Ladies of Hong Kong, moustache season is upon us. That’s right: Movember is here! We’re guessing some of you will not be fans of the hairy few weeks that lie ahead, but we’re here to put your minds at ease – the Mo is not something to fear!
With Movember officially launching here in Hong Kong, this is the year to celebrate the art of the moustache – to stand behind the growing efforts of your husband, male friends and colleagues and raise awareness for a very worthy cause in the process.
Movember isn’t just about guys who grow – Mo Sistas play a vital role in supporting the campaign too. Want to know how you can get behind it?
Here are seven reasons why we here at Sassy Mama think Movember is worth getting mo-tivated about…
1. Prostate cancer is a big deal in Hong Kong
It’s true. Unfortunately, more and more men are encountering prostate cancer here in Hong Kong. It’s reported as being the third most common form of cancer amongst Hong Kong men, as well as the fastest growing form of the disease in the SAR. The good thing is, if caught early, prostate cancer is well and truly curable.
Movember works to make men’s health issues – like prostate cancer – easier for guys to talk about. Knowledge is power, so the more chatting and less ‘sweeping under the rug’ the guys in our communities do to increase awareness, the better.
2. This is the first ever Movember HK
That’s right: 2012 marks the first year the Movember movement has had a legitimate presence in Hong Kong! Although it’s likely you know who guys have sprouted Mos to celebrate this hairy month previously, this year is different as participants can register for the official Hong Kong campaign on http://hk.movember.com, helping to raise awareness and Hong Kong dollars for local prostate cancer initiatives. All proceeds raised for Movember HK will stay here in Hong Kong so grow boys, grow!
3. Mos can be sexy… seriously!
You better believe it. From David Beckham to Orlando Bloom, Johnny Depp to Ryan Gosling, there is A-list proof that Mos can indeed be easy on the eye. Rather than resisting the onset of facial hair, give the guys in your life some stylistic direction – help take their Mos to the next level. Don’t hate, celebrate!
4. Perfect excuse to get Mo’d out
There’s no denying the Mo is cool. Although we can’t grow them like men, we can showcase our support by celebrating our love for the tash in other ways throughout the course of Movember! From clothing to jewellery, shoes to handbags, the handlebar is marking its stamp on women’s fashion this season. Now, we’re not saying you need to go out Mo’ed from head to toe (that would be too much), but a subtle Mo here and there can turn an outfit from drab to fab.
This Movember, we’re loving Topshop’s Moustaches Tee by Tee and Cake and River Island’s Moustache Beanie (OK, maybe it’s still a bit warm for a hat, but it’s so cute!). If you don’t want to have Mos emblazoned across your chest, opt for a necklace or a pair of earrings – Accessorize currently has a fantastic array of mustachio options, including a very cool Moustache Laminate Shopper and a Metal Tache Ring. Dannijo has also created a fun phone cover that showcases various styles and shapes of our favorite facial hair. Local shopping malls such as Island Beverly are also embracing the Mo trend; check out any of the boutique jewellery stores to source unique items that won’t be found in the likes of IFC!
5. A chance to let your fingers do the talking
We live in a city with a passion for nail art and there’s no better way to show your support for Movember than by getting a Mo mani! Speak to your nail artist and ask about the best ways to ‘tache your nails, or if you’ve got DIY skills, check out the Moustachioed Manicures tutorial.
6. Getting down to business…
Every Sassy Mama loves doing her bit for charity. There are a number of joints around town going the extra mile for Movember HK – check them out:
The Mandarin Salon
We all love a good facial and what better excuse to indulge than when it’s for the good of the Mo! If you’re fretting over the impending effects of your man’s facial stubble, fear not – The Mandarin Salon at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong has your back. CACI Hydratone Facials (perfect for reducing dryness and flaky skin caused by a hairy nose caterpillar) will be renamed the Movember Pash Rash Facial for the duration of Movember, with a free upgrade (from a 30-minute to a 60-minute facial) for every registered Mo Sista!
The Mandarin Salon, 5/F, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2825 4800
Gentlemen’s Tonic & Thomas Pink
We all know men are impossible to buy for, so get organised ahead of Christmas by popping into Gentlemen’s Tonic. Throughout Movember this high-class barber will donate 20% from the purchase of any of Babassu and Bergamot Men’s Shaving and Body Products to Movember HK when bought by a registered Mo Sista. Alternatively, if you’re looking to spruce up your man’s underwear drawer, check out the Thomas Pink boxer range (HK$450 per pair): for every purchase throughout the month, Thomas Pink will donate 20% to Movember HK
Gentlemen’s Tonic, Shop B47-8, B/F Landmark Men, Central, Hong Kong, 2525 2455
Thomas Pink, Shop 242, Level 2 Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2155 9021; Shop B67, Basement Floor, The Landmark, Central, 2155 9671
Pizza Express
Dining out at Pizza Express just got Mo exciting! Throughout Movember, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas can indulge with carefully groomed ingredients including mo-zzarella, lathers of tomato sauce and closely shaved fennel. Look out for the Movember Specials Menu and help Pizza Express hit their HK$100,000 target for the campaign.
See all Pizza Express locations in Hong Kong here
Amical Coffee
Fancy sipping a Mo-inspired coffee? Throughout Movember, Amical will be serving up moustache latte art to brighten your morning or afternoon caffeine fix. mo-ffee, mo-cha or mo-cchiatos with a Movember twist… Mos really are taking over. Jeepers.
Amical Coffee, 1/F, 1 Sun Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 5489 5330
FLY Club
A Sassy Mama doesn’t have to be asked twice to go for a cocktail, which is perfect given FLY will be serving up a special Monopoly cocktail throughout the month, donating HK$5 to Movember HK for every cocktail sold.
Fly, 24-30 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2810 9902
7. Another reason (as if we needed one) to party!
Movember Gala Party
Where: Bisous, 9/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham St, Central, Hong Kong
When: Friday, 30 November, 7pm – 11pm
HK Rugby Movember Wrap Party
Where: Hong Kong Rugby Football Club, 1 Sports Road, Hong Kong
When: Saturday, 1 December, 8pm onwards
So what should you do next? First things first: head to http://hk.movember.com/ and register as a Mo Sista to support Movember HK (think of this as a pledge to show you’re behind the movement). Encourage the men in your lives along with your friends and colleagues to do the same – it’s super easy to create a team. Once sorted, be sure to populate your Mo Space with updates, pics, links etc. If you need mo-tivation, check out ours:
Emma: http://mosista.co/emmamatuschka
Charlotte: http://mosista.co/charlotteingram
Jojo: http://mosista.co/momomojojojo
Interact with Movember HK on Facebook and on Twitter.
Embrace the moustache mamas – you Mo you want to!