Saturday, August 29, 2009

Are changing trends changing Men…?? ;)

Once I was reading a case about increasing popularity of men’s beauty products…. Hell… It was so damn interesting…. :D I was figuring out the reasons behind this revolution in the men’s beauty industry and also their changing mindsets regarding work, home, women and personal care… Here I would like to share my views….

Earlier, there was a time when only men used to go out for work and women used to take care of household chores... Time changed women also started moving out and engaged themselves in office work but it’s not only women who changed their place but same happened with men too…. They started working in kitchens simultaneously and started going to Men's Saloons and the use of Exclusive Men’s creams and products came into being…..

Of course there are few things which are still the same and can’t be changed as far as men are concerned :P… But then yes… they are now beauty conscious in fact many are even more conscious than women… They are regular about going to men’s saloons and their beauty treatments.. their complexion… Skin, hair style, waxing and everything which usually only women used to do….

I personally know few guys who are too conscious about their skin, hairs, fitness, complexion, dress up and all that… In fact I would say obsessed with it…

I remember once I stepped into the lift of my apartment and a guy was standing with his face covered with some sort of face pack…. He was kinda embarrassed too… :P and I was thinking how can he step out of his home like this! A girl would never ever come out like this except emergencies like earthquake or fire in the building :P

What are the basic reasons behind these changes in attitude of men…??? Well…. I feel one of its reason is women…. :P

Of course I can justify myself…. Why they need to cook or go to men’s saloons?? It’s because they are now required to prove that yes they can be all rounder too and women are proficient in everything whether it be cooking, home management, sports, work place stress, emotional stress, personal care, technology etc…..

And now cooking and other tasks are not only specified to fairer sex when both work equally and together…

One reason mentioned in the case was “Men are moving towards beauty products because of the increasing number of female employees at workplace ;)” Well, it can be one of the reasons….


Other reason can be overall personality…. Say if two people are going to appear for an interview for same job with similar credentials then personality factor plays a very important role…. Well groomed one is always preferred over the one who is messy and clumsy…

And no doubt looking good boosts one’s ego as well…. This is the reason why all the beauty products, deodorants, shaving cream advertisements project things like

“If you’ll use Axe effect or so and so deodorant you’ll be famous among girls”

Or in case of girls they show “fair and lovely can help you getting your dream job” :P

Though it doesn’t makes any sense because it’s not any deodorant or beauty cream it’s about way of perceiving yourself…. But these are the games which marketers play…. And they usually derive what they aim at by the means of these advertisements… I guess I am going deep inside marketing…… let me put a full stop here…

Coming out of marketing and entering in to the kitchen…. Earlier men were not into usual cooking but the changing trends like prolonged bachelorhood and dual income cultivated this habit in them… And of course it’s always good to be independent… ;)

Well, I know still not all guys are into going to men’s saloons or working in kitchen…. But in the changing scenario it’ll be a necessity for all…. And it’s always an added advantage for them to look good and cook well ;) ;)

And for this all I can say is "Good Luck Boys…!!!" :)))

82 comments:

kaka said...

lol....kitchen's fine...but i not that beauty consious.....:P...nice post:)

Siddhesh Kabe said...

Even I had heard about this word from Dipu, she mentioned it as hetrosexual male...quite eeeu...

So picture this...next time, when you have to go for a party...there will be a fight on the dressing table...

let me use the powder, dont use my fairness cream, hey thats for my hair...you use this...blah blah blah...eh???

heh heh heh...

P.s. I still prefer the traditional old male. Infact, no one believes I took a bath before going out!!!

sonali said...

beautiful post, but i feel you could have written much more.... this is 21st century and now metrosexuals r all rockin. That time is gone wen waxin wer done only by gays.... and for all the changes in the men i would not say multi reason, but just one reason.."WOMAN"!!!!! What can a poor guy do, if his girlfriend does not likes the hair on his chest, and what can a man do if his wife go out job hunting while he has a 2year old kid?? So i dont blame men.....but all this revolves around cos of "us" ;)
i know men are such lazy bones, given a chance dey will not clean up der pvt parts for years and go without haircuts too.....but dey have to work hard cos of nothin but "women".....
rockin post...keep it up :)

Deepika said...

