Real men and grooming
It’s not just women who should be paying attention to the details of their appearance; there’s plenty of products out there for men too
DO REAL men take care of themselves? Of course they do. It’s just that some of them have a hard time with the concept of manicures, facials and skin care creams as to them these are for women. I’m not saying all men need regular treatments to look good, just that it’s not effeminate to occasionally treat themselves to one. In the days before it became fashionable for men to have their own skin care ranges the men folk of the aristocracy had facials and manicures. They were certainly ‘real’ men and not at all effeminate. Even as far back as the seventeenth century men wore long, white, curly wigs, white face powder, black beauty spots and lavender water but that’s maybe not a good example for the men of today and would have them running for the hills at the mere mention of a hydrating cream. On the whole though men are more health, fitness and skin care conscious than they were years ago.
Some men may be too shy to go to a cosmetics counter and ask for advice even if there is a range of skin care there for them. That’s why they succumb to borrowing our creams when their face is dry or sensitive after shaving. To quote Clinique (pioneers of men’s products), “it’s time he learns it’s not all ‘girly’ stuff and gets his own personalised programme”. Clinique designed products for men because their skin is different to women’s, “it is generally thicker, perspires more and generally requires shaving. That’s why using products custom-fit for them is important”. Women’s products probably smell all wrong and may be too greasy for men. So products that are light, not too sweet smelling, quick, efficient and easy to use are more synonymous with a man’s style.
Whether you are a new man or an old school guy there is some common ground. For instance, a man who takes pride in his appearance generally likes to smell good too. Women love a man who smells gorgeous; smell is a potent factor when it comes to sexual attraction.
One thing I don’t understand though is the new man’s obsession with how hairy he is. The abnormally smooth looking, totally hair free, computer enhanced backs and chests we see on twenty-year-old male models in ad campaigns are brain washing men into thinking that women will be turned off by a hairy chest and back. Not so! We must remember that what we see in magazines and ad campaigns is never real, trying to emulate what we see in these images is a dangerous game. Wrinkles, hair, moles, lip shapes, skin texture and colour etc. etc. are all digitally changed, enhanced or removed before going to print! It’s great to care of one’s skin, appearance and fitness but we are human beings with our own individual style and not clones of some imaginary, perfect, hair-free model. Years ago male and female models were older, had fuller figures and the men were hairier and more natural. Now, male and female models are impossibly young, skinny, and computer enhanced. We can’t possibly try to keep up with that.
However there is a lot of basic grooming that is easy to perform and here’s a quick checklist:
Hair Keep it looking neat and trimmed and keep sides and back of neck free of stragglers by shaving or visiting the barber. This applies even for balding men (ps. the bald or semi bald look is very fashionable and sexy as long as existing is trimmed very short).
Ear hair No excuse. Remove it! Use tweezers, get the beautician to wax it, and if there is hair inside ear too, trim it with round ended scissors (use a small mirror in front of a large mirror to check if you suffer from this condition!)
Nostril hairs If they stick out beyond edge of nostrils, (not a good look!) trim them.
Nails Nails that are too long don’t look nice on men. Keep them short, it looks much better. File rough edges with a file. The same goes for nails on feet. Short is definitely more attractive.
Fragrance All men love to smell good. One of the sexiest new fragrances around at the moment is Beyond Paradise For Men by Estee Lauder.
Complexion Visit a Clinique counter, they have an excellent range of specialised shaving products to help give a comfortable shave. The range includes Post Shave Soother Beard Control Formula, Post Shave Anti Blemish Formula, M Gel-Lotion (a lightweight, oil-free moisture lotion), M Protect SPF 21 (a moisturiser and protector from UV rays), and some other excellent products. Another excellent range is Tres Homme by French skin care specialists Guinot. The products are very gentle, light and effective. They have kept the range simple with just the basics a man needs. They have a creamy face wash which also doubles as a softening shaving cream, an exfoliant to keep skin smooth, a light aftershave balm which also doubles as a face moisturiser and Express Anti-Fatigue Eye Gel which is also fantastic. For stockists of Tres Homme call 22 879006 or 99 548338.
Treatments If you are a new man have a face treatment about once a month and a manicure and pedicure when you feel cuticles or hard skin need addressing. If you are old school guy have any treatment you fancy for de-stress purposes. Face treatments and massages are very good ways to de-stress a hard-working man, which help to balance mind and spirit.
