While the walrus mustache look is likely to be popular, it’s not for the faint of heart. The walrus inspired mustache takes time and commitment, but the result is well worth it. A mustache says a lot about a man. The way you wear your facial hair can determine the impression you give to those around you.

Mustaches can be very different. The mustache as a trend first became popular in England during the Elizabethan era. King James, I wore an impressive mustache, along with other popular figureheads of the time. Since then, the mustache trend has changed many times. From impressive handlebar mustaches to thin pencil mustaches, above the lip facial hair has gone through many variations.

Today no style is out. Men around the world wear their facial hair in any style they choose. However, some styles are more popular than others. If you’re considering growing a walrus mustache, here are a few things to consider, and some tips for growing and maintaining your ‘stache.

What is the Walrus Mustache?

Before anything, it’s important to understand what exactly the walrus mustache style should look like. The walrus ‘stache is bushy, rugged, and a little bit wild. It’s named for its similarity to the actual walrus whiskers, which are thick whiskers that hang over the walrus’s mouth and drape lower on the sides. The element that sets a walrus style apart from the others is that it hangs lower than your top lip, sometimes even covering the mouth entirely.

It’s different than a handlebar mustache which tends to curl up on either side of the mouth. The walrus mustache, in contrast, should hang lower on the side. It can be worn alone or with a circle beard, and you can choose to emphasize the mustache or to leave some hair connecting the mustache with your sideburns, as many famous wearers of the walrus have done.