January 7, 2008

Men and their faces

I hate the word "metrosexual". Aside from the fact it is passé, I dislike the way it quietly perpetuates the myth that guys who care about their appearance must be at least a little bit gay. As though only "girly men" would ever dream of taking care of their skin. Pah!
The male skincare business is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the beauty industry, and for a good reason. Guys, whether or not they read "GQ" and "Men's Health", are realizing that slapping on Trader Joe's All Purpose Hand Cream twice a year won't cut it anymore.
For the record, the dawning of a new era of skin consciousness among men is not a turn-off, not to me at least. There's a big difference between watching a dude spend hours in front of the mirror strategically applying pomade, and watching him simply invest in a good moisturizer. I think it's up there with taking your vitamins and working out.

But listen up boys, it's actually not a good idea to simply swipe your girlfriend's cream. Men and women have very different facial skin, with different needs. So unless your girlfriend happens to have a beard like you do, you should check out one of the many skincare lines designed specifically for guys, like Jack Black, ZIRH, Baxter of California and Menscience Androceuticals.
Then, start using an SPF moisturizer every day. Acquaint your male self with the term AHA. Read blogs like Grooming Health and Men Essentials. And then marvel when, on your 54th birthday, you don't look all craggy and groupie-worn, like our friend Robert Plant.

January 7, 2008 in MEN | Permalink