By Brittney McLaws
He spends hours shopping and more time in front of the mirror than Miss Utah. He makes a monthly hair appointment and never forgets to moisturize. He paints his fingernails and dons the 'don''t hate me because I''m beautiful attitude.' For those unfamiliar with this strange breed of men, say hello to the metrosexual.
Coined in 1994 by British journalist Mark Simpson, the term metrosexual has infiltrated pop culture. The effects of this new male breed can be seen everywhere from the increase in male fashion lines and beauty products to the popular show 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.' Yes folks, face it, the metrosexual is here to stay.
In July of 2002, Simpson defined the metrosexual to Salon.com readers. According to Simpson: 'The typical metrosexual is a young man with money to spend, living in or within easy reach of a metropolis -- because that''s where all the best shops, clubs, gyms and hairdressers are. He might be officially gay, straight or bisexual, but this is utterly immaterial because he has clearly taken himself as his own love object ... Particular professions, such as modeling, waiting tables, media, pop music and, nowadays, sport, seem to attract them but, truth be told, like male vanity products ... they''re pretty much everywhere.'
Since the rise of the metrosexual, many male celebrities have fessed up to their narcissist ways. Simpson uses British soccer star, David Beckham, who is regularly seen sporting sarongs and pink, painted nails, as his poster metrosexual. Other celebrity metrosexuals cited include Australian swim-star, Ian Thorpe, Arnold Schwarzenegger and politician Howard Dean.
Each of these men fit the definition: they are not afraid to show off their feminine side and spend ample time and money at the best spas.
According to 'The Fabulous Life of Arnold Schwarzenegger' on VH1, Arnold loves pedicures and when it comes to his big, tough feet, he uses an all-natural mix of buffing cream, sea breeze and eucalyptus root, especially flown in from the Philippines.
According to Simpson, spotting metrosexuals is simple. In his article, 'Meet The Metrosexual,' Simpson said, 'Well, perhaps it takes one to know one, but to determine a metrosexual, all you have to do is look at them. In fact, if you''re looking at them, they''re almost certainly metrosexual.'
The term metrosexual is nothing to scoff about. Even though he is in touch with his feminine side, the metrosexual is in no way less manly. Judged on their priorities, these men are most likely the more confident and successful members of the male gender.
According to columnist Suman Srivastava, 'These metrosexual men are primarily urban, heterosexual, well-educated, and on easy terms with women and feminine ways ... He has no need to prove his maleness and that gives him the freedom to explore his feminine side.'
Simpson said these urban males will continue to take over the world much the same the moisturizer market will.
Simpson''s knack for predicting the emerging trends of metrosexuals has given him a great insight into their future. Simpson knows where the metrosexual will be in five years.
'The mall, the gym, the bathroom and the White House,' Simpson said. 'Metrosexuality is likely to become so dominant as to render the term superfluous, in much the same way as ''yuppie'' has become defunct.'