I tried stunting my moustache growth with coffee grounds and this is what happened
My moustache journey has been pretty well documented on GLAMOUR. But ever since I found my ideal upper lip hair removal method (it's waxing, FYI), I've been craving bigger and better things.
Although I only have to tend to my wispy blonde whiskers every six weeks or so, ideally I'd like a permanent solution. With laser out of the question (too blonde), I came across an old wives' tale about using coffee grounds and baking soda to stunt hair growth.
The theory goes that you mix the two together, and then once you've waxed, shaved, plucked or threaded the area in question, you rub the mixture into your skin to stunt the hair growth.
It sounded easy enough and I had both ingredients in my kitchen so I thought, why not? I gave it a go the next time I waxed...
I mixed just a teaspoon of each into a bowl and put it to the side ready to go. After waxing my lip, I cleaned up the area with a post-care wipe and then patted dry with a towel. The area is always a little red after waxing so I was a little scared the coffee and baking soda might sting or irritate it further, but I forged on.
With a damp fingertip, I gathered the coffee and baking soda mixture and started scrubbing it into my upper lip. It didn't sting, but the granules didn't exactly feel comfortable on such a tender area. I continued for about 30 seconds and then washed it off. My skin looked a tad redder, but no worse for wear.
I repeated the same process for the next three times I waxed (you have to give these things a proper go, you know), and while I did notice it slowed down the regrowth, it didn't completely stunt the growth. I could get away with stretching my wax to seven or eight weeks, my hairs seemed a little finer every time, although I think that was more down to the wax than the coffee-mix.
Soon after I gave up on the experiment, I talked to Carliz Soleto Teague, Hair and Scalp expert at wigs.com, who confirmed the old wives' tale is but a myth.
"While some claim this method "breaks down" hair follicles, all this might actually achieve is skin irritation and clogged pores", she says. "Hair follicles stay intact, in fact some studies have shown that coffee is actually beneficial for hair growth."
Eeeeek, please no, what have I done?!
"Coffee stimulates the hair roots by improving its structure and growth, Caffeine can thus restore hair growth and/or prevent hair loss. When a topical application is done on the hair or scalp, it finds its way to the roots and stimulates them."
Well, looks like we're still at war, my pretty little moustache.
One thing coffee IS good for, is an all-over skin scrub. Here are our favourites:
Express-o Body Scrub, £14.95, Frank Body
For any fans of Frank Body's original coffee scrub (i.e. everyone who has tried it), this nifty pouch provides a mess-free version for fast-track smoothness. While the coffee content smooths any lumps and bumps, the cinnamon inside this scrub provides antimicrobial benefits and the sweet almond and macadamia oils provide lasting nourishment.
Feel Great Mouthwatering Mandarin Coffee Scrub, £6.99, Optiat
Not only is this delicious coffee scrub made from sustainable beans but it is also blended with mandarin essential oils for a zingy, energy-boosting fragrance and shea butter for your softest skin yet.
Body Scrub, £33, Le Labo
As far as coffee scrubs goes, it doesn't get any chicer than this one from fine fragrance house Le Labo. This finely ground formula gentle buffs away dead skin and nourishes with a blend of natural oils.
Sage and Coffee Body Scrub, £17, Montamonta
Utilising the very best of botantical beauty, this stimulating scrub softens and purifies the skin with its impressive ingredients, such as sage, Vitamin E and detoxifying Epsom salt.
Mango and Papaya Coffee Scrub, £15, Grounded Body Scrubs
This fruity concoction comes from a beauty brand entirely devoted to scrubs (so you know it's going to be good). It's bursting with vitamins and anti-oxidants to take your scrubbing to the next level, alongside some hero ingredients like coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and sugar to keep it sweet.
