Male grooming explained

See also: Body grooming. Male grooming refers to men paying attention to fashion and enhancing their own appearance. This interest has become increasingly apparent in popular culture.[1]

By location

According to Statista, by 2024 the global male grooming market is estimated to be worth about US $81.2 billion.[2]

Korea

South Korea has become a center of cosmetics use by men due to "appearance competition", where men wear makeup to compete in tight job markets. The Korean wave cultural phenomenon, which includes K-pop, has also strongly influenced male grooming. As pop idols in their 20s and so-called "flower boys"[3] have grown in popularity, the perception of men's makeup has changed. While it was once common for men who wore makeup to be associated with drag queens or homosexuality in western cultures, Korean male idols, although they are boyish in appearance, otherwise project masculinity. Men are encouraged to copy the makeup of Korean male idols. In fashion and beauty magazines overseas, there are many articles on skin care and makeup tutorials inspired by Korean pop stars.[4]

China

The "woman-like man" has become a new trend in China, where a growing number of young men are interested in makeup.[5] The number of internet broadcasters and beauty bloggers who produce makeup videos for men has increased rapidly. Accordingly, the men's cosmetics industry has grown rapidly in China. According to German market-research firm Statista, the size of the men's cosmetics industry in China reached 201.3 billion yuan as of May 2018. Chinese e-commerce company JD.com said that the sales of beauty products for men has more than doubled since 2015. Mask packs, BB cream, and lipstick are popular products.[6]

United States

Men's grooming has grown substantially in the US and is projected to grow over the next decade.[7]

Hair care

Hair styling

Barber shops are also one of the places that can assist modern grooming men. Barbers are licensed professionals who are trained to cut, shave, and style head hair and beards. Male grooming products—including pomades, shave products, powder, beard oil, and shampoo and conditioners—can be purchased at barbershop.

Interest in eyebrow trimming and eyebrow makeup has also increased,[8] and sales of eyebrow beauty tools have increased in the last few years.[9] [10]

Body grooming

The grooming of male bodily hair has a long history in human culture for both cultural, aesthetic, sexual and practical purposes (see: History of male body grooming).

From the ancient Egyptians and Greeks up until modern times, the trimming or removing of body hair has been particularly popular among athletes, for whom it can provide a slight competitive edge in activities such as wrestling, running, swimming, and more recently, cycling (see: Reasons for grooming).

In recent decades, male bodily hair removal and trimming, as distinct from head hair grooming activities, has seen a revival for aesthetic and sexual purposes. This rising prevalence has led to the coining of the term 'manscaping' as a specific neologism to describe the practice.[11] The term is a portmanteau of the words 'man' and 'landscaping', and its first known use was in 2003.[12]

Skin care

Men's cosmetics productstoners, fragrances, and lotions—have gained a foothold in the mainstream market. In addition, cosmetics that can be used by either men or women have become popular.[13]

The Korean men's cosmetics market has steadily grown from 733 billion won, in 2010, to 1.23 trillion won, in 2016, and to 1.23 trillion won (c. US $1.1 bn), in 2018. About 75% of Korean men use cosmetics more than once a week, according to global data from overseas market research institutions, which indicates that the percentage of men who use cosmetics in Korea is higher than that of other countries.[14]

According to a recent survey by Mintel, a global market research firm, 70% of 1,000 American men use sunscreen, and 67% of men use cosmetics for their facial skin.[15]

BB cream is used to heighten skin tone.[16] Men's BB cream is characterized by its delicate and natural persistence. This covers skin defects, but does not look like one is wearing makeup.[17]

Eyebrow pencil is used to sculpt the eyes by accentuating the contour of the brows and define the brows for a natural look. Men with sparse or thin brows use eyebrow pencil for fuller-looking brows. [18]

Lip balm is a beauty item that is easily available to men who don't wear makeup. Colored lip balm is popular because it is used not only for moisturizing but also to help with skin tone. Colored lip balm is suitable for men who prefer a natural look because it can brighten lips with color that compliments natural skin tone, but more subtly than lipstick or tint.[19]

Cosmetic surgery

Men are willing to go to the operating room to make a favorable impression.[20]