@Kaka
he he... thanks :)

Sathish Chandrasekaran (சதீஷ் சந்திரசேகரன்) said...

ha ha nice post deepika :)
so wat abt u ??
is deepika beauty consious ?????

Deepika said...

@Sid
Its metrosexual..

And thats "the in thing" ;)

he he he....

Deepika said...

@Sonali
Thanks ;)
yeah i could have mentioned much much more.... its kinda never ending topic.. ;)
But i feel women is one most important reason apart from that there are other reasons like self confidence, increasing job pressure, urge to look perfect etc....

But no doubt "women" is the most important reason ;)

Deepika said...

@Sathish
I was talking about guys ;)

Of course girls are conscious.... After all we are all rounders ;)

Amit Kumar Singh said...

Nice post... :)
Well, making onself attractive is very natural thing as you know the DARWIN PRINCIPAL 'Survival of the Fittest' is applied everywhere in every ages.
Our environment is changing and so the way of survival.
in the past, when strength were prime motivation for attraction.
But now when both are at the same level, good looks are prime motivation...

cheers!!!

S said...

Haven't I told you that I would never visit a saloon for nothing other thn a Rs. 10 hair-cut !

And this metro-sexual or whatever ... this word is unexplained ... there is a fine line between 'appearing smart and confident' and 'looking gay' ... some men are just so intent on crossing this border they don't even care shaving off their whole body with some butterfly tattoos on parts of body which can barely be exposed !

And yes, Deepika, few more reasons why they do it ... coz they want to look gorgeous, beautiful, sizzling, etc etc !! LOL ! ;)

Pity on those gays ... errrr .. guys !

P.S. Men are better when they are MEN enough.

In love with me and life

Deepika said...

@Amit
True!! Darwin's principle rules!! :D

Cheers! :) :)

Deepika said...

@Sourav
Hey you don't need to feel pity about them....

I thought being in the field of marketing you would understand this but anyways... Its just personal opinion.... looking good nowhere effects their manliness :P :P

P.S. Men are good when they are MEN enough but they are better when they are well groomed MEN!

S said...

And what happens when they are groomed as groom ?? ;)

Deepika said...

@Sourav
Groomed as groom!! What happens.... Sorry I've no personal experience ;)

The Aspirant said...

well i think u hv written d ryt thing , coz dis is all true. Dusnt matter we guys accept it or nt, but yeah dis is true. Nd dere's no harm in learning nething. Yeah , i vl nvr go fr cooking dats a different matter.....

Amit said...

I disagree, i don't do it for anyone else, i just do it for myself, because it makes me feel good. So if a manicure/pedicure or a facial session helps you relax once a month and makes your appearance look better (without any external motivations), there is nothing wrong in it. I have been single for quite some time now, and i don't think my visit to the saloons have decreased because of that. Its still once a month, or the need as it may be.

You can say peer effect or society effect, but i am doing it as far as i know, truly always believed in heterosexual males, and not because it came into fashion, but i love doing it.

Love,
Amit

PS: Its my burning ambition to get the chest waxed ;)

Kay said...

it's my belief that men are so highly competitive that they just have to one up us on everything, including....beauty routine! I know more men that take longer to get ready than I, that have more 'cosmetic/relaxation' procedures done then women, the list goes on. Just look at Chefs? Predominently men! I think it is all just funny, because I don't have to work as hard to prove myself...I am beautiful just as I am! ;)

Musings of a lonely traveler said...

Hi Deepika!
Some men might have misinterpreted the phrase "Let's make this world beautiful"...As for me, I've never worried about my complexion but of the looks. For men, it's not the charisma in the face that matters whereas a decent outfit and good grooming habits is sufficient. This is what I believe. If I happen to come across the lift guy whom you have encountered I would have laughed at him like Ace Ventura...hehehe

Shravan RN said...

lol..:) should have written more :)

Anonymous said...

