Is There Really a Difference? 

After some time thinking about a new idea to blog about, I thought I would discuss the differences between organic versus non-organic beauty products. I have a slight idea of what could distinguish the two, but for the most part I don't know much about it. So as I am sharing this with you, and hopefully sharing information that is insightful, I am learning as well.


So, what is organic? Why should I use it? How do I know if it's organic? Why might organic products be harmful for you? Is there really a difference, or is it just a sales tactic? These are some general questions that come to my mind when I think about what people should  know when it comes to choosing organic or non-organic beauty items.


My general assumption on organic versus non-organic beauty products, is that organic would probably tend to have less chemical ingredients which would mean that they are probably better for you and less harmful. But even though they are less harmful why should someone choose organic? Well according to Saffron Rouge (an all organic beauty line) everything that you put on your skin will end up inside your body, so if you are rubbing on lotion that has some kind of synthetic pesticide it will eventually go through your bloodstream, scary!


"Certified organic products are made with ingredients that are grown free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified organisms. They also don't include harmful additives such as petroleum waxes, fillers and artificial chemicals. Simply put, certified organic products are completely healthy and natural, synthetic alternatives are not."


Another benefit of organic products is that it's actually beneficial for the environment. By producing organic ingredients through organic farming, the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers is eliminated. These synthetic chemicals and fertilizers harm out water, soil, and our health. For organic products, the use of organic plants or botanicals are used to replace chemical ingredients. So while using products that not only benefit our health, it can benefit our environment.


Although organic are beneficial to one's health, I've learned that it may be a little harder to distinguish non-organic from organic. While I was reading about the Coming Clean Campaign, it seems like the term "organic" is not regulated as strictly as organic foods. This results with false advertisements and companies claiming to be organic when they may only have a small percentage of organic ingredients.


However, a key strategy in figuring out weather a product is truly organic is checking the labels and reading the ingredients. An article discussing the differences between the two simply stated that "there are products on the market that aren't even certified organic, but if you read their labels, they have less than ten simple ingredients, they are natural and you know what they are." If you can't pronounce the ingredients listed, then it's likely filled with chemicals and probably harmful chemicals at that.


Non-organic products that contain foreign chemicals to consumers have shown to have side effects. Since products such as lotions, perfumes, soap, toothpaste, makeup, and after shave have direct contact with your skin, the substance will sink right through your bloodstream. Itchiness, headache, dizziness, mood swings are  reported to be some short terms effects that could result with contact from any of these products. What is even scarier is that chemicals contained in these products could even lead to cancers and tumors.

So after all this research, I definitely think I will be using more organic products. I currently use organic shampoo and conditioner called Earthly Botanical. What I like about it is that it is free of pesticides, toxic chemicals, and its eco-friendly! Another organic based company is The Body Shop which has a variety of lotions, skincare lines, soaps, and makeup. Juicy Beauty is also a certified organic company that has up to 98% organic ingredients. Research is essential when trying to find certified organic beauty products to insure that it's the real deal!

The Haircut Experience: Salons vs Barbershops

       As I was writing up my last post about metrosexual men I learned that some men actually prefer going to a salon instead of a barber. They enjoy the experience you can get in a salon: you get your hair washed, your scalp massaged, cut, colored, blow-dried. "Stylists can do hot oil treatments and waxing to give dry hair smooth and shiny look." Traditionally, of course, men go to barbershops – think red, white and blue striped pole, checkered floors, a guy in an apron with a razor and lathered brush -- and women go to beauty shops or, in more modern terms, salons.  What are the differences between the two? How different are they in terms of culture, style and cost? Would I ever go to a barbershop?

