Metrosexualism is one of the 21st century's trend, in which heterosexual men adapts flamboyant and fashionable appearance an lifestyle. Metrosexualism is especially popular in Japan. Guys with nice hair styles and fashionable clothing on streets of Japan are common scenes.
Yes. There are many beautiful guys in Japan. Clothing styles are different from the U.S. It is usually more flamboyant and pretty. Japanese guys buy many brands that is considered as women's brand in the U.S. as well. Guys with Gucci wallets or Louis Vuitton bag is common in Japan. But what makes Japanese guys more distinguishable in metrosexual sense, I believe, is hair style. Let's explore about their amazing hair styles
Yes. There are many beautiful guys in Japan. Clothing styles are different from the U.S. It is usually more flamboyant and pretty. Japanese guys buy many brands that is considered as women's brand in the U.S. as well. Guys with Gucci wallets or Louis Vuitton bag is common in Japan. But what makes Japanese guys more distinguishable in metrosexual sense, I believe, is hair style. Let's explore about their amazing hair styles
.It is almost always colored, straightened, waxed, or permed. Honestly, I have never seen any Japanese students with bushy hairs, not combed or waxed in Kansai Gaidai University. In any beauty & supply shops, men's hair styling or coloring supplies can be found in Japan. Most of the hair coloring supplies are unisex products, meaning they can be used by both men and women. However, there are some hair coloring supplies only for men as well. These hair coloring supplies are usually stronger for thicker male hairs and include less steps for convenience. The most popular hair color in Japan is brownish color, in between black and blond. Brownish hair color is said to be "normal," or "not too showy" among Japanese guys.
There are a number of hair styling methods too. There are hair gel, hair spray, wax, etc. The goal of these three products are same - fixing hair in positions wanted by user. However, the way of use and ingredients are different. Hair gel is gel type product, and users must put certain amount of gel on hand, rub it with both hands, and apply to hair as needed. Hair wax must be used in same way as hair gel, but wax gives shining texture to hair as well. Hair spray is little different from gel and wax. Users don't have to rub it or apply to hair by hands. Users merely have to spray it to hair. But, spray alone is not sufficient for styling. Either wax or gel must be used beforehand to fix hair into positions and then spray must be used to further fix it. Usually, spray is used optionally.
There are many professional hair styling methods offered in hair salon. These include straight perm, wave perm, treatment etc. Straight perm is used to straighten the curly hair, which takes about two to three hours. First, straightening perm liquid must be applied to hair. After about 45 minutes, it needs to be washed away, and hair must be dried. Then, hair stylist must iron the each part of hair with hair straightener to keep it straight afterward. Wave perm is to give curls to straight hair. Wave perm liquid must be applied to hair. Then each part of hair must be rolled and fixed by hairstylist for about 45 minutes. Then, the perm liquid must be washed and it is done. Treatment is optional to make hair healthier and give better texture. It gives nutrition to hair, which has been damaged by perm liquid and heat of iron.
After all these fussy steps, Japanese guys can go out with such nice hairstyles, which can be seen too girly in the U.S.
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Men's hair is an interesting approach to looking at gender in Japan. Metrosexuals, herbivore men and hosts all have interesting hair - how do they go through their normal daily lives with such dos? I guess with all the wax, gels and sprays you mention. I always warn about jumping to conclusions when students refer to the girlie men of Japan. Masculinity is culturally defined. But I would like to hear more Japanese perspectives - both male and female - about this hair situation.
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