• Rewards Room
    • You are here
    Home / Makeup / Concealer / Top gear

    Top gear

    Updated:2 Jan 2015 11:25 AM | Posted by
    Team bh's picture
    Team bh
    Comment
    When it comes to feeling comfortable about ‘grooming’ – a word thrust upon men by an often-frivolous industry and disliked by many guys - it comes down to the balance required to happily mix masculinity and maintenance. And it’s all about how we blokes perceive ourselves.

     
    A recent interview in the US edition of GQ with style icon Giorgio Armani tackled just this. Armani, who has spread his wings from men’s fashion into underwear and skincare, notes that between fashion and grooming, there’s a difference in how comfortable we feel looking at sexy images of men. Armani’s new underwear was launched with shameless pictures of a scantily clad David Beckham, and while the global arbiter of taste knew that would fly, his skincare range is presented more conservatively, reflecting that in grooming there remains much more caution among guys.

    Which is not to say we haven’t come a long way in the past decade. While streaking our hair, tanning or waxing body parts was once a bit of a guilty pleasure, these days they’re virtually stigma free. That said, I still don’t tell my mates I get my back waxed each year, and feel more than perfunctory removal of pubic hair is a bit much for guys, even though I expect it as the norm among women.
     
    Discreetly or not, guys these days will happily go out and buy Jean Paul Gaultier Kohl Pen & Concealer to mask the odd unsightly blemish, where once there was no such men’s product on the market. I used to sneak a dab of my sister’s Elizabeth Arden make-up base for a particularly fearsome late-1980s zit, but today my girlfriend’s bathroom shelves are safe.
     
    So it is in 2008, we blokes happily purchase designer deodorant, invigorating bodywash, select from massive ranges of slickly packaged man-specific hair pomades, sprays and waxes (try American Crew and Fudge for starters). We also generally have a fragrance of choice. I swear by Issey Miyake Blue Pour Homme, a woody oriental. Even under-eye creams like Dermalogica’s Total Eye-Care SPF15 and anti-aging treatments are now ok by us (Nivea For Men’s new DNAge Anti-Age Moisturiser is uber-affordable and non-greasy which is a safe bet for most fellas).
     
    Still likely to call our manhood into question, however, are purchases of treatments like a face scrub. It’s changing though. Michael Klim’s new Milk Facescrub is cool enough for most guys. He’s a sportsman after all. But we’re not so good with trips to a beautician or day-spa for any type of general pampering or hair removal, especially eyebrow plucking, even if the former PM did eventually succumb to his image consultants. Say you want to book your bloke in for something, do your research first and try to find a happily unisex or man-friendly space. Mankind in Surry Hills, Sydney, does a good job of toning down the camp-factor.

    Speaking of toning, body toning that is, men today are subject to similar image concerns women have faced for decades. Yes, the average man (whoever he is) is now just as likely to succumb to the Hollywood image-machine too. With the mainstream adopting higher standards of body image, the grooming industry keeps on growing. Shows like Queer Eye for the Straight Guy reflected that men are learning it's easier than they thought to ditch the slobby persona. Young men, bombarded with visuals of ripped PlayStation physiques and Olympian bodies, understand that fitness and grooming rituals are key to the whole ‘get the girl’ package. And they want in.
     
    The rise of the so-called metrosexual - a man with the grooming inclinations and fashion awareness of a woman - was really a case of modern androgyny. Even men who dress in traditionally masculine ways often have grooming habits that would’ve been considered distinctly feminine as recently as the 1990s. For many, a daily moisturiser regime (try Natio for Men SPF30+ Face Moisturiser) or insuring the future with expensive but effective anti-aging creams such as Biotherm Homme Age Refirm has become routine.
     
    The concept of maleness has changed to include a man who embraces romance and sexuality and can talk about fine wine and feelings. He’s a man for whom luxury purchases declare independence. That could mean a Vespa, eye-catching boots, or a bottle of KenzoPower, perhaps the best fragrance released for guys this year.
     
    Hell, who knows? With the phenomenal pace of change in male grooming habits over recent years, we might soon be ‘borrowing’ our girlfriends’ lipstick. Although I suspect mascara might come first. But can someone please find a better word for all of this? Grooming? It sounds fit for a horse.

    John Chalmers
    Style Editor
    Australian Men’s Health

    Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

    Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.

    NIVEA Men Active Age Moisturiser
    Write a Review

    48 Member Comments

    Miss19 16 Nov 2016 1:20 AM

    I always like my guy well groomed

    talk-a-lot 2 Jan 2015 11:25 AM

    My partner knows what he likes with his skincare and hair products.

    clearcrystalwater 26 Nov 2013 7:20 AM

    An interestingly written article about the other species!

