Why Western Men Are Taking Care of Themselves?

I interviewed several men between 19 and 25 years old. The reason that they take care of themselves with skincare and hair products to have a beautiful skin, perfect hairstyle, ... is different at the first sight because they do it to have something they want and they think easier to have if you are looking good. It could be a job, a promotion, a girl or even just see people looking at them in the streets, shops... There is a relation between show and be seen. When people are looking at them, no matter what is the look (desire, envy, contemplation...) they feel happiness.

That wasn’t the answer that I was looking for because I already knew that. I wanted to know if there was something more or not, if what I was thinking about was real or not. I took my time and we discussed for a while. After the same answers that in the beginning I ask how they were feeling when they are “prepared” and what does change. They almost all agreed on the fact that it was to boost their self-­‐confidence. It wasn’t easy to make them talk about it but I can’t be sure if it’s because it was something they weren’t even aware of or if it’s because they just don’t want to admit they need it to be more confident.

Being good looking is a kind of shield; they are ready to confront the outside world and to “conquer” it.

When I asked whom are they doing it for, they said it was for themselves and not for specific people but they are aware that the society design this level of exigency about beauty criteria and they do it to meet this level but they insist “not for a “real” person”. The society makes them want to look better to be able to obtain what they want.

People are not always confident; we all have fears and being good looking give them a kind of power that they maybe would not feel in another way. To feel desired make them happy and more confident.