Who is the perfect guy?
Someone who is a narcissist or the classic tall, dark and handsome bloke who makes a style statement with his rugged features?
The debate has been going on since the time metrosexuality as a concept became popular and more and more men began to be conscious of their looks, leaving behind soap and water for face washes, scrubs and exfoliating creams. In the West, footballer David Beckham is considered the ultimate metrosexual icon, but we too have Bollywood heartthrobs Shah Rukh Khan , Saif Ali Khan , Hrithik Roshan and John Abraham and southern hotties Suriya and Vikram to do us proud in the fashion department.
They are not shy of endorsing beauty products and are most often seen with waxed chests and manicured nails. But what makes one a metrosexual?
The urban dictionary says you are a metrosexual if “you own 20 pairs of shoes, half a dozen pairs of sunglasses, just as many watches, you see a stylist instead of a barber, because barbers don’t do highlights, you shave more than just your face. You also exfoliate and moisturise.”
The numerous beauty products that are in the market exclusively for men is testimony to the increasing number of metrosexuals in the city. Cosmetic giants like L’Oreal, Fair and Lovely and Vaseline have come out with products exclusively for their male clientele. Also, spas abound in the city where men can pamper themselves all day long, taking care of their skin, hair and nails,
where services extend beyond a facial or scrub. Because of its gender neutral atmosphere, spas are quite popular with the modern-day men.
Not surprisingly, the local beauty salons too have started getting clients asking for ways to look dashing. “Most of the men who come here want quick methods to lighten their skin tones,” says Anwar, who runs a salon in the city.
On a weekend many spend more than half their free time getting groomed in these spas and beauty parlours. You see metrosexuals in every walk of life, but they don’t like to be called metrosexuals.
“People want to dissociate from the term ‘metrosexuality.’ Even after almost a decade of the term being used in movies and in the media, not many are aware of it. Most think metrosexuality is synonymous to being gay,” said Srikant K , a researcher. Also there are others who ask why only men are being targeted. “When a girl gets made up and pampers herself, she is not called a so-and-so sexual. Why are just guys being labelled?” asks Rahul Nambiar , a student.
Experts have come up with many studies proving that women prefer men who don’t wax their chests and who carry their messed up hair with confidence. But when there are many options
available to enhance beauty, why should men sit back and let girls have all the fun?
Sreejith Vijay
He considers himself metrosexual as he is concerned about looking good. However, going to the beauty parlour or spa is a waste of time, according to Sreejith. “I don’t use face wash or even sunscreen lotions. To look good one just has to dress well,” he says.
Ijaz K
An electrical engineer by profession Ijaz feels that it is important to look good, wherever you go, whatever you do. Though he doesn’t visit spas and saloons regularly he takes utmost pride in his hair and styles it as and when required. “I believe in dressing appropriately for each occasion.” But just because a person is concerned about looks he shouldn’t be termed a metrosexual, he says. Ijaz feels that metrosexuality as a concept gained importance because of films. For most youngsters film stars are role models and they try their best to look as glamourous as possible, be it by applying face packs or fairness creams or by indulging in the soothing effects of the spa, says Ijaz.
Navin Venkat
A marketing manager, Navin takes pride in his impeccable sense of fashion and considers himself a hardcore metrosexual. He waxes his chest at least once in two weeks and applies natural products like curd and lemon juice on his face. He also doesn’t have a fixed budget when he goes out shopping. “If I see something I like I buy it, irrespective of the price.” Moreover, he is not shy of wearing pink.