Male grooming
In 2008 it's not just women that are concerned about their appearances, men too are finally realising that image matters. Kelly England investigates.
The signs are there: Lane Crawford now has dedicated men's beauty product areas; it's increasingly common to see men through salon windows unashamedly having pedicures; and women are reporting a fight for space on their once sole ownership of bathroom shelves.
The male workplace and dating scene is increasingly competitive and men have realised that looking their best is not only optional but increasingly vital. "Nowadays so many people have the same level of education as me, with degrees and good grades. So last year I decided I needed to do something a bit different to give me the 'edge'. I'd been told by colleagues that when I am groomed I look more 'successful' so I headed down that route. I recently got promoted and a salary rise and I really believe that my improved appearance has been a contributing factor!" says Wang Qiang 34, who works for a logistics company in North Point.
Looking good and feeling good are directly interlinked so improving your look can make you more confident, help to receive better cooperation from colleagues and clients and even help you to operate more efficiently.
Michael Lee, 31, revealed "Women today can be so demanding. One date told me she spent so much time making herself look good, that she expected a similar level of grooming from her boyfriend. It was then that I realised that designer clothes and shoes weren't enough - my dry hands were enough to put her off me. So, I did what any other smart guy does and did what I had to do to get the girl. No regrets so far!"
Of course appearance isn't everything. Good character, intelligence, and excellent communication are the firm basis of a person. However, a large part of social skills is to make people around you comfortable, and this is where grooming comes in. Being well kept can help you to get to the next stage with friendships and in your daily business. First impressions matter, so here are the top five things men should be doing (if you are not already).
1. Manscape your body.
Body hair can be a very confusing issue for men, and also one subject of wide debate. However, it can be confirmed that overall fuzz on the arms, legs and even chest is acceptable and even desirable by some women. However underarm hair is still subject to wide debate as to whether it is 'cleaner' to remove or if that is a feminine step too far. European men, especially the Germans whom have done this for many years and the trend has been catching on for some time.
In the other corner is back hair which is now widely considered to be unacceptable. Shaving at home can be performed but often leads to itchy skin and irritation, as is the case for depilatory creams. Hence, back waxing is recommended by the expert Justine Grier at The Beautiful Skin Centre Pacific Place (from $460). This will keep you smoother for weeks rather than days. Grier promises to keep the pain to an absolute minimum and to not take advantage of men's lower pain threshold compared to that of the female of the species! However, if you would prefer, you could try laser hair removal across a range of sessions for a long lasting and potentially hair free future.
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2. Tidy those nails
Do nails maketh the man? It may sound silly but a man's hands reveal a great deal about his kind of work - (manual or office), his level of cleanliness and also they indicate the time he spent on smartening himself up before meeting you. No one is suggesting that men start getting red glossy talons, but certain nail etiquette is now in force.
First things first, get a moisturising hand wash or soap and keep your hands scrupulously clean. Also buy a nail scrubbing brush and use it daily- The Body Shop has some good ones. It's not strange for men to use hand creme regularly to keep hands feeling soft and gentle - in fact all the better for holding onto! Fill your cupboard with the following: nail scissors, which can clip hanging nails (please do not use these on the MTR as some people think is acceptable - it isn't) and emery boards, for smoothing the edges. Then all you need is a cuticle stick from Sasa ($8) which will push down the skin at the base of nails for a smoother look.
If you are too busy for all of that then head to Paua Spa by Frederique on Hollywood Road. Men are welcomed for serious relaxation and grooming from $130 for manicure and $160 for pedicure. Bring a DVD of your choice for the ultimate chill out. Leave feeling buffed to perfection and ready to sign the contract of a lifetime.
3. Smarten up that hair
Men are catching up on what women have known for decades: your hairdresser can become your best friend. With their magic hands they can get you looking sharp, sleek and ready for action. A good haircut can take the weight of the world off your shoulders. Emmanuel F, on Pottinger Street, the leading french stylist in the city's first fully organic salon says, "Most of my men clients are recommended to me by their wives or girlfriends. They are tired of having unpredictable cuts in cheaper salons and don't want to walk around looking bad for the next three weeks. Time is money and men need to look professional to be taken seriously". Your hairdresser should automatically tweak your hairstyle in a subtle way every six months so that it stays on trend and suits your face shape. Emmanuel is also receiving increasing numbers of men that want their greying hair expertly high/lowlighted for absolutely natural looking results. "They know that the home colour boxes make your hair one tone and basically look fake. Last week I had a man for his first salon colour and he was beaming with happiness afterwards - he said he looked ten years younger after colouring. Now I am helping two of his friends". For home styling try Emmanuel's bestselling Shaper Maker ($150) for texture definition and volume control which is easy to use and shampoo out.
4. Shave superior
Shaving is a daily ritual to all men so learn to avoid nicks, cuts and razor rash. First begin with hot rather than warm water and splash onto the face or preferably use a clean cotton cloth. This will open the pores and prepare the skin. Next, you must pick the best products. Shaving foams often dry the skin so consider the Shave J Shaving Gel ($35) available at Manning's. Rub in thoroughly for one minute to get good coverage using your hands or preferably a shaving brush. Get into the brightest light of your bathroom so you can see clearly what you are doing - then you are ready to razor. Norman Fong of TST declared "Actually shaving is not difficult, it just takes some time to do well and then it looks better and lasts a little longer. I prefer wet shaves to electric shaves, especially in the hot weather."
Begin to shave in short strokes following the direction of hair growth towards the chin, being extra careful on your neck and throat. Replace razors regularly to keep your skin safe. Rinse thoroughly then apply a moisturiser to cool such as Razor Burn Repair from Anthony ($160), available at Lane Crawford IFC. If you really want to spoil yourself get the Elemis Post Shave Recovery Mask to reduce skin sensitivity. Kissable skin takes a bit of time but can be well worth the results!
5. Smooth scaly skin
"For clear skin you must use cleanser and moisturiser daily, plus sunscreen," says expert cosmetic Dr. Dan Kong. "This will reduce blemishes and reduce aging. A commitment to your skin will pay dividends in the years to come."
Simon Cowell admits to doing it and everyone from Michael Douglas to Sylvester Stallone are rumoured to be secret fans. Following the widespread international media coverage of Botox it was only a matter of time before men started hitting the needle.
One local man, who requested not to be named said, "After Botox my skin feels tighter, more lifted, yet I think looks totally natural. People now tell me that I look very well, rather than before when they often commented that I looked tired." Dr Kong has received unprecedented interest from men lately for such treatments.
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