Now this is what I would call as work of a MBA student... :)
work based on the market research and all but then what about the still old school guys whose mindset does not change with the changing terms and as far as I think this only goes with say 30% or less than that city fellows and you know India has around 60% of village population!!!!
Did you miss something now....

Manish Raj said...

I know metrosexuals are growing...but cowboys will remain..

Hey but kitchen is ok no ? I love cooking..guess it's not an offence to girls..

S said...

Anyways I love to cook :D

Deepika said...

@Aspirant
:))

Deepika said...

@Amit
I agree women is not the only reason but somewhere in the back of the mind its one influencing factor!
I accept the fact like the way girls do it for themselves for their feel good factor... Guys do it for their "feel good thing" but it was never there earlier... :P

Deepika said...

@Kay
Well said Kay... God made us born beautiful... ;) ;)
But guys need to work upon it he he he :D

Deepika said...

@musings
I actually felt like laughing but I somehow controlled... But yes I was actually wondering
"How can he step out like this" ;)

Deepika said...

@Shravan
Hey why don't you continue with it on your blog.. :) I would love to read a guy's detailed opinion on this ;) :D

I know its kinda long topic and can be extended more...... :)

Deepika said...

@Anonymous
This is not the work of market research :P
Its just a personal view.... :)

Deepika said...

@Manish
Now a days even the image of rough and tough guys like sportspersons are changing they can be easily seen flaunting their "chocolaty looks" in advertisements.... :D

No offences if guys can work in an organised manner in kitchen like we girls do! :)

Deepika said...

@Sourav
DANGER MEN COOKING!! LOL

Creativity said...

Dear, Beautiful Post :D

Ahahgshene said...

I can not believe you caught your boy neighbor covered in face mask! I think I want to meet this guy!

This is funny.

Anyway, I don't think there's anything wrong with the trend. Don't you prefer boys that are style conscious than slobs? LOL!

-Abby

P.S. I enjoyed reading this entry!

Deepika said...

Thanks Sahana

Deepika said...

@Abby
Of course style conscious boys are much better!

Shaunak Mukherjee said...

“If you’ll use Axe effect or so and so deodorant you’ll be famous among girls”

Or in case of girls they show “fair and lovely can help you getting your dream job”


There lies the difference. The marketers trapped the exact sentiments that drive men and women to get beauty treatment.
For men today, grooming has become essential because unlike yesteryears, when more importance was given to what the man can do, today, more importance is placed on physical appearance. The well-groomed, uber-cool metrosexual male will draw more female attention than the average guy even though the latter may be more well qualified as a partner(or otherwise)
However for women, chasing the opposite sex for companionship is comparatively easier, which is appearance-consciousness is more driven towards their workplace.

Any case, cooking's fun, but a salon...hmm...definitely not my cup of coffee.

HaRy!! said...

yep agreed:)... SRK in Lux ad? do yu have any comments on that? guess that's a big lol!! .. any ways yes agreed...just like everyone else...every guy wants to be flexible to the trend, for instance..i luv cooking and spend most of the time in kitchen ..! well am just wondering when yu up to write a similar post for women? :)..hope to cya around..tak care..nice post!

obssesor said...

you know this was bound to happen sooner or later, let's wait for even worse to happen!

Deepika said...

@Shaunak
:) you are right Shaunak!

Deepika said...

@Hary
That was okay I guess.... but choice was wrong.. I mean John will fit much better in such adverstisements ;)
And its a fact just projected in a wrong manner...

About women... well... they are already into it.... So its kinda normal.. Isn't it??

though I'll wait from your side about women ;)

Deepika said...

@Obssesor
Worse! Do you think its bad?

ג. ג. said...

Thank you Deepika. My blogger template is an adaption of the wordpress thesis template to blogger. I don't remember where I found it but if you'll google it I'm sure you'll find it. Good luck!

Benny said...

Sounds like someone s envying guy's becoming smarter ;)Dont worry ya,u r alwz d fairer sex :D

Deepika said...

@Guy
Thanks :)
I'll try to find out!

Deepika said...

