Mintel Beauty Innovation has seen a dramatic increase in the number of new personal care products launched for men. So far in 2008, they have tracked over 500 new men’s personal care products in the US, a substantial increase from the 375 launched in 2007. Globally, Mintel has recorded more than 3,600 new men’s personal care product launches to date in 2008.

But beyond increased volume in the marketplace, Mintel Beauty Innovation’s Taya Tomasello sees more men’s personal care products being designed for advanced male grooming:

“Beauty manufacturers are trying to stay one step ahead of men’s evolving grooming habits. New personal care products launched for men today step beyond the basics of showering, shaving and deodorizing. At both the high and low ends of the market, new men’s grooming products try to provide tangible benefits based on appearance, specific body needs and ethical concerns.”

There’s rapid growth in four areas of advanced male grooming.

1. Lip-, eye- and hand-specific – Premium and mass market brands alike now offer products for men that promise to enhance certain areas of the body. Clarins Men Lip Guard and Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer emphasize functionality, not preening, to appeal to ordinary men. Still other products like L’Oréal Men Expert eye cream and the 4VOO Shape and Shine Nail Set target men seeking a flawless appearance.

2. Make-up and self-tanning – Make-up for men is still a super-premium, niche market in the US, but Mintel Beauty Innovation has seen many new brands emerge this year. Jean Paul Gaultier Monsieur and Clinique Skin Supplies for Men remain key players. Many personal care brands, including L’Oréal, also feature self-tanning products for men.

3. Anti-aging and exfoliating ingredients – Men’s grooming lines increasingly boast semi-scientific claims based on anti-aging or exfoliating ingredients. Biotherm Homme’s High Recharge Non-Stop Moisturizing Anti-Fatigue Concentrate uses the anti-aging ingredient ginseng, but others have included co-enzyme Q10 or creatine for anti-aging benefits. Exfoliation has become a focus as well with products like Unilever’s Axe Skin Contact Smoothing Shower Scrub featuring cactus milk to exfoliate and smooth the skin.

4. Organic, natural and ethical – Mintel sees organic and natural products driving growth in many sectors; men’s personal care is no exception. John Allan’s facial moisturizer features natural ingredients, while Aveda Men uses organic ingredients in its hair care. The Body Shop has long promoted ethical causes and opposed animal testing.

“In contrast to women’s personal care, the market for men’s grooming is just opening,” remarks Taya Tomasello. “Our research shows men are far less likely than women to use skincare products like moisturizers, exfoliants or even body washes. So tailoring new products to the needs of beauty-inexperienced males will help manufacturers expand the advanced men’s grooming market.”

Post from: eBeautyDaily

For your go-to on this season’s top fragrances, check out this guide from DETAILS:
http://men.style.com/details/blogs/knowandtell/2008/12/the-best-scents.html

Post from: eBeautyDaily

Hells yeah.

Hair on their legs? Sure.

But when it comes to the back, and some other areas, we start to want to introduce them to our neighborhood waxers.

My friends at Shobha Threading in NYC recommend having our man do the “twirl test” – If you are uncertain about your man’s manscaping needs, you can do a test, which is quick, easy and painless. Simply try to wrap a piece of his body hair (in a region that concerns you ) around your pinky finger. If the hair can wrap more than half way around this phalange, you need to explore maintenance options.

If the twirlability test has tested positive, don’t worry. There are solutions!
Commonly, most areas for excess fuzz for men are found on the torso. it’s true, some people actually enjoy a few extra tufts of hair on their mate’s chest – but there is nothing erotic about back hair! oh, & just one more little factoid, posterior hair can exist north & south of the waistline – everything must go!

Manscaping solutions - There are sugaring and waxing treatments to help in the demolition of such follicular forests that promise to leave you smooth & furless; If you’re new to manscaping, a monthly regimen will help keep that monkey off your back (or front)!’
The male threshold for pain
Yes, studies have shown that women do seem to handle physical pain better. Wusses.

Photo credit: Globeandmail.com

Post from: eBeautyDaily

My best friend’s guy has been known to get his brows threaded before every special occasion so that they are perfectly shaped, and my baby-faced little brother will never go to bed before well-moisturizing from his toes to the tips of his fingers.

When is it too much? And when is it just…good manners?

The truth is, male grooming is sometimes just good manners: Neanderthal man is long gone, the time when male body odor was the only fragrance required is only valid in the wild (and among my puppies).

Men have evolved, and as brows are known to frame the face, keeping them in order is more important than just about anything they may wear on their body.

The interesting thing is that brows are ONLY noticeable when they are a mess, and if your guy has a monobrow or just a few stray hairs, it may be a good time to summon his inner metro.

Check out the above video, where Aisha Alves of with Picture Perfect Makeup gives a step-by-step how-to on how to groom your man’s brows. Keep it in mind for your holiday parties!

Photo credit: Monkeysee.com

Post from: eBeautyDaily