Botox

Men with small wrinkles on their faces, such as around the eyes and mouth, are seeking Botox treatments, such as what women get.[21] Middle-aged men get Botox surgery for skin regeneration and wrinkle removal in the hope of securing a new job.[22]

Eyebrow tattoo

The eyebrows play a big role in facial expression to the extent that they are called "the roof of the face". Over 100,000 years, the role of eyebrows has become more important as the size of human faces has become smaller and the facial lines have become smoother. Dark eyebrows on a small face make other people more aware of facial expressions.[23] Recently, there has been a trend of men tattooing their eyebrows. The process of a permanent eyebrow tattoo involves designing the eyebrows and filling with pigment.[24]

Contouring injection surgery

Male contouring injection surgery removes fat from the face and creates clearly defined facial features.[25]

Waxing and laser procedures

Men are having laser treatments for permanent removal of facial and body hair.[26]

Influence in society

Increasing importance of personal appearance

When asked "What do you think are the criteria for a nice man?", in a survey conducted by the Korea National Statistical Office, "look and fashion" accounted for 22.7%, followed by character, economy, and values. When asked "What do you think of a well-dressed man?", 37.2% thought "cool" and 30.1% said "I want to try".[27] In addition, there is the phenomenon of men valuing appearance over ability. People are undergoing cosmetic surgery to make favorable impressions during interviews.[28] As a result of the perception that a change in facial shape improves first impressions, facial contouring surgery is becoming popular across industries.[29]

Corporate strategy

There has been a growth in corporate gifting to align with the demand for men's grooming products.[30] Men with sharp features are finding opportunities in conventional advertising. Both men and women have changed their perception of men looking after their appearance in relation to being competitive in the job market and in marrying.