@Benny
Envy?? Na :D
Its good for us too ;))

Anonymous said...

men are from venus and women from mars... (?)
smart is one who thinks smart..
cliched statements??
but true nevertheless..

and you follow me yet don't comment??

btw a very nice blog.... read sme of your posts....
keep it up..

Deepika said...

@RS
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

men were always into cooking. they were never away from it. it is just that they are gaining recognition and thanks to the media for the same. thanks, but no thanks. why the hell dint all the marketing and media ppl target men? men have an extra organ tas it. they are quite similar to women.

eye-in-sty-in said...

since men dont have to hunt in the forest, they are adapting themselves into the concrete jungle! In today's age of women's lib and gender equality, everything is appropriate n tolerated...

Shafi said...

damn ..... these girls dont let us even to become handsome and good looking. May be u can tell me y u r wearing our t-shirts & jeans. Y boy cut hair...???

Toon India said...

a lot of :P's there..anywayz..each one to himself..but I don't feel one has to 'look good' to be 'groomed' actually it is one of the most over hyped words...but yeah marketing cos. are making fools...fair & handsome :P.

Taking a bath and applying cold cream and sun screen is the most I have ventured in grooming!!

Vinay Sharma said...

hehe .. so what's your one word for men?

Yellow Tulip said...

thank u for stoppin by...:)...read few of urs:)...very interesting posts:)...will be back 4 more:)

Harini said...

I and my friend were talking on the same topic recently after I read an article about the same in the Newspaper. I found nothing wrong with this where as she found it completely Gay... I think its a personal choice.

Btw are you an MBA student??

Tall Guy said...

I think its a wrong notion to think that guys don't like to look good.

if we keep the gender thing aside and ask then the question comes why should one not try to look good?

The only thing that has changed in the couple of years is that there is a very good potential in tapping this unexplored market.

Hence the hype about metrosexuals.

Deepika said...

@Pritish
Hey marketers target men cz they can see a huge potential thr for expansion :)

Deepika said...

@eyein
true!! its acceptable :)

Deepika said...

@Shafi
Hey hey... I never said don't go for it :)...
In fact its a trend.... And going to be normal and usual very soon.. I guess its almost already....

Deepika said...

@Toon
:) :)

its about carrying urself thats it!! if someone can look good n tidy by applying only sunscreen then its their choice.. its entirely individual specific... :)

Deepika said...

@Vinay
One word for men!

mmm.... well.. "Crazy" ;)

lol.... how can i give just one word... thats not fair! but this is wat i could think of at the moment :D

Deepika said...

@Yellow
Thanks for dropping by.... :)

Deepika said...

@Harini
Yeah m an MBA student :)

Yes, its personal choice... Looking clean n smart is nowhere gay.... its good in fact guys are getting aware of the fact that how important it is to look good ;) ;)

Deepika said...

@Survivor
yes, its a huge unexplored market!! And i have seen men crazily buying those products....

One should always try to look good, no Question in that :)

babYpose said...

intellectual one! great going:)

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Deepika:)

Very informative and interesting post.

Times have changed. Men have to compete with women in these changed times. Women are invading men's bastions in large numbers. Many jobs which were previously done by men are slowly taken over by women. Some women have become world leaders in business and industry apart from politics. Some women earn more money than men.

The roles at home have also changed with both husband and wife working. Household chores have to be shared out of necessity. Women will not hesitate to walk out of a marriage if there is no cooperation and understanding.

Education, job opportunities and women liberation, equal opportunities for women have played a big role in changing the mind set of men. If men have to survive they have to change with the times or they will perish. Muscles alone will not help men to compete with women. Men should have beauty with brain.

And of course marketing has played a big role in changing the attitude of men. Marketing always uses women as the center of attraction. Every conceivable product has a woman to advertise.

Men are attracted to women. There is nothing wrong in that. Women are also attracted to men. There is nothing wrong in that also.
After all what is this world. It is only men and women. There is nothing more in it. The world cannot progress without men and women.

Very interesting post. I enjoyed it.

Have a wonderful day Deepika:)
Joseph

Mademoiselle Deva said...