    Cherrykisses13 22 Nov 2013 1:37 AM

    Its great that guys are starting to take care of themselves

    Evanescencessy 25 Jul 2013 10:11 AM

    I tend to agree most men don't really care for maintenance.

    apple8 15 Oct 2012 11:52 AM

    My man is still not using cosmetics, despite my best efforts, sigh.

    FeatheredBeauty 21 May 2012 4:38 AM

    Interesting article.

    Senorita 27 Feb 2012 11:19 PM

    It's always good to see well-groomed males

    ray_jay 12 Jun 2009 10:50 PM

    fanstatic article..

    MaxPower 22 Mar 2009 1:08 PM

    Not about to try womans makeup...NO Chance. This is a good article for men. I like some of the products highlighted here, it helps keep men up to date with whats available without walking into a department store or relying on a woman to pick things for us. I agree that for me its a mix of masculinity & maintenance.

    Calla 3 Oct 2008 10:00 AM

    I gave my significant other a facial on Monday night - and I think he secretly enjoyed it!! He was full of questions, "what's that, what's it for?" Time will tell whether he lets me do it again though..

    Pusstiss 26 Sep 2008 1:36 AM

    It is sooo refreshing that men are finally adopting what we girls have been doing for years loving ourselves!! I'm loving my man has seen the light lol... lately he has been arriving home with more products than I through his eagerness to experiment with other brands.

    After the kids made him over and took pikkeys, he came out with a face mask very impressive although was not so fond when they used the pikkey's of him for show n tell!

    The mask made his skin soft and supple, his friend think he was a girl in his past life on account of the products he has accumulated soon we'll need a larger vanity lol...

    WildTiger 23 Sep 2008 4:04 AM

    Terrific article

    fluttrgrl 10 Sep 2008 4:02 AM

    My boy HATES makeup and would never get into this. When I met him though, I thought he used man products as his skin was so silky smooth. Turns out he is just lucky! He has smoother skin than me!

    Style Queen 10 Sep 2008 2:35 AM

    i think it is great that men are getting into skincare and stuff, and i think make up like a bit of foundation or tinted moisturiser is fine. its totally up to the person themselves, whatever they want to wear they should. i secretly love guys who wear a bit of eyeliner i duno why! :P

    Pretty in pink 9 Sep 2008 1:25 PM

    I think skincare for men is great but makeup is going way too far. I have managed to get my man to start using a facial scrub and apply sorbelene cream to his face. That's about it.

    brettc 7 Sep 2008 9:14 PM

    Thanks BH, its always good to get something just for the guys :) I started taking care of my skin cos the blemishes didnt go away after my teen years, now I wish I did it earlier, its so easy. I have no problem discussing this stuff with mates and have found half of them were already doing something, and the other half secretly wanted to lol. I've noticed too alot of younger guys are going for the 'pretty' look with make-up and girl jeans etc. which I dont get, but maybe im out of touch now! lol

    tammerly sara 7 Sep 2008 10:19 AM

    I found MILK by Michael Klim is now stocked at Myer so check it out and get some for your man/dad! I always try to get my man to buy the mens Clinique concealer but he won't have it! LOL

    veedee_ 7 Sep 2008 8:57 AM

    wow..weird

    veedee_ 7 Sep 2008 8:57 AM

    wow..weird

    Calla 6 Sep 2008 1:52 AM

    My significant other is taking better care of his skin now that it is starting to age a little (he's 32). He uses the QV man range. He has also taken a liking to my rather expensive night cream and if he scoops too much out of the jar, he just wipes it on the towel....love him...lol

    Miss Meow 5 Sep 2008 10:42 AM

    Haha Fluffy Bunny your post made me laugh. Its nice if a guy takes care of himself, but sometimes they just take it too far. Skincare is okay but im not so sure about the foundation, mascara and the rest...

    tammerly sara 4 Sep 2008 11:19 PM

    Having said this however, he would not book into a day spa or salon for any treatment whatsoever and would not even have a massage or facial if we could book a double session. Men are funny about these kinds of things. it's in their blood.

    tammerly sara 4 Sep 2008 11:18 PM

    A great piece of writing by John Chalmers. I know a lot of men are becoming increasingly aware of their image. As i am a beautician I have had male mates ask me about waxing and hair removal techniques. I also wax my partner's brows and fix his chest hair area with that cream hair removal product. He also uses Clinique mens products as well as a Lancome Age Fight mens fluid. I am really proud that he takes care of his skin.

    GoddessMagick 4 Sep 2008 10:18 AM

    Good article with a gr8 range of different products spanning various price ranges. Natio's mens range has a few products that i've managed 2 get my other half 2 try, and the new Kezo scent is quite exquisite.... men will be men and I think there will always be a divide between men that will and men that won't use products!

    Pages

    You need to log in or become a member to post a comment.
    TOP