The Beardstache: How to Grow and Style the Perfect Mustache-Beard Combo

The beardstache might just be the most rugged beard style a man can wear. Sure, there are longer, fuller beards and neatly sculpted styles that sharpen your jawline — but nothing matches the beardstache’s mix of rough stubble and a thick, powerful mustache.

 It’s masculine without trying too hard. And considering how much women already love stubble, the beardstache is simply the next evolution. Just look at the Henry Cavill beardstache in Mission: Impossible – Fallout. That thick mustache and short beard combo turns a clean-cut Brit into a man who looks like he gets sh*t done — the kind of soldier who’d look right at home in a WWII film.

Ready to try it yourself? This guide covers everything: how to grow a beardstache properly, the ideal beardstache length, which face shapes it suits, and how to keep it sharp without losing its rugged edge.

What is a Beardstache?

So, what exactly is a beardstache? Aren’t all beards a combination of a mustache and beard (except maybe the chin-strap beard)? What defines the beardstache is the presence of a short beard with a thicker mustache. 

There are two key features:

1. A thick, dominant mustache — the star of the show. It’s fuller and longer than the surrounding beard, often left natural or slightly shaped. Think bold and masculine, not waxed to perfection.
2. A short, even beard or heavy stubble — usually trimmed between 2–5 mm, sometimes up to 10 mm for a long beardstache. The shorter beard contrasts with the mustache, framing your face without stealing attention.

That’s the beardstache in a nutshell. It’s part rugged stubble, part refined mustache. A style that looks just as good in the boardroom as it does on a windswept mountainside. It’s the modern man’s answer to traditional masculinity: low maintenance, confident, and unapologetically bold.

Read More: 12 Best Mustache Styles for 2025 

Who Does the Beardstache Suit?

The beardstache isn’t for a lot of men. If you like a clean-cut, well-ordered appearance, then this beard’s rugged aesthetic won’t fit. Instead, it’s for the confident men who want a low-maintenance beard with a heavy streak of the rebellious.

In terms of face shape, the beardstache suits square and round faces. For the square face, it balances the strong jawline so long as you keep it short on the sides, whereas it adds some sharper lines on a rounder face, giving it some much-needed definition. 

Pair the beardstache with either a bald head or combined back (slightly tousled) hair. No long hair or unusual styles. It undercuts the ruggedness of the beard. 

How Long Should a Beardstache Be?

Most of the beardstache’s uniqueness comes down to its length. The ideal length for the mustache beard is:

• Mustache: 8–12 mm (trimmed but full).
• Beard: 2–5 mm for a classic look, 10 mm+ for long beardstache style.

The trick is to create contrast between the mustache and beard. If they’re too similar in length, it just looks like a short beard. You’re probably going to want to trim your beard every 3-4 days, depending on your growth speed. Meanwhile, the ‘stache can be scheduled for a weekly maintenance session.

Best Beardstache Styles

The beardstache is a family of weathered manly beards all based on the same principle. Surprisingly, there’s quite a lot you can do with the combination of rough stubble and thick mustache. 

Try out these ideas:

1. The Classic Beardstache

The original version: a dense, natural mustache paired with short, even stubble around 3–5 mm. It’s the perfect midpoint between polished and rugged — enough contrast to define the mustache, but still cohesive. Easy to maintain and universally flattering, this is the go-to starting point for most men.

2. The Long Beardstache

A fuller, more dramatic take with a thick, grown-out mustache (10–12 mm) and a short beard around 8–10 mm. This version leans heroic — think Henry Cavill or old-school explorers. It needs regular shaping around the mouth and chin to avoid drifting into full-beard territory, but rewards patience with raw masculine presence.

3. The Faded Beardstache

A cleaner, more structured variant where the stubble tapers smoothly up the cheeks and sideburns. The mustache remains untouched and bold, while the fade gives a contemporary, barbered finish. It’s the ideal choice for men who want a beardstache that looks deliberate rather than accidental.

4. The Scruffy Beardstache

A low-maintenance, naturally grown version with a slightly uneven mustache and unrefined stubble. The goal here isn’t perfection — it’s texture and authenticity. Perfect for men with strong features and a casual style, the scruffy beardstache gives that “didn’t try, still nailed it” look.

5. The Handlebar Beardstache

A bold twist combining a styled, curled mustache with short, neat stubble. The shape draws all attention upward, emphasizing the mustache as an intentional statement piece. It’s old-world flair meets modern masculinity. Perfect if you like standing out without going full eccentric.

How to Grow a Beardstache (Step-by-Step Guide)

What separates a great beardstache from a week of not shaving? It’s not length; it’s balance. You want your mustache to stand proud while the beard stays short, sharp, and controlled. You can grow the base in just a few weeks. But it takes a little more finesse to master the contrast.

When you’ve got a few weeks of solid stubble and a thickening mustache, it’s time to shape it into form. 

Here’s how.

What You’ll Need:

• A quality beard trimmer with multiple guards
• Precision scissors or detailing trimmer
• A mustache comb
• Beard oil or balm
• Optional: mustache wax for shape and control

What To Do:

1. Grow everything out for 3–4 weeks. Let your beard and mustache come in together before trimming. You need enough length to see your natural growth pattern — especially across the upper lip.
2. Define the mustache first. The mustache is the focal point of the beardstache. Trim around the edges, not through it. Keep it thick across the lip and slightly longer at the tips. Use small scissors for precision.
3. Trim the beard down evenly. Use a guard between 2–5 mm (or up to 10 mm for a long beardstache). The goal is to keep the beard neat and uniform while letting the mustache dominate.
4. Clean the neckline and cheeks. Shave stray hairs to create clean edges. The beardstache looks its best when the lines are tidy, even if the overall feel is rugged.
5. Train and condition daily. Apply beard oil to soften the stubble and mustache, then comb it downward and outward. A light balm helps maintain structure and prevents dryness.
6. Maintain balance weekly. Touch up your beard every few days to keep the contrast sharp. Trim the mustache only when necessary. Its fullness is what gives the beardstache its character.

Try out different lengths and options until you find the ratio that fits your face best. With the right trimmer, you can just adjust the guard accordingly, meaning trimming up your beardstache takes all of 5 minutes. 

The golden rule? Never trim the mustache too short — once it’s gone, so is the whole look. Instead, take your time and enjoy the process. 

If you want your beardstache to look intentional and not like a “forgot to shave” accident, you’ll need the right grooming gear. Beard Sorcery’s oils, balms, and mustache essentials are built to keep the stubble sharp, the ‘stache soft, and the whole look balanced.