FASHION/STYLE: Men into ‘women’s’ beauty ways

Gone are days when men would whine that women waste big sums of money on their looks. They also accused them for spending a lot of time in front of the mirror, instead of securing the time for more constructive activities.

Saturday, June 20, 2009
Pedicures are also health services

Gone are days when men would whine that women waste big sums of money on their looks. They also accused them for spending a lot of time in front of the mirror, instead of securing the time for more constructive activities.

Now, it’s apparent that our brothers have been influenced. They are now seeking for tips from beauticians, and flocking into beauty saloons in huge numbers.

If you are a man out there and reading this piece, first pause, and take a keen observation at your body. Are you contented with your looks; the face, hair, and nails...so to mention? When was the last time you attended to yourself?

You do not need skins specialists to guide you on how to take good care of your body. For example having a manicures and pedicures are all health services.

These involve trimming your nails, cleaning and moisturizing, and shaving off your beards to boost your looks. Getting your nails done once you have decided is as good as any other health service rendered.

There are very many saloons in Kigali and in other parts of the country, which provide men’s beauty services.

Some of these services include; men’s nail shaping, cuticle care, hand and foot massage and a coat of colourless polish to those who know its secret.

Alex Mugisha says a good health care can hide one’s age. Like women, men too, need some of these beauty services for both health and beauty purposes.

”Men can at least have manicures, pedicures and the massage. Today, a big number have started going to salons not only for hair services, but also for nails,” said Mugisha.

The trend was first spotted in the youth due to the celebrity influence, but today even elderly men have embraced the culture after realizing that it would be an ideal for them.

Last week, I was left in a shock when a seemingly elderly man, hurried into a Image Saloon, in town and asked one of the beauticians to make him up because he was supposed to attend a wedding ceremony.

However, there are some men who still stick to their principles, based on the traditional beliefs that beauty services are only meant for women.

"I’m not sure about the description I would give to a man who applies makeup, but normally such men are unserious,” says François Hitimana.

Arnold Nzamwita is among those men with flexible minds, and he admits that men have to admit that beauty services are vital even for them.

"I take good care of my skin, and I’m certain that very many people admire my looks,” he says.

See if your nails need a manicure or pedicure. Decide whether you want to have short or long nails. If the length of your cuticle looks particularly long, and therefore your nail seems small, it’s time to get to the salon and have a manicure so your cuticles can be trimmed evenly.

The days of men complaining that women waste a lot of time and resources on their looks seems to be history. And with the frequent visits to men’s salons shows that men have finally discovered the benefits of trendy looks.

Taking into consideration health issues, during the process of manicure and pedicure, the cuticles are cleaned up, which eliminates painful and unsightly hang nails, which would have created other health related problems to your nails.

Men are leading the way when it comes to the art of grooming which includes shaving, haircuts, manicures, pedicures and massages, steaming and sauna treatments to name a few.

Ends