What Is a Metrosexual?

 A metrosexual is a male who takes pride in his appearance through the use of beauty products, monitoring calories, and dressing in trendy styles. A metrosexual is usually a straight male who has tendencies often associated with females or gay men when it comes to appearance and style.

The term “metrosexual” is believed to have been first used in print in 1994 by Mark Simpson, a British journalist. Writing about metrosexuality in 1994, Simpson now says, “Truth is, I was not being entirely serious when I first wrote about metrosexuality back in 1994… I was being slightly satirical about the effect of consumerism and media proliferation, particularly glossy men’s magazines, on traditional masculinity.”

Satirical or not, the emergence of metrosexuals became strong in the decade following Simpson’s first use of the term in print.

Metrosexuals are generally:

• Concerned with appearance to the point of using beauty products to enhance their appearance.
• Not afraid of having treatments done, like facials, that used to virtually be a women-only selection.
• Very knowledgeable about style.
• Not concerned with things associated with “masculinity”.
• Big spenders when it comes to enhancing their appearance.
• Sensitive and romantic.
• Located in urban areas.
• Sighted at high-class places associated with beauty and style (top hair salons, spas, etc.)
• Not afraid to show their feminine side.

Metrosexuals are now recognized as a great target market and many cosmetic companies, in particular, target metrosexuals with beauty products. Spas now promote things like “facials for men” in their marketing material as an open invitation to being “metrosexual friendly.” Metrosexual men generally take full advantage of spa services, including manicures and eyebrow plucking.

Media, through publications like GQ and Esquire, are largely credited for the increased interest and acceptance of metrosexuality. Whereas metrosexuals were once looked upon as “being gay,” time has eliminated such stereotyping as men’s fashion – regardless of sexuality – is entering a golden age.