Remember when the grunge look and mullet cut used to be the idealist "hot" guy, the one the girls would drool over? Thankfully, those days are over. But what will be remembered about the man representing the first decade of the twenty-first century?
This decade, times are changing in the grooming department for men. Because of the media, women and the man's own self conscience, men are doing things that 10 years ago would have had them labeled a sissy.
Companies like Nivea, a hygiene company, are moving away from their usual targets, women. They are beginning to aim products at the used-to-be unlikely customers -- men. They have broadened their market by introducing an entire skin product regime made for men.
Sally Hansen, a nail company, just released a polish made for men that doesn't have that girlie shine to it.
It is becoming more socially acceptable for men to have what used to be considered feminine services, like manicures, pedicures, facials and massages.
"If a guy came up to me and his nails were dirty, it would be a turnoff," said Brooke Miller, a University of Memphis freshman.
Businessmen are more likely to patronize a manicure shop since cleanliness is associated with professionalism.
"Businessmen come to see me, because they are concerned about their appearance," said Carol Perry, a manicurist at Head to Toe Salon. "I have an optometrist that comes in quite often. Seriously, how open would you be to let a doctor touch all over your face with dirty fingernails?"
Men are opening up to the idea of facials and other stereotypical women trends.
"The stigma about men and grooming is disappearing with time. People no longer think of it as a feminine thing," said Jane Russell, a homemaker.
More and more professions are calling for well-groomed men. Companies don't want an unprofessional looking person to represent their businesses.
"If I had to hire someone without seeing a resume and it was between someone who was wearing a suit and tie, shaved and appeared to be clean and someone wearing blue jeans that needed a haircut, I would definitely hire the well-groomed man," said Loeva Powers of Re/Max Preferred Properties.
"More people are going to college and need to acquire that professional look," said Shaina Abramson, Gould's receptionist and also a University of Memphis freshman.
Abramson also said that she has noticed more men coming into the Gould's Cordova location for weekly facials and massages. She said the men tell her these weekly retreats help them relax from their hectic work weeks.
With heightened expectations of grooming for men, from businesses and women, men have started their own cleansing and relaxing regimen.
"I love the new metrosexual male, the kind that cares about what they wear and what they look like," said Kelley Mathis, U of M sophomore. "It is so much more appealing to me to find a man that cares about his appearance as much as I do. I wouldn't want to take a gruffly bearded man home to meet my folks."
A survey done in GQ magazine shows those men who had a full day of grooming -- haircuts, manicures, etc. -- felt more confident when it came to their professions.
"I believe this is the start of a generation of men who will be more concerned about their appearance being associated with their career," said Joseph Hisky, a U of M journalism student.