       Generally now days, women go to salons and men go to barbershops. However culturally there are some differences between the two. Brett Mckay shares his experience as a young kid going to the, "As a child, I went to a barbershop on the main street in my hometown. It was called “The Friendly Barbershop.” I remember being fascinated with all the barber stuff. What I remember most though, was the distinct manliness of the place. Even as a young child, I could sense that a barbershop was a cool hang out for men." Meanwhile women went to beauty shops, where women sat under blow driers, reading their magazines, waiting for their perms to process. However things changed during the 1980's when a new type of hairdressing catering to both men and women in beauty shops, now known as salons. After salons started to get more and more popular, barbershops began closing down leaving less shops available for men to go to.

Here are some general guidelines on what to expect at a salon and and a barbershop in order to understand the difference between the two.

In a Salon Expect..

- To be there for a longer period of time.
- A stylists can cut and style longer hair if you are looking for a more trendy hairstyle.
- Hairdressers have cosmetologists licenses and are trained on a variety of hair types, lengths, and color.
- If you want color or highlight services, a salon is the place to go.
- Hairdressers may use scissors to cut men's hair instead of a straight razor.
- Salons are generally more expensive.
- Stylists are really creative with new hairstyles, so if you go in wanting a new look they are great and providing suggestions and honest opinions.
- Salons have hairstyling products and beauty supplies will have an even bigger selection than barbershops. Stylists are educated on a lot of products that are on the shelves so they can help you pick out the best one for your hairstyle.

In a Barbershop Expect..

- Barbers are generally really skilled at shorter more traditional haircuts such as buzzcut, flattop, fade, or military style cut.
- They are a lot cheaper than salons.
- Barbers have a barber's license and are trained specifically for men's haircuts.
- Barbers usually cut simpler hairstyles that don't require a lot of maintenance.
- For younger clients, barbers now a days can buzz cool designs in your head that stylists are not trained or skilled to do.
- Some barbershops provide services like a hot lather face shaves.
- If you want to be around all men and socialize with guys, a barbershop is the perfect place to do that.
- Barbers usually just do what you ask and do not give much opinion or suggestions on hairstyles.
- Barbers maybe different tools such as straight razors or clippers.

        Although hairdressers are trained to cut hair on both men and women, many argue that barbers are experts on men's haircuts and are trained to groom a man based on his needs. A lot has changed from the early beauty shop days and now, women are now allowed to go to barbershops and some even do. However, it isn't so common because women enjoy the services that are found in hair salons.


        For the most part, the differences between the salons and barbershops really come down to experience. In my opinion, I would never go to a barbershop. I enjoy the feeling of getting pampered and having someone else wash my hair, brush out my tangles, and give me a styled look. I have really long hair and after learning the differences between a barber and a stylists, I wouldn't have much confidence in a barber giving me a general hair cut let alone a styled hair cut. Long hair is harder to cut and I've even had personal experiences where stylists struggled giving me simple layers. Barbershops are definitely still a man's territory and is more appealing towards men than women.

The Evolution of Metro-Sexy Men (Cont.)

A topic that I have always found really fascinating is what I call "metrosexuality." In my previous blog I discussed what exactly a metrosexual man is, what they look like, and how gender roles may have changed in our society. But I am still interested in other aspects of this topic because for one, many people have a misconception of metrosexual men and two, for the simple fact that men give women a hard time for spending hours getting ready. So I decided to do a little more in-depth research and found some really insightful information about how metrosexuality is socially more acceptable today than ever and how men have evolved over the last twenty years or so. 

        I would like to start off by sharing with you this article Rise of the Metrosexual by Petter Gotting who wrote for the Australian newspaper known as The Age. Gotting begins his article with a quote from swimmer, Ian Thorpe discussing his sexuality and admitting that he was flattered that the gay community identified with him, but that he was a heterosexual man. It used to be that straight men got offended if someone thought they were gay because of the way they looked or acted, but now it seems like men are more accepting to these metrosexual tendencies that the insecurities of being compared to a gay man is slowly diminishing. 

