Guybrows – the latest male grooming trend?

Posted on 16/09/09, filed under Mankind Grooming Editor

News reaches me today that men now make up 40% of visitors to Debenhams ‘Brow Bars’ (i.e places where you get your eyebrows professionally ‘shaped’). Seemingly, this is double the amount compared to a year ago. Clearly the release of Bruno has had more of an impact on the male psyche than anyone could have thought.

Now, you know me – I’m up for almost anything grooming wise but men with shaped eyebrows has always been a particular bete noir of mine. Frankly, I hate it.

Don’t get me wrong – I have nothing against a tidy brow. Nor do I disapprove of dealing with monobrows or those errant hairs that seem to pop up from nowhere. But I do have a problem with men who have their eyebrows plucked to infinity. For me, conscious shaping (and I’ve seen some real abominations recently) is just a step too far. According to the store, men are asking for a ‘Russell Brand’, ‘Robert Pattison’ or a ‘Danny Cipriani’ and are craving that well-groomed ‘arched’ look.

Which is fine if you want to look like you might do drag at the weekend but (and call me old fashioned if you want) I think it’s better to do as I do and just whiz over your brows with a hair or beard trimmer on a medium setting. Keeps eyebrows in check, removes those stray hairs and most importantly of all, ensures you still look vaguely like a fella at the end of it. What do you reckon?

Lee, Mankind Grooming Ed

Fancy growing a ‘tache for cash?

Posted on 07/09/09, filed under Mankind Grooming Editor

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been banging on (to just about anyone who’ll listen) about this the current Tacheback campaign, organised by the Everyman charity. In case you’re not familiar with the initiative, the charity – which raises much-needed money for research into testicular and prostate cancer – is asking men to grow a ‘tache in order to raise cash during September.

I’m growing one and, always one to go that little further, a full set of matching mutton chops too and implore you to have a go yourself. What’s more, with plenty of celebs sporting face furniture at the mo you’ll be bang on trend too.

To find out how you can take part have a look at the Tacheback website and take this tip from me – don’t forget to moisturise once that moustache gets going. I interviewed one of the barbers from Geo. F. Trumper’s recently about ‘taches and she stressed how important it was for any guys with facial hair to moisturise the skin under the hair since it can get especially dry. Simply take a blob of moisturiser and work in thoroughly with your fingertips.

Happy handlebars!

Lee, Mankind Grooming Ed

Always look on the bright side….

Posted on 27/08/09, filed under Mankind Grooming Editor

Since I always have my (admittedly rather jug-like) ear firmly to ground when it comes to the latest trends in male grooming I thought I’d report that the latest buzz centres around ‘skin brightening’. Already a well known beauty treatment with women it looks like men are getting in on the act too and more than one large skincare company is looking into a dedicated brightening product for men.

Essentially, skin brighteners help even out skin tone and minimise the kind of patchy pigmentation we all tend to suffer from (especially as we get older). I reckon they’re gaining in popularity thanks, in part, to the current trend for ‘perfection products’ like Nickel’s aptly named Perfector which aim to improve the overall look of the skin. Of course, Mankind has been stocking skin brighteners for ages so if you do suffer form uneveven pigmentation and dark spots try a products like Menscience Pigmentation Repair Formula, Nickel’s Bonne Gueule (Skin Brightening Treatment) or Ole Henriksen’s Enlighten Me – Skin Lightening Serum. Don’t worry, you won’t end up looking like Michael Jackson, bless his soul, just a better-looking version of your former self!

Lee, Mankind Grooming Ed