Article by BR Natalie
As First Lady of Beauty Review it probably won't surprise you that I have lotions and potions scattered across the house. I have many a cupboard full of beauty products and I have a set skincare and haircare routine. I also live with a man who considers soap and deodorant the only acceptable beauty products for men. And heaven forbid he run out of soap and have to use one that isn't blue or use a deodorant that doesn't smell like Lynx Africa.
Yes, when it comes to beauty The Husband still has two feet firmly in the cave. He's not even peeking outside to take a look at what's happening in the men's care aisle.
Oh, but if he did, what a wonderful sight would befall him! No longer do men have to scurry along to a teeny shelf and hurriedly pop a moisturiser or cleanser into the trolley. They don't have to secretly use our products (and for some reason gravitate to using our most treasured ones). Male beauty products have gone from the 'metro' label, to just 'men's stuff'. And most men seem to be embracing at least some part of it.
BR founder Merilyn was General Manager of Beiersdorf NZ and when they launched NIVEA for Men back in 2001, men were horrified at the thought of beauty products for them. And now look how far we've come. From outdoorsy man using lipbalm to the more mature men targeting his wrinkles (which always look better on them anyway), just like women, there are products to suit every man's needs. And almost every brand worth it's salt now has a men's care range.
And as BR Zoe will attest - it's not just beauty products that more men are embracing. She treats more and more men for hair removal every week. She shapes eyebrows on, gives mani-pedis to and spray tans men regularly. There are even beauty salons popping up soley for the males, with the back, sack and crack topping the list.
So - what kind of menfolk do you have in your life? Are they well kempt and no stranger to looking after themselves with their own products? Or do they just pilfer from your stash on the d-low? Or, like The Husband do they resist all and any attempt at getting them to take better care of their skin?
Get chatting below!
Mine is quite good at wanting me to pluck his eyebrows and find his blackheads (he just likes the attention I think) but he works with cars any spare time he has and works on building sites during the day. This man is filthy. His skin is several shades darker than it should be and the only way we've discovered how to get it off is using a toothbrush on his skin. Oh dear.