        While reading Gotting's article I learned some interesting things about men. Like how some metrosexuals prefer going to a salon rather than a barber, or how some men avoid using soap because it is harsher on your skin. Although some men tend to have more metrosexual tendencies than others, I never really thought about the little details and changes these men might make, like switching to a salon instead of going to a barbershop. Thinking about it now, I can see how metrosexual men might prefer a salon where they can get an actual style whereas a barber deals with shorter haircuts. Gotting also explains that marketers have changed their campaign ads and clothing companies for men have expanded. Take Calvin Klein for example, their billboards are covered with half naked men modeling denim and underwear. When it comes to fashion, I've definitely noticed popular clothing stores that I even shop at begin to carry men's fashion lines such as, Forever 21 and H&M. 

        Another article I would like to mention is written by Mark Simpson called, So, Men are Obsessed With their Bodies. Is That So Bad? Simpson starts off by stating that he predicted this era of Metro men back in the 90's and that at first no one had believed this would happen. Surely enough there are more and more metrosexual guys today and I've even seen them at SFSU. He discusses how men are very obsessive when it comes to their bodies, going on strict diets, using laxatives, and taking protein supplements. What I liked about this article was that he incorporated statistics from a survey on men and their appearance. Even being a macho man you wouldn't think that they stress too much about their appearance however, Simpson provides a survey conducted by the YMCA suggesting that "a whopping 63% [of men] saying they thought their arms or chests were not muscular enough. And people never believe me when I tell them that while some women are size queens, all men are." Simpson makes a good point when he says that men are conscious about their body as much as women are with their jean size, except men on the other hand want to be "big" and muscular.


        So one might wondering how could this affect Women in today's society? Well a study done by Lynx deoderant suggests that out of 2800 women throughout 14 different countries, 80%  of women would rather have a man capable of being sensitive without losing their masculinity. In addition 65% of the women did not like the idea of seeing a man doll themselves up in a mirror. The remainder of the article discusses the study in depth about how women actually feel about metrosexual men (if you would like to read into it).
 But is there really a difference between metrosexual men and traditional men? The answer is yes. All these characteristics that define a metrosexual does change the idea of a traditional man. The time it takes them to get ready, their crave to go shopping, the obsessions over their physique, their diets, their social circles, it all plays a role on a metrosexual man while as traditional men don't really care that much about all these things.

        After reading these articles on metrosexuality, my perspective on metro men has changed. I once said that I wouldn't want a man to spend more time getting ready than me, and although that is true, I think that it's nice for a man to care about what they look like. Ultimately, guys like David Beckham that take pride in the way they look by going to the gym, shopping for nice clothes, smelling good, and having an actual hairstyle, are attractive men, and who wouldn't want to be around that! Even if it they aren't the best looking, their confidence makes up for it. I definitely believe that men can be metro and still be macho. There is nothing wrong with a man getting a spa treatment once in awhile and still being able to get his hands dirty. It all comes down to personal preference, and I think now society is becoming more accepting and not stereotyping these men. Going to school in San Francisco I feel like I see a lot of different styles and I've learned that someone's style can be an expression of who they are, I've learned that you can't judge someone based off the way they dress.

Do you see something wrong with this picture?

          It's definitely the same person except that the picture on the left resembles a barbie doll, perfect hair, radiant eye color, wrinkle-free, porcelain skin. Looking at these two pictures, it clearly is the same person however, with the help of digital alterations and airbrushing, actress Julia Roberts was transformed into a flawless version of herself. 

            As I was reading online about this incident that occured this past summer,  Julia Roberts who is featured in a L'Oreal ad promoting a foundation, was overly re-touched which struck up some controversy. This turned into such a huge issue that the Advertising Standards Authority were involved and asked the company to take down their ads. In Mark Sweney's article, he explained that "the ASA ruled that both ads breached the advertising standards code for exaggeration and being misleading and banned them from future publication." Prior to reading this article I had never heard of the ASA, but it seems like they are really cracking down on companies that are not only false advertising but once again affecting the way society looks at celebrities/models in the beauty industry. The U.K. went as far as banning the ads after Jo Swinson,  British Liberal Democrat who is known for her fight against unrealistic digitally enhanced campaign ads, was the one who brought attention to L'Oreal's ad.

