Hence my comments in post#5...."I have used about a half dozen products in the past 6 months, including Steve's Dirigo Blue. Some are pretty limp & wimpy (The Pinaud stuff, for example),"
I couldn't imagine using coconut oil or at least getting any real hold with it since it melts at 76F (well below average body temp (98.6)). But, I don't have handlebars, so what do I know?
Recipes I've seen using coconut oil use it mainly as a mechanism to disperse the beeswax and make it more pliable for even distribution. It isn't really there for the holding power (the wax is!)
Had a close-cropped beard from mid-20s til about 50 (when most of it turned grey!) For the past 7 - 8 years, a mustache/goatee just long enough to require a little wax to look it's best. For past 2 months, I've been growing out the mustache to almost handle bar length. So my two cents: 1 - Others have already referenced this, but check out Steve's tutorial on grooming with wax. It's simple and well done. This is exactly how I have been applying wax as well. Once you go beyond close-cropped, I'd recommend just a bit of wax each morning for training and keeping it neat. Once mine got a bit longer, I'd carry a small wax tin with me foor touch ups during the day. The warmer the weather and longer the hair, the more wax you will need, and potentially stiffer wax. Some weekends, I skip the wax, unless out on the town, of course. 2 - IMHO.... Pinaud - like many others have stated, this wax did nothing for me, whether I had a short or long mustache. Canadian Plus - the first good wax I tried. Mild strength, very pleasant scent. I only left it once I began to grow a longer mustache and wanted a firmer hold. Firehouse Wacky Tacky - very good strong hold, pleasing scent too. I've been using this one daily for the past 5 years. I think it could work well for the mustache length you speak of. After reading about Steve's DIY wax, I'm interested in trying it. In the past two months I've moved closer to a handlebar length and need more control. I have two things working against me - length and warmer weather - causing droop within an hour of waxing...not just at the ends but all along my lip line. I'll need to find a stronger hold that doesn't make my mustache look like plastic or vinyl. 3 - with a close-cropped mustache I never worried much about cleaning it. Just the morning shower was enough. As it grows longer now and with my newfound grooming interest (through wetshaving) I'm treating face and facial hair better. Each evening, I wash the wax off my facial hair with my Dove Men Care 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner. I then use a bit of beard oil from Gingers Garden and keep it on overnight. Like my rejuvenated skin due to wetshaving, my facial hair and skin beneath it seem to be reacting well to this treatment. 4 - I'm not a DIY guy yet, so I'll leave this one to the comments you've received already. Good luck! RT
I made a batch of the DIY stuff. I don't think I used enough wax, as it doesn't have much hold. I intended to do a 50% bee's wax, 25% vasoline, 25% coconut oil, with a few drops of Lime and Lavendar EO. Smells awesome, but is a little soft. Going to remelt and add more wax. For those who don't want to do the double boiler method to melt wax, you can use a silicone cupcake holder in the microwave. (You may want to check with who ever is in charge of kitchen stuff before doing this, SWMBO was not amused the first time I used her silicone cups for this.)
You're suppose to wait until she's out of the house or occupied with other things. My wife wasn't to happy I was using measuring cups for car related things once so I know the feeling. Interested in hearing the results though I may get into styling mine instead of constantly trimming it really short.
Sweet! I'd bet you'd get top dollar for that product if it shipped in those designer orange dispensers! Are those feet mechanical, so as to deliver the product right to your face? Tell your wife she has something special right there! Brilliant!!!
The ones with feet are the ones she bought me after I used her good ones. (I make pucks of wax blends for another hobby three or four times a year.)
Have you made another batch? Did it turn out better than the first batch? Is the 'stach happy? I purchased a small metal container to use as my melting pot. Plan to make a batch soon...
This just arrived...I'll have to give it a try in the next couple of 'warm' days and see how it holds compared to the Firehouse.
It's been probably over 20 years ago (wish I had some pictures) but it worked ok for me back then. I had one for a pretty long time. I just got tired of it.
Wow. I missed this. How did it hold? And don't forget, if it gets too hot and you need more hold, you still have the Dirigo Blue
I'm on my 4th consecutive day using the Lockhart's. Softens quickly under the blow dryer and is quite malleable in the fingers so application is pretty easy and straight forward. When it 'hardens', it has sufficient all-day hold on the curls. Prominent coconut scent/fragrance—so if coconut isn't your thing, best not use this. Easier than Firehouse to apply with comparable hold. Not nearly the hold of the Dirigo—which I save for those VERY hot days of summer.
