Someone tell the late 19th century: facial hair is back, in a big way. And there’s a reason for this trend: it looks hot. A beard is a bit of a commitment, though, and there’s a chance you’ll look more like Grizzly Adams than Oscar Isaac. We suggest dipping your toes into the enchanting world of facial hair by growing a killer mustache. Here are five tips to consider before embarking on your hair growth adventure.

Five Tips for Growing a Mustache

1. Be Patient

This is perhaps the most important mustache growing tip we can give you. You’re not going from baby-bottom-smooth to Super Mario in a week. Depending on how fast you grow hair, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple months before a sturdy caterpillar sprouts. And despite what your local old wife may have told you, shaving it constantly won’t make your ‘stache grow faster or thicker.

2. Nurse your mustache

There’s more to growing a mustache than simply not shaving for a while. As your mustache starts coming in, brush it every day so it grows the way you want. It shouldn’t take too long, and it’s a time investment that will pay off once the bulk of it comes in.

3. Care for your mustache

There’s a lot of snake oil out there that guarantees hair growth on various parts of your head and your face. Perhaps there’s even a miracle elixir or tonic out that works! What you can do is strengthen and maintain what you already have. For that, we recommend using a beard oil, which helps lock in moisture, softens hair, eliminate itches, and maximizes shine.

4. Maintain your mustache

Contrary to popular belief, your mustache should be washed daily. Considering how close it is to your mouth, it’s easy for various kinds of crud to get embedded in your mustache. Washing the hair on your face is no more complicated than washing the hair on top of your head. Scrub it good, and pat it dry if you want your mustache to not look like a crime scene.

5. Get inspired

As your mustache comes in, you should pick a style and stick with it. Of course, like haircuts, what styles are open to you have much to do with the shape of your upper lip and thickness of your hair. After the bulk of it comes in, you’ll have more to work with. Decide on what you want it to look like, and trim it accordingly to fit your desired look.