“Pictures of flawless skin and super-slim bodies are all around, but they don't reflect reality," said Swinson. "Excessive airbrushing and digital manipulation techniques have become the norm, but both Christy Turlington and Julia Roberts are naturally beautiful women who don't need retouching to look great. This ban sends a powerful message to advertisers – let's get back to reality."

            In my opinion, the picture on the right of Julia Roberts is more relatable to consumers then the airbrushed version of her. People are going to relate to Julia Roberts because even though the picture on the right may have wrinkles, everyone has wrinkles. Make-up is suppose to enhance your appearance and the advertisement on the left does not show that, it is just a result of photoshop. I think that her flaws are what give her character and beauty. These make-up companies such as L'Oreal, Maybelline, CoverGirl, and Neutrogena advertise make-up products that contain anti-aging substances or ingredients that promote younger or better looking skin, so if companies retouch their pictures extensively then they are not providing an accurate image of what the product actually does for their consumers. This ultimately gives off the wrong message to buyers and this is a prime example of why society is so harsh on their self-image. The beauty industry sets such high standards for consumers who are buying these products and viewing these ads, because even with all the botox, anti-aging creams, plastic surgery, or facial products, no one looks this perfect. Aging is a inevitable and should be embraced. Photoshopped images are never going to go away but the extent of how advertising companies are editing their pictures should definitely be re-evaluated.

The Power of Photoshop:

Watch Out: 2012 Beauty Trends

        Since spring is here and summer is just around the corner, you know what this means.. new beauty trends! Every year there is always a new fad that goes around, from feathers in your hair to ombre hairstyles, there is always a trend. So in my quest to find some upcoming trends, Style.com had their Top Ten Beauty Trends that seemed fun and some definitely out of the ordinary. These top ten beauty trends have recently been seen on the runways of major designers from Givenchy, Gucci, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Fendi, and many more.

1.Color My Lips: Bright colored matte finish lipsticks (no shine) are in from reds, blues, corals, purples, and grays. Its a fun way to add to your overall look.

2. Eye Liner: This look is back, the cat eyes. To change it up try colors like dark blue or bright purple instead of plain black.

3. Wet & Sleek: This would be the wet hair look. I'm not a fan but if you want that beachy wet look this is perfect.

4. Dye It: Colored hair is really big this season. If you're brave, dye your head of hair with bold colors or  go with tinting techniques with colored tips. If you are too scared to dye your hair they also have tinted dry shampoo that can wash out.

5. All Natural: Keeping it natural with toned colored eye shadows and blush. Try natural shades of browns, beige, and taupe for a fresher look.

6.Stick it on: Getting creative on the runway with three-dimensional cosmetics. Paper stencils under eyes or around them, with fun shapes and colors. Also faux piercings for your nails and face lace!

7. 50's Do: Fifties inspired pinned up-dos are in along with faux bobs.

8. Shaved Hair: This edgey hairstyle of having the sides of your hair shaved has become very popular. If that's too extreme you can pin your hair back to make it look like this edgey do.

9. Brows: Full brows are in along with arches, and a more bushy look (I personally am not a fan).

10. Eye Shadows: Metallic, glitter, and even gold-leaf sheets are new for eye shadows. Metallic and glitter eye shadows make your eyes pop and give a more edgey effect as well. While the leaf sheets are dramatic and fun for a night time look.

A New Approach

           In one of my previous blogs I talked a little bit about the beauty industry and how there has been a change in the selection of models for beauty advertisements. While I was browsing YouTube I came across a video on this skin care line for make-up called BareEscentuals. This company got creative when casting a new group of women for their campaign ads. This casting trailer demonstrates how the models were chosen for their ads with the idea of selecting them based on several interviews where the women were not revealed, and instead of choosing the models based on their looks they were chosen based on their story. It's just a quick clip that I thought I would share. I think its cool to know that change is possible and that companies like BareEscentuals are making an effort to turn the industry's shallow ways around.

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.