Ever wondered what makes Brad Pitt a lady charmer, why women swoon over George Clooney or why Arjun Rampal is the talk of the “She-town”? The answer is simple: they are all men who have identified themselves and then matched their looks to suit their personality and attitude!
And given all the handsome metro sexual guys your lady swoons over, you better get your act ready, and get set for a makeover, right here right now, and celebrate the onset of a newer, more smarter, and a happening you!
Studies show that men are now, more than ever before, aware of how their appearance affects how they're perceived in the workplace. Beauty, skincare and good looks, are no more the female bastion, enter men and pamper yourselves and leave the head-turning act to the ladies!
We know you are the frugal type, no fuss and no-nakhras guy, but then looking good, and creating a self-image, is more than a “nakhra”, it is branding yourself and more importantly, making people perceive you the way you want them to.
So, men it’s time to pull up your socks and get ready for a makeover, as we bring to you some basic styles, which you probably know, but simply need to use them better……..
Experiment with your facial hair:
Unlike the ladies, who must either bleach or wax, you have been blessed with facial hair, that you can style, shave, shape, clean, all as per your whims and fancies. So, make the most of the best you have and experiment!
- Timeless Moustache: Surinder Sahni, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Remember Mr Surinder Sahni who sported a moustache as a mark of his masculinity, suddenly turned into a clean shaven hunk, in order to look cool and trendy to impress his wife? But unlike, Mr Sahni, you can sport your moustache and still look as happening as those who are clean shaven. Here's how....
With the arrival of the metrosexual guy in town, bushy moustache for men aged between 18 to 35, make them look a little too grown for their age. A bushy moustache, can make you look like a dogmatic teacher or a mad scientist, whereas a neatly trimmed, thinned and well groomed moustache that does not extend any longer than the corners of your mouth, looks decent and pleasant.
Tip tip: The moustache should be even on each side and the hairs should never curl into your mouth. Style and trim them in such a way that it does not fall over your upper lip. When trimming your moustache, go along the natural curve of your top lip so that your moustache matches your face cut.
- The creative, hip, look: Aamir Khan
But then, in case you work in an office and your job is not the creative types, then this style is unlikely to be well-received by your boss. Here we are talking of the most-favorite, "goatee". But if you are allowed and want to experiment with your looks, this is a great look to try out and all you have to do is let your facial hair grow out on your chin in a patch that is about the size of the bottom of your chin. You can keep it short or let it grow long, depending on your taste and style.
Tip Tip: This look is great fun and in fact, makes you look younger than your age.
- The Helmet: Abhishek Bachchan
No we are not going to define what a Full beard is; because that is something you can talk better about. What we are, however, going to tell you is, that this style that makes a helmet extending from one sideburn to the other, can in turn have myriad styles to it.
If you are young and office going, then a full beard like that of the Santa Claus, is sure to make you look a decade older and outdated. If you sport a beard, you need to pull it off in a way that it doesn’t take away your smile and at the same time projects your masculinity and brawn.
Tip Tip: Have a full beard, but not a full beard that covers your entire face, hence; grow your facial hair so that it is about ¼ inch long. This way, your facial features will not be completely masked and if for those work in an office, should opt for a short one.
- Wrap up in style: Amitabh Bachchan
Here comes the French beard! This style is a cross between a miniature beard and a moustache. It is basically a circle of facial hair that wraps over your lip, around your mouth, and across your chin and works best if you are the professional gentleman, the suave manager, or the unassuming, career driven guy-next-door. In fact, the French beard is a great style for all ages, and gives a refined, tidy and mannish look and is a favorite with women.
Tip tip: If you aren’t confident with your shaving skills, grow out your facial hair to the length that you want your French beard to be and then go to a stylist and ask learn the easiest and most effective way to create the look. We recommend that you try this look at least once!
- Only on the sides, think: Elvis Presley
This style is for those men who are neither in favor of a full beard, nor a moustache, but definitely want facial hair in some style, and if you are one of them, sideburns come to your rescue. This style is particularly suitable to young, athletic men with attractive features and high cheek bones, and a must for paunchless, fit and agile, men with looks of a model!
Experiment with different lengths and styles for your sideburns, you could have them stretch down just past your ear, or you could let them shoot almost to your chin. The ends of your sideburns can either be squared-off or pointed. Generally, men with pointier chins look better with pointed sideburns, and men with more square-shaped chins look better with squared-off sideburns.
Men, it’s time to get over your wild hairy days -
We do not expect you to go bleaching, or get a hydra power packed facial done, (although if done once in a while, it can clean up your face), but we are talking about basic steps like getting rid of your stray hair, that are seen growing on, or out of, your ears and nose. These stray hairs may seem harmless, but they’re always noticeable and more often than not, they look untidy, and are a put off. Although your date may never mention the long, dark hair sticking out from your nostril, but she definitely saw it and just prays that you see it too, the next time you visit the loo, and get rid of it as soon as possible.
Trim these wild hairs, and keep them as small and invisible as possible. Carefully cut them with a scissor, and don’t pluck them. If the hair is growing out of a mole, plucking it can irritate the growth and cause even more problems. Always trim these stray hairs as close to the base as possible, and you’ll look fine.
Note it up: Your sideburns, mustache or beard can be as prone to split ends and strays as the hair on your head. So, brush out your mustache or beard, and look for split ends. Trim these, and get your stray hairs back into place to fit the shape of your mustache or beard. Keeping your facial hair trimmed is the key to looking stylish instead of scruffy.
Yes, we know, you have limited grooming options, when compared to the umpteen opportunities available for ladies, but why not start from that which is gifted only to you, that which you can flaunt and experiment as your whims and fancies, that which defines you, your facial hair! Besides, with a bi-yearly visit to the salon, for a facial and a pedicure, you are sure the metro sexual guy, who is masculine and sexy at the same time!
Use these tips and in a few short hours, you just might emerge a superior man!
