If you allow yourself to picture a stereotypical, upper-class, modern man, what qualities come to mind? Smart, sophisticated, well put-together – definitely. Pampered, preened and polished? You bet.
We are entering an age where a mani-pedi and facial is no longer tied to the world of a woman. Gender barriers are being broken and with that we are seeing more and more men embracing their metrosexuality.
The last few years have seen a boom in the male grooming industry into a multi-billion pound global business. We are seeing men now focused on self-care, presentation and their outwardly appearance. The industry has gone from being simply a shaving and fragrance focussed market, to one that supplies the modern-day man with a mass of skin products, hair products, make-up, shower gels, body lotions, perfumes and so much more.
With that in mind, here are four male grooming trends we are expecting to see in the upcoming year.
Hair transplants
A full head of hair is something to strive for these days, but sadly, not all men are blessed with that. For those that aren’t, hair transplants are looking to be a big trend in 2020. This is a type of cosmetic surgery that can either involve a Follicular unit transplantation (FUT, or strip method), or a Follicular unit extraction (FUE) through a quality healthcare service such as Vera Clinic. The former typically involves removing a thin strip of skin at the back of your head with hair on which is then divided into pieces that are replaced on your scalp, the latter involves removing hairs individually from the back of your head and replacing these hairs on your scalp.
This is a great solution for those who are feeling a little light on the top and want to boost their confidence with a full head of hair. The treatment is also available to those struggling with hair loss or limited hair growth in their eyebrows or other types of facial hair. Although this surgery doesn’t usually have many side effects, and can offer results within 8 to 14 months, it is important to conduct thorough research prior to undergoing treatment.
The rise of make up for men
Make up has managed to subtly creep its way into the male domain for quite some time now. A smoky eye or heavy black liner has been a statement look for many rock stars and actors alike throughout the years, just take a look at Ozzy Osbourne, Freddie Mercury or Johnny Depp. And then there are those few who went all out with a full face of make up like David Bowie, aka Ziggy Stardust.
Then the end of 2018 saw many luxury brands, including the likes of Chanel, Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford, release their own cosmetic lines completely tailored towards men. So perhaps 2020 might be the year we see a mainstreaming in men’s make up, where a foundation, bronzer, illuminated moisturiser, tinted lip balm or eyebrow defining kit are simply normal things you might find in a man’s bag or suit pocket – a sign of a modern day man invested in his image.
Head to toe hair grooming
If there is one grooming trend the whole planet participates in, it’s haircare, because regardless of what you are doing – colour, cut, style etc. – you are doing something. Hairdressers, and now barbershops too, are seeing a boom in business as more and more men take to routine, haircare regime. While the ‘in’ hairstyles and hair colours for 2020 may be harder to predict, what we do expect to see is a rise in haircare routines for hair that is not on your head.
Gone are the days where bushy body hair was a thing, we are now seeing a rise in waxing, threading and trimming amongst the male population, especially younger generations. Of course, that is not to say that every man should be hairless from the nose down, but maintaining and controlling body hair may be all the rage next year.
Choosing ethical and sustainable products
In an age where climate-change, deforestation, ocean pollution and animal cruelty are ever-present, it should come as no surprise that male grooming products are likely to be heading down the path of responsibility and sustainability in 2020. Look for brands with an ethos centred around sustainability, brands that use recyclable packaging, avoid plastic and palm-oil, are vegan or vegetarian, and put the environment first. Neal’s Yard Remedies, Skin and Tonic, and War Paint are just a few examples of brands tailored to men and focussed on ethics and sustainability and brands you should be looking out for in the upcoming year.
