Best Mustache Waxes

A well-made mustache wax provides a firm hold for the wispy hairs on your upper lip.  Not only that, but a good mustache wax will make your ‘stache look more natural and full.

But here’s the deal:

Not all mustache waxes are created equal. In fact, there are a lot of subpar products out there that can do more harm than good. That’s why took it upon ourselves to review and rate some of the most popular mustache waxes currently available:

Mustache Waxes Compared

Ranking	Mustache Wax	Size (ounces)	Scent	Primary Ingredients	Holding Strength	Price	Price per Ounce	Award	Rating
1	Reuzel “The Stache” Mustache Wax	1.0	Orange, Mint	Beeswax, Witch Hazel Extract, Rosemary Extract	Strong	$13	$13.00	Best Overall	95
2	Firehouse Moustache Wax, Wacky Tacky	1.0	Natural	Beeswax, Petroleum	Strong	$19	$19.00	For Handlebars	92
3	CanYouHandlebar All-Natural Moustache Wax	1.0	Unscented	Beeswax, Lanolin, Europaea (Olive) Oil	Strong	$15	$15.00	Unscented	91
4	Proraso Mustache Wax	0.5	Wood and Spice	Beeswax, Shea Butter, and Eucalyptus Oil	Light	$12	$24.00	Light Hold	90
5	Bossman MUDstache Wax	1.0	Unscented	Beeswax, Lanolin wax, Carnauba wax	Strong	$13	$13.00	Medium Hold	88

Best Mustache Waxes of 2023

Here’s our ratings and reviews of mustache waxes:

Want a barber-approved mustache wax?  Then you have to move “The Stache” to the top of your consideration list.  

Netherland-based barbershop Schorem, which you should follow their account on Instagram if you haven’t already (@schorembarbier), recently launched a grooming product line. 

Quickly catching the attention of the grooming world, their products are expertly made and perform exceptionally well.  

“The Stache” does everything right.  With a beeswax base, clean fragrance, and strong hold, it keeps your upper lip looking great throughout the day.  With no colorants or artificial ingredients added, the wax should both look and feel good.

What customers are saying: This mustache wax has a pleasant scent, but received mixed reviews on its effectiveness. Some customers found the wax had a good hold, while others complained that it dried out easily or didn’t hold as strongly as they had hoped. The product’s instructional video and compatibility with other products from the same brand were appreciated by some reviewers.

If you want a tried and true, made-in-the-USA beard product, it doesn’t get much more authentic than the Firehouse Moustache Wax.  Founded by former fireman John Pitts in 2006 (read about the history here), Wacky Tacky is a finely crafted mustache wax.

A recipe guarded since its creation, this mustache wax is assumed to use both beeswax and petroleum jelly while having a muted scent.  

While the wax is dark in color, once applied, it goes on clear, so staining or dying of your mustache won’t be an issue.

The hold is very stiff and will not budge from the moment you apply it at the start of the day.  Perfect for very thick, bushy, or handlebar mustaches, it’s easy to see why Wacky Tacky continues to be a fan favorite for mustache lovers worldwide.

What customers are saying: Most customers are happy with the mustache wax, stating that it provides good hold, works well in humid climate, and has a pleasant smell. However, a few customers experienced issues with consistency and residue, and one particularly dissatisfied customer advised against purchasing the product.

CanYouHandlebar’s mustache wax provides an extra-strong hold that can keep unruly whiskers in check. 

The all-natural formula does not contain petroleum, artificial colorants, or synthetic fragrances.

For the formula, CanYouHandlebar relies on a base of beeswax and wool wax.  For conditioning and nourishment, olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter have been added.  Essential oils are absent from this mustache wax, making it ideal for men with sensitive skin or those simply wanting a product with a slight fragrance.

Plus, it’s made in the USA (Michigan), so you know it’s going to be good.

What customers are saying: Customers have mixed opinions about this mustache wax. Some praise its firm hold and its suitability for those with allergies, while others complain about its unpleasant smell and difficulty in application. Overall, the reviews indicate that the product might not work well for everyone.

Founded in 1908, the Italian brand Proraso has been a fixture in the men’s grooming world for over a century.  While primarily known for their quality shaving products, their extended line of beard care products are equally well-made.

Proraso demonstrates in their mustache wax that a firm or rigid hold isn’t always necessary.  This mustache wax goes on like a beard balm with a soft body but provides an excellent structure to your facial hair when it dries.  What is nice about this formulation is that you can use it on both your upper lip and any other areas of your beard that are a little wild.

The mustache wax relies on beeswax and shea butter base along with some synthetic ingredients.  The wood and spicy scent provide a pleasant warm aroma.

What customers are saying: Customers praise the mustache wax for its pleasant sandalwood scent and the strong hold it provides for various mustache styles. However, some purchasers experienced issues with the product being dried out and unusable upon arrival. Others mentioned the high price for the small container size, but overall, many found it easy to apply and effective in holding their mustache throughout the day.

Known for their one-of-a-kind beard jelly, Bossman Brands does it again with their MUDstache Wax.  

Named after Texas mud, where Bossman Brands is located, the mustache wax has a thick yet pliable consistency.

Bossman Brands can achieve this consistency by relying on a blend of beeswax, lanolin wax, carnauba wax, and coconut oil, along with some artificial ingredients.  When scooped out and worked into facial hair, you will find that this mustache wax is more pliable than others.  Additionally,  once the day is finished, you can easily wash out the wax with your preferred beard shampoo.

The mustache wax is unscented, allowing it to pair well with other fragrances.

What customers are saying: Many customers are highly satisfied with this mustache wax, praising it for its strong hold, natural look, and easy application. Some customers mention the product having a nice smell and being effective on tough whiskers. However, there is one review noting a potential negative reaction for those with sensitive skin, resulting in a rash.

4 Tips for Buying Mustache Wax

1. Ingredients

When buying a mustache wax, it’s best to know what you are applying to your face. Here are some of the key ingredients found within mustache wax and what they do:

• Wax. Most natural mustache waxes rely on beeswax as the primary holding and styling agent.  When melted and then applied, beeswax can provide a firm hold.  Carnauba wax is another popular base that is sourced from the carnauba palm. In addition, paraffin wax, derived from petroleum, may be found in some cheap mustache waxes.
• Carrier Oil.  This ingredient is added to mustache wax to provide some mild conditioning properties.  Most importantly, a carrier oil will help to prevent the skin from becoming dry or itchy.
• Essential Oil. These are added to mustache wax to provide a fragrance.  Disregard any claims such as “faster growth” or “increased blood flow” as they are unproven (source).
• Butter (varies).  Given the high concentrations of wax, butter may be added to provide some malleability to the mustache wax.  Secondary moisturizing benefits are also achieved through the inclusion of butter.  Butter isn’t always included in mustache wax.

2. Holding Strength

The concentration of wax included in the mustache wax will impact the holding strength.  Beard care companies will often state whether a mustache wax has a light, medium, firm, or very firm hold.  

Expect the following with each holding strength:

• Light hold: A lot of flexibility with some structure.
• Medium hold: Some flexibility to the facial hair.
• Firm hold: Little flexibility – expect full day hold.
• Very firm hold: No flexibility – expect a hard hold all day.

3. Intended Use

As inferred in the name, mustache wax is explicitly designed for the facial hair on your upper lip. However, given the firm holding strength, some men may work mustache wax into the rest of their facial hair as it is an effective way to maintain an unruly beard.  Just be sure you have a long enough mustache so the wax has something to hold onto.

4. Size

When using mustache wax, a little goes a long way.  While a 0.5oz container may appear insufficient, it should last for several weeks when used correctly. 

Common Questions