Metro-Sexy?

Here is Toni Coleman, writing about "metrosexuals," a term I have been familiar with for a while and wanted to know more about.
"He always looks perfectly put together. He can be in a t-shirt and jeans or heading out to a black-tie event. His hair never has a bad day. His nails are clean and buffed. His clothes are perfectly pressed and exquisitely coordinated. He smells like flowers and spice. Is he gay? No, he's the new metrosexual man." 

       As I was researching a little bit about men and their role in the beauty industry I found Coleman's article about metrosexual men and how society, gender roles, and dating has changed.  I am intrigued with this idea of a metrosexual man and what women really think about them. When we think of the beauty industry many assume it's a world revolved around women. Drugstore beauty aisles are dominated with products for females, skin care ads are predominately directed towards women, and you rarely see skin care brands for men. However, although the beauty industry is dominated by women, in today's society more men are beginning to spend money on beauty products, plastic surgery, and clothes. They are becoming more in touch with their feminine side.


Metrosexual men have many things in common from their personalities to the way they dress. As I was browsing the internet I came to an agreement with Thompson Smith's 4 characteristics:


1. Appearance: These men have style and confidence. From head to toe they are always dressed well and very clean cut which shows that they take pride in looking good.


2. Groomed to Perfection: Hair is a big deal for them. These men usually get a haircut regularly and spend a good amount of time on their hairstyle to perfect their cleaned cut image. These men are not afraid to go and get mani/pedi or get their eyebrows waxed.


3. Smooth Skin: Surprisingly women are not the only ones who care about their skin. Men have started to spend more money on facial products to maintain their youthful skin and to avoid any type of break outs. These men use products such as lotions, exfoliators, and get facials regularly.


4. Personal Image: Appearance is a big deal for these men as well as what others may think of them. They want to present themselves in the best way possible by being polite and carrying themselves with poise.

So now that you know a little more about metrosexual men, what do you think about them? Would you want to date a guy who spends more time on their hair than you? What if you were the one waiting on him to finish getting ready?


        Personally, I think that there would definitely be a problem if I was waiting for a man to get ready. I wouldn't want to feel like the "man" in the relationship. I prefer masculinity rather than femininity. When I think of masculinity I think of someone who isn't afraid to get a little grease on their hands, you know a nice strong handyman that can fix anything. I think of a guy who can shower and be ready in 15 minutes. I feel like guys who aren't so much into their appearance are less likely to judge the way I look if I am not at my best at all times. I am not saying that metrosexual men are more likely to judge, I just feel like if they feel like they always have to look their best then I feel like I wouldn't be comfortable hanging out in sweats. These are things to think about and could possibly be a struggle for some women today in the dating scene who have come across feminine males.

        However you answer these questions, it's becoming increasingly common in today's society for men to be more feminine. Within the last few years for example, metrosexuals have become the new media obsession. Look at MTV's Jersey Shore. This show portrays a cast of men and women who are so self-absorbed in partying and looking good. Every episode you see men obsessing over their hair, changing their clothes, and repeatedly checking themselves in the mirror. Meanwhile the ladies are perfecting their poofs, squeezing into their dresses, and caking on their make-up. Surprisingly, it seems like the men sometimes care about their looks as much as the women do or possibly even more. These men who call themselves "Guidos" spend hours at the gym, go to the barber shop every week, spend thousands of dollars on clothes and shoes, and even go tanning every day. This show sheds a light on the "Jersey Shore" lifestyle and what it means to be a guido/guidette.

        According to Coleman, men like those depicted in Jersey Shore are causing confusion for women when it comes to dating. For instance, if men become more feminine and woman feel like they have to take control of the relationship, women are now becoming less dependent on men. Now a days, these independent women might not expect a man to pay on a date or wait around for a man to ask her out. Some men might be taken back by a woman taking the initiative to ask a man out. To most people this is considered out of the norm. Coleman's article discusses how previous generations had this predictability in dating, and now that we have more flamboyant men in our society, women have had a harder time adjusting and distinguishing their roles in relationships. Coleman concludes her article stating, "There is no perfect person. He may be overly fussy with his hair, take longer in the bathroom than most women, be less ambitious in his work life than you are and put your cooking to shame. However, if he's sensitive to YOUR needs, easy to talk to and fun to be with, great with kids and very supportive of your goals, he may be the guy of your dreams."

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. In my opinion, I prefer masculinity; I don't want to feel like I have to fight over the mirror just to get ready.