Men’s grooming market has exploded in recent years. Brent Barber, art director and partner, b:blunt salon and member, Wahl gives a lowdown on men’s grooming and how it has taken shape in today’s day and age.
In terms of a trend that men are following, it’s a mish mash with too many different trends going on at once. It just depends what appeals to you and that’s a great thing because you can pick and choose a style or look according to where you are at in life. The one thing is that whichever tribe you identify with, you need to keep it looking sharp because the “I don’t care about my look” look is definitely out.
There is no denying that the types of services, products and equipment available formen’s personal grooming requirements, has definitely exploded in recent times. In days gone by it was enough for a guy to have a neat short back and sides with some pomade or oil added to keep it in check, a trimmed moustache and ka-chow! he’s good to go. But even this simple regime required a regular visit to the barber for regular preening. It’s just that that was pretty much all that was available to a gent of a dapper disposition until relatively recently.
The urban gentleman
There has always been a demand for well groomed gents but what is certainly different now days is how that demand is catered to. It’s commonplace for a man to go for a cut, colour, manicure and pedicure and head massage all in the one sitting. What is even more ‘progressive’ is that this is all done in the same setting as female clients and there is no indication that either gender feels awkward about it - and why should they?
Men in glow
The new ubersexual male exudes confidence. He is masculine, embraces grooming and doesn’t shy away from extraction facials, manicure, pedicure and threading. Also, men can use good quality moisturisers and cleansers to keep their skin supple and glowing. There’s even more good news for guys that like keeping their style bang on-the-money. There are now plenty of good devices like clippers and trimmers that you can take home to keep a handle on what your top stylist has created for you in the salon. You can tweek your tash (moustache) or designer stubble with ease. There is a wide range of personal grooming products that are extremely user friendly which helps you get that perfect look and maintain it too. You can shape your sideburns like a pro and you can even get rid of those pesky nose and ear hairs with a quick wave of a buzzing wand!