The Y Chromosome Makeover

The beauty industry has evolved and today it explains how men are one of the most important parts of this sector. GITA HARI explains how beauty is now a mans domain as well.

The advent of men’s salons has made them step out in style with an air of flamboyance. The long cherished domain of exclusive beauty parlours for ladies now compete with unisex salons with an equal number of the opposite sex walking in for a clean-up.

Beauty has encroached into the macho territory and how! An array of men’s beauty products like cleansers, moisturisers, face masks, hand and body lotions, and more have invaded dressers and bathroom cabinets, jostling for space with their female counterparts. Sales of men’s grooming products have seen such a steady rise that it out beats the demand for women’s products.

ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF ROCK STARS

Rock stars started the trend of waxed chests and the well-travelled folks lapped it up. Guys between the age of 20 and 50 have no inhibitions to be regular salon clients. While older men generally go in for facials, manicures and pedicures, younger men are into body clean-ups and hair colouring. And to put it in a more subtle manner, waxing is in rampant demand. Men don’t generally request for waxing or threading appointments across the counter, but have it done later.

According to the 29-year-old Aniket Karia, Founder of FMCG start-up, All Heart, “With all the dirt and pollution in the city, everyone irrespective of the gender, must get a facial done regularly. Facials, candle wax treatment and foot massage are de rigueur in my beauty schedule.”