by BR Kellie
Once upon a time my products ruled the bathroom, that I share with my husband, roost. Cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, masks for any and all possible skin emergency graced the small shelf above the sink, and huddled around the cup that held our toothpaste and toothbrushes. My husband's skincare stash amounted to a cleanser in the shower caddy, which was pressed up next to my cleanser, my body wash, my body oil... You get the picture.
My how times have changed.
Recently I thought to take a good gander at the bathroom shelf and spotted hair product, blemish gel, cleanser, moisturiser, an oil, toner and moisturiser. The shower caddy sported a body wash, two cleansers and scrub. None of which belonged to me.
It turns out my husband's beauty products have been on a stealth mission to take over every inch of our bathroom, and dare I say it... won. But is this usual? Is this now to be expected? Are modern men as into personal care as women have traditionally been?
Turns out the answer is a resounding yes.
A goodly perusal of the interweb revealed that globally men are not only becoming more interested in personal care, they're willing to spend good money on better quality products.
One report from Grand View Research shows that the global men's skincare products market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.2% from 2019 to 2027 to reach USD 18.92 billion by 2027.
That's a lot of money being invested into their manly looks.
On a more local level, a report from Euromonitor found that Kiwi men are becoming more interested in bath and shower care, as well as skin care, and are spending more money on such products.
The blokes have discovered beauty in a big way. And I, as a lover of equality in all its forms, am here for it.
Which brings me back to my husband. I pointed out the state of the bathroom shelf and shower caddy, and all he could do was grin and say 'I was wondering when you were going to take the p*** out of me for that'. Then he got me to feel his face - all soft, smooth and blemish-free - and I forgot what my issue was in the first place. If anything, he can have all the space he wants. Swoon.
So, is my husband ahead of the curve when it comes to investing in personal care products? Is he one of many men who are taking a greater interest in their appearance? Or has living with a beauty mad woman rubbed off on him? You tell me...
Are the men types in your life, brothers/fathers/husbands/boyfriends/flatmates/friends/colleagues, more interested in beauty products? Are their products pushing up against yours in the bathroom? Or are the blokes in your orbit as basic as ever? Chat away!
My husband does have a lot of items in the bathrooms, but they're mostly vitamins, supplements, soap, muscle rub, razors etc rather than skincare. He's not really into skincare.