Mustaches have long been a sign of masculinity, but they can be notoriously hard to care for. Keeping them looking good requires some effort, a few tools, and regular salon visits. Here are three things to have on hand at home for mustache grooming and how to know it’s time to visit the salon.

1. Small, Sharp Scissors

While you may not want to go wild when trimming your own mustache (it really is easy to take too much off), you need a pair of small scissors on hand to take care of any strays. Regular scissors won’t work — you’ll need scissors specifically for beard and mustache trimming to handle thicker hair. Small scissors are plenty capable of trimming thick beard hair, and the small size will allow you to maneuver easily around your face to trim only the hairs you want trimmed. Larger scissors are bulky to handle and won’t cut nearly as precisely.

2. A Fine or Medium-Toothed Comb

A thick, unruly mustache rarely looks as majestic in real life as it sounds. Having a comb on hand to smooth your ‘stache is essential for keeping it looking groomed and natural. Regular combing also massages the hair follicles, releasing natural oils and conditioning your beard while simultaneously helping you to avoid painful ingrown hairs.

If you have a smaller mustache or thinner hair, opt for a fine-toothed comb. If you have thicker hair or a large mustache, a medium-toothed comb will be your best bet.

3. Mustache Wax

Ever wonder how some men can nail the handlebar mustache look? Here’s their secret — mustache wax. It’s like hair pomade but thicker, and holds the wiry hairs of a mustache in place. Don’t mistake balm for wax — balm is not as thick as wax and is mainly used to condition versus style. Put a little bit of wax on your fingers, rub them together to soften the wax, and pinch your mustache in between your fingers. Distribute the wax evenly and style to your preference.

When to Visit a Salon

While mustaches can be kept from getting too out of hand with home care, the shape and length of your mustache should be handled by a professional. It’s quite difficult to get shape right when you’re looking at a reverse image in the mirror and it only takes one rogue snip to ruin your ‘stache. When your mustache starts to look unruly and styling isn’t cutting it, book an appointment at a salon that specializes in men’s facial hair care.

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