can I keep my Moustache in shape permanently?
TLC – Take care of the Moustache like your rare convertible or Harley Davidson. A moustache also needs love and attention. Then you get a lot back in return. A striking decorative strip that makes you taken just a bit more seriously, Freddy! For completeness, let's give you a few Alpha to knows so that you can perhaps let your Moustache shine stylishly long after Movember.
- Don't pick in the Nose. So don't pick at your Moustache either. A Moustache hates to be picked.
- Take care of the specimen with a Moustache Comb, Trimmer, and scissors.
- Sing (or hum) a song for it every now and then.
- Wash it regularly with an organic Beard Shampoo (NOT with those fake bottles with spit foam from the supermarket!)
- Use Moustache Wax to style & oil so your Moustache looks healthy, masculine, and vibrant.
- Consume vitamin B.
- Hydrate by drinking as much water as possible. Then your moustache hairs will be frequently oiled with aqua from the hair follicles.
How can you participate in the various initiatives of The Movember Foundation?
The Movember Foundation has once again a number of great initiatives this year such as:
- Move for Movember – Run or walk 60 kilometers this month for the 60 men who take their own lives around the world.
- Grow your Moustache and save lives - Your Mo can spark donations, conversations, and real change.
- Host a MO-ment – Gather your crew and do something fun and easy, virtually or together.
Of course, we hope that you Alphas will also grow your Moustache starting November 1st and contribute to this wonderful and much-needed good cause. We are doing it too! Of course, we also hope to help you on your way to let your masterpiece under the Nose flourish best.
Keep it growing & flowing!
Your friends, The Alpha Men.