Image via Complex Original
Men’s grooming is having a full-on renaissance. Where once grooming enthusiasts of the male persuasion were a minority, new statistics indicate they are fast becoming the majority. In fact, the estimated revenue of the guy-focused upkeep industry is currently valued at around $21 billion for 2016 alone. The dialogue about what it means to be a man has shifted dramatically in the last decade. And since new narratives about masculinity are constantly emerging, expressions of maleness are also changing. Guys are going beyond the rugged scents of leather and sandalwood in cologne, and they’re even ditching the all-in-one shampoo, body wash, and conditioners. Instead they are investing in personalized grooming routines and reveling in good ol’ fashioned self-care.
Of course they’re not the only ones benefiting from the groom boom. Women—better known as the real victims of No Shave November—are enjoying the glow-up of their XY-chromosome-carrying counterparts, too. Nevertheless, some taboos will always remain. (Bad breath has never been acceptable.) We asked 12 women in the creative industry what their biggest man-grooming taboos were. From unkempt body hair to excessively perfect eyebrows, these beautiful women share their deal breakers below.
Bukunmi Grace
Occupation: Photographer and Stylist
Handle: @bukunmigrace
"I’m not a fan of excessive body hair. My rule is that I prefer 5%, not 105% body hair. I also can’t stand dry beard stubble. It scratches your skin! I do love bushy eyebrows, but I’m not down with the unibrow or nose hair—I don’t want to see your nose hair. Oh, and eyebrows. Your eyebrows cannot be prettier than mine."
Chelsea Ciara
Occupation: Beauty Expert & Cosmetologist
Handle: @chelsea_ciara
"One huge deal breaker is damaged cuticles, especially from nail-biting (you ain’t touching me with those hands). Nail polish is also a turnoff for me, like the black or shiny top-coat trends. Unless a child painted your nails, then it’s sweet. Lastly, guys who highlight and bleach their hair...C’mon, you’re not in N’SYNC."
Madeleine Holth
Occupation: Fashion Journalist
Handle: @madeleineholth
"In my opinion, there are several turnoffs when discussing male grooming; the worst one has to be overly symmetrical eyebrows. Nothing looks weirder than when his brows are more on point than mine. I also recently saw someone using mascara to fill in a patchy hairline, which was absolutely awful. Mani-pedis and fake tans are pretty high up there, as well."
Rox Brown
Occupation: Director of VIP Services, VFILES
Handle: @rox_brown
"My deal breakers are pretty straightforward: Bad breath, bad teeth, smelly hair, thick chest hair, long or dirty nails (gags), too much nose or ear hair, and dry lips. I also don’t want a guy to use too many beauty products; he shouldn’t have more than I do."
Angel + Dren
Occupation: Twin DJs
Handle: @angelanddren
Angel: "I don’t know how to feel about a guy whose brows and hair that is more on point than mine. That might be a deal breaker."
Dren: "Same. I do support a guy getting a mani and pedi with me, though."
Both: "The big deal break is long nails. Please go get them cut and please, please don’t scratch me with your claws."
Suzie Grime
Occupation: Fashion journalist and Vlogger
Handle: @suzie_grime
"As long as guys are taking a shower once a day and keeping their hair and beard styles in shape by touching them up every now and then, there really are no rules. Dennis Rodman and Johnny Depp, for example, are men who dye their hair, paint their nails, and look pretty badass doing so. If your grooming style is authentic and you’re confident with it, there will always be a girl who thinks you’re cute."
Ashley Outrageous
Occupation: Media Personality
Handle: @aoutrageous
"Getting your eyebrows waxed is a HELL TO THE NO...unless you have a unibrow and you’re just trying to handle that, then you get a pass. I also can’t stand a man who is wearing too much cologne. A guy walked past me in the train once, and I could smell his cologne as he walked away...further and further. Lastly, dirty finger nails. If I see black under your nails, you’re done. BOY, BYE."
Europe Angelique
Occupation: Music and Fashion Publicist
Handle: @europeangelique
"I don’t like chest shaving. I am very appreciative when men take the time to wax their back, but when they take it a step further and shave their chest, the end result is stubby hairs that grow back. THAT is a deal breaker. Also, don’t get a manicure with clear polish. Manicure, yes. Manicure with clear polish, HELL NO. Lastly, say no to overly powerful cologne. A man should always choose a scent that is not overbearing. When we’re on a dinner date and your scent is stronger than the food, that is a problem."
Jennifer Graham
Occupation: Makeup Artist and Creative Director
Handle: @theprincessjennifer
"This isn’t so much a grooming habit, but it definitely relates to grooming. An absolute deal breaker for me is a dirty bathroom. I don’t want to see toothpaste in the sink, a scummy bathtub, or a dirty mirror. Oh, and you better always have toilet paper on deck."
Effie Liu
Occupation: Musician
Handle: @trueffieliu
"There’s really one big thing for me: Bad breath, because I don’t want to lock lips and swap spit with an unsavory palette!"
Savannah White
Occupation: Stylist
Handle: @savwhite
"I'm fairly low maintenance and can be ready quick, so it should never take someone I'm seeing longer to get ready than me. It’s also never cool to get more spa treatments than the girl you're seeing: mani, pedi, waxing, massages, etc. I'm all for wanting to maintain your appearance, but it shouldn't be excessive. Lastly, bad breath is a major turnoff. Keep it in check, gentlemen. That should be one area you can gladly be high maintenance about. Nothing worse then going in for a kiss and the breath is funky."