Beauty is blending with the beast as more than three in five Mancunian men embrace their metrosexuality, according to a study.
The Co-operative Pharmacy has revealed that 63% of hairy-backed Mancunians are applying beauty products to improve their appearance, 10% higher than the UK average.
Radcliffe-based salon Strictly Waxing boasts an impressive 813 male clients, with owner Jolene Challiner revealing the reasons for sprucing up their image.
“I think a lot of men are jumping on the bandwagon, whether it is more comfortable for them, vanity, athletics, girlfriend or boyfriend prefers it and also hygiene,” she said.
“Men are taking a lot more pride in their appearance these days and just because certain areas aren’t always on show it doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of them.”
The survey also revealed that 15% of me pluck or wax unruly eyebrows, 7% wear concealer and 5% regularly use fake tan.
It was also revealed that some men in the North West were prepared to spend £245 for a one-off beauty treatment.
Body image expert and campaigner Natasha Devon encourages the male makeover, but believes they should not be too dependent on a beauty regime.
“I’ve noticed there has been a major attitude shift in men under the age of 25 and there is more pressure on them to take care of themselves,” she said.
“I think it is great that men have the freedom to experiment with how they look, but we have to learn from what’s historically happened to women.
“With beauty and grooming can come a lot of insecurity if it is not presented and handled in the right way.”
To supplement their beauty regimes, 23% of men surveyed revealed they thought the use of steroid was acceptable, with 44% agreeing thought protein powder is fine to use.
The Co-operative Pharmacy’s senior pharmacist Matthew Jones said men should be aware of the dangers in taking medication or drugs, before bulking up.
“While many of the methods men use only serve to improve appearance without risk, some men are gambling with their health by using harmful or illegal products,” he added.
“Items such as these can be bought online, but they should not be used without consulting a pharmacist or doctor first.”
Picture courtesy of Bex.Walton via Flickr, with thanks
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