That, Zoso, is one incredibly well-formed, bushy, beard. Your styling is outstanding, IMHO, and if the barber incident did any damage you'd never know it now.

I'll be honest with you. Your mustache is going to get worse before it gets better. Like the rest of your beard it's very curly, which means that every day some crop of hairs will find a way to tickle your nostrils and graze your lips and, over the next few week, that will get become a significant annoyance. I don't say this to encourage you to trim. Instead, I just want to level with you so you know what you're up against. In my opinion, though, those few weeks of frustration are worth it and you'll emerge with a magnificent mustache that you can maintain live with easily. As gato suggests, so pomade, I life the Suavecito brand, may be easier to use than wax. Hang in there sir, you're destined for mustachioed greatness!

On the issue of split hairs, do you experience that with the hair on your scalp? That looks as curly as your beard and I notice you keep it pretty short, so I wonder if it's just a tendency of your hair and your beard is the first place you've had to deal with it. You're doing all I know to suggest to tame it, though, so I hope someone else will have a suggestion here.

So, I'm a bit puzzled. Based on the fact that you say you've always maintained a 2-week-ish stubble your wife is bound to have know you as perpetually bearded, or at least fuzz-faced. Doesn't she find the longer beard more appealing? My wife informed me under no uncertain terms that keeping a beard that length (2 weeks) was NOT pleasant!

You have a model beard, sir. Stick with it.

Tom


Some helpful links:
Library Central of Beard Growing


Taming the Wild Mustache
Tips for eating and drinking with a big mustache

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit. ~ W. Somerset Maugham
A jerk with a beard is just a bearded jerk, but a bearded gentleman is awesomeness personified. ~ Triibeard