What is Movember? The Guide to the Month of the Mustache

Every November, you start to see them. On friends, on colleagues, on celebrities. The mustaches. They appear slowly at first, then suddenly seem to be everywhere. But this wave of facial hair isn’t just a quirky trend—it’s a global movement with a powerful purpose. It’s called Movember, and it’s dedicated to changing the face of men’s health. Whether you’re thinking of growing your own ‘mo, supporting a friend, or just curious about the cause, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive into the history, the rules, and the incredible impact of Movember.

The Surprising Origin Story: How a Joke Became a Global Movement

Believe it or not, one of the world’s biggest men’s health charities started with a quiet chat between two friends in a pub.

Back in 2003, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery were in Melbourne, Australia, pondering a simple question: where had the mustache gone? It had fallen out of fashion, and in a moment of playful inspiration, they decided to bring it back. They challenged 30 of their friends to grow a mustache for the entire month of November.

The initial idea was purely for fun. But inspired by a friend’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer, they realized their mustache-growing challenge could be tied to a greater cause. They decided to make the ‘mo’ a conversation starter for men’s health, focusing initially on prostate cancer.

What started with 30 friends (known as “Mo Bros”) quickly gained momentum. The following year, co-founder Adam Garone helped formalize the campaign by registering the Movember Foundation and launching a website. The movement exploded, evolving into a formal charity with a clear and vital mission: to help men live happier, healthier, longer lives.

Today, the Movember Foundation funds groundbreaking projects in three key areas:

• Prostate Cancer
• Testicular Cancer
• Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Movember vs. No-Shave November: What’s the Difference?

This is a common point of confusion, so let’s clear it up. While both events happen in November and involve not shaving, they are fundamentally different.

• Movember is a specific charitable organization—the Movember Foundation. When you participate in Movember, the funds you raise go directly to the foundation to support its research and support programs for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health. The key rule? It’s all about the mustache.
• No-Shave November is a month-long campaign where participants forgo shaving altogether (beards, mustaches, everything!) to raise cancer awareness. The concept encourages you to donate the money you’d typically spend on shaving and grooming to a cancer-fighting charity of your choice.

The bottom line: Movember is a focused charity with its own rules (mustache-only). No-Shave November is a broader concept that lets you support any cancer charity.

The Official Movember Rules: How to Grow Like a Pro

Ready to become a Mo Bro? To officially participate in Movember’s signature challenge, there are a few golden rules to follow.

1. Start With a Clean Slate: On November 1st, you must begin with a completely clean-shaven face. No head starts allowed!
2. Grow and Groom a Mighty Moustache: For the entire 30 days of November, your mission is to grow and groom a mustache. Let it flourish!
3. The ‘Mo’ Stands Alone: This is the most important rule. No beards. No goatees. The chin and cheeks must remain clean-shaven so your glorious mustache can take center stage.
4. Be a Walking, Talking Billboard: Use your new facial hair as an icebreaker. When people ask about your mustache, tell them why you’re growing it. It’s your opportunity to spark important conversations about men’s health and encourage donations to your Mo Space page.

Can’t Grow a ‘Mo’? No Problem! Other Ways to Get Involved

Movember is for everyone, not just those who can grow facial hair. The movement has expanded to include several other ways to show your support and raise funds.

Move for Movember

If growing isn’t your thing, get moving! This challenge calls on you to walk or run 60km over the month of November. Why 60? It represents the 60 men we lose to suicide every single hour across the world. It’s a powerful and healthy way to raise awareness.

Host a Mo-ment

Get your community together by hosting a “Mo-ment.” This is a completely flexible option where you organize an event—big or small—to raise funds. It could be anything from an office bake sale or a trivia night at your local pub to a group workout or a special dinner with friends.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Feeling creative? Movember also encourages you to “Mo Your Own Way.” This means you can create a unique, personalized challenge. Whether it’s kicking a bad habit for the month, mastering a new skill, or taking on an epic physical challenge, you can make it your own and rally support around your personal goal.

Ready to Change the Face of Men’s Health?

Movember is more than just a mustache. It’s a symbol of support, a catalyst for conversation, and a powerful fundraising engine that is making a real difference in the lives of men everywhere.

Whether you choose to grow, move, host, or create your own challenge, your participation helps fund critical research and support systems that save lives.

Ready to get started? Visit the official Movember website today to sign up, create your fundraising page, and join the global community!