All cats are not grey in the dark.
In recent decades, male body hair removal, apart from face grooming activities, has been a rising trend leading to the coining of the term “manscaping”. Hairy guys today do not have role models. Too many would rather endure the pain of waxing than the attention that a full chest of hair can bring. The hairy chest glory of Sean Connery is out.
Male grooming is a booming business. Surveys reveal that year-on-year spending on male self-care products has been increasing substantially.
Men in Hong Kong have changed too. According to my father’s thinking, a man should carry only a bar of soap and a toothbrush for daily cleaning. Back in my days, men started to use shampoo, shower gel and face cream though we seldom needed hair conditioner. Devoid of any embarrassment, modern young men apply toner and serum to the face. It is common to get a facial scrub to exfoliate skin too. Some even procure pedicure, manicure and facial treatments. TV advertisements encourage men to experience eyebrow microblading instead of traditional tattoo. These days, men, like women, think of changing themselves to a better person in terms of appearance, but very few think of changing the world to a better place. We are often distracted from the real beauty of life which is reaching out to help others rather than one’s good looks. Most of us also take a narrow view of beauty which is external rather than inner. A number of modish men, following what is fashionable in Korea and Japan, even wear make-up when go out. Soon, we do need a portmanteau to describe a person who means “man and woman” together.
Looking good and feeling good of course go hand in hand. I do think opting for the minimum is a good thing. A man should at least look clean, tidy and decent. That is all. So, if your hair is tidy, all those hair gel, wax, mud, and spray are totally unnecessary. The minimum for a man are brushing his teeth twice a day and taking a shower during the night. He should also bother to remove blackheads, milia seeds or warts that appear on his face due to clogging or physical malfunctioning. Keeping your nails short and clean shows that you practise good hygiene and are a man of good discipline. Even the most handsome guy can turn off girls if he has bad breath. The simple solution is to floss your teeth and use mouthwash on a daily basis.
What causes body odor? It happens when bacteria on your skin come in contact with sweat. Do not forget that our sweat consists of water, salt and fat. A deodorant stick can help and it costs low. Research tells us that men’s body smell is rated as one of the important physical factors for women to judge a relationship.
There is one more thing which will make a man look tidy—his weight. Looking too thin is no longer a problem in Hong Kong as most of us simply eat too much in a city of gastronomy. Being fat is a common challenge for us because food is abundant in Hong Kong. When you are fat, it will imply your body carries 20 to 60 pounds of extra baggage. Obesity is a leading risk for osteoarthritis in the knees, hips, lower back, and ankles. The problem can also cause high cholesterol, fatty liver, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, and sleep apnea. Our bodies can be in all shapes and sizes, but they must be proportional!
Manners are part and parcel of good appearance. Refinement and cultivation of a man cannot be disguised. Being mindful of proper etiquette and talking intelligently will help you create a positive impression.
Vanity and good looks are 2 different things. Some people spend a lot on over-improving the looks including cosmetic surgery but others may not think of them appreciatively. The way that you talk and whether you can talk your way into someone’s heart are your two real stamps of respectability, besides your clean and tidy looks.
We do not have to be superstars and capture attention. Cleaning up oneself is simply a fundamental duty of human self-actualization.
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