The Metrosexual Man: Tall, Fair & Handsome!

A few years ago, a leading beauty soap brand, which hitherto used leading heroines of the time as its face, aired a commercial that shocked amazed and amused us all. It featured Shahrukh Khan in a bath tub filled with rose petals!

Gone are the days when only shaving creams, colognes and after shave lotions were directed towards men. Today, you have products like face washes, face creams, shower gels and even exfoliating scrubs designed especially for men. Perhaps the market where the most dramatic signs of this revolution can be seen is in the fairness cream segment for men. It began with the launch of Emami Fair and Handsome, represented by Shahrukh Khan (again!)

Recognizing the emerging market for men’s skin care products, leading companies like Unilever, Garnier, Nivea and Vaseline have also launched a range of men’s products in India, all between the years 2008-2010. Creation of a line exclusively for men is recognition of the fact that men and women have different requirements, and that there is a considerable demand amongst men for these products.

All these factors come together to show that, in today’s day and age, men too are as conscious about the way the look, as women. Words like manicures, pedicures, facials, and exfoliation are no longer Greek and Latin to them, though many may not be willing to admit it.

In an era where the traditional macho hero, with brute strength, chest hair and complete disregard for physical appearance has given way to the well dressed, groomed and clean shaven metrosexual man, men are asserting that they too, have the right to look good!

Photograph:  Yuri Arcurs - Fotolia.com