How to Do Movember: Rules, Tips, and Moustache Styles for 2024

Movember, an annual event held every November, raises awareness about men’s health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health challenges. Founded by the Movember Foundation in 2003, this global movement encourages men to grow moustaches to spark conversations and promote health initiatives.

What is Movember?

Movember is more than just an opportunity to grow a moustache; it’s a platform dedicated to improving men’s health globally. The event, which lasts the entire month of November, aims to raise funds for research and support services. Since its inception, The Movember Foundation has funded over 1,250 men’s health projects across 20 countries.

The focus of Movember extends beyond physical health. Mental health awareness has become a crucial part of the initiative, addressing issues like depression and suicide among men. Statistics show that globally, men die by suicide at higher rates than women, making mental health a critical focus of Movember.

Fun fact: Movember began in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia, when two friends, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, challenged 30 men to grow moustaches to raise awareness for men’s health issues, particularly prostate cancer. Inspired by a friend’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer, they saw an opportunity to use the moustache as a symbol to start conversations about men’s health, which often goes overlooked. As the initiative grew, it became more formalised, and the Movember Foundation was established to manage donations and fund research.

How Does Movember Work?

To participate in Movember, men start the month clean-shaven and spend the next 30 days growing and grooming their moustaches. It’s not just about facial hair; it’s about starting conversations. People notice the moustache, and participants use that attention to discuss the importance of men’s health and encourage donations.

Fundraising is a big part of how Movember works. Participants register on the Movember Foundation’s official website where they can track their progress and gather donations from friends, family, and colleagues. The funds raised go toward research in prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health programs, providing support for men facing these challenges.

Check out some Movember events held by the foundation for 2024 in the UK!

Rules of Movember

Movember has a few simple rules to follow if you want to do it right:

1. Start with a clean-shaven face on November 1st.
2. Grow and groom your moustache for the entire month.
3. No beards or goatees allowed—it’s all about the moustache.
4. Use your moustache as a conversation starter to raise awareness and funds.

By sticking to these rules, participants help maintain the spirit and integrity of Movember.

“Grow a Mo to save a Bro”: How to Get Started

Here’s how to get started with Movember in 2024:

1. Register: Sign up on the Movember Foundation website to create a profile.
2. Shave: Begin the month with a clean-shaven face.
3. Grow: Let your moustache grow over the month, updating supporters on your progress.
4. Raise Awareness: Use social media and everyday interactions to spread the message about men’s health.
5. Fundraise: Encourage donations to support men’s health research and mental health programs.

The process is straightforward but impactful. In addition to individual participation, workplaces, clubs, and other groups often get involved, creating Movember teams to raise more funds collectively.

Fundraising Ideas for Mo Bros

Here’s a table of fundraiser ideas for Movember:

Fundraiser Idea	Description	How to Execute
Moustache Competition	Host a contest for the best, most creative, or most unique moustache.	Organise an event (in-person or virtual) where participants showcase their mustaches and collect donations.
Sponsored Shave-Off	Offer to shave your moustache at the end of the month for a donation goal.	Set a fundraising target, and once reached, live stream or host a shave-off event as a reward.
Movember Marathon	Combine fitness with fundraising by hosting a run or walk.	Participants seek sponsorship for each mile or kilometre they complete.
Moustache Bake Sale	Sell moustache-themed baked goods to raise money.	Bake cookies, cupcakes, or other treats shaped like moustaches and sell them in your community or workplace.
Pub Quiz Night	Host a trivia night with proceeds going to Movember.	Charge an entry fee and ask local businesses to donate prizes for the winners.
Virtual Moustache Party	Host a themed virtual party where attendees show off their moustaches.	Use a platform like Zoom, charge a donation as an entry fee, and have fun games or competitions.
Movember Merchandise	Sell custom Movember-themed merchandise like t-shirts or mugs.	Design and sell items through online platforms with proceeds going to the Movember Foundation.
Charity Auction	Auction off services, products, or experiences donated by local businesses.	Organise an online or in-person auction, with all proceeds going to your Movember fundraiser.
Movember Bingo Night	Organise a bingo night with an entry fee and prizes for the winners.	Charge for bingo cards, and donate the profits to Movember.
‘Grow a Mo’ Challenge	Challenge friends or colleagues to grow moustaches and raise money together.	Create a fundraising team, track everyone’s progress, and share updates on social media to collect donations.
Office Dress-Up Day	Host a themed dress-up day where participants donate to wear costumes.	Encourage colleagues to wear moustache-themed outfits and contribute to the cause.
Donation Matching	Partner with a company or individual to match donations up to a certain amount.	Reach out to local businesses or supporters to match every donation made during a specific period.

Movember Styles

There are countless ways to style a moustache during Movember, but here are a few popular ones:

• The Classic: Simple and timeless, this straightforward moustache style fits any face shape.
• The Chevron: Thick and full, covering the entire upper lip, often associated with classic masculine looks.
• The Handlebar: Features long ends that curl upward, creating a bold and dramatic effect.
• The Pencil: Thin and neatly trimmed, this subtle style hugs the top of the lip.
• The Walrus: A large, bushy mustache that droops over the upper lip for a rugged appearance.
• The Horseshoe: Shaped like an upside-down “U,” it extends down the sides of the mouth.
• The English: Thin with long, separated whiskers, often styled with wax for a vintage look.
• The Dali: Thin and sharply pointed, this style curls upward dramatically at the ends, inspired by the artist Salvador Dalí.
• The Lampshade: Short and thick, closely following the contour of the lip, resembling a square shape.
• The Toothbrush: A small, rectangular mustache centered just above the lip.
• The Zorro: Thin and sharp, often paired with a goatee, giving a sleek and daring appearance.

The style you choose can reflect your personality, but whatever you decide, the goal is to raise awareness.

The Movember Foundation: A Global Impact

The Movember Foundation is the driving force behind this campaign, working year-round to improve men’s health outcomes. Since its creation, the foundation has grown significantly, operating in over 20 countries and funding critical research initiatives. Movember has had tangible impacts, including developing new treatments for prostate and testicular cancer and supporting mental health programs globally.

According to their 2022 report, the Movember Foundation has directly impacted the lives of more than 5 million men by funding early cancer detection programs, mental health services, and innovative research projects. The organisation is committed to reducing the number of men dying prematurely by 25% by 2030.

Why Movember Matters

Men’s health often doesn’t receive as much attention as other health initiatives, which is why Movember is crucial. The statistics are staggering: one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men. Beyond cancer, mental health statistics are equally concerning. Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women in many parts of the world, yet they are often less likely to seek help.

Movember serves as a reminder that men’s health issues deserve attention, action, and research funding. The moustache is a symbol of these critical issues and a conversation starter that makes a difference.