Movember » Origin, Rules & Participation at a Glance

Movember first took place in 2003 in Australia. At that time, two friends decided to bring the mustache back. They persuaded other men to join the November challenge and grow a mustache.

As they proudly grew their mustaches, they noticed that it led to many conversations with their surroundings. They wanted to take advantage of this attention and took it a step further in 2004. They launched their website movember.com. There, even today, all participants can register for Movember and collect donations for men's health together with others.

If you also want to grow your mustache and contribute to the good cause, it's best to visit their site. Registration is the prerequisite for participating in Movember.

What does Movember mean?

The connection between the word Movember and growing a mustache in November is not immediately obvious. This is because it is a portmanteau from English.

The creative word is made up of two existing words:

1. “Moustache” means mustache,
   
   
2. While “november” stands for the penultimate month of the year, just like in German.

This makes the significance of Movember much clearer. Participants of the event affectionately refer to their November mustache as a "Mo."

You might have heard of No-Shave-November as well. This term encompasses the entire beard growth of men. Thus, No-Shave-November differs slightly from Movember, which is solely about growing a mustache. Nevertheless, both terms are often used interchangeably.

Not only in November does a man let his beard grow and cultivate it. Especially if a new beard trend is to be tried, the beard is only trimmed. For this, you need beard products to support you. How about this?

Where does the Movember Movement come from?

The idea of growing a mustache in November originates from Australia. While 30 men participated in the first year, just one year later, there were already 480 people involved. Today, Movember is a global event that takes place in numerous countries – including Germany!

What does Movember aim to raise awareness for?

Worldwide, many men die prematurely from various diseases, many of which can be effectively treated if detected early. The Movember aims to bring taboo topics such as

• mental health issues
• and testicular or prostate cancer into the focus of society,

so that overall awareness is raised, and many men can be helped in time.

 

1. Mental Health of Men

Mental health is at least as important as good physical health. Mental illnesses can be caused by chronic stress, but also by ongoing under-stimulation. In some cases, genetic predispositions also play a role.

According to the Federal Centre for Health Education, in 2020 about 8 percent of men reported that they did not feel mentally healthy.

2. Prostate Cancer

The most common type of cancer among men is prostate cancer. There are around 60,000 new cases each year. An increased risk for malignant carcinoma is present in cases of familial clustering.

However, all men should also regularly undergo prostate cancer screening to rule out or detect the disease early.

• Problems with urination
• and an enlarged prostate are early warning signs but can also have other causes.

In any case: Be sure to consult a urologist!

3. Testicular Cancer

In Germany, just over 4,000 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year. The treatment chances are usually good with early detection, making testicular cancer screening of essential importance.

Movember Rules: How can I participate in the Movember event?

The Movember rules are quite simple. But if you want to participate, you need to know them:

• Movember starts on November 1 and ends on November 30.
• You start the challenge completely clean-shaven.
• You grow a mustache, not a full beard.
• Any style of mustache is allowed.

Now you know the basic rules. To participate, follow these steps:

1. Register on the Movember website.
   
   
2. Talk to your male friends and try to convince them to join or at least raise awareness about their health.
   
   
3. Create your own profile and upload a photo of your clean-shaven face on November 1.
   
   
4. Join a Movember team and compete with other members to see who can raise the most funds.
   
   
5. Be open in every conversation about your mustache and explain why you are growing it.
   
   
6. Collect donations through these conversations for the projects supported by Movember this year.

How do I shave a mustache?

Mustache hairs grow surprisingly quickly, so you will soon see results. To prevent the hairs from hanging over your mouth or sticking out wildly, you need to trim your mustache properly. Only then will it have a nice shape and not interfere with your daily life.

Have you never worn a mustache before and are wondering how to trim a mustache? Then take a look at our guide. There you'll find all the important info on trimming mustaches.

Trimming, shaping, and shaving the rest of your facial hair: If you still need the right beard & shaving products: How about this? Everything you need for care and shaving in one set.

Mustache Ideas for Movember

During Movember in Germany, you can usually see various mustache styles. Here are some typical mustache variations:

• Walrus: A particularly thick mustache
  
  
• Lampshade: A full mustache shaped like a lampshade
  
  
• Twirl Mustache: A particularly long mustache with twisted ends
  
  
• Pencil Mustache: A narrow, well-groomed mustache

FAQ about Movember

Can I participate in Movember without a mustache?

Yes, you can participate in the Move for Movember by walking a total of 60 kilometers on foot in November.

There is also the possibility to organize a Mo-ment. Let your creativity run wild, invite some people, or plan a virtual event and collect your donations.

How do I care for my mustache?

To keep your mustache looking great during Movember, you need a good beard comb. This will help you detangle your mustache hairs and remove coarse dirt.

For thorough cleaning, a beard soap is suitable.

Then apply a good beard oil to give your mustache a subtle shine. 

There is more beard styles & shapes, make sure to check out these posts as well:

• Chin Beard
• Full Beard
• Goatee
• Sideburn Beard
• Three-Day Stubble
• Grow and Care for a Hipster Beard
• Make a Beard with a Fade
• Ducktail Beard: Trimming, Shaping, and Caring
• Viking Beard