I need to say I love when men cook but they must stay men!!!! I'm not fan of David Beckham but of Javier Bardem and Gerard Butler yes I AM!!!! They are so sexy...! I need manly man that's 4 sure!

NR said...

hmmm...nice interesting post...its bec of metrosexual man these days!! Marketing of these products has also had a big role to play!!!

के सी said...

beautiful blog !!!!

Abdullah Tariq said...

Lol! True that! Men of today aren't doing what real MEN should do. =[

But no worries, I'm MAN enough for everyone. =D
Nice blog!

Aditya Kasavaraju said...

hehe interesting interesting! Blame it on the ads in the media. To even promote a simple deodrant, they bring up a hot model and imply that the guy who uses the deo gets the girl. I never understood this-buy this-get that free- offer but tladies being the biggest weakness of men, is very well exploited by the advertisements :P

So next time, blame the tv- men are sooo innocent lol =))

Neeraj Kumar said...

thouched the very sensitive side of men's personality...
but not all men are so much beaty-conscious and it is not their true charecter...
Perhaps this Sunday! I was reading in a news-paper that the flat tummy is out and 8-6 is now turning to single pack...somewhat protruding...

Men are men and they can't stick to one single...routine, practice or hobby...

And don't beware of men...they will be out of saloons...

Esther said...

Now this is what I wanted to read! Well I see there have been changes in MEN/BOYS (Whatever) are more involved with saloons and beauty care like we girls! I know a guy (school friend) Who actually gets his eyebrows shaped!! I found it always in shape, that one day I had to ask "Hey did you get your eyebrows shaped" - a lil embarrassed! He was apt and said YES! :O :D And i was like "ok" still mouth wide opened! :P This was like 5-6 years ago and its pretty vast now! And has become common! :P maybe just not the eyebrows shaping part, but many others! Like getting chest waxed :O :D and also getting a massage! :P Ok, its like a long list. And the now piercing, long hair! :O :D I can yak about it. But lets stop it, WINKING AT ALL THE GUYS! and yesh good luck boys!

Jaunty anima said...

Well smhw d manliness goes with all this ...on ny day..I'd like a man who's a man actually ..there's a fine line between looking well groomed n looking gay..they jst need to chk on tat...baaki it's cute if they go all out on beautification if d gal demands so...:)

n well thanks 4 visitin...keep cmn bak..n i'll stay reglar too..

Anonymous said...

deepika, can u pls email me as i need your help. i need to u some questions.
my email address is love.pritish.only@gmail.com

BALLET NEWS said...

Hello, you have the most gorgeous site here and I had to leave this comment for you ! Your posts are lovely and you have interesting pictures. It's all perfect so thank you for sharing them all and best wishes....

A learner said...

hey thnx for stopping by....u have an interesting blog role here...truly addictive

Mahesh Sindbandge said...

I see myself very much in your post :)

Good Post :)

Cheers

workhard said...

Hey i ve got a friend who religiously visits a salon..he goes for a weekly head spa and a pedicure and a manicure..

Domain registration india

Merlin said...

Now even Kotler has it.. a chapter on the Metrosexual man :)

Tech Guy said...

coz 'some' men are the new women!

ShantanuDas said...

hey!! I have tried face packs! First time I went was to see if it does something good for my skin!! But 2nd time onwards I went either for the cool feeling of cream massage on my face by some soft hands (yeah!! Women!) in an AC surrounding, soft music and I used to get relaxed a lot.. ! Honestly! But skin? nah!! who cares!! Women comes to men for their skin? I don't really think so!! They look for something else!

Maybe Deepika.. you can say what that is and tell the guys for their benefit?

The Salesman said...

Interesting.. can't comment on the rising number of men adopting strict grooming regimes (some pamper themselves more even than women!)but men and cooking have always been a good combination!.. the greatest chefs are all men (not that i'm bragging bout it!)...N on a serious note.. I know more guys who know how to cook (beyond maggi) than girls.

P.S - I love cooking too!

Aevi said...

I think yeah... I have realized my bathrooms countertop has way too many accessories than there used to be... n d size of my grooming kit has doubled too