Keep Your (Victorian) Moustache Nice! by Kristin Holt

by Kristin Holt

USA Today Bestselling Author of

Sweet Romance set in the Victorian-American West

Mustache, moustache.... that hairy patch above a man's lip. Apparently our Victorian ancestors spelled the "moustache" with an 'o', at least in Chicago where this 1891 article originated.

My husband wears a full beard (and mustache), and I love it. He keeps it trimmed nicely and I find it handsome. Our son wears full facial hair, too. The younger Mr. Holt uses beard oil, a trendy bamboo beard comb, and his new bride bought him a beard iron/curling iron thingie as a Valentine's gift last winter. I think today's men love facial hair almost as much as their Victorian counterparts.

This 1891 article is a beautiful "slice of life" view of a barber's no-nonsense replies to both "keep that moustache nice" (was spelled in 1891 after all), and "dandruff!"

Notice this late Victorian-era barber's solution for a moustache that won't grow. Note that this barber shop of the nineteenth century employed hot irons (yes! curling irons!) to moustaches. "Don't curl it with your fingers!" Okay. I won't. (Never had a mustache, even a few hairs in need of bleach, myself.)

Note the 1891 treatment for dandruff. Salt water and brisk brushing. But don't you dare use a wire brush, said the barber. Never, never never.

This one's definitely worth reading:

What fun!

For more articles about the happenings inside a Victorian Old West Barber Shop don't miss out on my related history bits like this.

Thank you for joining me! Please scroll down and comment. Your thoughts are welcome (as is "conversation", especially amidst COVID-19).

Warm regards,

Kristin

Copyright © Kristin Holt LC