Movember 2026: the moustache month

From November 1 to 30

Rules of the moustache month

The Moustache Month, or "Movember", follows a set of rules that are fairly simple but specific. These rules aim to maintain the integrity of the movement and to ensure that the goal of raising awareness and collecting funds for men's health is achieved.

Start clean-shaven: On November 1, participants (known as "Mo Bros") must start with a completely shaven face.

Grow the moustache: Throughout the month of November, participants must grow their moustache. The moustache must be well maintained and must not join the sideburns or the beard (no beard, no goatee).

No fake moustache: The moustache must be real. The use of fake moustaches is not allowed.

Behave like a gentleman: The goal of Movember is not only to grow a moustache but also to raise awareness of men's health. Participants must act respectfully and be ambassadors of the movement, encouraging conversations around men's health issues.

Raise awareness and collect funds: Although growing a moustache is a visual symbol, the main goal is to raise awareness and collect funds for research into men's diseases. Participants are encouraged to talk about men's health and to collect funds for the cause.

Share progress: Participants are encouraged to share how their moustache is growing on social media or within their community to promote the cause and encourage donations.

Origins of Movember

The Movember movement has its origins in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia. The story begins with a group of friends who got together and had the idea of growing back moustaches, which at the time were largely out of fashion, mainly for fun and to revive a vintage fashion trend. These friends, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, discussed the idea over a beer, wondering how the moustache had disappeared from contemporary trends.

They decided to set a challenge for their friends to see who could grow the best moustache during the month of November. They found 30 men willing to take part in this challenge, which they named "Movember" - a combination of the words "moustache" and "November". In the first year, the movement was not associated with a charitable cause or a fundraising effort, but rather with the idea of reviving a moustache trend and having fun among friends.

The following year, in 2004, inspired by the women around them who were collecting funds for breast cancer, Garone, Slattery and their friends decided to link Movember to a more meaningful cause. They chose to collect funds and raise awareness of men's health, focusing specifically on prostate cancer. It was that year that the movement took a charitable turn, with 450 participants (Mo Bros) and the collection of 54,000 Australian dollars for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Since then, Movember has gained in popularity and has become a worldwide movement. It has expanded its efforts to include awareness-raising and fundraising for other men's health issues, such as testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. The Movember network has grown significantly, encompassing participants in dozens of countries and collecting millions of dollars to finance research and support programs in the field of men's health.

How to choose your moustache well?

Choosing a moustache that suits you depends on several factors, in particular the shape of your face, the growth of your hair, your personal style, and the message you wish to convey.

Consider the shape of your face: Round faces: Opt for longer moustaches with thin edges to lengthen your face. Square faces: A thicker moustache or a brush-shaped moustache can complement stronger jawlines. Oval faces: Most moustache styles will adapt well to this face shape. Long faces: Avoid moustaches that are too long or bulky, which can lengthen the face further; prefer short and well-defined styles.

Take into account the growth of your hair: If your hair is thick and grows quickly, you can opt for bolder and bulkier styles. If your hair is thinner or grows unevenly, a simpler and neater moustache may be more suitable.

Think about your personal and professional style: Your moustache should complement your personal style. If you have a more classic style, a traditional moustache may be appropriate. Also consider your professional environment. Some professions may require a neater or more conservative look.

Maintenance and care: Keep in mind that some moustaches require more maintenance than others. Make sure you are ready to invest time in grooming and upkeep.

Experiment: Do not be afraid to experiment with different styles. You may have to try several styles before finding the one that suits you best.

Ask for opinions: Sometimes, getting feedback from friends, family members or a professional barber can help you decide which style suits you best.

The Movember Foundation

The Movember Foundation is an international charitable organization dedicated to changing the face of men's health. Founded in 2003 in Australia, it has become one of the leading organizations focused on men's health in the world.

Mission and objectives: The mission of the Movember Foundation is to raise awareness and collect funds for men's health issues, in particular prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. The organization aims to reduce the number of men dying prematurely and to improve the quality of life of men and their families facing these health issues.

Fundraising and awareness: The Movember Foundation is best known for its annual event, Movember, during which men are encouraged to grow their moustache during the month of November to raise awareness and collect funds. Fundraising is done through the creation of profiles on the Movember website, where individuals and teams can collect donations.

Research and support programs: The funds collected are invested in research and support programs focused on three key health issues for men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health, including suicide prevention. The foundation collaborates with health experts, researchers, and other charitable organizations to finance innovative programs in these fields.

Global impact: The Movember Foundation is active in more than 20 countries and has financed more than 1,200 men's health projects across the world. The foundation is committed to creating a lasting impact by building a solid foundation for research funding, by developing solutions that improve health outcomes and by fostering a global community.

Community engagement: In addition to Movember, the foundation encourages community engagement throughout the year through various events and campaigns.

Transparency and governance: The Movember Foundation is committed to the transparency of its operations and the good management of its funds. It provides detailed reports on the use of the funds and the impact of its programs.

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