Is this too far......

[jd_1984]

Both male and female opinions welcome....

I was in a large Boots chemist store earlier and they now have 2 full aisles devoted to mens products and cosmetics.

Now, I will admit to having a regime in the morning that consists of washing, shaving (face), after shave balm, moisturising and applying gel or wax to my hair. I get accused of being a big tart by my girlfriend for this! Admittedly, it doesnt look very macho when I am put moisturiser on my face and running gel through my hair whilst my girlfriend is waiting for the bathroom mirror, but have you seen the products on sale for men these days.....

Male fake tan, male bronzing powder, GUYliner, men's eyebrow pencils. Then the ususal -Twenty different brands of exfoliating washes and a hundred different shower gels, moisturisers, face washes, shaving gel's, shaving foam, hair removal products etc etc .....

Now surely Boots have done product research and determined that this array of cosmetics and MAKE UP for men will actually sell.

I feel slightly vindicated that my "big tart" regime in the morning is nothing compared to what some modern day men are doing. I blame David Beckham, Peter Andre and the cast of The Only Way Is Essex for this.

[jno]

Nox, that would be the Nancy/Bill Sykes question. Both women and men of my acquaintance have long been baffled by this, though most acknowledge that it is accurate, at least in many cases.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9lUkYiAgWU

[woofgang]

Not sure why this is of any concern to anyone except whoever chooses to buy and use the stuff?

[andy-hughes]

I reckon if you are a good-looking man and your appearence is important to you, then there is no harm in enhancing it with available products.

If however like me you were not sprayed with evolution's cologne, then you make the best of what you have, and 99% of said products would be wasted.

I bathe regularly, I shave when I feel like it, I have my Number One done once a week, i clean my teeth properly, I always smell nice - deoderant and cologne every single day, and I always carry a clean handkerchief.

That's doing the best with what is - for the rest, I rely on my wit and conversation, which are streets ahead of most of the rest of my gender.

(Oh, and I loathe false modesty as well!)

[Sqad]

andy....what is your Number One?.....honest....I don't know.

[andy-hughes]

It's a grade of haircut Squad. Number One is really short - military style, Number Two is a little less severe, and so on.

It's labelled by the shortness of the clipper blades they use.

[lozzer50]

each to their own everyone has a right to be who they want to be. i prefer rough and ready but nothing wrong will a well groomed man i just wouldnt like to share my bathroom with one !!!

[snags]

I guess its time I stopped painting my toenails and straightening my hair...

[andy-hughes]

I wish I had hair to straighten ..... sniff .... snuffle ... sob!!!!

[Sqad]

andy....right ...thanks.

[mike11111]

Many, many years ago, when I was a teenager, in the belief that it would make me more attractive and therefore more likely to score, I once put aftershave on my nether parts. As I say, I only did the once!

[jomifl]

One crateful of toiletries/cosmetics in the bathroom is enough surely. Hair gel... eugh.

[Eve]

Errrr what's up with solicitors (dare I ask?)? ;)

I think a guy can have the nice bit of rough look without being unhygienic or unclean and I'd say there is a groomed version though if the reality was dirty or unhygienic I'd be put off. Big beards, moustaches or dreadlocks are things I'm not keen on.

I guess fantasy and reality are different things, I suppose like Viggo Mortensen in Lord of the Rings, damn sexy on screen though if you think about the probably rather dirty reality...ok, dirty may be the wrong word, well, you get the idea.

I don't see anything wrong with a guy making an effort and it's down to the individual. Some guys can look great in eyeliner.

I won't leave the hosue unless I'd showered and washed my hair and always carry stuff like deodorant round just in case it's ever needed etc... I'd find it difficult to be with someone who wasn't clean.