A handlebar moustache is a growth of hair from the upper lip of a man, including only hair from within the upper lip and within the smile lines, and not including hair growing from
skin below the corners of the mouth. Such a moustache will have hair at either side that is allowed to grow longer and extend out to the sides, or upward or downward, and which
may be straight - more or less - or naturally curled, or curled with the aid of heat or
grooming aids such as waxes, pomades or glues.
A handlebar moustache is considered a highly distinctive style for a man, adding a sort of exclamation point to his personal style. Some feel such is odd or
strange, but it'
s merely rare these days, and those who wear them like the individuality or nostalgia of the style.
An important note is what is NOT a handlebar moustache: many
people believe that a horseshoe goatee or "biker mustache" (like
Hulk Hogan is known for) is a handlebar moustache. Such consists of a mustache on the upper lip connected to a growth of hair in a column from the corners of the mouth straight down to the jawline. A moustache doesn't include cheek, jaw or chin hair, thus this is not a handlebar moustache. It is a goatee with a moustache.