References

  1. News: 꾸미는 남성 '그루밍족'. 강. 태우. 2016-03-22. JoongAng Ilbo. 2018-10-29. ko-KR. Decorating male Groomingjok.
  2. Web site: Men's grooming industry market size 2024. 2020-07-23. Statista. en.
  3. News: 'Flowerboys' and the appeal of 'soft masculinity'. 2018-09-05. 2019-04-23. en-GB.
  4. News: 샤넬, 한국에서 남성 화장품 첫 출시...세계 시장 주도하는 한국의 '화장남'. 김. 은영. 2018-08-27. Chosun.com. 2018-11-12. ko. Chanel, the first male cosmetics to be released in Korea...Korea's 'Grooming male' led by the global market.
  5. Report Says Chinese Men Spend 24 Minutes Grooming Daily, Signaling Market Opportunity. 2020-08-26.
  6. News: 중국도 '꽃미남' 트렌드…'화장하는' 남자 늘어난다. 이. 선목. 2018-09-19. Chosun.com. 2018-11-25. ko. China is also a "pretty boy" trend. The number of "make-up" men is increasing..
  7. Web site: ltd . Research and Markets . Male Grooming Products Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027 . 2022-05-06 . www.researchandmarkets.com . english.
  8. News: [뷰티누리] 더 다양하고 강력해진 맨즈뷰티 시장]. 김. 재련. Beautynury. 2018-11-25. More diverse and powerful Man's Beauty Market.
  9. News: [박미주의 美치다]남자도 '눈썹 문신'하는 시대…흔남서 '훈남'으로]. 박. 미주. 2018-02-27. The Asia Business Daily. 2018-11-25. ko-KR. The days when men get their eyebrows tattooed...from a common man to a 'hot guy'.
  10. https://jerichoskincare.com.au/collections/haircare Hair Care Products Guide
  11. Web site: Manscaping: the act of a man having body hair removed or cut in order to improve his appearance. Cambridge Dictionary. 2021-09-07.
  12. Web site: Manscaping: the trimming or shaving of a man's body hair so as to enhance his appearance. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. 2021-09-07.
  13. News: 꾸미는 남성 '그루밍족' 따라 화장품도 진화. 박. 성은. Asia Today. 2018-11-25. ko. Cosmetics also evolved according to the "grooming" man..
  14. News: 외모 가꾸는 남성들…'그루밍족'을 잡아라. 문. 호현. MK News. 2018-11-25. ko. Make-up men...Catch the Grooming people..
  15. Web site: '남자도 화장시대' 피부관리 기본, 눈썹 문신까지 - 미주 한국일보. 남. 상욱. www.koreatimes.com. Men's makeup era. Skin care is basic, to eyebrow tattoos.. 2018-11-25.
  16. News: 男 뷰티시장이 뜬다 패션뷰티업체, 남성 화장품에 도전장. 이. 규진. 2018-09-05. Aju News. 2018-11-25. ko-KR. "Male Beauty Market is Rise" A fashion beauty company that challenges men's cosmetics.
  17. News: 티 안 나는 남자비비크림…BB크림 대신 NC크림에 주목. 정. 영일. 2018-05-08. Next Daily. 2018-11-25. ko. Man's BB Cream which doesn't look like . Attention to NC Cream instead of BB Cream.
  18. Web site: '관리하는 남자, 눈에 힘주다'... 남성 겨냥 아이 메이크업 제품 쏟아져 . 16 November 2020 .
  19. News: '관리 좀 한다'하는 남자들의 H&B 스토어 고정픽. 임. 수빈. 2018-08-31. NBN TV. 2018-11-25. ko. H&B store fixed-pics for men who 'take care of well'.
  20. News: 아름다움을 찾는 남성들 '그루밍족'…성형에 아낌없이 투자. 2013-11-28. Joongang Ilbo. 2018-11-25. ko-KR. The 'Grooming people' who are looking for beauty...lavish investment in plastic surgery.
  21. News: 그루밍족 호기심 자극하는 남자쁘띠성형 종류는? - 세종포스트. 이. 기영. 2017-10-11. Sejong Post. 2018-11-25. ko. What is the male petit type plastic surgery that stimulates the curiosity of the Grooming people?.
  22. News: 왜 남성들은 성형수술을 하는가. Staff. WSJ. The Wall Street Journal. 2018-11-25. en-US. Why do men have plastic surgery?.
  23. News: 반영구 화장 눈썹문신 관심…프라이빗 맞춤디자인 시술 수강 울산 '제이카라'. 박. 지윤. CCTV News. 2018-11-25. ko. Interested in a pair of semi permanent makeup and eyebrow tattoos. Private Custom Design Practice Ulsan 'Jakara'.
  24. Web site: 이미지 좌우하는 눈썹, 맞춤 디자인 '눈썹이식'으로 자연스러운 메이크오버 가능해. 이. 세연. news.kmib.co.kr. 11 July 2018. ko. Image-driven eyebrows and custom-designed "eye brow transplant" enable natural makeup over.. 2018-11-25.
  25. News: 남자들도 턱보톡스·윤곽주사·코필러 등 간단한 성형 시술 문의 늘어 - 세종포스트. 이. 기영. 2017-09-26. Sejong Post. 2018-11-25. ko. More men are inquiring about simple cosmetic procedures such as jaw botox, contouring injection, and nose filler etc..
  26. News: [클라스업] 제모하는 남자들]. 김. 용섭. 2017-10-10. Biz Hankook. 2018-11-25. ko. Men who have a waxing.
  27. Web site: "당신은 소중하니까요"…가꾸는 남자 '그루밍족'. Statistics Korea. Because you're precious 'Grooming Man'.
  28. News: 예쁜 남자, 그루밍족이 뜬다. 박. 영일. M Economy News. 2018-11-26. ko. A pretty man, Grooming male is on rise.
  29. Web site: 방학기간 그루밍족 남자성형 열풍..눈, 코, 윤곽성형까지. 이. 광주. www.fashionbiz.co.kr. The man plastic surgery of the grooming male during the vacation such as eye, nose and contour. 2018-11-26.
  30. News: [트렌드줌인] 추석선물 인기 '남성화장품', 화장하는 '그루밍족' 확산?]. 이. 창호. 2017-09-28. Daily Pop. 2018-11-26. ko. Popular for Chusok gifts: 'Men Cosmetics' and make-up 'Grooming male' spread?.